I just crafted a second-level Magus spell, give me some thoughts.

[PorpoiseAlert]

So I am playing an 8th level Kensai Magus/Lore Warden Fighter in a gestalt campaign. I'm planning on switching Lore Warden to Duelist at level 11, and I was looking for ways to maximize use of AoO's. The reasons for that are pretty obvious: Duelist 4 gives me Combat Reflexes, and Kensai 11 gives me Superior Reflexes. Between the two of them (with my 22 INT and 18 DEX) I get 10 AoO's per round. Some of those can surely be used with Parry/Riposte, but outside of feat chains that I can't see myself affording (the improved trip line, for instance) there aren't a lot of options for a Gish DPS to actually *force* opponents to provoke (unless they're spellcasters, and once again it requires a line of feats to optimize.)

So I started looking into Words of Power and what I could theoretically craft with them. I was looking to make something that felt "martial" rather than purely "flashy omgMAGIX" to be more in line with the Kensai/Duelist's approach to combat. I found upon further research that one thing that DOES provoke an AoO is attempting to break free/escape from a net. The precise descriptions of the Words of Power gave me a good starting point, but I wanted to be a bit creative with it. So here's my custom spell; let me know if it seems appropriate as a second-level spell slot or if you have suggestions to change it.

Net Burst Binding
S, M (a tiny section of netting)
School Conjuration;
Level Magus 2
Range: 10' Burst
Duration: Instant
Saving Throw: Reflex Negates
Spell Resistance: No
This spell causes a large, mundane net to explode forth from the caster. Creatures within a 10' radius of the Magus must make a Reflex saving throw or become Entangled. The spell's point of origin includes a single empty square. The Magus may attempt to restrict movement of creatures caught in the net as she would with a normal net, but the net is treated as a two-handed weapon and the Magus must succeed at an opposed Strength check to affect caught enemies' movement. If more than one creature is entangled by Net Burst Binding, the DC to control each creature is increased by +2.

[PorpoiseAlert]

I am concerned it may be more along the lines of a third level spell, though it has the serious drawback of placing the caster in the middle of what is at least Difficult Terrain.

[PorpoiseAlert]

This whole point is moot if someone can point me toward a source that says escaping from Entangled provokes normally.

[PorpoiseAlert]

I figured this thread was crunchy enough to invite discussion. Another concern I'd like to raise is how well this spell would work with the Combat Patrol feat.

[LazarX]

PorpoiseAlert wrote:

This whole point is moot if someone can point me toward a source that says escaping from Entangled provokes normally.

It doesn't.

[Bigtuna]

"I was looking for ways to maximize use of AoO's":
- bodyguard feat + X benevolent brachers of armor + gloves of arcane striking.

[Pupsocket]

How do I get out of being Entangled? Don't make me look that up. Is this Conjuration (Creation)? Am I selling the net for cash afterwards?

[PorpoiseAlert]

Pupsocket- You escape from a net with either an EA check or a STR break check. The relatively low (2nd level) dc means the initial reflex save would be less difficult than escaping the net itself. Yes, it is Conjuration(creation), though I don't expect a large mundane net has much value outside combat and fishing.

[Majuba]

PorpoiseAlert wrote:

If more than one creature is entangled by Net Burst Binding, the DC to control each creature is increased by +2.

+2 total, or +2 for each additional creature?

2nd level is actually pretty reasonable for a 10' radius entangle effect that you're at the center of. I'd be clear about whether it's 10' radius from your space, or from a vertex.

Also, the range would be 10', not 10' burst - that's the effect (which it needs an entry for, something like Effect: Net in a 10' radius burst).

Bigtuna wrote:

+ X benevolent brachers of armor

Benevolent is not a valid enhancement on bracers of armor