Grappling & Pinning?

[Wolffenjugend]

When someone is pinned during a grapple, does that mean they are on the ground? It sounds obvious but I can't find it stated anywhere. I can envision dealing damage or holding someone immobile w/o putting them down on the ground.

This situation came up when a monk grappled and pinned an enemy who then went incorporeal. We didn't know if the monk would be on the ground or if he would be standing...

 

[Camarath]

I do not believe that if you have pinned someone either you or that person is prone by default.

 

[Otterscrubber]

Agreed, although it does seem weird. Usually when you are pinning someone in real life you are prone, but you are certainly not considered prone while pinning someone in D&D mechanics. I guess I am thinking of wrestling where to pin someone you have to have their shoulders on the mat, but in D&D terms it simply means you have your opponent held helpless (*Edit: make that held immobile, not helpless*). You are grappling, with all that entails but neither you or your opponent are prone per the rules of pinning IIRC.