Attacking a grappler

[Quasqueton]

Have I missed a rule, or is there no chance of hitting a friend when you attack an enemy in a grapple with a friend?

Attacking a bullrusher or bullrushee has a 25% chance to hit the friend.

Firing into melee gives a -4 penalty to avoid hitting a friend.

But attacking one of a grappling pair has no chance?

Quasqueton

 

[Brekki]

A melee attack has no chance of hitting the wrong target. A ranged attack has 50% chance of hitting either target, but that can be negated with the "improved precise shot" feat.

Look at table 8-6 in PHv3.5

 

[Dwarmaj]

Hmm, I don't know if we use a house rule (couldn't find anything in the SRD). But we use the cover rules when deciding what you hit when you swing into a grapple. If both opponants are the same size then you have a 50% chance to hit either one. One large and one Medium, then 1/4 chance to hit the medium guy. One Huge and one Medium, then 1/8 chance to hit the medium guy.

 

[Corwin]

Hey, Quas. Been a while. Slummin' it over here at EN?

As for your topic:

Yeah, there seems to be a bit of inconsistancy. Always has been , even in 3.0. Bullrush being a good example of the difference.

Yep, attacking (with a melee weapon) into a grapple is "safe". I'm not sure it's worth the headache to do otherwise. Though I could see a houserule applying the 25%, a la bullrush, as a reasonable approach, I guess. If you were so inclined...

Later.