Skip to main content

Spider Climb

← Back to Spell List

Spider Climb
  • Level: 2
  • School: Transmutation
  • Class: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: Touch
  • Components: V, S, M (a drop of bitumen and a spider)
  • Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Until the spell ends, one willing creature you touch gains the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and along ceilings, while leaving its hands free. The target also gains a Climb Speed equal to its Speed.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You can target one additional creature for each spell slot level above 2.

Tactical Usage​

Wall-Crawling Mobility. Spider Climb provides unparalleled vertical movement capabilities that enable access to otherwise unreachable locations.

Hands-Free Climbing. The spell maintains manual dexterity while climbing, enabling spellcasting, weapon use, and manipulation while on walls or ceilings.

Tactical Positioning. The ability grants access to superior combat positions and escape routes through three-dimensional movement.

Spell Combinations​

Mobility Enhancement. Combining with other movement magic creates comprehensive positioning advantages and escape capabilities.

Stealth Integration. Using alongside concealment magic enables infiltration through unexpected routes and positions.

Multi-Target Scaling. Higher-level slots enable multiple party members to gain wall-crawling capabilities simultaneously.

Material Component Details​

Bitumen and Spider. The material components symbolically connect to adhesion and spider-like movement through natural examples.

Component Symbolism. The bitumen represents sticking properties while the spider exemplifies natural wall-crawling abilities.

Component Preparation. Both components are readily available and can be prepared in advance for consistent spell access.

Creator Notes​

Mobility Magic Tool. Spider Climb provides excellent mechanics for three-dimensional exploration and tactical positioning.

Transmutation Identity. The spell exemplifies transmutation magic through physical ability enhancement and body modification.

Concentration Balance. The hour-long duration with concentration enables extended exploration while requiring ongoing magical focus.

Environmental Interactions​

Surface Independence. The spell enables movement on any solid surface regardless of angle or orientation.

Climbing Speed. The granted climb speed equals normal movement speed, enabling rapid vertical traversal.

Hands-Free Capability. The spell maintains full manual functionality while adhering to surfaces through magical means.

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Surface Limitation. The spell requires solid surfaces and doesn't enable movement through liquid, gas, or incorporeal materials.

Speed Matching. The climb speed granted equals the target's normal movement speed for consistent mobility.

Willing Target. The spell only affects willing creatures, preventing unwanted applications or hostile targeting.

Concentration Duration. The spell requires concentration for up to 1 hour, competing with other concentration effects.

Alternative Applications​

Construction Work. Enabling safe access to high construction sites or architectural projects requiring vertical work.

Rescue Operations. Reaching victims in elevated or difficult-to-access locations during emergency situations.

Exploration Access. Investigating cliff faces, tall structures, or underground caverns with complex vertical terrain.

Movement Magic Comparison. Various spells provide different movement capabilities, while Spider Climb specifically enables wall-crawling.

Transmutation Enhancement. The spell connects with other body-enhancing transmutation magic through physical capability improvement.

Scaling Potential. Higher-level slots enable group mobility enhancement for coordinated wall-crawling operations.

Scaling Analysis​

Multi-Target Value. The spell becomes increasingly valuable when applied to multiple party members for coordinated three-dimensional tactics.

Extended Duration. The 1-hour concentration duration provides substantial exploration and tactical positioning time.

Campaign Integration. Urban or dungeon-heavy campaigns benefit greatly from vertical movement capabilities.

Narrative Flavor​

Spider-Like Adhesion. The spell should emphasize supernatural adhesion that enables effortless wall and ceiling movement.

Natural Movement. The wall-crawling should feel as natural as walking on ground, demonstrating the spell's transmutation effects.

Three-Dimensional Freedom. The effect should capture the liberation of movement in all directions through magical body enhancement.