Attacking a grappler. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Attacking a grappler. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ashlock
12-27-04, 01:47 PM This may seem silly, but I honestly can't seem to find where this is discussed in the rules. I should know this by know. I apologize if it's been talked about here before.

What are the mechanics of attacking an enemy who is being grappled by one of your allies? I know they're denied their Dex bonus (and are therefore susceptible to sneak attacks, too), but if you miss, is there any risk in hitting your ally? Does it matter if it's melee or ranged?

Does anyone know where this is discussed in the rules? I don't see it in the Grapple section.

I just can't see, say, shooting an arrow at an enemy one of your allies is grappling without risking hitting your ally.
simen_88
12-27-04, 07:23 PM I do recall seeing them somewhere, but I can't find them right now. IMO, you could use the rules for firing into melee. -4 to hit.
Kephamoz
12-28-04, 05:18 AM Check out the table listing Armor Class modifiers in the SRD, found here (http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/CombatII.rtf) . It's under the Combat Modifiers, Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions section. Footnote number three is the relevant text you're looking for.

Ranged attacks against grappling characters are resolved by rolling randomly to see which combatant you hit. Melee attacks are resolved as normal with no mischance.
Ashlock
12-28-04, 10:59 AM Kephamoz, that's it. Thank you!

So having your ally (say, a monk) grapple an enemy is a good strategy if you're a rogue. Just not with ranged attacks.
Feng
12-28-04, 11:14 AM On a related note, what can a character who is grappled do? I have looked everywhere, and all I can find is what the grappling creature can do. Is the grappled person limited to escaping? can they use a wand already in their hands? how about a potion etc.? I just can;t seem to find the rules here.

A monster that grapples a PC is then susceptible to sneak attacks correct? I have always played it this way, but read recently that a character with improved grab/snatch can grapple but still keep their DEX bonus and not be susceptible to the sneak attack. Is that true?
simen_88
12-28-04, 11:49 AM I've always interpreted it the way that when you are grappled, you are grappling. This makes sense in a real combat (I've been a greec/roman wrestler, I should know), and grappling is rather broken if I'm wrong.
Ashlock
12-28-04, 02:58 PM Once the grapple is successfully initiated (and no one's pinned or anything), each grappler is on equal ground. No one yet has the "upper hand" until they do some maneuver (on their turn) that turns the tide somehow. Both are denied their Dex bonuses to everyone outside the grapple.

So, Feng, the answer is that the person who is grappled can do the exact same things as the one doing the grappling. At that point, no one is the grappler. Or they both are, or whatever. :rolleyes:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ashlock 12-27-04, 01:47 PM	This may seem silly, but I honestly can't seem to find where this is discussed in the rules. I should know this by know. I apologize if it's been talked about here before. What are the mechanics of attacking an enemy who is being grappled by one of your allies? I know they're denied their Dex bonus (and are therefore susceptible to sneak attacks, too), but if you miss, is there any risk in hitting your ally? Does it matter if it's melee or ranged? Does anyone know where this is discussed in the rules? I don't see it in the Grapple section. I just can't see, say, shooting an arrow at an enemy one of your allies is grappling without risking hitting your ally.
simen_88 12-27-04, 07:23 PM	I do recall seeing them somewhere, but I can't find them right now. IMO, you could use the rules for firing into melee. -4 to hit.
Kephamoz 12-28-04, 05:18 AM	Check out the table listing Armor Class modifiers in the SRD, found here (http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/CombatII.rtf) . It's under the Combat Modifiers, Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions section. Footnote number three is the relevant text you're looking for. Ranged attacks against grappling characters are resolved by rolling randomly to see which combatant you hit. Melee attacks are resolved as normal with no mischance.
Ashlock 12-28-04, 10:59 AM	Kephamoz, that's it. Thank you! So having your ally (say, a monk) grapple an enemy is a good strategy if you're a rogue. Just not with ranged attacks.
Feng 12-28-04, 11:14 AM	On a related note, what can a character who is grappled do? I have looked everywhere, and all I can find is what the grappling creature can do. Is the grappled person limited to escaping? can they use a wand already in their hands? how about a potion etc.? I just can;t seem to find the rules here. A monster that grapples a PC is then susceptible to sneak attacks correct? I have always played it this way, but read recently that a character with improved grab/snatch can grapple but still keep their DEX bonus and not be susceptible to the sneak attack. Is that true?
simen_88 12-28-04, 11:49 AM	I've always interpreted it the way that when you are grappled, you are grappling. This makes sense in a real combat (I've been a greec/roman wrestler, I should know), and grappling is rather broken if I'm wrong.
Ashlock 12-28-04, 02:58 PM	Once the grapple is successfully initiated (and no one's pinned or anything), each grappler is on equal ground. No one yet has the "upper hand" until they do some maneuver (on their turn) that turns the tide somehow. Both are denied their Dex bonuses to everyone outside the grapple. So, Feng, the answer is that the person who is grappled can do the exact same things as the one doing the grappling. At that point, no one is the grappler. Or they both are, or whatever. :rolleyes: