Talk:Entangle (5e Variant Rule)

This page is a little unclear on the exact mechanics. Is it saying that such weapons, (I'm guessing, as judged by the DM?) automatically do this during an attack? Is it saying that if you take the entangle action, you also make an attack? Also, there's already rules for [5e SRD:Melee Attacks|grappling], which do not specify what or how the attacker is grappling their opponent. What does this rule add, or how does it change this rule? How does it interact with that rule; can they coexist, or does this rule displace it? --Kydo (talk) 11:23, 16 July 2016 (MDT)

Thank-you for the questions.

• The entangle is an attack substitution (in the same way as the Shove attack); it deals no damage, as described in the text.
• The homebrew weapons that can entangle will have it listed as a property. There aren't any PHB weapons that I would use with this (the flail is too short; a whip can only briefly wrap around something).
• An entangled creature is not grappled. The differences are per the text, specifically:
  • The entangle attack is made with a weapon with that property (which might have reach). A grapple is made by seizing with a free hand (so uses your natural reach); entangle uses your weapon's attack roll while a grapple uses a Strength (Athletics) check.
  • A grappled creature has a speed of 0. An entangled creature still has speed, but cannot move beyond the reach of the weapon doing the grappling (so can move around the entangler)
  • An entanglement can be ended by all the same things that can end a grapple, but can also be ended if the target drops an entangled weapon.
  • Entanglement imposes disadvantage on the victims attack rolls, a grapple doesn't.
  • Entanglement improves the chances of subsequently disarming a target (if that optional rule is being used).
• You can be grappled and entangled.

Marasmusine (talk) 14:13, 16 July 2016 (MDT)

That's really cool! Thank you! --Kydo (talk) 00:46, 17 July 2016 (MDT)

Should I adjust any text to make it clearer? Marasmusine (talk) 01:39, 17 July 2016 (MDT)

Perhaps just the part about it being an attack substitution, with the example of a shove. That single point made it all very clear, and is the answer to what I was asking. Also adding the point about it being possible to both entangle and grapple a target. Though there's little reason to do it, stating it as a possibility makes the scope of this action very clear. --Kydo (talk) 02:12, 17 July 2016 (MDT)

Since you would be using something like the whip to entangle something, the weapon should not be able to make another attack while something is entangled in it, right? I think this is missing that thing (sort of like how some monsters have a bite/grapple that can't be used while occupied). I could also just be blind, though. --Yanied (talk) 10:16, 29 December 2023 (MST)