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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pbartender" data-source="post: 4038760" data-attributes="member: 7533">Actually, the rules are there, if you know where to look for them...For attacking into a grapple from outside, you want to look at <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatModifiers.htm" target="_blank">Table 9-6: Armor Class Modifiers</a> on page 151 of your PHB.  It says, effectively, "Defender is… Grappling (but attacker is not);  Melee +0[sup]1[/sup]; Ranged  +0[sup]1, 3[/sup]; 1 The defender loses any Dexterity bonus to AC.3 Roll randomly to see which grappling combatant you strike. That defender loses any Dexterity bonus to AC."The rule for striking cover is from the 3rd edition rules (see the diagram on page 123, and the rules text on page 133 of the 3E PHB). It was eliminated from 3.5 when they simplified the rules for cover and concealment.However, consider this:With the rules as-is, you can still use enemies as living shields...  All you need to do is make certain that one particular creature is between you and your attacker, giving you a +4 bonus to AC, and possibly your opponent a -4 penalty to attack, if it's a ranged attack and he doesn't have Precise Shot.  Practically speaking, you are using a living shield to gain an effective +4 or +8 bonus to your AC. If you can find a way to immobilize your shield, so he can't move away or continually maneuver him to keep him between you and your attackers, so much the better.In a previous playtest report, Rogues can gain the ability to swap places with an opponent.  If the Rogue uses this ability to interpose the enemy between himself and an attacker, is that not a living shield?The difference here is that the Bugbear's special manuever apparently reintroduces the "striking cover" rules under specific circumstances, so that his living shield has the potential of being damaged by the incoming friendly fire.With the way the rules currently work, I don't have a real probelm with that.  I put it into the same category as severing limbs and heads...  Technically, anyone should be able to do it.  Rules-wise, it only works on specific creatures, or when you are weilding a specific magic weapon.</blockquote>

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