Imagine this: your adventuring party is deep in the heart of a dense forest, surrounded by a horde of goblins. The situation looks grim, but then, with a wave of your hand and a few arcane words, the ground erupts with grasping vines and thorny weeds.
The goblins find themselves ensnared; their movements halted as they struggle against the relentless foliage. Your party takes this opportunity to regroup and counterattack, turning the tide of battle in your favor.
THIS is the power of the Entangle spell in D&D 5e.
Welcome, fellow adventurers, to our comprehensive guide on mastering the Entangle spell! Whether you’re a seasoned druid looking to add a tactical edge to your arsenal or a new player curious about how to control the battlefield, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll delve into what makes Entangle such a versatile and potent spell, explore strategies for using it effectively, and weigh its pros and cons to help you decide when and how to cast it.
So grab your arcane focus, rehearse those ancient magical words, and let’s get ready to turn the tide of battle with the natural world’s grasping embrace!
What is Entangle 5e
Entangle is a 1st-level conjuration spell in D&D 5e that lets you summon grasping weeds and vines to ensnare your foes.
With a simple wave of your hand, you transform a 20-foot square area into difficult terrain, forcing creatures within to make a Strength saving throw or become restrained.
It’s a fantastic tool for crowd control, disrupting enemy movements, and setting up powerful combos with your party. Perfect for those moments when you need to turn the tide of battle with nature’s relentless grip!
LEVEL: 1st
CASTING TIME: 1 Action
RANGE/AREA: 90 ft (20 sq.ft)
COMPONENTS: V, S
DURATION: 1 Minute, (Concentration)
SCHOOL: Conjuration
ATTACK/SAVE: STR Save
DAMAGE/EFFECT: Restrained
SPELL LISTS: Druid
Grasping weeds and vines sprout from the ground in a 20-foot square starting from a point within range. For the duration, these plants turn the ground in the area into difficult terrain.
A creature in the area when you cast the spell must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be restrained by the entangling plants until the spell ends.
A creature restrained by the plants can use its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC. On a success, it frees itself.
When the spell ends, the conjured plants wilt away.
Related: Ranking Every Druid Subclass in D&D 5e!
Using Entangle 5e Effectively
Casting Entangle is more than just a flashy display of nature’s power—it’s about strategic placement, timing, and teamwork.
By mastering these tactics, you’ll find that Entangle is not just a spell but a versatile tool that can control the flow of battle, protect your allies, and turn the tide in your favor.
So next time you face overwhelming odds, remember that the awesome power of nature is just a spell away!
Tactical Placement
The biggest key to maximizing the Entangle spell lies in where you cast it.
Aim for areas densely packed with enemies to trap as many as possible. Choke points, narrow paths, or clustered groups of foes are ideal targets.
By turning the ground into difficult terrain and restraining creatures within a 20-foot square, you can significantly disrupt enemy formations and movement.
Even those who aren’t trapped are going to have a much harder time getting through the difficult terrain you’ve created for them!
Combining with Other Spells
Entangle shines even brighter when paired with other spells. While your concentration is being used on keeping Entangle up, your ally spellcasters will be perfectly set up for a nasty follow-up.
For instance, follow up with area-of-effect damage spells like Fireball or Moonbeam to unleash the hurt on restrained enemies who can’t easily escape.
Alternatively, use Entangle to set up spells from your allies that can even further punish the trapped enemies like Cloudkill or Hunger of Hadar. The synergy between these spells can create devastating combos that leave your foes helpless and reeling.
Party Coordination
Effective use of Entangle requires good communication and coordination with your party.
Tanks can position themselves to intercept any enemies that manage to break free, while ranged attackers and spellcasters can focus their efforts on the restrained targets.
Rogues, in particular, will appreciate the advantage on attack rolls against restrained enemies, making it easier to land some truly devastating Sneak Attacks.
Environmental Considerations
Remember, the environment can play a significant role in how effective Entangle is. While this maybe repeats what we covered above about Tactical Placement, it’s truly that important!
