Multiple times I've noticed that a lot of people consider that a creature that failed initial Will save vs Phantasmal Web get grappled condition and that target of the spell is unable to break this grapple.
I'm curious on what basis people tend to rule this in this way?
What is listed in this spell RAW:
Target that fails Will save is treated as affected by Web spell + additional wording that tells that there are some differences (nausea, no cover, concealment, can't be destroyed).
There is nothing in spell description that states that there are some different rulings how Web spell part works except for cover vs concealment and can't be destroyed.
So, basically everything else is same as with Web spell - so target can as standard action try to remove grappled condition with Escape Artist or CMB. And also each time target moves he/she/it must repeat this CMB check or gets grappled.
Am I missing something or some sort of FAQ? From where comes the frequent claim that target is unable to remove grappled condition by CMB/Escape Artist check as normal with Web spell?
Thank you in advance!
School illusion (phantasm) [mind-affecting]; Level arcanist 5, bard 5, mesmerist 5, psychic 5, skald 5, sorcerer 5, spiritualist 5, wizard 5
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Effect
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Target one creature/level, no two of which may be more than 30 ft. apart
Duration 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw Will disbelief, then Fortitude partial, see text; Spell Resistance yes
Description
You implant within the minds of your targets the illusion that they are engulfed in tangled webs teeming with swarms of tiny spiders. Those who fail to disbelieve the phantasmal web are treated as if in a web spell, but must also make a Fortitude save at the beginning of each turn or become nauseated for that round by the phantasmal spiders.As the phantasmal web exists only in the minds of the targets, it cannot be burned or destroyed, and it provides no cover (though it does provide concealment) against attacks made by the targets. Targets cannot escape the phantasmal web by moving, even by teleportation. Freedom of movement allows unobstructed movement but does not negate the concealment or nausea effects.
Targets of the spell perceive everyone else around them to be engulfed in webs and swarming spiders, but the spell has no visible effect to other creatures (who may assist allies to disbelieve the effect).
EDIT: Also ...
School conjuration (creation); Level adept 2, arcanist 2, magus 2, sorcerer 2, witch 2, wizard 2
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (spider web)
Effect
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect webs in a 20-ft.-radius spread
Duration 10 min./level (D)
Saving Throw Reflex negates; see text; Spell Resistance no
Description
Web creates a many-layered mass of strong, sticky strands. These strands trap those caught in them. The strands are similar to spiderwebs but far larger and tougher. These masses must be anchored to two or more solid and diametrically opposed points or else the web collapses upon itself and disappears. Creatures caught within a web become grappled by the sticky fibers. Attacking a creature in a web doesn't cause you to become grappled.Anyone in the effect's area when the spell is cast must make a Reflex save. If this save succeeds, the creature is inside the web but is otherwise unaffected. If the save fails, the creature gains the grappled condition, but can break free by making a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check as a standard action against the DC of this spell. The entire area of the web is considered difficult terrain. Anyone moving through the webs must make a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check as part of their move action, with a DC equal to the spell's DC. Creatures that fail lose their movement and become grappled in the first square of webbing that they enter.
If you have at least 5 feet of web between you and an opponent, it provides cover. If you have at least 20 feet of web between you, it provides total cover.
The strands of a web spell are flammable. A flaming weapon can slash them away as easily as a hand brushes away cobwebs. Any fire can set the webs alight and burn away one 5-foot square in 1 round. All creatures within flaming webs take 2d4 points of fire damage from the flames.
Web can be made permanent with a permanency spell. A permanent web that is damaged (but not destroyed) regrows in 10 minutes.
I appreciate copy-paste of spell, but what about wording as per RAW?
It looks like that part that target can't get rid of grappled condition is some sort of wishful thinking, but maybe I've really missed some sort of FAQ.
Sorry I was gonna have a propper look but I got to my bus stop =P
I'll have to check later, but in the meantime that might help others help you
Phantasmal web creates the effect of a web spell (plus spiders), except that the webs can't be burned or destroyed or even escaped - the targets are still under the effect of web spell until the duration ends if they didn't disbelieve it in the first place. Which doesn't mean they're grappled necessarily, but they still need to make checks to move. The web spell contains means of escaping the grappled condition (CMB or escape artist check) and phantasmal web inherits those.
I'm not sure what a FAQ would say other than that? What do you expect it to say?
Ok I had a chance to look, I agree wholeheartedly with avr.
Targets cannot escape the phantasmal web by moving, even by teleportation.
People are probably misreading this part, and essentially just missing the "by moving".
Essentially the target thinks the whole world is webbed. They can escape the grapple and move around, but they're moving into another webbed space wherever they go, so they have to make the appripriate checks or be webbed again.
I appreciate copy-paste of spell, but what about wording as per RAW?
Also, just to answer this: If you provide links to the spells/effects/feats/whatever you're asking about it makes things much easier for those trying to help you. You don't have to go as far as I did with quotes and editing, but a simple link means we have less work to do, which means you're more likely to get an answer.
If you don't know how to create links look below this post where it says: "How to format your text".