Aid Another - Grapple or Trip [Archive] - Wizards Community

Aid Another - Grapple or Trip [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Earthamel
01-03-08, 02:34 PM Can the Aid Another Combat action be sued to improve a grapple check or a Trip Strength check???

I want a horde of goblins to pile on a character and all aid one another to trip and/or grapple him. I do not see a way in the rules to do this unless the Aid another applies to these checks....:confused:
Slimgauge
01-03-08, 03:18 PM By RAW, no.

From the Online SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#aidAnother) section on aid another.

If you succeed, your friend gains either a +2 bonus on his next attack roll against that opponent or a +2 bonus to AC against that opponent’s next attack (your choice), as long as that attack comes before the beginning of your next turn.

Since a grapple check is LIKE an attack roll, but is NOT an attack roll, it doesn't help. (see online SRD entry on grapple (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#grapple)).

A trip attack DOES involve an attack roll (specifically an unarmed melee touch attack). Aid another can help this, but not the subsequent opposed strength check. (see online SRD entry on trip (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#trip)).

Neither of these are skill checks, so you can't use Aid Another that way either. (see online SRD entry on using Aid Another on Skill Checks (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/usingSkills.htm#aidAnother)

What I'd suggest instead is your goblins take the Swarm Fighting feat (they don't have the INT for Improved Trip). If they're standard goblins, they barely have the dex (13) to do so, but it'll let them all attack at +1, instead of half of them attacking at +2 (for one other aiding them). With enough checks, one of them might succeed. Remember that a natural 20 is NOT an automatic success on opposed checks. They do have the dex for Improved Grapple, but they would also need the pre-requisite Improved Unarmed Strike.
catdragon
01-03-08, 03:19 PM IMO, yes, the aid another can be used in a grapple or to help trip someone.

Also remember, that when grappling multiple opponents you have to beat your grapple check against everyone in the grapple. So the more people grappling you the harder it is to do anything.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Earthamel 01-03-08, 02:34 PM	Can the Aid Another Combat action be sued to improve a grapple check or a Trip Strength check??? I want a horde of goblins to pile on a character and all aid one another to trip and/or grapple him. I do not see a way in the rules to do this unless the Aid another applies to these checks....:confused:
Slimgauge 01-03-08, 03:18 PM	By RAW, no. From the Online SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#aidAnother) section on aid another. If you succeed, your friend gains either a +2 bonus on his next attack roll against that opponent or a +2 bonus to AC against that opponent’s next attack (your choice), as long as that attack comes before the beginning of your next turn. Since a grapple check is LIKE an attack roll, but is NOT an attack roll, it doesn't help. (see online SRD entry on grapple (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#grapple)). A trip attack DOES involve an attack roll (specifically an unarmed melee touch attack). Aid another can help this, but not the subsequent opposed strength check. (see online SRD entry on trip (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#trip)). Neither of these are skill checks, so you can't use Aid Another that way either. (see online SRD entry on using Aid Another on Skill Checks (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/usingSkills.htm#aidAnother) What I'd suggest instead is your goblins take the Swarm Fighting feat (they don't have the INT for Improved Trip). If they're standard goblins, they barely have the dex (13) to do so, but it'll let them all attack at +1, instead of half of them attacking at +2 (for one other aiding them). With enough checks, one of them might succeed. Remember that a natural 20 is NOT an automatic success on opposed checks. They do have the dex for Improved Grapple, but they would also need the pre-requisite Improved Unarmed Strike.
catdragon 01-03-08, 03:19 PM	IMO, yes, the aid another can be used in a grapple or to help trip someone. Also remember, that when grappling multiple opponents you have to beat your grapple check against everyone in the grapple. So the more people grappling you the harder it is to do anything.