Random chance to hit ally in a grapple

[Liminal Syzygy]

Something that I never realized until recently is the note 3 of table 8-6, on pg. 151 of the 3.5 PH... Which states in the case of attacking someone who is grappling: "Roll randomly to see which grappling combatant you strike. That defender loses any Dexterity bonus to AC."

I never keyed into the roll randomly portion, and the Rogue IMC has been sneak attacking grappling opponents regularly. It seems I'm not the only person that has overlooked this detail:
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75049

On one hand, from a realism standpoint, it seems ridiculous that if you accidentally hit an ally randomly, that you apply sneak attack damage automatically.

But on the other hand, from a game balance standpoint, I think the ability to get a sneak attack on a grappled opponent (or worse a series in a full attack including an Expert Tactician extra whack) so easily is a bit much. Worse, it really shuts down what I think is a valid combat tactic, making it suicide to grapple a member of my party as the Rogue would be there making sure the opponent paid for it.

Have others missed this rule? For those that haven't, how has it worked in your game?

 

[Darklone]

IIRC that only applies to ranged attacks against grapplers, right? So what's the problem ?

 

[MichaelH]

Yes, that footnote only applies to ranged attacks, not melee attacks. Your rogue has been doing it correctly.

 

[Epametheus]

Big monsters can take -20 to their checks and not lose their AC bonuses.

Humanoids should probably go squish the rogue before they go after anyone else, if they know what they're up against.

I just realized that the DM never thought to pull that on my grappling-based character (wait for me to grapple something and then have an enemy rogue start stabbing). Yay?

 

[DrSpunj]

Yes, that footnote only applies to ranged attacks, not melee attacks. Your rogue has been doing it correctly.

[House Rule]It hasn't come up yet, but IMC I apply the Bull Rush chance (25%) to strike an unintended target. It seems to me that if a Bull Rush causes enough movement that there's a 25% chance of hitting your ally, a Grapple should have at least that much of a chance. If there are two or more potential unintended targets, they each get an equal random chance to be attacked. Precision based attacks wouldn't apply in these cases as you were aiming specifically at your intended target, and before you could land the blow those wrestling shifted enough that your blade didn't strike home (but still struck somebody).

Obviously, this changes if your target is pinned or pinning someone else, no chance to hit an unintended target then.[/House Rule]

Thanks.

DrSpunj

 

[AeroDm]

He brings up a good point-

If I fire into a grapple and I have sneak attack (and am within 30') I randomly hit a target and apply sneak damage? Even though sneak damage is precision damage? I believe the rules support this but it seems like an oversight.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

IIRC that only applies to ranged attacks against grapplers, right? So what's the problem ?

Ok I stand corrected. It is still strange that sneak attack damage is applied to whoever you hit though.

 

[Darklone]

IMHO it's only strange that only rogues get sneak attack damage in certain situations.