Biting when you've pinned someone?

[pokedigimaniac]

The D&D PHB is unclear on this topic - can you use a natural weapon (example: bite) when you have an opponent pinned? It does not say specifically yes or specifically no to this anywhere in the entry.

Thanks!

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Ooops.

I take it back.

 

[Hypersmurf]

In a grapple, you have a number of options you may take - some of which take the place of an attack.

Pinning is one such option.

Attacking with a light or natural weapon is another.

So, yes, you may bite an opponent you have pinned, but only if you have a BAB of +6 or more. Note that you'll still take a -4 penalty on your attack roll, but your opponent will have a sizeable penalty to his or her or its AC.

Once you've pinned him, your options change.

Specifically:
You can’t draw or use a weapon (against the pinned character or any other character), escape another’s grapple, retrieve a spell component, pin another character, or break another’s pin while you are pinning an opponent.

You can deal damage with a grapple check, but you can't bite.

-Hyp.