D&D 5E Planar Ally is it the most powerful conjuration spell in the game? How do you run it?

[Yaarel]

It's like giving the best healing spell in the game to wizards, with no explanation whatsoever.

Wish is the best healing spell in the game, and so far, only the Wizard and Sorcerer spell lists have it.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

No constration needed, it can last just about forever if you have the gold income for it, no CR limit, it can summon any CR Celestial, Fiend, or Elemental.

The real catch, in my opinion, is that it requires payment. Given that the entity is probably disinclined to help someone who just summoned it unannounced, you would need to pay it more than it's actually worth in order for it to help you. The monster has all of the bargaining power here, because they can just leave if you aren't willing to pay their price.

I guess it might be useful in a game where you have more wealth than you know what to do with, yet are somehow incapable of dealing with any dragons or titans who stand in your way, but that's an incredibly small window between when you gain Planar Ally as a spell and when a summoned creature stops being useful. A party can already defeat a balor when they're level nine.

 

[Yaarel]

Actually, the 9th-level Gate spell resembles Planar Ally. A planar creature shows up to negotiate. A deal may or may not happen.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Wish is the best healing spell in the game, and so far, only the Wizard and Sorcerer spell lists have it.

I knew someone was going to say that, lol. Wish is a high level super-spell that wizards get. And clerics can request miracles. The best healing spell would be something like a 1st level improved version of cure wounds that scales well and adds restoration benefits.

 

[Yaarel]

I knew someone was going to say that, lol. Wish is a high level super-spell that wizards get. And clerics can request miracles. The best healing spell would be something like a 1st level improved version of cure wounds that scales well and adds restoration benefits.

Sure, but the problem is, the Wizard level 9 spell heals better than the Cleric level 9 spell. That feels off, especially when the Wish spell generally duplicates spells that are less than level 9.

But actually, that fact argues in favor of Wizards learning healing spells at lower levels too.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Sure, but the problem is, the Wizard level 9 spell heals better than the Cleric level 9 spell. That feels off, especially when the Wish spell generally duplicates spells that are less than level 9.

The wizard does have to pay for that healing by taking necrotic damage, strength drain, and a 33% chance of never casting wish again.

Which brings us back to planar ally. I'm not sure it fits well as written for a wizard either (I favor more interesting options for them). Basically, the spell as written fits poorly for any class, except an occasional rare atypical character concept.

 

[bganon]

Planar Ally give the caster zero control, and clerics don't have all the other useful spells to cast in preparation. So OK, suppose that cleric of Lathander beseeches Orcus for aid. Orcus decides to play along and sends a Nalfeshnee:

Fiend: Behold mortal! It is I, Nyjikubnub! What task do you require of me?
Cleric: Oh hey, could you open this jar? It's really stuck.
Fiend: As you command, the only cost will be... YOUR VERY SOUL!
Cleric: Umm, I'm thinking no.
Fiend: Ok then, buh-bye. *POOF*

Nice use of a 6th-level slot.

 

[gyor]

Or the Nalfeshnee is not dumb and realizes asking for a soul for such a minor favour is a wasted opportunity to get ones foot in the door and instead asks for a minor sin or blasphmy, then offers its name for Lantherite to summon it again, encouraging the Lantherite call it when needed.

Bit by bit the Nalfeshnee gets the Lantherite to make bigger and bigger moral sacrifices, then when the Cleric is debase enough, it offers the jack pot for the Cleric's soul.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Since the spell can keep an ally on the plane for 10 days, the Nalfeshnee might offer to work for "free" in exchange for more time running loose. I could see something like "You are having problems with goblins. No problem. I'm a demon, we love killing goblins. Give me a week, and I will totally take care of your goblin problem." And if your elf and dwarf problem goes away too, well that is just good luck.....

 

[Yaarel]

Which brings us back to planar ally. I'm not sure it fits well as written for a wizard either (I favor more interesting options for them). Basically, the spell as written fits poorly for any class, except an occasional rare atypical character concept.

It occurs to me, summoning planar creatures and striking bargains, is pretty much exactly what Elric of Melnibone is about.

To represent this fictional character, maybe the entire class is about Planar Ally and Gate, but starting with lower level creatures, and working ones way up to higher level creatures. Part of the fluff for him is knowing the esoteric rituals that will connect to these creatures, somewhat like the D&D version of discovering the ‘true name’ of the creature.