Pathfinder 1E Would you allow a plant in a pot to be used for Entangle?

[underfoot007ct]

For me all that's needed is a little vegetation for the spell to work fully. Using a potted plant is very smart. But of course the Druid has to care for the plant, otherwise he will lose powers for abusing nature.

You would have to have "potted plant" in hand, and how far can you through a potter plant? Standard action to toss it?

Throwing a "potted plant" cannot be a pleasant experience for the plant. I would certainly call that "plant abuse", a crime against nature.

 

[ImperatorK]

You would have to have "potted plant" in hand, and how far can you through a potter plant? Standard action to toss it?

10 ft., up to 50 ft. with penalties to accuracy. Yes, it's a standard action, IIRC.

Throwing a "potted plant" cannot be a pleasant experience for the plant. I would certainly call that "plant abuse", a crime against nature.

The plant doesn't care. It doesn't really hurt it. Plants are tough, so something like that is hardly abuse. Of course the Druid would have to move the plant to another pot after everything was over.

 

[N'raac]

Just how big is this plant? How much do the plant, pot and dirt weigh, all told? Given that "This spell causes tall grass, weeds, and other plants to wrap around creatures in the area of effect or those that enter the area", I have difficulty envisioning a daisy allowing the full spell effects.

Even 10' range increment for a large potted plant seems pretty generous.

Looking at the condition, I suggest the potted plant is not anchored (throwing anchored objects is difficult, at best), so movement may be less impeded than the spell would typically impose.

Web is one spell level higher, shorter range and smaller area (but longer duration - either should last the battle). It's also flammable. It seems reasonable Entangle should have some restrictions.

 

[1Mac]

You're thinking about a druid with a bandolier of potted plants, aren't you?

I'd be okay with it, though you'd have to successfully throw it, and I'd limit the range to no more than the size of the plant (probably just one square). It's a nice, if contrived, way of using the spell in barren places against a single target, but it's not enough to utterly bypass the spell's limitations.

 

[paradox42]

(slightly off topic) New magic item idea! "Fern of Entanglement." Show those Munchkin players how a character can lose to a Potted Plant!

Back on topic, I'm with the crowd that would let it work, but only within a limited radius. I'd do a 5-foot spread myself, depending on the plant. Something like a single daisy would, of course, do well to affect even a single square.

 

[Squire James]

Unless the druid happens to have the Throw Anything feat, it is an improvised weapon, so -4 to the attack roll. With a range increment of 10 ft, the -4 penalty, moderate druid BAB, and Dexterity likely not a prime stat, AC 5 is not necessarily a sure thing!

 

[ImperatorK]

It's magic. It doesn't have to be logical or make sense. For me it works exactly like it says in the spell description - if there's plants, the spell entangles everything in a 40 ft. radius. Nothing more, but also nothing less.

Unless the druid happens to have the Throw Anything feat, it is an improvised weapon, so -4 to the attack roll. With a range increment of 10 ft, the -4 penalty, moderate druid BAB, and Dexterity likely not a prime stat, AC 5 is not necessarily a sure thing!

All I need is to throw it at least 40 ft. from the enemy. not much accuracy required for that.

 

[1Mac]

It's magic. It doesn't have to be logical or make sense.

Then why bother with the plant at all? You could just activate the invisible bits of pollen and the like in the air or on your enemies' clothes.

My instinct in my ruling is to reward creativity while not encouraging munchkin-ism. Your stated stance, that a potted daisy has the same entangling power as an entire forest floor, is advocacy for munchkin-ism.

 

[underfoot007ct]

10 ft., up to 50 ft. with penalties to accuracy. Yes, it's a standard action, IIRC.


The plant doesn't care. It doesn't really hurt it. Plants are tough, so something like that is hardly abuse. Of course the Druid would have to move the plant to another pot after everything was over.

Why do you think that being thrown against the ground, having your leaves, stalk, & roots subject to "blunt force trauma", let alone your roots suddenly exposed. Lets have a "speak with plants" spell used to learn the plants true point of view.

Also, the entangle aspect is the plants are rooted in the ground, which then grab your feet & ankles. Why would movement be lessened by having a formerly potted plant holding your foot as you walk?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I would allow this. One action to "draw"/throw the plant and one action to cast the spell seems more than payment enough to balance the effect you're getting.

And I see no flavor or cheese reason to disallow it, though flavor-wise a seed pod or giant gourd or something might be more appropriate.