Still stuck on Improved Grab, especially the first round.

LordVyreth

First Post
How, precisely, will a character with Improved Grab act on the first round? If the starting attack is successful and the grapple check is made, is the monster currently grappling the victim? What about other natural attacks that the creature might have that round? Are they wasted, can the creature immediately use them to attack the grappled target, or should all regular attacks be made first? What if a creature has improved grab on multiple weapons, and attacks different people with them? Is it possible for the creature to take the -20 penalty on the initial grapple check, or does it have to wait until next round? Is it even preferable to do so? And so on; I get grapple checks mostly, but the initial step gives me migranes.

Vyreth
 

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1. Hit
2. If you hit you get a free grapple check.
3. If said grapple check is successful that hand/mouth/apendage can't attack anymore.
4. Continue with other said natural attacks.

Basically if they hit with their claw lets say they get the grapple attack with that claw and then they are DONE with that one claw.


Multiple attacks with natural weapons are very rare nowadays aren't they? Even if not they hit with that natural attacks I rule no more with that when they are grappled unless they plan on using the opponent as a weapon.

Does that make sense?
 

I thought the monster had to take a -20 to be grappling only with that appendage.

ie once the grapple starts (assuming the -20 has not been taken) the monster is entirely engaged in the grapple and may NOT use its other natural attacks on different opponents.


?
 


Leopold said:
intriguing....lets' find out!


nope don't see that rule anywhere...where do you see that rule?

From the SRD, grapple section:

Grappling Consequences

While you’re grappling, your ability to attack others and defend yourself is limited.
No Threatened Squares: You don’t threaten any squares while grappling.
No Dexterity Bonus: You lose your Dexterity bonus to AC (if you have one) against opponents you aren’t grappling. (You can still use it against opponents you are grappling.)
No Movement: You can’t move normally while grappling. You may, however, make an opposed grapple check (see below) to move while grappling

Further from the SRD, in the Improved Grab section:

The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the improved grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on grapple checks, but is not considered grappled itself; the creature does not lose its Dexterity bonus to AC, still threatens an area, and can use its remaining attacks against other opponents

So, a normal monster without improved grab only has the option to initiate a normal grapple, and after which he doesn't threaten other areas, and has to continue any remaining attacks as per the grappling rules (grapple checks to do damage, -4 penalty to attack if he chooses not to do the grapple check, etc).

With improved grab, you get the free grapple check, and have 2 options.

Option 1 is to enter the grapple normally, with no penalty on the initial check, and be fully grappled (no dex bonus, no threatened area, etc).

Option 2 is to take a -20 on all grapple checks, and be able to continue attacking other opponents with your other attacks, move around freely, retain dex bonus, etc.

Skaros
 


According to the FAQ, the -20 on the grapple check is an option anyone can use, despite it only being mentioned in the Improved Grab entry.
 

So most creatures would elect to take -20 on their improved grab check, so they aren't suddenly grappling one enemy while the enemy's friends are surrounding it on all sides? Especially big, solitary monsters like the Tarrasque and purple worms, as opposed to more horde-type monsters? Thanks for the help.

Vyreth
 

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