Boosting Grapple Ability

[cmanos]

OK, I'm building a grappler. Thats not all he does, but thats a big part of it. I know the Feats I want to take, but what would people suggest for spells/magic items?

I can cast Enlarge Person, and Bulls Strength as domain spells.

 

[Vurt]

If you have access to the Expanded Psionics Handbook, you might want to take a look at the psychic warrior powers list. "Enlarge person" is covered by the expansion power, "Bull's strength" is replaced by animal affinity, and the first level power grip of iron gives you a +4 bonus to grapple checks. Plus, one of the races in the book, the half-giant, has the Powerful Build racial feature. All worth considering.

Cheers,
Vurt

 

[smetzger]

Monk's Belt

 

[cmanos]

OK< Cool. Since this character already exists in a campaign, starting a half-giant isn't an option. XPH is next on my list of things to buy. May have to double class.

Will look into the Monk's Belt.

Thanks

 

[TracerBullet42]

There's a magic item called, I believe, armbands of might (or something like that) in the Complete Adventurer (I think) that gives a +2 to strength related checks and some bonus damage to power attacks...

 

[MarauderX]

OK, I'm building a grappler. Thats not all he does, but thats a big part of it. I know the Feats I want to take, but what would people suggest for spells/magic items?

I can cast Enlarge Person, and Bulls Strength as domain spells.

Sounds like you have a monk/cleric build going on... what level?

I'd go Monk1 and cleric with the rest, using the Strength Domain like you have. With this build I assume you have Improved Grapple as the 1st level monk bonus feat. Use Bull's Strength to boost the Str and Owl's Wisdom to add +2 to the AC.

Bless, Divine Favor and Prayer can aid you a tad in a wrestling match with a BBEG that you know will beat you.

Divine Power (4th level) is really a big boost with the Monk/Cleric build, as it makes your BAB per your Character level, not just your cleric level, allowing you to also make up for the that lost BAB due to the level of monk. Deathward is great for grappling level-draining undead.

Also think of casting while grappling too. Inflicts are always nice to dish out since you can't heal your buddies, and Poison and Disease are a great way to get they BBEG barbarian from wrapping you into a pretzel.

At 5th level spells, Righteous Might is an incredible add for a cleric grappler. The size and Str increase are enough to match many tough guys, and the natural armor bonus offsets the size increase negatives. On top of that, you get DR. Yes, DR. So if you're swarmed by several peons you can bulk up to prevent being grappled and imprisoned.

Nothing above 5th really helps directly with grappling, but then again after surviving to get the high level spell choices you may never need to hug some slimy BBEG again.