Entangle - A Little Too Strong For A 1st Level Spell?

[Olaf the Stout]

After having clarified what exactly the Entangle spell does in another thread, I think that it is very, very powerful for a 1st level spell.

It has a long range, a 1 minute/level duration and a 40ft spread. Combine this with the fact that if you fail your save you can't move until you make a DC 20 Strength or Escape Artist check and it is a spell that many characters will struggle against, even beyond the low levels.

I think that it is good enough to be second level. The only thing that seems to restrict it is the fact that grass, trees, shrubs or some other plant life has to be within the radius of the spell. Everything else about the spell makes it one tough mama.

What does everyone else think?

Olaf the Stout

 

[hong]

Yeah, I don't like it.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Yeah, I don't like it.

Then why didn't you vote?

Olaf the Stout

 

[starwed]

I think it's hard for the party to use effectively, and that's what a spells should be balanced against. It's very situational, and entangles any allies in the spread as well.

It might be more powerful than most 1st level spells in the DM's hands, since he can design an entire encounter around it, but that's not what determines the real power of a spell.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Here's what it takes for players to arrange an encounter around entangle:

"Here, take this bow and arrow. I'm going to entangle the crap out of them, and then we're going to fill them full of arrows."

"Sounds good."

 

[Machiavelli]

I've found that enemies roll well enough to escape the area FAR too often.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

It is too good. Yes the 15 reflex save rapidly becomes easy, but the str and escape artist don't. Or not much. Plus 40 foot spread is way out of line. Most other similar spreads are 10 or 20 feet.

So make the spread 20 feet and at a round a level and it is good. EVen concentration is not bad, max a minute.

And as another poster said, yes, all you need to take deadly effect of htis spell is find a bow and a few arrows.

Way better than hold person under the current rules. Affect a whole army, practically, and once you save, most characters are not getiting out.

 

[Darklone]

I always ruled that there had to be a certain existing vegetation to begin with. So the spell was still horribly useful and powerful ... my PCs even got used to hack through underbrush if they wanted to flee... Entangle on top of it and you're safe.

But no using it in a dungeon with stone floor. Nono.

Another use has not been mentioned yet: Our archer/druid used it cast on himself... with his pretty good Refl save usually she wasn't entangled but the enemies melee dudes had a hard time to get to her.

 

[QuaziquestGM]

I like it. It seems perfectly reasonible to have one spell in the druid arsonal that makes everyone think long and hard before going after a druid in the woods.

 

[irdeggman]

Another use has not been mentioned yet: Our archer/druid used it cast on himself... with his pretty good Refl save usually she wasn't entangled but the enemies melee dudes had a hard time to get to her.

You do mean in the area where the druid is correct? It can't be cast on a person. But yeah, that is a good use. Also good for a rogue and sneak attacking since you can flank fairly easily this way.