Constrict?

Kirowan · Aug 14, 2003

So, constrict just deals an extra helping of damage when you make a grapple check to damage your opponent right? So, if I had a tentacle that did 1d6 damage and I grappled you with it, I'd get to roll the original 1d6 and another 1d6 if I had constrict?

Thanks,

Nick

Elder-Basilisk · Aug 14, 2003

As an aside, do you deal constrict damage when you strike with a tentacle and succeed at starting a grapple via improved grab?

And if so, is there any reason (other than the cheesiness of the tactic) why a monster wouldn't do the following:
round 1: full attack, hit (deal damage), improved grab (deal constrict damage), leave the grapple (IIRC the initiator of the grapple can leave it as a free action), continue the attack, hit (deal damage), succeed at the improved grab (deal constrict damage).....
Following rounds: repeat.

Doing so would enable the monster to deal triple to quadruple the amount of damage it would normally deal (especially if, like the otyugh, shambling mound, or Kraken it has more tentacle attacks than it has itterative grapple checks).

Caliban · Aug 14, 2003

Kirowan said:
So, constrict just deals an extra helping of damage when you make a grapple check to damage your opponent right? So, if I had a tentacle that did 1d6 damage and I grappled you with it, I'd get to roll the original 1d6 and another 1d6 if I had constrict?

Thanks,

Nick

Some creatures have a specific Contrict damage listed, but other than that you are correct.

Caliban · Aug 14, 2003

Elder-Basilisk said:
As an aside, do you deal constrict damage when you strike with a tentacle and succeed at starting a grapple via improved grab?

Yup. Constrict is nasty.

And if so, is there any reason (other than the cheesiness of the tactic) why a monster wouldn't do the following:
round 1: full attack, hit (deal damage), improved grab (deal constrict damage), leave the grapple (IIRC the initiator of the grapple can leave it as a free action), continue the attack, hit (deal damage), succeed at the improved grab (deal constrict damage).....
Following rounds: repeat.

Click to expand...

.... I think that is legal. I wouldn't do it with a non-sentient creature, but it looks like a viable tactic for an intelligent creature with Improved Grab and Constrict.

Hypersmurf · Aug 14, 2003

... leave the grapple (IIRC the initiator of the grapple can leave it as a free action)

It's murky, and, actually, contradictory.

Once you are "grappling", regardless of who started it, leaving the grapple requires an "Escape the Grapple" check - either an OGC in place of an attack, or an Escape Artist check as a standard action. The opponent can elect not to resist, and let you go.

However, the sequence of initiating a grapple has four steps.

1. AoO is provoked.
2. Grab. (Melee touch attack)
3. Hold. (Opposed grapple check) - if this is successful, you and your opponent are now "grappling".
4. Maintain. This is where you have to move into the opponent's space. If you cannot move into their space, you must immediately let go of the target, and begin again at step 1.

Since you are "grappling" at step 3, achieving a non-grappling state should require an Escape the Grapple check, if your opponent doesn't want to let you go.

It seems that they've placed their "you are now grappling" line at the wrong step - you've secured a hold at step 3, but you shouldn't actually be considered "grappling" until step 4 is successful.

-Hyp.