Grappling and Initiating maneuvers

[Particle_Man]

There are many maneuvers in Tome of Battle: The Book of Nine Swords that take a stanard action to use and require a successful meelee attack to work.

If one is in a grapple, can one use one of the above maneuvers? I was thinking either a) No, because it is not one of the listed options under grapple and there is implied text in Tome of Battle under the "Concentration" section that says that "you might be unable to use most of your maneuvers while grappled or pinned", or b) Yes, but you still have to succeed with an attack roll (at -4 to hit, and with a light weapon, unarmed strike or natural attack), and thus the "you might be unable to use the maneuver" could mean "you had a greatsword in hand and are now grappled, and if you don't drop the greatsword and try to punch the guy, you are not using a maneuver successfully this turn".

What are your thoughts?

 

[moritheil]

There are many maneuvers in Tome of Battle: The Book of Nine Swords that take a stanard action to use and require a successful meelee attack to work.

If one is in a grapple, can one use one of the above maneuvers? I was thinking either a) No, because it is not one of the listed options under grapple and there is implied text in Tome of Battle under the "Concentration" section that says that "you might be unable to use most of your maneuvers while grappled or pinned", or b) Yes, but you still have to succeed with an attack roll (at -4 to hit, and with a light weapon, unarmed strike or natural attack), and thus the "you might be unable to use the maneuver" could mean "you had a greatsword in hand and are now grappled, and if you don't drop the greatsword and try to punch the guy, you are not using a maneuver successfully this turn".

What are your thoughts?

Making an improved unarmed strike doesn't mean you have to drop what's in your hands. I fail to see why making a regular unarmed strike should mean that.

 

[Particle_Man]

Ok, fair enough. But can one do an unarmed strike as part of the standard action of initiating a maneuver that requires a standard action (and a successful meelee attack) while one is engaged in a grapple? Could I use "Divine Surge" and (if I don't have IUS) take the Aoo, and then attack with a -4 to hit, and do 1d3 nonlethal + 8d8 lethal damage?

 

[Particle_Man]

bumping for the weekday crowd

Crothian? Hypersmurf? Anyone?