Improved Unarm Strike and Grapple

[Martin Olarin]

Does improved unarm strike work with grapple attacks? One of those things that seems like it would make sense but it isn't said directly so I thought I would ask for other's opinions.

 

[Crothian]

No, I don't believe it does

 

[i3ullseye]

Somewhere, Oriental Adventures maybe, there is an improved grapple feat. Basic improved unarmed does not negate the opponents opportunity attacks when ou are grappling them.

 

[kreynolds]

Somewhere, Oriental Adventures maybe, there is an improved grapple feat.

Yup. Page 63, Improved Grapple. Works similar to the Improved Grab ability for monsters.

 

[Legildur]

Don't forget to take the Earth's Embrace and Choke Hold feats to support the Improved Grapple.

And the Gloves of Fearsome Grip are a nice touch to build a wrestling monk - the ultimate wizard killer

 

[Zhure]

The AoO from grappling comes from "moving into the target's square," which is why Improved Unarmed Strike doesn't negate it.

Greg

 

[Brekki]

There are two different AoO's in grappling:

1. When you use a touch attack to initiate the grapple, you get an AoO from your enemy, if you don't have a feat that negates this.

2. If you win the grapple check, and move in to maintain the hold, you get AoO's from the enemies you're not grappling.

 

[Gaiden]

Brekki,

Check the description of grapple again. You only provoke 1 AoO from the grapple. This AoO occurs when you make your touch attack. This is because in order to make the touch attack you are moving into the square. If the touch attack succeeds you have successfully moved into the square. Then you make opposed grapple checks provoking no AoO from the defender and if successful the grapple is maintained and you deal unarmed damage.

 

[smetzger]

The AoO from grappling comes from "moving into the target's square," which is why Improved Unarmed Strike doesn't negate it.

I allow Spring Attack to negate the AoO. But since grapple isn't really an attack this is a grey area and I wouldn't be surprised if alot of people disagree with me on this interpretation.

 

[Shalewind]

Check the description of grapple again. You only provoke 1 AoO from the grapple. This AoO occurs when you make your touch attack. This is because in order to make the touch attack you are moving into the square. If the touch attack succeeds you have successfully moved into the square. Then you make opposed grapple checks provoking no AoO from the defender and if successful the grapple is maintained and you deal unarmed damage.

Not so. Grappling works as follows:

Step One: You provoke an AoO from the target (I allow Improved unarmed strike to negate this as I believe it is a penalty for attacking unarmed) If the AoO hits you and deals damage, the grapple fails.

Step Two: You make a melee touch attack to grab the target. If you fail to hit his AC, you fail the Grab and the grapple.

Step Three: You make an opposed grapple check with the opponent. If you succeed, you can deal unarmed damage. You auto fail this roll if the target is two sizes bigger than you. Now you have a hold of the target.

Step Four: Move into his square. This provokes a SECOND AoA, but not from the target, only from the surrounding squares.

You are now in Grapple mode and can make consecutive grapple checks using your iterative bonuses (minus however many grab attempts you made)

reference PHB pg 137.