Entangle--what's the Saving Throw?

[taliesin15]

Here's the scenario: the Druid in the party has cast Entangle on a large group of Humanoids (well, actually on the plants around them) charging up the hill at the party--the spell in the PHB (3.0) suggests a Reflex Saving Throw and a Strength based saving throw. Frankly, I'm a little confused by this--can someone clarify how this will work (assume all the Humanoids are in range of the spell, and the Druid cannot be disrupted from casting the spell since melee and ranged weapon wielding cohorts are in between her and the attackers)? It almost seems to suggest two saving throws, or a reflex considering Strength, and then saving throws each round (one minute/LVL) Entangle takes place.

 

[Crothian]

if I recall correctly: anyone in the area of effect has to make a reflex save or not be able to move. Those that fail can still make strength checks to be able to move as a full round action.

 

[Stormrunner]

OK, here's how it works:

When the spell is cast, each critter in the area gets a Reflex save.
If they fail they've been grabbed: they can't Move, take a -2 on attacks and a -4 Dex, and need to make a Concentrate(15) check to cast a spell.
If they make the Reflex save they avoided the initial grab, but can only move at half speed as they weave and dodge to avoid the grabbing plants.
Each round (3.5 clarifies "on your turn"), every creature that is still within the area needs to make another Reflex save or be grabbed.
Grabbed creatures can break free by making a Strength check or Escape Artist check with a DC of 20. This is a full-round action, but if they succeed they can make a single half-speed Move as part of that action. If this isn't enough to get them out of the area of effect, they will need to make a Reflex save again, as above.

Note that while the DC of the Reflex save varies with the caster, the DC of the check to escape is always 20.

 

[Kershek]

One thing to note is that, in our game (and I think this is correct), you don't get double penalized on the first round. If you get entangled and make your reflex save, then it's your turn further down the initiative order, you don't have to make a strength check until the following round. This way, you're not making two rolls in one round against this first level spell.

 

[Krafen]

One thing to note is that, in our game (and I think this is correct), you don't get double penalized on the first round. If you get entangled and make your reflex save, then it's your turn further down the initiative order, you don't have to make a strength check until the following round. This way, you're not making two rolls in one round against this first level spell.

Here's the description from the SRD (emphasis added):

Grasses, weeds, bushes, and even trees wrap, twist, and entwine about creatures in the area or those that enter the area, holding them fast and causing them to become entangled. The creature can break free and move half its normal speed by using a full-round action to make a DC 20 Strength check or a DC 20 Escape Artist check. A creature that succeeds on a Reflex save is not entangled but can still move at only half speed through the area. Each round on your turn, the plants once again attempt to entangle all creatures that have avoided or escaped entanglement.

As Stormrunner pointed out, the Reflex saves are made during the caster's turn, each round. The "you" in a spell description always refers to the caster. When the spell is cast it is, of course, the caster's turn and all creatures in the area make the Reflex save. The next time the caster's turn comes around, all creatures still in the area, who are not entangled, must make a Reflex save.

 

[Kershek]

Interesting. We've been doing it wrong for 3 years

 

[Stalker0]

would someone remind me, if they pass their reflex save are they still entangled (-4 to dex and all), and can move at half speed....or are they completely unaffected?

 

[Kershek]

If you pass your reflex save you are not entangled and can move at half speed. If you fail your reflex save you are entangled and cannot move at all.