Casting while entangled

[Hervis]

I our game last night I cast a web spell on a low level orc sorceror who promptly failed his save and became entangled. When he tried to cast a spell he has to make a concentration check. Under the description of the concentration spell it says that the DC is 15. Under the definition of entangled in the glossary it says that the DC is 15+spell level

Which is it?

 

[Pax]

The specific description always trumps the general description. So in this case, the DC to use is that set out in the description of entangle.

 

[Keith]

Nice catch!

The Conditions section says:

Entangled: The character is ensnared. Being entangled impedes movement, but does not entirely prevent it unless the bonds are anchored to an immobile object or tethered by an opposing force. An entangled creature moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity. An entangled character who attempts to cast a spell must make a Concentration check (DC 15 + the spell’s level) or lose the spell.

While the Magic section offers:

Entangled: If you want to cast a spell while entangled in a net or by a tanglefoot bag or while you’re affected by a spell with similar effects, you must make a DC 15 Concentration check to cast the spell. You lose the spell if you fail.

Your point, Hervis, is, I think, totally correct. Only one of these can be accurate, and one of them is an error. Which one? I don’t know. Even if the specific is supposed to outweigh the general (without thinking what the actual mistake might be), I don’t see which of these is less specific or why.

Personally, I think the spell level should be added on, which means I favor the Condition text as well. I think there is definitely an error, though.

Cheers

 

[Hervis]

I agree,

I makes sense that casting a higher leve spell would be harder while entangled.

It also reads the same for grappled. Under the concentration check the DC is 20.

Under the description for Grappling the target is DC + spell level.

I would guess that the chart under concentration is in error.

 

[Diirk]

The chart under concentration is correct, it just helps if you read the text as well...

"The table below summarizes various types of distractions that cause you to make a Concentration check. If the distraction occurs while you are trying to cast a spell, you must add the level of the spell you are trying to cast to the appropriate Concentration DC. If more than one type of distraction is present, make a check for each one; any failed Concentration check indicates that the task is not completed."

 

[ZansForCans]

The chart under concentration is correct, it just helps if you read the text as well...

Or, even, the chart itself (like footnote #1):

"1 If you are trying to cast, concentrate on, or direct a spell when the distraction occurs, add the level of the spell to the indicated DC."

 

[Keith]

I’m sure the chart is fine. The contradiction I quoted above form the SRD text is still the same, and still a problem, I believe. It is clear which is right, but there is still an error.

Cheers

 

[ZansForCans]

I’m sure the chart is fine. The contradiction I quoted above form the SRD text is still the same, and still a problem, I believe. It is clear which is right, but there is still an error

Yup. Sorry I missed that third location you noted. I was focusing on the original question above. The blurb in the Magic chapter is indeed wrong.

It's not a huge conflict though since the primary source for Concentration checks is the skill description itself, which describes the effect of entanglement correctly. The primary source for "entangled" is the glossary or the SRD abilities and conditions chapter, which also lists it correctly.