Limits of entangle spell?

[AxeMental]

Would it work on monsters (Kelpie, shambling mound) if so what effect (perhaps hold them to the ground for its duration)? What about giant mushrooms and other fungus, sea plants, cactus?

[deathanddrek]

I'd say no effect on "self-ambulatory or magically animated" plants due to the existence of the 4th level Hold Plant.

(OK, I got that wording from Eldritch Wizardry, it was closer to hand, but same thing.)

I'd say yes to inanimate fungoid life forms (why not, it was a cool idea to try the spell!) and totally yes to the sea stuff.

[AxeMental]

I'd say no effect on "self-ambulatory or magically animated" plants due to the existence of the 4th level Hold Plant.

(OK, I got that wording from Eldritch Wizardry, it was closer to hand, but same thing.)

I'd say yes to inanimate fungoid life forms (why not, it was a cool idea to try the spell!) and totally yes to the sea stuff.

Shambling mound says spells that effect plants work, but doesn't mention entangle, which makes me think no. But perhaps they wanted to leave that one up to the DM's call?

[deathanddrek]

Yeah, there's definitely a gap requiring the DM's interpretation... my rationale (which isn't set by a specific sentence in a spell description) is if 1st lvl Entangle were to work it'd make 4th lvl Hold Plant look way underpowered.

Entangle: Range 8", Duration 1 turn, area of effect 4" diameter

Hold Plant: Range 8", Duration 1 round/lvl, affects 1-4 plants (or a certain area)

(Just double checked the spell section in the DMG too, nothing there.)

[deathanddrek]

There's a thread about this on DF actually. Some agreements, some disgreements!