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Which low-level (1st-3rd) Wizard or Cleric spells can create long-lasting1 difficult terrain in at least 6x6 squares? (Or 4 square radius)
It is to prevent Huge enemies from taking 5-foot steps.
Difficult terrain is preferred as darkness imposes a miss chance on attacks against the creature, and it can succeed on a save against blindness.
1) longer than 1 minute/level, preferably instananeous
The 3rd level sorcerer/wizard spell shatterfloor from the Spell Compendium has an instantaneous duration and generates up to a 15-foot radius spread of difficult terrain at medium range.
No other spell on any spell list generates difficult terrain by name with an instantaneous duration except the 7th level druid-only spell wrack earth from the Player's Handbook II, as far as I can tell. There are several low-level spells with a 1 min/level duration, though, and there're always caltrops.
After combing through all the books I have to agree with The Dark Wanderer, the only spell that lists difficult terrain by name that is Instantaneous is Shatterfloor from the Spell Compendium.
That being said there is a second Instantaneous spell that might provide what you are looking for if you word/describe right and the terrain is rock/stone. The Stone Shape spell from the Player's Handbook states that you can mold up to a 10 cubic foot + 1 cubic foot per level of rock into any rough shape. It is a Cleric 3 spell.
In the 1 minute/level class I found only one that might provide movement hindrance. In the Complete Divine book there is a Cleric 3 spell called Briar Web with a 20-ft radius that hinders movement.
Under the 1 round/level class I found several spells that hindered movement as well, not as long lasting but something to think upon for perhaps modifying/creating your own spell(provided your DM allows) that can help. They range in Area from 5-ft square/level to 10-ft cubes to 20-ft radius. From Player's Handbook the basic Grease spell(Wiz 1) and Sleet Storm(Wiz 3). From Player's Handbook II - Scattering Trap(Wiz 3) and Vertigo Field(Wiz 3). And finally from Spell Compendium - Cloud of Bewilderment(Wiz 2) and Shadow Binding(Wiz 3).
Sorry I couldn't find anything better but hopefully these will provide some ideas that you can work with.
