Grappling help please...

[Ridley's Cohort]

The grappling rules make my head hurt. So I am taking the bull by the horns and attempting to understand it completely once and for all.

I would appreciate assistance by getting the descriptions of non-core feat and grappling related abilities, as well any FAQs, cheat sheets, or similar resources on the subject.

IIRC, the relavant rules are in the PHB grappling section, Escape Artist skill, Improved Grab, and Constrict. I also have access to CQF.0

I need descriptions Improved Grapple and Snatch. Anything else I have missed?

All help greatly appreciated!

 

[Kwalish Kid]

I think Sean K Reynolds has something of a chart on his site.

It's not too hard. I recommend writing out a step by step for yourself out of the PHB. Then look at Improved Grab in the MM. That's all you need.

 

[AuraSeer]

Sean K Reynolds's grappling explanation

 

[Dwarmaj]

Something seems a bit off...

If a fighter has multiple attacks, he can initiate a grapple multiple times. He draws an AoO on the first attempt, if it fails he can try on his next attack, but the target can't make a second AoO against him. Sure the base he gets to add in is a bit lower, but depending on what he's grappling it might not make a difference.

Could a demon with Improved Grab, forgo this ability for a normal grapple and get two attempts (one for each claw)? (we had this happen when a demon tried to grapple the figher and his AC was too high, so he switched to a normal grapple which is a touch attack ) The first attempt will most likely fail because of the AoO, but the fighter has little defense against the second attempt.

Am I missing something?

 

[AuraSeer]

Am I missing something?

No, I think you've got it right.

Improved Grab is a special effect of a normal melee attack. If the monster manages to hit his target, he does normal melee damage, plus automatically succeeds on the "make contact" portion of a grapple attempt. (Visual: A demon faces a poor unarmored human. The demon jabs the mortal with its claws, digs in, and holds on to prevent him from fleeing.)

You can always decide not to use Improved Grab, and try to make contact by a touch attack. This provokes AoO, and does not do melee damage if you hit, but it's easier against high-AC opponents. (Visual: The demon now faces a heavily-armored fighter. Instead of trying to pierce the armor, it simply grabs the warrior bodily and starts wrestling him to the ground.)