Expertise and Grappling?

[RangerWickett]

If a character is using the expertise feat to get a -5 penalty to attacks and a +5 bonus to AC, and someone tries to grapple him, does he get a -5 penalty to his grapple check? Expertise says he gets a -5 penalty to all attack rolls, but this isn't an attack per say; it just makes use of his base attack bonus. You'd think that since he's trying to defend himself with expertise, he shouldn't be penalized in trying to avoid being grappled.

What's your opinion?

 

[hong]

His expertise is already helping him avoid the grapple, by giving a +5 bonus to his AC to avoid the initial touch attack. A grapple check isn't an attack roll, so no -5 penalty.

 

[Demogorge]

And Expertise can only be used while using the attack or full attack action, so while grappling it can only be used if you choose the 'Attack with a light weapon' option. If you try to escape the grapple you are no longer attacking or expertising.

 

[Ruvion]

expertising...yes!!! I want some of that!