creatures best defeated by grappling

[Veven1290]

so i am running a campaign with a Barbarian, Ranger/OOBI, Warblade, Ranger (beast wrestling combat track)/Reaping mauler.

the first three have never played before and the barbarian and ranger are not really nerds so they are pretty average. The guy playing the warblade, although brand new at the game, made sure to read a lot of material and has a pretty solid build. The ranger/reaping mauler (WHY!?) is obviously in the back of the pack as far as combat effectiveness.

The reaping mauler player has a history of playing intentionally un-optimized, quirky characters. I actually enjoy it because the other characters (minus the war blade) aren't that amazing and this player is great at role playing which really makes the game a lot of fun for me.

I always try to have situations that highlight characters strengths and sometimes weaknesses but it's difficult with this guy...can you guys think of any creature or class that is best taken on by grappling? We've done the whole tackle the caster and cover his mouth thing (which actually saved the day because none of these guys thought they needed a full caster) but i don't want that to be the only moment where "Richard "knives" Sweezy" can really shine.

i appreciate the help!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Very few arcane casters like to be grappled.

However, as has been illustrated in our campaign- due to some failed saves vs Charms- even melee based PCs hate being grappled. Our backstab-o-matic Rogue was grappled by our Monk after the Rogue failed his save and was moving in behind another party member.

Just make sure you have a host of Str boosters on board to improve your odds of winning the opposed checks and a grappler can be just dandy. Another thing to do is to find ways of enhancing the attacks with touch-range spells or spell-like abilities.

Also consider things that might enhance his effectiveness, like armor that can magically sprout spikes. Given this guy is a Ranger based build, perhaps the spikes would be similar to a animal's or plants', complete with some kind of irritating toxin or debilitating poison. Perhaps even something inspired by a faerie tale, like the sleeping poisons you see so often in those stories.

 

[Runestar]

Very few arcane casters like to be grappled.

Unless it is a wizard optimized for grappling.

IMO, if you have 2-3 medium-sized npcs fighting the party, it can be quite worth it to devote 1 PC to grappling (and thus taking out) 1 of the npcs. It would like a poor man's maze.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Any time the PCs have a numerical advantage, grappling can be useful. On the other hand, there's a reason any decent self defense instructor will tell you to NEVER go to the ground if you're outnumbered.

I'd suggest you give the Reaping Mauler abilities to ignore Freedom of Movement and "hang on" to enemies that have Dimension Door or other teleporting abilities. Otherwise, not only will he have a terrible prestige class (seriously, most base classes will help you more with grappling than a RM, without even trying*), but his tactic will eventually be near-useless, to boot.

*Barbarians: Rage for more str and damage
Fighters: more feats to improve on grappling
Monk: Unarmed damage prgression to actually hurt things you grapple and maybe stun them
Druids: Wildshape and buff spells
Wizards: buff spells
Sorcerers: " "
Clerics: " "

All of those beat the RM's benefits. Ranger pulls almost even, which is sad considering absolutely nothing about the Ranger class is geared towards grappling. If you count the pet (animal companion) grappling things, too...Ranger might even come out ahead.

 

[WhiteRaven810]

Kobolds.

Kobolds are easy to grapple.

If you fail grappling a Kobold, you must turn in your Adventurer's Permit immediately.

 

[Cor_Malek]

Ah, as often - it is man, who is the ultimate beast.
Throw their sorry asses in prison Well, it's other inmates asses that's going to be sorry, but I hope you know where I'm going here. Depending on how upset with the situation players are, they might:

• have a chance at breaking free while in chariot taking them to a more secure location.
• choose to be captured intentionally either to bust someone out, or silence forever (maybe it'll be their choice which)
• fight daily just to stay alive in environment where inmates killing each other are considered a double win; waiting for incoming pardon (new king coronation in 5... 4... 3...)

While others will have to rely heavily on improvised weapons, your ranger/reaping mauler will be basically just as dangerous.

What will be important for your players - are the items lost (except the second option, at least if they plan ahead). You can avert this - ie by having them captured in a very friendly zone, where they're familiar with landlord, in house of someone who owes them big and has resources to seek them out (a send spell will do).

As to the chariot bust - make sure they're not travelling alone, so that they'll not only face a moral problem regarding other inmates, but also provide you with some campaign hooks for future reference (because, who would not want to take part in Bank Job in fantasy setting?).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

From a 3.5 campaign currently on hiatus so one guy can try running 4Ed comes another example...possibly the best: PARTYMEMBERS!

We've had at least 4 PCs fail saves that resulted in their being charmed in some way and turning on the party. Grappling is by far the best way to deal with those guys...assuming you want to keep them alive.