Should I Ban Tanglefoot Bags?

[Menexenus]

Is it just me, or are tanglefoot bags really annoying? I've had them used against me as a player and now that I'm a GM, I'm having them used against my bad guys. If they don't have a slashing weapon, a monster strength score, or some alcohol, they are just dead in the water (or very slow - if they make their Reflex saves). A tanglefoot bag literally killed one of my Bosses because the boss was an elderly cleric who wielded a club, had no Strength score, and a crappy Reflex save. (The PCs just stood 10 feet away and shot him full of arrows while he was helplessly stuck to the ground.)

I'm seriously thinking about just banning them in my game. Has anyone else done the same? Does anyone think banning them would be a cruel injustice the likes of which the world has never seen?

Sound off!

 

[javcs]

Yes, tanglefoot bags can be really annoying. But bannage worthy? Not IMO.

Where were the cleric's minions when he was getting stuck with the tanglefoot bag? Why didn't he try and make the DC15 Concentration check to cast while bound?

The stuff is only effective for 2d4 rounds.

I've never known anyone who banned them or was in a game that banned them.

It seems like you just want to get rid of tanglefoot bags because of some disappointing experiences with them, which, in effect, just winds up punishing players and their usage of available resources to reduce the threat of otherwise powerful foes to easy levels.

 

[mvincent]

A tanglefoot bag literally killed one of my Bosses because the boss was an elderly cleric who wielded a club, had no Strength score, and a crappy Reflex save.

Couldn't he cast spells (or was he designed to only attack with the club)?

I'm seriously thinking about just banning them in my game.

I haven't had that problem (i.e. there are worse abuse than that) but it sound like they are having fun. Maybe have fun back (like sundering the things while the PC's are still holding them).

 

[blargney the second]

I removed them from my game because they're as effective as a 4th level spell (enervation) for too low a cost.

 

[phindar]

(The PCs just stood 10 feet away and shot him full of arrows while he was helplessly stuck to the ground.)

Now that's the sort of heroic end battle I'd like to see in movie. (Actually, RotJ ended like this, with Darth Vader throwing an old man down a well. Good times.)

I don't think tanglefoot bags are all that bad, they're less trouble than Web spells, Grease or half a dozen other low level spells that keep you from moving. I wouldn't blame the bag though, sometimes the pc's just totally gank the main boss. Its kind of bummer for the GM, but its just one of those things. Some days its good to be a player.

 

[frankthedm]

Banning the ACME glue bag can help. Anything that effects movement like that is pretty severe. The real problem is the bag gets stronger as levels increase due to how precious speed and actions become. IMHO This item along with Evards are some big reasons why classed NPCs are wimpy compared to Monsters of equivalent CR.

I believe a 3E designer has admitted the tanglefoot bag was a mistake. Or maybe that was "Find The Path"

If you don't ban it be sure to use them against the party. 50 gp is pretty cheap for NPC gear and an orc leader is free to distribute the goop amoung the troops.

If it works use it.

 

[Diirk]

I removed them from my game because they're as effective as a 4th level spell (enervation) for too low a cost.

huh?! Tablefoot bags don't level drain...

 

[hong]

I changed them so that the Reflex save negates all effects, including the slow movement.

 

[blargney the second]

huh?! Tablefoot bags don't level drain...

I know. Compare the numbers that result from the two effects.
-blarg

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Rather than ban them, why not just make them unavailable in large quantities?