Having just played the adventure "Eye for an Eye" from Dungeon #82, one battle has the party fighting a plant creature with 8 tentacles all with constrict and improved grab. Of course, the part also has 9 wolf allies. This would be a long battle under any circumstances, but the inclusion of numerous grapple checks only made it longer. I am curious if anyone has modified grappling to make it simpler. I would do away with it completely if not for the fact that so many monsters rely upon it.
Reforming the grapple mechanic
- Thread starter ShadowX
- Start date
Li Shenron
Legend
starwed said:
Maybe the fact that it takes 3 dice rolls rather than one?
Infiniti2000
First Post
3 only on the first (successful) one, 1 on the first unsuccessful one(s), 2 otherwise, but who's counting? 
I haven't found a need or desire to simplify the mechanic, but the obvious change would be to create a GC, Grapple Class, which would simplify assume a 10 as the roll for the defender, just like with AC. Of course, once you do that it really screws the PCs who will sometimes require a high roll while the enemy rolls low, just to win. Putting the defender always on 10 could (and will) easily mean that the PC can never win. And that part sucks. On the other hand, you could then also institute the natural 1/20 rule.
One other thing, about the rules in general, make sure you are running the 8 attacks "correctly". Meaning, unless the plant is taking -20, once he hits and starts grappling, his attack routine is over.
I haven't found a need or desire to simplify the mechanic, but the obvious change would be to create a GC, Grapple Class, which would simplify assume a 10 as the roll for the defender, just like with AC. Of course, once you do that it really screws the PCs who will sometimes require a high roll while the enemy rolls low, just to win. Putting the defender always on 10 could (and will) easily mean that the PC can never win. And that part sucks. On the other hand, you could then also institute the natural 1/20 rule.
One other thing, about the rules in general, make sure you are running the 8 attacks "correctly". Meaning, unless the plant is taking -20, once he hits and starts grappling, his attack routine is over.
Wednesday Boy
The Nerd WhoFell to Earth
I don't have the book in front of me but I think Star Wars Saga Edition does a good job at simplifying grappling. Maybe check there and adapt it to 3.5 if it seems worthwhile.
Primitive Screwhead
First Post
You mean something like Grappling For Beginners: How To Strike, Hold & Throw?
Much simpler and streamlined. I am using it in my current game with no problems yet... altho my players really haven't tried to stress test it yet.
It adds two new stats, Grapple AB and Grapple AC.. and adjusts some of the RAW feats to match the new mechanics. Otherwize its plug and play...
The biggest change is that you don't have to enter the targets square to grapple...which gets rid of all sorts of questions.
Two follow-up PDF have been released, Grappling For Advanced Students: How to Master Your Chi! and
Carnage For Beginners: How to Fight With Flair!
Altho honestly I don't use 'Carnage'...
[/EnPublishing plug]
Much simpler and streamlined. I am using it in my current game with no problems yet... altho my players really haven't tried to stress test it yet.
It adds two new stats, Grapple AB and Grapple AC.. and adjusts some of the RAW feats to match the new mechanics. Otherwize its plug and play...
The biggest change is that you don't have to enter the targets square to grapple...which gets rid of all sorts of questions.
Two follow-up PDF have been released, Grappling For Advanced Students: How to Master Your Chi! and
Carnage For Beginners: How to Fight With Flair!
Altho honestly I don't use 'Carnage'...
[/EnPublishing plug]
borc killer
First Post
Wednesday Boy said:
I am very intrigues by this… anyone have a link to a full description of the mechanic? Or can provide one?
