D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] alternates to Freedom of Movement?

[MidnightLightning]

I was under the impression that the OP wanted help for when the had already hit the fan.

The specific situation I've got now is that there's a dungeon of spellcasters (minions and generals) that the PCs entered, caused a rukus, and then were forced to retreat out of for a day. The question is, now that the enemies know their tactics, what can they do to prepare for when the PCs come back (so no taking new feats or Prestige Classes, but I could fudge a new spell into their spellbook).

Also, just for personal knowledge for future campaigns, knowing what buffs are possible (beforehand) to assist with a grapple check when it's expected to come up in combat.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

There's always Polymorph. *ducks*

Get a large or larger size and massive strength score.

 

[Dandu]

Assuming the BBEG memorized two DimDoors, and failed to beat the Warlock's initiative. Then combat would look like:

Warlock: chilling tentacles; BBEG is grappled
BBEG: dimension door; to just outside the tentacles. Plus one move action if he wants.
Warlock: chilling tentacles; BBEG is grappled
BBEG: dimension door again. This time to an out-of-sight area around the corner from this room, so Warlock can't get him again immediately.
Warlock: prepare an action: When BBEG is spotted, cast chilling tentacles.
BBEG: come round the corner, expecting to cast disintegrate as soon as he sees Warlock, but Warlock's action triggers first.
Warlock: chilling tentacles; BBEG grappled
BBEG: no more dimension door spells left. Frozen to death.

He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking.

Seriously, Dimension Door 840 feet up in the air, cast Fly or Feather Fall/have a ring of it, then nuke the warlock from orbit.

 

[MidnightLightning]

Seriously, Dimension Door 840 feet up in the air, cast Fly or Feather Fall/have a ring of it, then nuke the warlock from orbit.

In this particular dungeon, it's all interiors, and standard 10 ft. ceilings, but that's an idea for if I design a space (or get to choose my battlefield) to do it in an area with some headroom.

 

[Dandu]

In close quarters, you should make the most of Walls and AoE spells such as Solid Fog. Spells like Resilient Sphere are also good for isolating certain targets and creating an obstacle for the people around/behind them.

 

[Wyvernhand]

Nobody's mentioned Heart of Water yet? Its in Complete Mage. Lasts HOURS per level, and can be discharged as an immediate action to invoke a Freedom of Movement like effect for 10 rounds.

Its a Transmutation, level 3, so available even earlier than FoM itself.

 

[Runestar]

Isn't there a thread about a grappler wizard build or something?

Octopus familiar gives +3 grapple, double that with elven wizard sub.

Improved grapple gives +4.

Spc has a few low lv spells which further boost your grapple check.

Enlarge person or polymorph to assume a form of larger size.

 

[Sekhmet]

The Gaming Den :: View topic - Making a Grapple Wizard (Monks Suck) The link to that grappling wizard.
Fire Shield (level 5) discourages grapples, as a DM, I'd also rule it could destroy the tentacles after a turn or two. The spell doesn't give HD/HP for it's tentacles, but you could imagine it would be quite low.
Wands can be used during a Grapple. (Wand of Bigby's ____ Hand, Fly, Levitate, Polymorph).
Gaseous Form

 

[Dandu]

I always thought the tentacles were invulnerable.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I always thought the tentacles were invulnerable.

Me too, if attacking them was a viable option, you'd think they would have said something to that effect. So either they're invulnerable or so numerous that attacking them is just a waste of time.