In open fields, the spell can create a temporary barrier, forcing enemies to navigate around or through the difficult terrain. However, in more confined spaces like dungeons or forest trails, Entangle can completely block passageways, giving your party precious time to prepare or retreat.
Always consider the terrain and how it can enhance the spell’s effects.
Pros and Cons of Entangle 5e
Like any spell in D&D, Entangle comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these can help you decide when and how to best use this spell to your advantage.
Let’s break it down!
Pros
- Crowd Control: Entangle excels at controlling the battlefield. By creating a 20-foot square of difficult terrain and potentially restraining multiple enemies, you can significantly hinder enemy movement and disrupt their plans. This makes it easier for your party to manage large groups of foes and focus on high-priority targets.
- Low-Level Accessibility: One of the biggest advantages of Entangle is that it’s a 1st-level spell. This means it’s available to Druids early in their adventuring careers. Having such a powerful control spell right off the bat at low levels can be a game-changer, giving your party a tactical edge even in the early stages of your campaign when even a handful of goblins can lead to a TPK!
- Area of Effect: The 20-foot square area of effect is substantial, allowing you to affect multiple enemies with a single casting. This can be particularly useful in encounters with numerous adversaries, turning the tide by limiting their mobility and offensive capabilities. Enemies that can’t break out of the spell and have no ranged attack options will be left effectively useless!
Cons
- Concentration Requirement: Entangle requires concentration, meaning you can’t maintain other concentration spells simultaneously. Additionally, taking damage or failing concentration checks can cause you to lose control of the spell, ending its effects prematurely. This makes you a major target for enemies looking to disrupt your strategy, so make sure that Constitution score is up to the challenge!
- Strength Saving Throw: Enemies caught in the area of effect must make a Strength saving throw to avoid being restrained. Creatures with high Strength scores, such as many beasts and melee-oriented foes, may easily resist the spell’s effects, reducing its overall effectiveness against certain types of enemies. If you’re up against brutes like Hill Giants, you’ll need to pick something else to make the spell slot worthwhile!
- Limited Duration: While Entangle can be maintained for up to one minute, it requires your concentration to do so. This limited duration means that the spell’s benefits are temporary and can be disrupted if you lose concentration. In prolonged battles, you might need to recast the spell or find other ways to maintain control over the battlefield.
Whether you’re using it to control crowds, create barriers, or set up devastating combos, knowing when and how to cast Entangle can make all the difference in your adventures.
By weighing these pros and cons, you can better understand how to leverage Entangle to its fullest potential.
So, next time you prepare your spells, consider adding Entangle to your arsenal and watch as your enemies struggle against the raw, restraining might of nature!
Related: The Best Druid Spells By Level
FAQs – Entangle 5e
No, Entangle only affects creatures on the ground within the specified area.
If the caster loses concentration (for example, failing a concentration check or casting another spell that requires concentration), the spell ends immediately, and the plants wilt away.
No, Entangle does not deal damage; it only restrains creatures in its effect who fail their save and creates difficult terrain.
Yes, allies within the spell’s area of effect will also need to make a Strength saving throw or be restrained. Cast carefully!
Because the plants are magically summoned, Entangle can be used indoors. Just make sure you have a 20-foot square area available if you want to get the most coverage.
This is up to your DM. Personally, at my group’s table, we rule that AoE fire effects like Flaming Sphere and Fireball will destroy the effect of Entangle. However, a cantrip like Fire Bolt or simply throwing a torch on the plants is not sufficient.
Final Thoughts – Entangle 5e
The Entangle spell is a versatile and powerful tool that can turn the tide of battle in your favor, from controlling crowds of enemies to setting up devastating combos with your party.
Curiously, it seems to get underrated a lot. However, as someone who has played several Druids across several campaigns, I couldn’t imagine making a Druid without this handy and iconic spell at the ready!
By understanding its strengths and limitations, you can wield this spell with confidence and creativity, making every encounter an opportunity to showcase you and your party’s tactical prowess.
But now it’s your turn to take this knowledge into your own campaigns and see the difference it can make.
Have you had any memorable moments using Entangle in your adventures? Or perhaps you have some tips and tricks of your own? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below!
Share your experiences in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going.
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