Grapple question...

[Dwarmaj]

If a creature has a hold with one limb does it have to roll a normall attack roll to do damage with another limb or does it only have to make an opposed grapple check?

I currently have a monster that has 7 tentacles. It has a hold of two PC and will be attacking them with the other 4 tentacles. Do I just roll opposed grapple checks or do these tentacles need to roll to hit first?

If a creature has constriction, does it do only constriction damage with a successful grapple check or does it also do it's base damage?

Another question...

If a monster has Improved Grab, is it considered grappled when grappling? I thought so, but when I looked at the description on Sean Reynolds page it stated that:

Monsters with improved grab pull the target into their space instead of moving into the target's space. The mosters are not considered grappled, so they don't lose their Dex bonus, still threaten an area, and can still make other attacks in the round normally.

 

[kreynolds]

If a creature has a hold with one limb does it have to roll a normall attack roll to do damage with another limb or does it only have to make an opposed grapple check?

The way I understand it, if it is maintaining the grapple with only one appendage, and it wishes to use a free appendage to make an attack, an attack roll is required. An opposed grapple check to deal damage can be useful if the creature has improved grab though. For example, if a giant crab with improved grab snags you in a pincer (dealing pincer damage and grappling you), then a successful opposed grapple check the next round would deal you pincer damage again.

I currently have a monster that has 7 tentacles. It has a hold of two PC and will be attacking them with the other 4 tentacles.

You're missing an appendage there. Anyways, it must make attack rolls.

If a creature has constriction, does it do only constriction damage with a successful grapple check or does it also do it's base damage?

Only constriction damage, unless it also has improved grab, in which case it deals constriction damage and base damage. From the SRD...

CONSTRICT

The creature crushes the opponent, dealing bludgeoning damage, after making a successful grapple check. The amount of damage is given in the creature’s entry. If the creature also has the improved grab ability, it deals constriction damage in addition to damage dealt by the weapon used to grab.

If a monster has Improved Grab, is it considered grappled when grappling?

No. The info on Sean's page is a quote from the SRD. Anyways, here's the entire improved grab ability from the SRD...

IMPROVED GRAB

If the creature hits with a melee weapon (usually a claw or bite attack), it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. No initial touch attack is required, and Tiny and Small creatures do not suffer a special size penalty. Unless otherwise stated, improved grab works only against opponents at least one size category smaller than the creature. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the improved grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it suffers a -20 penalty to grapple checks, and can use its remaining attacks against other opponents.

A successful hold does not deal any additional damage unless the creature also has the constrict ability. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage listed for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is listed in the creature’s descriptive text).

When a creature gets a hold after an improved grab attack, it pulls the opponent into its space. This act does not provoke attacks of opportunity. The creature is not considered grappled while it holds the opponent, so it still threatens adjacent squares and retains its Dexterity bonus. It can even move (possibly carrying away the opponent), provided it can drag the opponent’s weight.

 

[Dwarmaj]

You're missing an appendage there. Anyways, it must make attack rolls.

Two tentacles are attached to one PC and one on the other.

Why are attack rolls needed for the other tentacles if they are going to grapple someone already in the grapple? If a Dire Bear hits someone with a claw and uses it's Improved Grab to start a grapple, does it have to roll "to hit" with it's bite and other claw? I though you could use all of your natural weapons against someone whom you're grappling with. You just roll opposed grapple checks and deal damage once the grapple started.

 

[kreynolds]

If a Dire Bear hits someone with a claw and uses it's Improved Grab to start a grapple, does it have to roll "to hit" with it's bite and other claw?

The Dire Bear has to make a choice...
1) Grapple only with the claw it struck the target with.
or
2) Grapple using it's whole body.

If it chooses 1), then it suffers a -20 on its grapple checks, but it can attack with its bite and other claw on its turn. These attacks are like any other attack. They are not special, thus they require an attack roll.

If it chooses 2), then the only options available to it are those detailed under grappling in the PH.

I though you could use all of your natural weapons against someone whom you're grappling with. You just roll opposed grapple checks and deal damage once the grapple started.

You can, IIRC, but if you choose option 2), you get however many attacks your base attack bonus allows. If you choose option 1), you don't use a grapple check for the attacks.

 

[Otterscrubber]

The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the improved grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it suffers a -20 penalty to grapple checks, and can use its remaining attacks against other opponents.

What does this mean? It appears that it can still threaten, is not grappled when grappling due to this ability, why would it take -20?

***Edit***

Nevermind, figured it out

***Edit******Edit***

No I didnt figure it out, if it cant use its other attacks how can it threaten?

 

[Dwarmaj]

Hmm grapple grapple grapple.

Yet another question...

When a creature is grappling, can it make attacks on opponants not in the grapple? If so, does it then take the -20 penalty? Is the -20 penalty apply only to those not in the grapple?

I have two PCs attacking a creature with Improved Grab and 7 attacks. It hits one PC and starts a grapple with him using his normal grapple checks. Can the creature start a grapple with a second PC or can he only do that if he takes the -20 penalty?



For such a basic combat move, grappling sure is hard to grasp .