Actions that can be performed in a Grapple

[denthil]

This question may have been addressed, in the past, but I did not see any posts on the boards here about it.

What actions can a PC do while engaged in a grapple. The DMG simply says that they cannot move, cast a spell, fire a missle, undertake an action more complicated than making a barehanded attack, attack with a small weapon, or attempt to break free.

According to the PHB, you can cast a spell, it is just at huge negatives for your concentration check and of course you can attempt to pin the other character.

That said and done, if a person if pulled into a grapple, can they draw a small or tiny weapon while grappled. Would a PC with the Quick Draw feat gain any advantage?

What other actions could someone engaged in a grapple do?


Thanks for the help in advance.

Denthil Valakast

 

[kreynolds]

Unless you already had the weapon drawn, I'm not sure that I would allow a grappled character to draw it later. Mabye if it was a small weapon. I don't know. Something about this just doesn't sit right with me.

 

[WaterRabbit]

I you are grappled you can do the following things (all assume that you win the grapple check):

Damage opponent with unarmed attack
Pin opponent
Break Pin
Escape

You can also choose not to make a grapple check and:

Hold your opponent in the grapple
Make an attack roll with a light weapon (unarmed strike, trip attack, disarm attempt, bull's rush, etc. -- some could draw an AoO from your grappled foe).
Attempt to cast a spell with no somatic component and only material components you have in your hand.
Wriggle free (and if successful move away).

Because of the restriction on spells that require that you have your material components in hand, I would say that implies you cannot draw weapons either. In effect, if you remain in the grapple, it is a full round action. If you have multiple attacks, you can attack multiple times.

 

[kreynolds]

Because of the restriction on spells that require that you have your material components in hand...

AHA! I knew there was a logical reason behind my hesitance to allow this! Thanks WaterRabbit!

By the way...what the heck kind of name is that?

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Because of the restriction on spells that require that you have your material components in hand, I would say that implies you cannot draw weapons either.

I am not so sure it implies that you cannot draw a weapon, as long as it is small. I see drawing the weapon as part of being allowed to attack with it. There is nothing in the section on attacking with a small weapon that says you must have the weapon in hand first, like it says for spell components. It could be argued that this implies that you can draw the appropriate weapon. It would still conform to the rules and require a ME action unless you had the quickdraw feat.

 

[kreynolds]

There is nothing in the section on attacking with a small weapon that says you must have the weapon in hand first, like it says for spell components.

Yeah...but if spell components can be stored in a fancy belt pouch, and considering they are even smaller than a dagger, thus easier to get a hold of, but you still can't grab components...do you see where I'm going with this? If you can't grab the most simple of items, spell components, then I wouldn't think you would be able to grab a small weapon either. Just doesn't make sense.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

I follow the reasoning. In this situation, however, I would think it is much easier to grab the larger weapon than the smaller spell components. Also, it would be much more likely to drop the components than the weapon.

The way I picture it is similar to the way I have seen grappling in the movies. Often, one of the grapplers pulls a knife and attempts to stab his opponent. Or even a gun. It just seems wrong to say you cannot pull your dagger when you are grappling.

 

[kreynolds]

It just seems wrong to say you cannot pull your dagger when you are grappling.

Of course it isn't wrong! You're grappling, boy! You can't grapple and make a wedding cake! Then how about this? What if your spell component is the same size as a dagger? What then? Ooh! Even better! What if your spell component is a dagger? What then? Right...see the problem.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Of course it isn't wrong! You're grappling, boy! You can't grapple and make a wedding cake!

Drawing a light weapon is hardly making a wedding cake. I am just turning the whole thing over in my mind. I understand what you and WateRabbit have said, and it makes some sense. I am just not completely convinced yet.

 

[kreynolds]

That's cool. Just don't turn it over so much that you hurt yourself. Just pokin'.