Proficiency and Special Ability

[Greenfield]

If the claws give a Grapple bonus as a normal use of the weapon, I'd allow it even if you aren't proficient with the weapon, as such.

Of course, I'd apply the -4 non-proficiency penalty to any maneuvers (including Grapple) you attempted with the weapon, just as I would if you were trying to use it to Sunder, Disarm, Power Attack or anything else.

There are a few items that give you bonuses just for possessing them. Very few of them are weapons, and none of those bonuses apply to weapon use or maneuvers with any other weapon.

 

[amphoterik]

It is important to note that the wording of Proficiency is "you understand how to use that weapon in combat," not "you understand how to attack with that weapon."
Although you could potentially argue that grappling is not attacking, you cannot argue that grappling is not a form of combat.

touche

 

[Axel]

If the claws give a Grapple bonus as a normal use of the weapon, I'd allow it even if you aren't proficient with the weapon, as such.

Of course, I'd apply the -4 non-proficiency penalty to any maneuvers (including Grapple) you attempted with the weapon, just as I would if you were trying to use it to Sunder, Disarm, Power Attack or anything else.

This is probably the fairest interpretation. I'd love to claim ownership of the idea... Still, giving you the bonus but applying non-proficiency penalty ticks the RAI list and the RAW list. Which even reading the top (rather than the bottom) of a d20 as the "roll result" doesn't.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

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