Tiger, Improved Grab & Rake

[Finn E. Theodorsen]

I read this several time, but am still not clear
as to how it works?

What is the difference between grab at -20 and
a normal grab, when do you still threathen/retain
dex, when do you do claw damage again, when can
you rake, when do you move into their square
and when are they moved into your, when can
extra attacks be taken for further claw/bite
and against whom, when is the hold active next
turn and when not, what is a 'hold' - that words
isn't really mentioned in the grappling rules!

//Finn

 

[whatisitgoodfor]

While grappling, you don't threaten any area and you lose your Dex modifier against opponents you aren't grappling.

In order to avoid these penalties, you have to take a -20 on your grapple checks.

The way that Tiger combat works is this:

Initiate combat: They will ususally get a surprise round and their Pounce ability to activate.

Because of their improved grab ability, when they make their first attack with a claw, they get to start a grapple without provoking an AoO. If the attempt fails, then they get a second try with their other claw attack.

If either is successful, then they get to make their two rake attacks.

Unless the tiger took the -20 to his grapple attempt (to avoid being considered grappled) then he loses his Dex bonus to AC from other opponents and doesn't threaten the area around him.

If he did take the -20 penalty, then, basically, he just got the two extra attacks for free. If the grappled prey doesn't try to break the grapple, or if the tiger wins initiative, the tiger will get the two rake attacks again the next turn.

The tiger can choose to take the penalty or not after each grapple check is made, but if he chooses not to for any of them, he will be considered grappled until the next one.