Post/Author/DateTime

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Raven Dark 01-02-06, 12:18 PM

Constrict (Ex): A creature with this special attack can crush an opponent, dealing bludgeoning damage, after making a successful grapple check. The amount of damage is given in the creature’s entry. If the creature also has the improved grab ability it deals constriction damage in addition to damage dealt by the weapon used to grab. Improved Grab (Ex): If a creature with this special attack hits with a melee weapon (usually a claw or bite attack), it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. No initial touch attack is required. Unless otherwise noted, improved grab works only against opponents at least one size category smaller than the creature. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the improved grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on grapple checks, but is not considered grappled itself; the creature does not lose its Dexterity bonus to AC, still threatens an area, and can use its remaining attacks against other opponents. A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature’s descriptive text). When a creature gets a hold after an improved grab attack, it pulls the opponent into its space. This act does not provoke attacks of opportunity. It can even move (possibly carrying away the opponent), provided it can drag the opponent’s weight. Now, is the second underlined portion of the text specifically referring to the hold option mentioned in the first underlined passage (the -20 option) or is it using the word "hold" more generically? (since all grapples involve using a touch attack to get a "hold" of your opponent) I ask because I need to know when constrict AND the natural weapon damage from improved grab come into play. Under which circumstances is it just constriction damage? Under which circumstances is it just improved grab damage? When is it both? :confused: They really should make that -20 thing into its own seperate, defined ability instead of hiding it in the confusing text that is improved grab.