Creatures with Improved Grab and starting a grapple

[shilsen]

I know creatures with the Improved Grab special ability can attempt to start a grapple as a free action after they hit with the appropriate natural weapon, without drawing an AoO. But what if the creature wishes only to grapple and not to attack? Does it still get to avoid the AoO on the touch attack?

The situation came up in our game today when a druid PC in brown bear shape decided to grapple the half-orc barbarian PC who was trying to kill some orcs the party wanted to interrogate. The druid didn't want to attack the barbarian but simply wanted to grapple and pin him. I ruled that due to the Improved Grab special ability the touch attack to begin the grapple would not draw an AoO. Was I correct?

 

[Caliban]

I know creatures with the Improved Grab special ability can attempt to start a grapple as a free action after they hit with the appropriate natural weapon, without drawing an AoO. But what if the creature wishes only to grapple and not to attack? Does it still get to avoid the AoO on the touch attack?

The situation came up in our game today when a druid PC in brown bear shape decided to grapple the half-orc barbarian PC who was trying to kill some orcs the party wanted to interrogate. The druid didn't want to attack the barbarian but simply wanted to grapple and pin him. I ruled that due to the Improved Grab special ability the touch attack to begin the grapple would not draw an AoO. Was I correct?

Technically, no. For that you would need Improved Grapple.

 

[shilsen]

Technically, no. For that you would need Improved Grapple.

That's what I was thinking, in hindsight.