D&D 5E The Grappler's Manual (2.0) - Grappling in 5th Edition

[Yunru]

I believe that might refer to "I grab you. Oh you broke free? I grab you with my OA."

 

[Eric Olson]

I believe that might refer to "I grab you. Oh you broke free? I grab you with my OA."

I think you are correct on his example. I checked and Jeremy has clearly stated that each individual attack within the attack action can be substituted with a grapple or shove. This makes sense ... There was an effort to reduce complexity so that a DM may lead the combat in an organized way (that can keep the narrative). OA and other reaction attacks have the potential to chain, etc. Whereas extra attacks are simply the same attack choices at the same time. I do love the simplicity of 5e: slightly over simplified, but in a way that a DM could now bend the rules in a safe way to help the narrative.. (trying to avoid having the rules force complexities that take away from both the narrative and from DMs that don't have a desire to be rule specialists)

 

[Yunru]

Bugbears have reach on there Grapple attacks. Worth noting.

 

[doomedpaladin]

He also stated that fixes to tweak/balance feats would not be practical within the current edition, these things are done when creating new editions.

Bullcrap. They corrected Ranger officially through UA, there's no reason they couldn't do the same with any other system or aspect of the game including feats. Pure laziness on their part to not fix something the designers themselves find lacking. I suspect it probably has some to do with leftover pushback from 3/.5 OP grappling Monks, and DMs in Adventurers League preferring underpowered/limited player options.

I wish there was a feat or optional rule for grappling *parts* of creatures that are more than one size larger than yourself. A huge Dragon can't be wholly grappled, but one of its wings, tail, or head can be. I allow my players to do so, it'd just be nice to have it be RAW.

 

[Zene]

Bugbears have reach on there Grapple attacks. Worth noting.

Yeah but it actually is pretty useless. If you read the feature description-- the reach is only while attacking, and only on your turn. By a strict reading of RAW, as soon as the grapple is made, the grapple breaks as they're no longer in your reach. By a slightly more lenient reading for the rules, the grapple breaks as soon as your turn is over. Either way, not great.

 

[Yunru]

Yeah but it actually is pretty useless. If you read the feature description-- the reach is only while attacking, and only on your turn. By a strict reading of RAW, as soon as the grapple is made, the grapple breaks as they're no longer in your reach. By a slightly more lenient reading for the rules, the grapple breaks as soon as your turn is over. Either way, not great.

Eh, it allows you to grab and drag without provoking OAs from an adjacent enemies. Hopefully

 

[Kevin Smith]

Have been looking for something like this. Thanks!

 

[Zene]

Has anyone played a valor bard grappler build to L18-plus? Seems to me like it'd be the most fun grappler build for high levels, with shapechange via magical secrets and extra attack. If you've played one, any advice or lessons learned? Tactics, spells, items? Thinking about building one myself, and since I find bards a bit confusing (especially with making good magical secrets picks) I figured I'd ask. Thinking Duergar for race if that helps.
Magical secrets at 10: Maybe Spiritual Weapon, or another good spell to use bonus action? Shield?
At 14: Maybe Contingency? Death Ward?
At 18: Wish, Shapechange. I'd love to get antimagic field, but wish is just too good.

 

[johnlent]

Can't say I have. One of the problems is that Shapechange has a Concentration requirement, and at that tier, anything worth grappling is going to be hitting you hard while you are doing it. In addition, so is Enhance Ability. So you can get your expertise, but can't both Shapechange (for a larger size and higher strength) and get advantage on Athletics checks at the same time. Find familiar can help perhaps (Help Other action). The other big grapple spell is Spike Growth, which again is concentration, so you are missing out on either advantage or Shapechange. Some sort of Glyph of Warding combo [Demiplane, Glyph of Warding (spike growth) Glyph of Warding (enhance ability)] could work though.

 

[Zene]

One of the problems is that Shapechange has a Concentration requirement, and at that tier, anything worth grappling is going to be hitting you hard while you are doing it.

Ooh, that is an excellent point. I'd planned on taking both Resilient Con and Warcaster in the build, but you're right, even that may not be enough for the kind of hits I'll be taking. Warding bond may be a good Magical Secrets pick to cut those con check DCs.

But maybe Bladesinger (with a Rogue 1 dip for expertise) would be a better route? Gets an additional +4 to con checks (assuming a headband of intellect, since I'll be using ASIs for feats instead of Int boosts), and can reduce incoming damage via Song of Defense for easier con check DCs. No magical secrets, but a much better base spell list, so I figure that's a wash.