D&D 5E AoE spells affecting casters?

[Matita]

Let's set the scene, we've been traveling down a dungeon inside of an ore mine, I've been being very creative, from catching falling players in Octopus form, to casting Druidcraft to create glowing light orbs (because it's clear and sunny outside) to help our non-darkvision torch-less party members, and puffing peyote in a goblins face making him completely immobile.

We finally reach the boss of the Dungeon, and I rolled highest for initiative so I fire off the entangle spell I've been waiting to use for the entire session with extreme delight I love the Druid class so much...But in my *ahem* Haste.

I forgot it has an AoE of 20 feet and everyone in my party was currently in that radius. So, our DM handed the d20 to everyone to make a DC 13 STR saving throw, but I was surprised when he handed it to me.

I kind of made a little objection "Why would the spell I cast wrap me up?" I've been playing for a few months and I've never questioned the DM's reasoning but when I said that he kind of agreed passively with me and passed the d20 past me, so my question is, is that a thing?

I mean I was in the AoE radius and I wasn't thinking strategically, is it possible for magic users to be caught in spells like that or is that something that's up to the DM's discretion?

(P.S. Only one PC (our Monk.) Got caught in the entangle but he was out 2 turns later and the Boss did get wrapped up..So yay!)

TL;DR Should AoE spells (For example the 1st level druid spell Entangle), wrap up the caster if he/she is in that area?

 

[mellored]

Yes. Nothing makes you or your allies immune to your own spells (unless your an evoker). Plants arn't smart.

Note that you can end concentration spells at any time.

 

[ElderElementalEye]

Yes, if you cast a spell affecting all creatures, and you are in the AoE, you suffer the effects.
Same thing as a wizard casting a fireball 10 feet from his face.

 

[the Jester]

Yes, unless the spell specifies otherwise. That's the difference between an area and a targeted spell (e.g. bane).

 

[Illithidbix]

Yes.
Hitting yourself and allies with AoE is a real and present threat.

It's why Sorcerer's "Careful Spell" and School of Evocation Wizard's "Sculpt Spells" exist.

Just be glad that fireballs no longer distort their shape so to fill out confined spaces with their volume!

 

[Redthistle]

Cue Dylan: (En)Tangled Up in Blue.

 

[Sunseeker]

Yes, there's nothing in the spell or the class saying the caster is immune to their own spells. In fact doing so would water-down special class features that allow you to pick and choose targets. Had a player last session throw down a fireball in a dungeon, fortunately he didn't collapse it on them but he filled the entire room, including his and all of the players spaces with fire, so everyone had to make saves.

 

[Uchawi]

There is always a debate between what the character knows versus the player, and as a DM I would probably warn the player of something the character should know. But if it was a constant habit of the player to not pay attention to spell effects, or if the character was written up as being forgetful or brash, then I would just let the dice fall where they may and move on.

 

[seebs]

If a spell affects creatures, not "creatures you choose", in an area, then yes, they affect party members including possibly the caster.

(There's a PF spell, Cloud of Daggers or something, which omits the mention, is not dismissible, and does pretty large continuous damage to everything in a 5' spread around the caster; I don't think you can build a wizard who can survive casting it.)

 

[ccs]

Oh yes, many a caster has been accidently caught in their own poorly placed effects over the years/editions. Including here in 5e.