Entangle spell

[lalallaalal]

I used this spell to keep about 20 orcs out of a battle and I just want to make sure the effects of the spell were correct.

Entangle wrote:

This spell causes tall grass, weeds, and other plants to wrap around creatures 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 difficult 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 against the entangle or fail a check made to break free. Other effects, depending on the local plants, might be possible at GM discretion.

My understanding is that if an orc makes their save they're able to mover normally, but since the area is considered difficult terrain they are still limited to half speed. So 30' movement becomes 15'.

If an orc fails their save they gain the entangle condition, which limits them to half speed. Since the area of the spell is difficult terrain, does an entangled orc's speed go from 30' to 5'? Or is an orc that has failed their save immobile until they break free?

The way we handled it was that the orcs that failed their save were able to take 5' steps and those that made their save were limited to half speed.

[Drejk]

Quote:

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 + spell level) or lose the spell.

As far as I know failing a saving throw against entangle prevents movement until the victim breaks away, unless local vegetation is lose, lacking any roots.

[StreamOfTheSky]

Yeah, the grasses, vines, etc... are presumably coming from the ground or a tree or whatever and thus would leave the tethered victims unable to move from their space. I wish the game used more precise terms...just to be clear, just because "movement" is prevented doesn't mean they're paralyzed or anything. They can still dodge attacks, etc..., they just can't move from their space. If that was unclear.

Ones who make the save are indeed still impeded by difficult terrain. Entangle is a very good spell against mobs, its main limiting factors are needing the right terrain and its massive size more often than not also making things difficult for your own party's melee fighters. You can still use ranged weapons in it just fine, of course.
Basically, it's a major reason you do not fight a druid in the forest or grassy areas. Just don't! :)