Evard's Black Tentacles

[Oryan77]

I thought I remembered reading that if you escape the grapple attempt from this spell, you can't be grappled again unless you move out of the area and back into it again. But now reading over the spell description, I don't see it mentioning that.

So my question is, if you escape a grapple in this spell, does it get to attempt another grapple check on it's turn if you haven't moved out of it's area?

Also, what are some good ways to get out of this nasty spell if you have a low grapple & escape artist check? Our group just realized last session that you can't cast spells that require somatic components while in a grapple.

 

[KarinsDad]

You probably read it here. It is one interpretation of the poor wording of Evards:

Every creature within the area of the spell must make a grapple check, opposed by the grapple check of the tentacles. Treat the tentacles attacking a particular target as a Large creature with a base attack bonus equal to your caster level and a Strength score of 19. Thus, its grapple check modifier is equal to your caster level +8. The tentacles are immune to all types of damage.

Once the tentacles grapple an opponent, they may make a grapple check each round on your turn to deal 1d6+4 points of bludgeoning damage. The tentacles continue to crush the opponent until the spell ends or the opponent escapes.

Any creature that enters the area of the spell is immediately attacked by the tentacles.

The first section bolded above can be interpreted as at casting time. The second section bolded above can be interpreted as the tentacles not affecting the target once he escapes. The third section bolded above can be interpreted as the only additional attack is when someone re-enters.

But, this is just one very narrow set of interpretations that doesn't appear to match designer intent.

 

[AbeTheGnome]

Grease is one of the most underrated spells in the PHB; it works great in situations like this. With Still Spell, it only takes up a 2nd-level slot.

 

[Oryan77]

But, this is just one very narrow set of interpretations that doesn't appear to match designer intent.

So the way the spell is meant to work is to do grapple checks everytime an escaped PC is still within the area of effect, or if he re-enters the area?

Grease is one of the most underrated spells in the PHB; it works great in situations like this. With Still Spell, it only takes up a 2nd-level slot.

Hmm, grease the armor or clothing...not bad. Is there any kind of Mass Grease spell?

 

[Jhulae]

The FAQ added the addendum that once something escapes the grapple it's not re-grappled until it leaves and re-enters the area.

It nerfs the spell quite a bit, making it almost useless.

 

[shilsen]

The FAQ added the addendum that once something escapes the grapple it's not re-grappled until it leaves and re-enters the area.

It nerfs the spell quite a bit, making it almost useless.

Considering how strong the spell is, I'd say that's an overreaction on your part.

 

[Votan]

Considering how strong the spell is, I'd say that's an overreaction on your part.

Agreed. It's still a pretty nasty battelfield control spell.

Chris

 

[KarinsDad]

The FAQ added the addendum that once something escapes the grapple it's not re-grappled until it leaves and re-enters the area.

It nerfs the spell quite a bit, making it almost useless.

The problem is that WotC made the 3x version of the spell a LOT stronger than the 2E version. In fact, they made it so strong that they then added in the FAQ entry to water it down. Unfortunately, the FAQ version is a bit nonsensical and does not match the historic aspects of the spell (i.e. it was always deadly within the area of effect). A Wizard could use an Evards with the FAQ version as defense now if he does it properly.

 

[amethal]

A Wizard could use an Evards with the FAQ version as defense now if he does it properly.

Now that's a good idea ....

 

[Festivus]

Just wondering how something like Spring Attack would work if you made your grapple check previously. I am assuming you could spring out of the area effect and make your attack, but then must you remake your check when returning?