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<blockquote data-quote="DrJawaPhD" data-source="post: 9579906" data-attributes="member: 7044770">All similar abilities in the PHB don't mention requiring a free hand, this requirement is specified across the board in the rules for Grappling itself, so there is no need to repeat it every time.More interesting to me though is that on my first reading without having put any thought into it, I was envisioning this ability as invoking the ground itself to reach up and grapple the enemy.&nbsp; It would be useless for many Paladins if a) doesn't work with sword/shield due to requiring a free hand, and b) doesn't work well with 10' reach weapons due to being out of range to stay grappled. I'm wondering which way WotC intended it to beGiving your entire party resistance to an elemental damage type (on top of higher saving throw for half damage) seems really strong, but is it that strong when you need to clump up to gain the resistance?&nbsp; In many (most?) cases you could better damage reduction by just spreading out and not being hit.&nbsp; Requiring a bonus action to switch elements isn't a bad restriction but I'm not sure how much it matters since you can usually predict the predominant damage type (if there is one) before combat starts based on what you're fighting.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="DrJawaPhD, post: 9579906, member: 7044770"] All similar abilities in the PHB don't mention requiring a free hand, this requirement is specified across the board in the rules for Grappling itself, so there is no need to repeat it every time. More interesting to me though is that on my first reading without having put any thought into it, I was envisioning this ability as invoking the ground itself to reach up and grapple the enemy. It would be useless for many Paladins if a) doesn't work with sword/shield due to requiring a free hand, and b) doesn't work well with 10' reach weapons due to being out of range to stay grappled. I'm wondering which way WotC intended it to be Giving your entire party resistance to an elemental damage type (on top of higher saving throw for half damage) seems really strong, but is it that strong when you need to clump up to gain the resistance? In many (most?) cases you could better damage reduction by just spreading out and not being hit. Requiring a bonus action to switch elements isn't a bad restriction but I'm not sure how much it matters since you can usually predict the predominant damage type (if there is one) before combat starts based on what you're fighting. [/QUOTE]

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