Use Oppponent as Cover while Grappling

[Infiniti2000]

As an optional action while grappling an opponent, you may choose to use your opponent (same size or larger) as cover with a successful opposed grapple check. If you win, the opponent (as chosen if grappling multiple opponents) gives you cover vs. attacks from outside the grapple and are effects. You also get a cover bonus on AC and on (defending) opposed grapple checks vs. other opponents in the grapple (but not the one you're using as cover) equal to the cover bonus on AC. Once you have cover from one opponent in the grapple, however, you get a penalty on (attacking) opposed grapple checks vs. other opponents in the grapple.

This action takes the place of an attack, like attacking your opponent. It stacks in the way that cover is improved so that you can use multiple opponents; the first grants cover, the second improved cover, and a third will grant total cover.

 

[Nifft]

Nice.

How about using a smaller opponent to gain a Shield bonus?

Cheers, -- N

 

[Infiniti2000]

Lol!

How about the following chart where the first column is the relation in size between your opponent(s) and you and the other columns are the number of creatures needed to provide the column-heading amount of cover.

Size Step    Cover    Imp. Cover   Total Cover
   -2          8          N/A          N/A
   -1          2           4            8
   +0          1           2            4
   +1          1           1            2
   +2          1           1            1

 

[Vuron]

Nice.

How about using a smaller opponent to gain a Shield bonus?

Cheers, -- N

Nah, smaller ally as a shield bonus (finally a use for gnomes PCs )

 

[Rhun]

I definitely like the concept of this. Of course, I'm a big fan of anything that adds to the options of the things characters can do in the game. I like the flavor, because often in stories or television, you'll see someone forcing their opponent in front of a gunshot or bowshot to save themselves. I'd have to implement this as a house rule and try it out, but it seems fair to me.

Also, I'd just like to add that the image of a brute warrior using a goblin or kobold to gain a shield bonus rocks...I think that is a great idea.

 

[Infiniti2000]

A cover bonus is better because then you can use your normal cover variant to have the cover hit.

Instead of a minimum of "cover" (i.e. +4 AC), just use "lesser cover" which grants +2 AC and +1 Reflex saves.

What do y'all think of that table?

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Very interesting idea... but why not make it more of a reflexive action rather than burning an attack action? {Can't see many players 'wasting' an attack in order to gain cover...}

Free Action: Grappling Cover
At any time while involved in a grapple you may choose to gain the benefits of cover using your grappled opponent. This benefit lasts until the beginning of you next actoin and extends to any attacks from other sources than the opponent you are using as cover. Additionally, that opponent gains a bonus to hit you equal the the amount of cover gained.
The amount of cover depends on the size difference as shown in the following table. You may chose to gain a cover benefit as if you had a smaller opponent.

Opponent size     Cover Bonus   Notes
  2 sizes smaller         0           If you have the opponent pinned, you may use the opponent as a small shield and gain a +1 shield bonus to AC
  1 size smaller         +1           Soft Cover
  same size              +2           Soft Cover
  1 size larger           +4           Soft Cover
  2 sizes larger         +4           Hard Cover
  3 sizes larger          +8          Improved Cover

?
This makes it kindof like the 'take cover' option in mounted combat, but has a price attached. {and actually could be extended to replace and buff the 'take cover' option...}

 

[Infiniti2000]

Free action or immediate action?

I still would not use it as a shield bonus for the reason I listed previously. I'm torn about whether there should be a check to gain the cover. It doesn't seem like it should be automatic IMO. The penalty should be on opposed grapple checks in addition to your AC. Also, keep in mind that you cannot even initiate a grapple with an opponent 2 or more sizes larger, so going all the way out to +3 is unlikely.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Ooops, immediate action

That's what happens when I never got the book that rule came out in...I always seem to forget it

I figure with a much smaller character that is pinned, you should be able to use them somewhat like a shield....