Grappling...Can you pull someone else free?

[Malvoisin]

Hello,

In the SRD I see that there are rules allowing for one character to help another escape from a pin.

However, are there any rules to support the idea that a character may want to help another escape a grapple altogether? Can someone pull someone else free with an opposed grapple check or the like? Or, at the least, can one character assist another (i.e., with an 'Aid Another' type action) in freeing himself?

Thanks for your help!

 

[frankthedm]

Nope, If one being has good grip on a grappled victim, that victim's friend would be dealing unarmed strike damage as a tug of war ensues. Only your own grapple check can free you.

I can imagine a barbarian pulling on one end of the mage with the improved grab monster at the other. Hilarious pain ensues. Barbarian gets frustrated and rages.

Aid another sounds reasonable.

 

[mvincent]

From the Rules of the Game (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20050308a)
"Other Options when Grappling
The grappling options presented in the Player's Handbook cover most things you'd want to do while grappling, but here are a few more (strictly optional) possibilities.

Break Another's Hold: This works just like breaking another's pin, except that you use it against a foe that merely has a hold on another character. If you win the opposed check, you free the character you're helping."

 

[Legildur]

Thanks mvincent! That's a good find - because it is my little ol' gnome rogue in Malvoisin's game that is stuck in a grapple that a companion wants to break him out of!

 

[Kmart Kommando]

Your rogue can also ready an action to stab at the creature when your friend starts trying to free you. As he's now being grappled by someone else, he is denied his dex bonus to everyone else..

 

[moritheil]

And Kmart has just unwittingly brought up the "rogue sneak attacks grappling creatures and misses" problem . . .