Entangle - unclear description - page 87

[Deussu]

Pathfinder RPG wrote:

Entangle

School tranmutation; Level druid 1, ranger 1
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S, DF
Range: long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: plants in a 40-ft.-radius spread
Duration: 1 min/level (D)
Saving Throw: Reflex partial; see text; Spell Resistance: no
Description
This spell causes plants to wrap around and grapple foes in the area of effect or those that enter the area. Creatures that fail their save gain the entangled condition. Creatures that make their save can move as
normal, but those that remain in the area must save again at the end of your turn. Creatures that move into the area must save immediately. Those that fail must end their movement and gain the entangled condition. Entangled creatures can attempt to break free as a move action, making a Strength or Escape Artist check. The DC for this check is equal to the DC of the spell. The entire area of effect is considered diff icult terrain while the effect lasts.
If the plants in the area are covered in thorns, those in the area take 1 point of damage each time they fail a save versus the entangle or fail a check made to break free. Other effects, depending on the local plants, might be possible at GM discretion.

There's a lot of confusion in this spell, since it contradicts itself. So, is it difficult terrain or not? That argument was bolded.

The italic is another. Do they make the save each turn? Current layout indicates it's the same turn's end when the spell is cast, which makes it irrelevant. Is it for those who have saved already, have moved but stay in the area?

[DMStue]

Also, the spell description refers to the "Entangled Condition".

Having checked the 'Conditions' section (Pages 121 - 123), it doesn't appear to be there.

Am I right in assuming that the Entangled condition will come in a future release or should I be using the Grappled or Pinned conditions.

[Deussu]

DMStue wrote:

Also, the spell description refers to the "Entangled Condition".

Having checked the 'Conditions' section (Pages 121 - 123), it doesn't appear to be there.

Am I right in assuming that the Entangled condition will come in a future release or should I be using the Grappled or Pinned conditions.

I'm guessing you ought to use the 3.5 version, found here.

[Pneumonica]

Creatures that remain in or enter the area make a save once per round, at the end of the caster's turn, they don't save on their own turns.

Creatures may move around as normal if they make their save. Note that it is normal that in difficult terrain you move at half rates. (This falls into the same category of clarification that acid and sonic damage don't ignore hardness, they inflict damage on objects "as normal", which means not at 1/2 or 1/4 damage.)

[Deussu]

Yes, thank you, I had quite a clear idea what the intension of the spell was and how it was intended to work. However, as written it is confusing, since "move as normal" and "difficult terrain" are mutually exclusive. Some people might have reading problems and thus start a never-ending argument on the gaming table, resulting in frustration.

It's important to fix the wording so there wouldn't be debate on how the things work. 3.5's biggest mistake was Wild Shape and polymorph, since those two were never explained properly (initially, at least).