Ensnaring Strike

1st level Conjuration

Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action

Range: Self

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Components: V

Class: Ranger

Spell Description

The next time you hit a creature with a weapon attack before this spell ends, a writhing mass of thorny vines appears at the point of impact, and the target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be restrained by the magical vines until the spell ends. A Large or larger creature has advantage on this saving throw. If the target succeeds on the save, the vines shrivel away.

While restrained by this spell, the target takes 1d6 piercing damage at the start of each of its turns. A creature restrained by the vines or one that can touch the creature can use its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC. On a success, the target is freed.

At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th
Damage Dice	1d6	2d6	3d6	4d6	5d6	6d6	7d6	8d6	9d6
Min Damage	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Average Damage	3.5	7	10.5	14	17.5	21	24.5	28	31.5
Max Damage	6	12	18	24	30	36	42	48	54

Lvl	Dice	Min	Avg	Max
1st	1d6	1	3.5	6
2nd	2d6	2	7	12
3rd	3d6	3	10.5	18
4th	4d6	4	14	24
5th	5d6	5	17.5	30
6th	6d6	6	21	36
7th	7d6	7	24.5	42
8th	8d6	8	28	48
9th	9d6	9	31.5	54

Is Ensnaring Strike Good?

Overall Rating: Green. This means that ensnaring strike is a good spell.

Overall Notes: Great 1st level spell to do some damage and restrain a creature. The caveat that you have to hit with a weapon attack AND they get to make a saving throw makes this spell a bit clunky, especially because it requires concentration. This means you could cast the spell, miss your attacks, get hit, fail the CON save, and lose the spell before it even has the chance to affect the target. Also, keep in mind that Large or larger targets get advantage on the save. The spell has a solid effect but it should be used with caution.