Grapple check, 1 = auto fail?

[Question]

If one rolls a 1 on a grapple check isnt it an auto failure like the rest?

 

[MarkB]

If one rolls a 1 on a grapple check isnt it an auto failure like the rest?

It's not an attack or a save, so no.

I seem to recall there also being a rule about no automatic success or failure on opposed rolls, but I'm not certain about that.

 

[Bront]

Actualy, i believe it is, and there are autos in opposed.

When both autofail or success, then you still do the math.

Otherwise, there are situations where it is hopeless for some creatures to escape other creature's grasp.

 

[kjenks]

In 3e, a grapple check was more like an attack roll, and the old 3e FAQ said that a natural 1 was an automatic failure.

But in 3.5e, a grapple check is less like an attack roll, and the new 3.5e FAQ has several entries confirming this. (And yet there's still a -4 penalty for grappling while prone. Go figure.)

 

[myradale]

Even if the RAW would suggest that a one is an auto-fail and a 20 is an auto-success for opposed roles, I would strongly suggest house ruling it otherwise.

Otherwise you can end up with the exceedingly ridiculous situation of a pixie trying to trip a storm giant and having a 10% chance of success (1/20 chance of a natural 20 for the pixie, 1/20 chance of a natural 1 for the giant)
Some things should just be impossible.

 

[starwed]

Otherwise you can end up with the exceedingly ridiculous situation of a pixie trying to trip a storm giant and having a 10% chance of success (1/20 chance of a natural 20 for the pixie, 1/20 chance of a natural 1 for the giant)
Some things should just be impossible.

That's not a 1/10 chance, but rather a 39/400 chance.

Besides, it's no more ridiculous than the commoner hitting someone with 50 AC, and yet that can happen as well. (And many people house rule the auto fail/succeed for skills and other circumstances.)

 

[Thanee]

Some things should just be impossible.

Like a storm giant successfully grappling a pixie... that should at least be close to impossible.

Bye
Thanee

 

[pawsplay]

That's not a 1/10 chance, but rather a 39/400 chance.

Besides, it's no more ridiculous than the commoner hitting someone with 50 AC, and yet that can happen as well. (And many people house rule the auto fail/succeed for skills and other circumstances.)

I think a commoner hitting someone with an insane AC is within the realm of reason. A halfling pinning a War Troll is not.

 

[argo]

Yea, but that pin will only last for one spectacular round after which the war troll will turn around and crush the hafling like normal.

You can't keep rolling twenties all day

 

[pawsplay]

Comedy gold, to be sure, but I still don't think it should happen.