D&D 5E Grappling - What am I missing?

[MoutonRustique]

A simple rule to reflect the added effects of violently being thrashed underwater by predators could be something along the lines of :
"while underwater, a creature unable to breath water takes 5 extra damage from attacks"

There's probably a better way to phrase it... Such a rule does also offer the advantage of simulating the often seen - I drown you in the sink! - of spy flicks.

One could also use the idea of "loosing" rounds of air - 1 round / (your level in hp) slice - would be good (but is fairly cumbersome for those for whom fractions and such are not friends.)

 

[Saeviomagy]

You could create a special attack that specifically does a round of breathing as it's damage.

 

[raleel]

I look forward to playing a grappling bard. Get that expertise in athletics, cutting words (decreases foe's grapple check), Enhance Ability spell and Enlarge spell (both increase your grapple check)...some nasty combinations there

You don't even NEED the cutting words. I have a level 3 valor bard with a 14 strength. He pulls a +6 on grapples. Which actually beats an ogre. Enhanced ability makes it plenty strong with expertise.

The biggest issue is the limit on size you can grapple

 

[Bayonet]

I hear ya, OP. As a dedicated grappling nerd (I'm on the mats for Judo at least 4times a week) the fact that my fighter can't cause damage by slamming bandits into the floor, the wall and each other really saddens me.

That Grapplers guide is top tier, btw.

I do think that a grappled enemy should have disadvantage against any attacks. If you so physically dominated you can't even free yourself, how are you NOT at a disadvantage?

Likewise, I think getting shoved (or swept, tripped, thrown) down to prone should cause at least unarmed damage (1 normally, 1d4 with Tavern Brawler). Ever take a high speed impact against a hardwood floor? That's AT LEAST as damaging as a jab...

Meh, don't mind my ranting. I'm off to clutch my PHB and re-watch some Judo Highlight videos....

 

[Sword of Spirit]

I'd allow someone to make an attack roll to smash someone they are grappling into something else. It's mechanically identical to an unarmed strike, but more interesting than "I headbutt him again."

 

[Riley37]

If you so physically dominated you can't even free yourself, how are you NOT at a disadvantage?

Grappled, as such, is more like having a handhold on their shoulder or their clothing. It stops the target from going anywhere, and allows you to drag them along with you; but they can still use footwork to shift their balance, and they still have both arms free. The target is also only one successful stat-check Action away from freedom, at any given point; I would not say the grappler has established dominance, even if they have a much higher bonus in the stat-check contest, until they also impose Prone and/or Restrained.

Grappling someone AND shoving them prone, is holding them down to the floor, and puts them at disadvantage, though a target can still struggle to escape; lucky rolls have at least a possibility of overcoming a large stat-check difference.

A D&D judoka has the Grappling feat, and can impose the Restrained condition.

There are, as you well know, holds which go further, which are nigh impossible to escape if the target isn't willing to break their own arm or some such. It's hard to write easy-to-play TRPG rules which handle infighting with fine granularity.