D&D 5E so a crocodile and a pc fighter go into a grapple ...

[Nickolaidas]

I would like some clarification in this.

Once a crocodile successfully bites a huge or smaller creature, it automatically grapples it, right? So, in the next rounds, as long as the character fails to break the grapple, does the crocodile get free damage bite rolls? Or he attack rolls normally? Can the crocodile pin down the character for advantage in those attack rolls?

I'm guessing in the case of no free damage, the only reason a croc would grapple would be to move the grappled victim to the bottom of the swamp/lake/river and bite/drown him to death (hence his hold breath ability).

 

[Flamestrike]

I would like some clarification in this.

Once a crocodile successfully bites a huge or smaller creature, it automatically grapples it, right? So, in the next rounds, as long as the character fails to break the grapple, does the crocodile get free damage bite rolls? Or he attack rolls normally? Can the crocodile pin down the character for advantage in those attack rolls?

I'm guessing in the case of no free damage, the only reason a croc would grapple would be to move the grappled victim to the bottom of the swamp/lake/river and bite/drown him to death (hence his hold breath ability).

'Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d10 + 5) piercing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the crocodile can't bite another target.'

The crocodile bites and auto grapples. If you dont escape, it can bite you normally next turn (chomp chomp) but cant bite anyone else. It could then drag you backwards into the water (at half speed), or use the attack action to also knock you prone (so it gets advantage on the rest of its attacks).

Its not a good place to be,

 

[Nickolaidas]

So there isn't automatic damage of any kind, correct?

 

[Flamestrike]

So there isn't automatic damage of any kind, correct?

Nope. The croc bites and grapples on its turn. On your turn you can either try and break out as an action (or cast a spell or attack the croc). Then on the crocs next turn it can munch on you again (retaining the grapple regardless of if this bite damages you or not) or release you and bite someone else. It also get a tail slap (although I would rule it cant tail slap the creature it has bitten as thats physically impossible).

It could also just hold the grapple, refrain from biting you again, and instead take the attack action to attempt to knock you prone (while holding its grapple). Twisting its jaws and flipping you onto the ground.

Then it gets to move half speed (likely dragging you into the water, just like IRL).

As an Australian this is pretty much what happens. Victims of croc attacks die from drowning. They drag you into the water then 'death roll' to knock the air out of your lungs and drown you.

Then they stuff you under a log underwater and let you rot for a week or two (their teeth are not good for cutting, so they let you decompose a bit to make your bits easier to tear off).

You really dont want to come toe to toe with a Saltwater crocodile. Those bastards are big. Largest land based apex predators in the world from memory, and a great way to ruin your day.

 

[Nickolaidas]

Wait ... doesn't being restrained gives advantage on the croc's attacks? Also, can't he move his victim against the victim's will without knocking him prone if the victim is grappled? Why knock him prone then?

 

[Flamestrike]

Wait ... doesn't being restrained gives advantage on the croc's attacks? Also, can't he move his victim against the victim's will without knocking him prone if the victim is grappled? Why knock him prone then?

The creature is grappled, not restrained. Being grappled doesnt grant advantage or disadvantage:

Grappled
• A grappled creature’s speed becomes 0, and it can’t benefit from any bonus to its speed.
• The condition ends if the grappler is incapacitated (see the condition).
• The condition also ends if an effect removes the grappled creature from the reach of the grappler or grappling effect, such as when a creature is hurled away by the thunderwave spell.

You are prohibited from movement when grappled. Thats it.

If the crocodile knocks the grappled creature prone (using the attack action to make a trip attack), the creature becomes grappled and prone:

Prone
• A prone creature’s only movement option is to crawl, unless it stands up and thereby ends the condition.
• The creature has disadvantage on attack rolls.
• An attack roll against the creature has advantage if the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature. Otherwise, the attack roll has disadvantage.

If a creature is both grappled and prone, it cant move (its speed is 0), it cant stand up (again, speed zero), attack rolls against it (such as from the Croc) gain advantage, and its attacks have disadvantage. If it breaks the grapple as an action, it also remains prone (and either needs to crawl away from the croc at half speed or stand up wasting half its movement).

 

[Nickolaidas]

But the croc's bite description says that the victim once grappled is restrained.

 

[Leatherhead]

But the croc's bite description says that the victim once grappled is restrained.

So it does.

Knocking prone would allow the croc to suffocate (not just drown) the fighter in the shallow waters. Most fighters won't last more than 3 rounds (if that) before they succumb to such a death roll.

 

[Flamestrike]

But the croc's bite description says that the victim once grappled is restrained.

So it does! Even better than grappled.

Restrained:

The creature's speed becomes 0, and it cannot benefit from bonuses to its speed.
Attacks against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attacks have disadvantage.
The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.

So no need to knock you prone. It bites you and this happens. It gets advantage on its attacks against you from that point, and you have disadvantage with your attacks and Dex saves.

 

[Nickolaidas]

So it does! Even better than grappled.

Restrained:

The creature's speed becomes 0, and it cannot benefit from bonuses to its speed.
Attacks against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attacks have disadvantage.
The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.

So no need to knock you prone. It bites you and this happens. It gets advantage on its attacks against you from that point, and you have disadvantage with your attacks and Dex saves.

Right!

Last questions ... when the restrained status says 'you don't benefit from bonuses to speed' does this mean 'bye bye dex bonus'?

Also, if the croc's victim was grappled and not restrained, couldn't the croc still be able to move him against his will?