[RPG] Can Earthbind be used for a Feather Fall type effect

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According to Crawford on Twitter, Earthbind causes the effected creature to descend not fall:

Q: do flying creatures affected by Earthbind (Elemental Evil) take falling damage if they reach the ground during the spell?

A: The earthbind spell doesn't cause the target to fall. Probably too subtle: that's why the spell uses "descends" instead of "falls."

(See also on Sage Advice.)

Given that, if I cast Earthbind on myself whilst I'm falling, could it be used as a Feather Fall type of effect?

Best Answer

Yes, but only under very specific circumstances

*Throughout, "you" is assumed to be the creature that is falling attempting to cast the spell on themselves

Unless you prepared an action, you cannot cast earthbind while falling

The rule for falling assumes that a creature immediately drops the entire distance when it falls. 

When you start falling, you drop immediately with no time to take an action. That is what makes feather fall so useful, because you can cast it as a reaction in response to falling which does interrupt the fall. Earthbind takes an action to cast and thus cannot be cast while falling.

The only way to get around this would have been to have prepared an action to cast earthbind if you start falling next round.

Falling from >500 feet (optional rule)

Xanathars Guide to Everything provides an optional rule that allows for non-instant falling.

When you fall from a great height, you instantly descend up to 500 feet. If you’re still falling on your next turn, you descend up to 500 feet at the end of that turn. 

So, if your DM is using the rule and if you fall from >500 feet you would be able to cast earthbind.

If you want to other Q&As dealing with casting while falling look at the answers for Does casting Fly on a creature who is falling cause fall damage? and Can you cast a spell with a Doss lute while falling?

If you find a way to cast earthbind while falling, you (may) still need to fail a save

The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or its flying speed (if any) is reduced to 0 feet for the spell’s duration. 

Jeremy Crawford says you cannot fail a save intentionally:

No rule lets you opt to fail a save. As DM, I might allow it, assuming you aren't incapacitated or dominated.

So, assuming your DM is abiding by this, you must roll and actually fail a strength save.

If your DM allows failing a save intentionally then this is not an issue.

If you can cast the spell in time and fail the save, you should reach the ground safely

An airborne creature affected by this spell safely descends at 60 feet per round until it reaches the ground or the spell ends.

If you are higher than 600 feet when earthbind is cast then the spell will run out before you reach the ground and you could take damage.