Tanglevine (Sp): At 1st level, as a standard action, you can create a 15-foot-long, animated vine that springs from your hand. This vine lasts for 1 round and can be used to make a single disarm, steal, or trip combat maneuver, using your sorcerer level plus your Charisma modifier in place of your normal CMB. You can use this power a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
So, I've asked around on a couple of message boards and no-one seems to be able to give me a straight answer on this. How does Tanglevine function? Out of the ideas my friends came up with:
a) Is the single combat maneuver granted by Tanglevine taken immediately as part of the vine's 'springing'/the same standard action?
a)2) If this is the case then why does it last for a round afterwards?
b) Is it intended that the vine only serves to grant the character a 15 foot threat for the next round, during which time the character can make a single combat maneuver opportunity attack?
c) Is it a combination of both of a) and b)? The option to make the combat maneuver during the standard action, or to hold off and use it as a deterrent/threat range increase over the next round?
d) Or am I a complete pillock and it's something completely different?
Anyway, any input will be appreciated and answers pointing to my pillock-ry graciously accepted.
Thanks!
You make the disarm, steal, or trip maneuver as part of the activation.
The lasting one round aspect is just so you don't think you are walking around forever more with a big long vine attached to your hand (and possibly so you can hold the weapon or item you disarm/steal long enough to justify putting it into your hand).
It doesn't threaten, it doesn't do anything but what it says--it makes a single combat maneuver check. Period.
Welp, that makes sense to me.
My initial confusion came from the interjection of the vine's duration between the casting action and the available combat maneuver options. Had it been written;
Tanglevine (Sp): At 1st level, as a standard action, you can create a 15-foot-long, animated vine that springs from your hand and can be used to make a single disarm, steal, or trip combat maneuver. This combat maneuver uses your sorcerer level plus your Charisma modifier in place of your normal CMB. The vine lasts 1 round. You can use this power a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
I don't think I would have been as confused as I was.
Still, thanks for the clear and cogent explanation!