What is the point of Empty Body, really?

[Neo2151]

Or really, any version of an ability/spell that allows you to go to the Ethereal Plane?

I ask because these are high level spells/abilities and you've probably long since figured out how to successfully fight Ghosts and Specters, etc.

[chaoseffect]

If you can cast Ethereal Jaunt it means that you don't need a guy with lockpicks or Knock! And it only comes 5 spell levels later!

Besides that I'd say mostly because it sounds cool and reality is already your b~%#! anyway, so why not?

[Neo2151]

Well, I mean, there are useful reasons to go into the Shadow Plane, or the Astral Plane. But the Ethereal Plane? I just don't see the point. Unless it really is just, "f-k it, why not?"

[Malwing]

I GMed a situation with Xill being trapped in the ethereal plane trying to get out. the problem would have been easily resolved if someone could go to that plane and repair the damage to their prison. Also ghosts.

[Neo2151]

But again, with ghosts, I figure you have access to Ghost Touch items and/or Force spells long before you have access to 7th level spells (Ethereal Jaunt) or 9th level spells/abilites (Etherealness as a 9th level spell and Empty Body as a level 17 SU).

[Justin Rocket]

chaoseffect wrote:

If you can cast Ethereal Jaunt it means that you don't need a guy with lockpicks or Knock!

A door is important if you're relying on lockpicks and Knock.

Empty Body is a Supernatural Ability. So, it can be used when grappled, in shackles, etc. It can't be disrupted. It can be cast quicker than Ethereal Jaunt and allows a standard action to be done in the same round. It can be spammed.

[Shadowdweller]

More to the point because Empty Body, Ethereal Jaunt, Etherealness are all incredibly powerful abilities. 1) The Prime Material plane is visible from the Ethereal Plane; 2) Walls on the Prime Material plane do not block travel on the Ethereal Plane; 3) A very small minority of magical effects can normally cross the planar boundries; 4) A minority of enemies are capable of perceiving creatures on the Ethereal Plane. Making these effects highly useful for scouting, defense, localized travel, and escape in an enemy complex.

[Kimera757]

It lets you scout invisibly and skip encounters. It's not the greatest ability in combat.

I don't really see why monks get it, but once a wizard gets their hand on such spells, castles become speedbumps.