I am using the Transmute Rock to Mud, Transmute Mud to Rock combo as the basis for a trap in my current adventure.
The principle that I espouse for D&D combat rules is that there only need to be a few basic rules and effects - complex effects are simply multiple applications of simple effects. Spells that have complex effects which are not combinations of simple effects, but are somehow create "unique" effects quickly have their complexity "house-ruled" out of them. Thus, I have house ruled that a creature caught in the area of effect of Transmute Rock to Mud is entangled as that term is defined in DMG, and in addition, it has a speed of 5' (unless it has a burrow speed, in which case it can burrow throught the mud normally).
A character who sinks up to his hip has 1/4 cover, and character who sinks up to his chest has 1/2 cover. The mud is sufficiently dense to prevent weapon attacks through it.
The effects of entangled are easily remembered and need no further elaboration (1/2 move, no run or charge, -2 to attacks, -4 Dexterity). Cover is the same (e.g 1/2 cover is +4 AC, +2 Reflex saves vs area of effect spells). The effect of the spell on creatures is thereby neatly encapsulated in two short paragraphs using simple pre-existing concepts.
Soften Earth and Stone or Stone Shape spells can easily extricate a person from the rock-transmuted mud.
[NB People seem to be assuming that sinking up to your hips is 1/2 cover and sinking up to your chest is 3/4 cover. Not so. Don't think "how much of the creature's height is covered", think "how much of the creature's normally targetable mass is covered". Opponents aim for abdomen, chest and head, because these are (a) vulnerable, (b) comparatively immobile and (c) large. A 6' tall archer standing behind a 3' wall has 1/4 cover, not 1/2 cover, as those firing back at him would be aiming for his chest and head anyway, so his legs and hips only represent 1/4 of the body mass which is likely to be hit.]
Cheers, Al'Kelhar
The principle that I espouse for D&D combat rules is that there only need to be a few basic rules and effects - complex effects are simply multiple applications of simple effects. Spells that have complex effects which are not combinations of simple effects, but are somehow create "unique" effects quickly have their complexity "house-ruled" out of them. Thus, I have house ruled that a creature caught in the area of effect of Transmute Rock to Mud is entangled as that term is defined in DMG, and in addition, it has a speed of 5' (unless it has a burrow speed, in which case it can burrow throught the mud normally).
A character who sinks up to his hip has 1/4 cover, and character who sinks up to his chest has 1/2 cover. The mud is sufficiently dense to prevent weapon attacks through it.
The effects of entangled are easily remembered and need no further elaboration (1/2 move, no run or charge, -2 to attacks, -4 Dexterity). Cover is the same (e.g 1/2 cover is +4 AC, +2 Reflex saves vs area of effect spells). The effect of the spell on creatures is thereby neatly encapsulated in two short paragraphs using simple pre-existing concepts.
Soften Earth and Stone or Stone Shape spells can easily extricate a person from the rock-transmuted mud.
[NB People seem to be assuming that sinking up to your hips is 1/2 cover and sinking up to your chest is 3/4 cover. Not so. Don't think "how much of the creature's height is covered", think "how much of the creature's normally targetable mass is covered". Opponents aim for abdomen, chest and head, because these are (a) vulnerable, (b) comparatively immobile and (c) large. A 6' tall archer standing behind a 3' wall has 1/4 cover, not 1/2 cover, as those firing back at him would be aiming for his chest and head anyway, so his legs and hips only represent 1/4 of the body mass which is likely to be hit.]
Cheers, Al'Kelhar
