Touching someone in a Grapple

[zlorf]

Hi,
I have a situation which isnt really covered by any rules, so its a bit of DM's call. Heres the situation:

The party is fighting a Huge Demon (with 2 pincers, 2 claws and bite). One character is already dead (Bioa) and is in the clutches of one the demons pincers. Another character (Malash) plans to fly in and touch the dead character and then cast dimension door (DD)to get out of there.

Malash flies in and the Demon gets a AoO and successfully grapples Malash. Malash is grappled but still has a standard action left to attempt to touch Bioa before casting DD.

Now, heres something the rules dont cover, how easy is it for someone to touch someone or something in a grapple? Should it be a grapple check? Should there be any circumstance bonuses based on size of creature, ie medium vs medium, medium vs Huge etc

The demon doesnt neccessary know that Malash is trying to touch Bioa, so he isnt intentionally try to keep Bioa's body away.

At the moment im leaning towards a straight grapple check, but considering grappling opponents are moving around etc, it could also be a % chance that Malash gets close enough to touch Bioa. Should this touch attempt also trigger a AoO?

Suggestions are most welcome.

Cheers
Zlorf

 

[Legildur]

For starters, if the demon was grappling, then unless it was taking the -20 penalty, then it doesn't threaten and is not eligible for AOOs.

However, assuming that it still happened, I can't see any rules on this. Typically touching a friend is automatic, but in this case he is really an object (being dead and all).

Maybe you could substitute a melee touch attack (with a -4 penalty for being grappled as per the 'attack you opponent' section under grappling) as part of the DD spell. But the object has an effective Dex of 0 (-5 penalty to touch AC). Just don't roll a natural 1!

Of course, this assumes that you can successfully cast the DD spell whilst grappled.

 

[zlorf]

The demon is just holding the body, not grappling.

The touch attack is ok for a stationary object, in this case its still could be moving as it in the pincer of the Demon. Maybe the touch attack could be -4 for being grappled and then the AC could include the dex of the demon. Still seems to easy, especially when you have a medium PC vs a Huge Monster.

Thanks for the input.
Zlorf

For starters, if the demon was grappling, then unless it was taking the -20 penalty, then it doesn't threaten and is not eligible for AOOs.

However, assuming that it still happened, I can't see any rules on this. Typically touching a friend is automatic, but in this case he is really an object (being dead and all).

Maybe you could substitute a melee touch attack (with a -4 penalty for being grappled as per the 'attack you opponent' section under grappling) as part of the DD spell. But the object has an effective Dex of 0 (-5 penalty to touch AC). Just don't roll a natural 1!

Of course, this assumes that you can successfully cast the DD spell whilst grappled.

 

[calypso15]

I'd say, have the character make a melee touch attack against the demon. The body is currently an object in possession of the demon.

 

[blargney the second]

Show me on the doll where he touched you while you were grappling.