D&D 5E - Maximillian's earthen grasp and spell range
Maximillians Earthen grasp (2nd lv transmutation)-Single target at a time
-immobilisation + damage on failed save
-Whilst they're grappled, you can use your action to deal 2d6 damage. It's not even auto damage really, because every round, your enemy gets to make a save, the same as if you were using a cantrip that didn't require an attack role. Furthermore, once you're lv5, you're casting cantrips with much better damage.
-Up to 1 minute concentration duration
Web (2nd lv conjuration)
-20 ft radius (potential multiple targets)
-immobilisation on failed save
-Up to 1 hour concentration duration
I think really that given you can maintain the web spell out of range with concentration, earthen grasp should be no different.
Your 1 enemy gets to make a strength save to try and escape EVERY round like with a lot of lower level spells and once the caster has moved out of sight of the spell, they can't command it to attack again once their enemy escapes.
In addition, if they want to stop to activate the 'squeeze' ability, there's a risk. If their enemy has escaped and the caster is trying to squeeze what isn't there, they're just wasting time in a scenario where running out of range to escape is an issue anyway.
Maximillians Earthen grasp is a good single target immobilisation spell. It's situationally rigged up as a nice battle spell but can also be used for escape, so it's flexible.
It's a strength save based alternative to suggestion too (2nd lv enchantment), but suggestion lasts for concentration up to 8 hours, you could again get rid of one really nasty enemy by telling them to run 5 to 10 miles in the opposite direction and hide from their own troops for duration.
If a player took it over some other spell, I kind of think it's fair enough. Being able to leave your enemy grappled whilst you flee is kind of part of the spell. Also fits the flavour of the transmutation school too.
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