Help me understand grappling.

[Lord Pendragon]

Well, I'd like to think I have an excellent grasp of 3e mechanics, combat tactics, etc. I currently both play and DM. However, one aspect of the system still manages to confuse me:

Grappling.

If someone out there could give me the "Idiots Guide to Grappling" I'd be really grateful. There are just too many aspects of it which are foggy to me. Specifically, could someone provide the most common scenarios in which grappling is the tactically smart thing to do?

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[phillipjp]

Specifically, could someone provide the most common scenarios in which grappling is the tactically smart thing to do?

Some we have come across:

1. Spellcaster vs. spellcaster in a PC party vs. NPC party battle, you're all out of spells, and he is not.
2. A beast is about to slaughter one of your party in the next round unless you take it out, but it still has plenty of hitpoints left.

 

[jasper]

No getting through the demons/ ropers sr/damage reduction.
Dog pile it and throw it the pit.