Odd grapple question

[juliaromero]

So, how do the rules deal with this situation: John tries to grapple Fred. Fred decides he wants to be in a grapple, however he doesn't want John to do damage to him for suceeding to start the grapple.

Would you just say the grapple is automatic, but the check is only for whether or not damage is done?

 

[dcollins]

By the rules, no. Have Fred resist the grapple as normal. Then, on Fred's turn, let him make his own grapple attack.

 

[Diirk]

Note that John only does damage for starting the grapple if he has the constrict special ability... usually damage is not dealt on the initial grapple check, only on subsequent grapple checks with the 'damage the opponent' option. So Fred is safe, in most cases. Just don't try it on a snake

 

[dcollins]

Not so. From the SRD under "Grapple":

Step 3: Hold. Make an opposed grapple check as a free action.
If you succeed, you and your target are now grappling, and you deal damage to the target as if with an unarmed strike.

 

[Vurt]

Note that John only does damage for starting the grapple if he has the constrict special ability... usually damage is not dealt on the initial grapple check, only on subsequent grapple checks with the 'damage the opponent' option. So Fred is safe, in most cases. Just don't try it on a snake

I was under this impression too until recently when I was forced to look it up.

Step 3: Hold. Make an opposed grapple check as a free action. If you succeed, you and your target are now grappling, and you deal damage to the target as if with an unarmed strike.

EDIT: Heh, dcollins beat me to the punch... *cough*

There's a new Rules of the Game article on WotC's site that may or may not help clarify things: All About Grappling.

Cheers,
Vurt

 

[Diirk]

Ah, I see.. I have to admit I've never seen grapple used in any of my campaigns when it wasn't part of an improved grab, which differs on that point. Interesting !