Entangle me this, web-slinger

[Eltanin]

I need a little help with a rules discussion revolving around entanglement from a web spell.

I have a cleric PC in my game caught inside a web spell and she failed her saving throw. Adjacent to her is an unconscious and dying party member who is not in the web (but is, of course, prone). She is holding a wand of CLW. She would like to know if she can touch the dying PC.

From the SRD:

from Web

...Anyone in the effect’s area when the spell is cast must make a Reflex save. If this save succeeds, the creature is entangled, but not prevented from moving, though moving is more difficult than normal for being entangled (see below). If the save fails, the creature is entangled and can’t move from its space, but can break loose by spending 1 round and making a DC 20 Strength check or a DC 25 Escape Artist check. Once loose (either by making the initial Reflex save or a later Strength check or Escape Artist check), a creature remains entangled, but may move through the web very slowly. Each round devoted to moving allows the creature to make a new Strength check or Escape Artist check. The creature moves 5 feet for each full 5 points by which the check result exceeds 10. ...


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.

The bonds are anchored to an immobile object therefore the cleric can't "move". Is this movement as defined by the rules (i.e. 30ft/rnd) or is this movement at all? Is the cleric helpless? Or does web mean that you're entangled as above regardless of your save and you just can't walk if you fail your save?

I have visions of Frodo being entangled. It seems like he wouldn't be able to use a wand to touch someone on the ground. But I don't have any rule that I can't point to and say to my players, "See? See!?" This could be just my opportunity to put my foot down as DM, but I'd like some other informed opinions first. Thanks!

 

[KarinsDad]

Entangled creatures can do whatever they want except move (if the bonds are anchored and they failed the Reflex save).

However, attacks are at minuses and spell casting requires a Concentration roll. Activating a Wand is not called out as being prevented. Nor is retrieving an item called out as being prevented, hence, they can be done with no penalties.

Getting up from Prone or dropping to Prone would be considered "movement".

Since attacks are at minuses, it means that you can attack. If you can attack, you can touch an opponent or an ally in an adjacent square.

And, Entangled is not Helpless. Helpless is a different condition than Entangled.

 

[lukelightning]

Lukelightning dons his geek hat:

"Entangle me this" is a Riddler ("Riddle me this...") reference (DC comics), and "web slinger" is a Spider Man reference (Marvel). You're combining two different universes in your subject! My brain will assplode!

 

[Bryntryst]

Entangled just means you can't move, and by move, I mean you can't move to other squares. You are still able to attack, cast spells, and whatnot, it's just a bit more difficult. If he's worried about having to make concentration checks to cast a cure spell, he could always just make a heal skill check.

 

[lukelightning]

I'd allow you to do it no problem, as long as you describe your cleric humorously bouncing around in the web trying to touch your ally with the wand.

 

[Eltanin]

Yeah the rules seem pretty clear in what they say. You're just entangled hence you can swing swords etc.. The cleric doesn't even need a concentration check because she's using a wand.

I am however pretty disgruntled with the web spell. 20-foot radius effect. Sticky webs everywhere. So thick that they provide concealment. But all they really affect are your legs. You can turn around, get stuff out of your backpack, write a letter to your mom, attack your nearby enemy and heal your nearby friend, but you can't take a 5-foot step. Bah.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

Yeah the rules seem pretty clear in what they say. You're just entangled hence you can swing swords etc.. The cleric doesn't even need a concentration check because she's using a wand.

I am however pretty disgruntled with the web spell. 20-foot radius effect. Sticky webs everywhere. So thick that they provide concealment. But all they really affect are your legs. You can turn around, get stuff out of your backpack, write a letter to your mom, attack your nearby enemy and heal your nearby friend, but you can't take a 5-foot step. Bah.

After playing in a combat in which there were a three web spells cast by the various heroes and villains, and this taking us a total of about 50 combat rounds and six hours to play through, we decided to ban the spell. It's just not worth the trouble.