Entangle 5e: Allies, Restrained Creatures, and Escape

I like Entangle when the party can control a fight by taking away a route. One casting can hold several creatures in place, and the plants keep slowing movement even if everyone makes the save. The trick is placing the square before your allies get caught in it. This guide starts with the 2014 spell.

Entangle 5e — Quick Spell Reference

How Does Entangle Work in 2014?

Choose a starting point within 90 feet. Plants fill a 20-foot square on the ground, and the area remains difficult terrain while you maintain concentration for up to one minute. Creatures already in the square make a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failure, the plants restrain that creature. On a success, it can still move, paying the usual extra movement cost for difficult terrain.

The saving throw happens when you cast. A creature that walks into the square later deals with the terrain and makes no new saving throw. A creature that succeeds on the initial save can stay in the square without rolling again.

Does Entangle Affect Allies?

Yes. In the 2014 rules, every creature in the square when you cast makes the save, including you if you stand in it. Place an edge of the square between your frontline and the enemies when you can. A fighter who steps into it after casting can reach a restrained enemy without making the initial save, provided the fighter has enough movement.

How Does a Restrained Creature Escape?

A creature restrained by the plants can spend its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC. The 2014 spell calls for a plain Strength check. There is no automatic repeat save. On a success, the creature can move again, though the plants still make the square difficult terrain.

The restraint and plants end when the spell ends. An enemy can try to break the caster’s concentration instead of spending its action on the escape check. The 2014 version of Speak with Plants can also make the vines release a creature. The rest of the square can remain affected.

Where Should You Place the Square?

Catch a group before it spreads out, or put the square across a doorway or narrow trail. A restrained creature has speed 0 and disadvantage on its attacks. Attacks against it have advantage, so allies can take advantage of the restraint from outside the square if they have a clear shot. Creatures that escape may still need to spend extra movement crossing the plants.

Restrained creatures also have disadvantage on Dexterity saves. If an ally has a spell that calls for one, consider the order of your turns and where your party will be standing. When you already have a concentration spell active, decide whether holding this area is worth ending that effect.

A higher-level slot gives no extra area, duration, or targets. Save that slot for another spell unless you need Entangle and have already spent your 1st-level slots.

Who Can Cast Entangle in 2014?

Entangle is on the 2014 Druid spell list. Rangers can gain access through the optional Additional Ranger Spells feature in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.

Entangle: 2014 vs. 2024 Rules

The 2024 version exempts the caster from the initial save. Allies still roll if they start in the area. The escape action now uses a Strength (Athletics) check, so Athletics proficiency can help. Rangers also have Entangle on their standard 2024 spell list. The square, range, and concentration duration work the same way.

Entangle FAQ

Can you walk through Entangle with Freedom of Movement?

Yes. A creature already protected by Freedom of Movement moves through the plants without paying the difficult terrain cost. The protection also prevents Entangle from restraining that creature.