Entangling Roots

Spell · Druid level 17 · (critical)

Mana: 40Int: 21Wis: 23(28% per practice)

Requires: plant lore

Speed: average

Usage

• cast entangling roots <target>

When cast, 'entangling roots' causes roots and vines to grow suddenly up from the ground and attempt to grasp the target. While the roots will not do much damage themselves, they effectively prevent the target from moving, hindering the targets' fighting abilities severely.

This spell is difficult to get to work - often the target can see the roots in time to jump out of range, and those well protected against magic will be able to stop the roots via magical means. Additionally, the target can be freed by killing or cutting enough of the roots and vines.

Skill tree

• plant lore
  • entangling roots
    • poison ivy
    • thorn armor
      • storm of roses
    • vampiric vines
      • leech life (also requires dominate animal) ⋯

Group: Druid plant lore

Like Shadow Bind, entangling roots pins a target in place to prevent it from fleeing. Unlike shadow bind, the roots also prevent the target from using skills that require extended use of the feet, such as leap attack and kick.

Notes

• Though similar, the spell is less effective than the thief skill Shadow Bind (though only for preventing mob fleeing).
• Roots are an attacking entity and can be destroyed in combat or pacified using Peace or Solace. They are also vulnerable to being dispelled.
• Roots last for 1 or 2 ticks depending on the level of the spell and the target's size, strength, and saves, but may be refreshed (and the roots fully healed) by recasting the spell targeting the roots themselves.

Tips

• Useful when Shadow Bind is unavailable.
• Fire spells work well against roots; Sunstorm and Firefield are particularly effective when multiple members of your group are entangled. Hitters can use cleave to destroy roots. Shard Storm is also very effective against roots due to their low HP.
• Increasing size helps to prevent roots from tangling. Larger opponents are also harder to entangle than smaller ones.
• Groupcasting helps to entangle larger opponents.
• Entangling yourself is an effective way to reset shadow fiend out-of-combat timers.

See also

• Shadow Bind

History

Entangling roots was once a cleric spell before the druid class existed.