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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Elder-Basilisk" data-source="post: 2744125" data-attributes="member: 3146">IME, it all depends upon the special attack form.As far as defenses go, the most popular defense against grapples is, IME, Close Quarters Fighting. At mid levels, it is supplemented by the freedom of movement spell, and at high levels, rings of free action are pretty much a given for that reason. The Improved Grapple feat is also a precaution that a number of characters (mostly multiclassed monks) take against being grappled and it provides the added bonus of a new attack form that will often be advantageous.Against trips, there are fewer defenses (one of the problems with the mechanic--there aren't any feats or abilities or even items other than belts of strength, gloves of dex, and steadfast boots that make you better at resisting them). I've seen one or two PCs take prone fighting, but the prerequisite Dexterity makes it difficult for tank fighters to qualify and the prerequisite feat makes the opportunity cost too high for most rogue/finesse fighters. I've yet to see a PC pop a potion of enlarge person to better resist trips (though I frequently see PCs drink one to be better at trips and grapples). I know a couple PCs that wear steadfast boots to avoid trips and more that would like to (but haven't found any).As far as my experience with the Ritiil goes, you're correct that it's experience with Improved Trip that makes me think it's probably as good as Improved Trip, not experience with the Ritiil. But, that experience has frequently been: "Gee, I wish his character would just hit the enemy for damage instead of wasting his time on all this tripping garbage; it's cutting his damage in half." With a Ritiil, the character wouldn't need to cut his damage in order to trip. And the math seems to indicate that the Ritiil is a pretty good deal. (And it's even better if it is ruled to grant the free Improved Trip attack on a successful trip--I wouldn't allow it and the 3.0 Knockdown FAQ indicates that Skip wouldn't have allowed it, but who knows what Andy, the 3.5 FAQ, and a DM selected at random would rule?)</blockquote>

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