Does grappling take two free hands?

[Stalker0]

Alright alright!! Okay, its in the FAQ so that's where everyone is getting the -20 rule for everything.

But now the question is, was this the original intention of the rules, or was this a new thing? It wouldn't be the first time the FAQ completely changed an aspect of the rules and didn't mention it was errata.

If the -20 rule wasn't intended originally for normal grapple (and by the reading of the ph it isn't there, that's been established), then my question still stands. So basically, do you only need one hand to grapple, do you only need one hand to pin? If your pinned, do you drop your weapon? (it says in the book you can't attack with light weapons while pinning, but doesn't say they are disarmed).

Fortuantely grappling is being rewritten in 3.5, so maybe all of this questioning will be mute in july.

 

[IceBear]

Alright alright!! Okay, its in the FAQ so that's where everyone is getting the -20 rule for everything.

But now the question is, was this the original intention of the rules, or was this a new thing? It wouldn't be the first time the FAQ completely changed an aspect of the rules and didn't mention it was errata.

If the -20 rule wasn't intended originally for normal grapple (and by the reading of the ph it isn't there, that's been established), then my question still stands. So basically, do you only need one hand to grapple, do you only need one hand to pin? If your pinned, do you drop your weapon? (it says in the book you can't attack with light weapons while pinning, but doesn't say they are disarmed).

Fortuantely grappling is being rewritten in 3.5, so maybe all of this questioning will be mute in july.

Since grappling with one arm means you suffer a -20 penalty on grapple checks, I'd say, sure, you can pin with one hand but you're taking -20 on your checks so most likely that's not a smart move.

I'd also say, no, you don't drop your weapon when pinned. You can't attack with it because you have no room to thrust/slash with it, but it's still in your possession

IceBear

 

[smetzger]

But now the question is, was this the original intention of the rules, or was this a new thing? It wouldn't be the first time the FAQ completely changed an aspect of the rules and didn't mention it was errata.

It would be pure conjecture on anyones (unless they were in on the design, testing and writing of the rules) part on the intention of the original rules.

To throw another wrench in the mix. My reading of the SRD indicates that if you are grappling, have a light weapon in hand, and have a successful grapple check, that one of your options is to do normal damage with your light weapon. All without the -20 penalty.

 

[kreynolds]

But now the question is, was this the original intention of the rules, or was this a new thing?

Either really, but personally, I think it was the intent of the designers that allowed Skip come to that ruling. While not in the original grapple writeup in the PH, it certainly fits within the rules for grappling, and there's no logical reason why anyone can't do it. Ever grabbed a guy by the shirt with one hand and pulled him towards you? There you go. You'd be hard pressed to be able to explain to someone why they can't do that without having a special monster ability.

It wouldn't be the first time the FAQ completely changed an aspect of the rules and didn't mention it was errata.

Perhaps, or perhaps this whole thing is merely a testament to the fact that the PH is in dire needs of a rewrite (ala 3.5).

So basically, do you only need one hand to grapple...

Yes, but you suffer a -20 penalty to the check if you use only one hand (or whatever appendage was used to start the grapple).

...do you only need one hand to pin?

Looks that way, and if that is indeed the case, you would still suffer the -20 penalty.

If your pinned, do you drop your weapon?

Not as far as I can tell. You just can't use it.

Fortuantely grappling is being rewritten in 3.5, so maybe all of this questioning will be mute in july.

One can only hope.

 

[kreynolds]

My reading of the SRD indicates that if you are grappling, have a light weapon in hand, and have a successful grapple check, that one of your options is to do normal damage with your light weapon. All without the -20 penalty.

Just to be clear, the combatant that passage is referring to is the "defender".

 

[smetzger]

Just to be clear, the combatant that passage is referring to is the "defender".

My bad the attacking with a light weapon when grappled does not use the grapple check to deal damage, its a normal to hit roll.

 

[kreynolds]

My bad the attacking with a light weapon when grappled does not use the grapple check to deal damage, its a normal to hit roll.

Exactly, and only the defender can do it.

<enter whiny mode>Man! This game always favors the other guy!! This sucks!!! <exit whiny mode>

 

[Kraedin]

Exactly, and only the defender can do it.

What?

From d20Modern:

When you are grappling (regardles of who started the grapple)... you can attack with a light weapon.

From the PHB:

In addition to making opposed grapple checks, you have a few other options while grappling. You can attack with a light weapon while grappling.

No mention of "defender only" here.

 

[Hypersmurf]

SRD too - it makes reference to all the options available to "the combatant" while grappling.

Sounds like kreynolds is making up rules

-Hyp.

 

[kreynolds]

Sounds like kreynolds is making up rules

Nah. The context messed me up.