Constrict ability question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Constrict ability question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
eggplantm
11-15-04, 10:37 AM To quote the SRD:

"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."

So this means that a choker that does 1d3+3 with a tentacle and has constrict for 1d3+3 does 2d3+6, correct?

For almost all creatures, the constrict damage equals the damage of the attack used to start the grapple so for almost all cases a successful constrict does double the intial attack's damage. Am I also correct on this?

Last question. Does the creature apply the constrict damage on the same round that it makes its first attack? For example a choker attacks, does tentacle damage, establishes a hold with a grapple check as a free action. Does it also do constrict damage on this round because it successfully made its grapple check?

Thanks in advance for your help in this matter.
eggplantm
11-16-04, 07:34 AM Doesn't anyone have an answer to this? I'm sorry if it has been debated to death before but I was just hoping for some feedback.
NexH
11-16-04, 09:54 AM So this means that a choker that does 1d3+3 with a tentacle and has constrict for 1d3+3 does 2d3+6, correct?

If the choker established the hold with its tentacle (probably he did) then yes, with each successful grapple check to constrict he does 2d3 + 6 damage.

For almost all creatures, the constrict damage equals the damage of the attack used to start the grapple so for almost all cases a successful constrict does double the intial attack's damage. Am I also correct on this?

Yes, except on the initial hold (see below)

Last question. Does the creature apply the constrict damage on the same round that it makes its first attack? For example a choker attacks, does tentacle damage, establishes a hold with a grapple check as a free action. Does it also do constrict damage on this round because it successfully made its grapple check?

Yes, but that damage is only constrict damage, you don't also add the damage of the tentacle.
Note however that he doesn´t gets the constrict damage because he made a "successful grapple check" but because this case is considered under the "Improved Grab" entry.
eggplantm
11-16-04, 10:41 AM Okay, I think I have it.

Improved grab lets you apply the damage of the attack used to start the grapple every time you make a successful grapple check (not counting the round you started the grapple)

Constrict is extra damage you apply every time you make a successful grapple check (including the round you established the hold)

What about creatures with mulitple attacks that can start grapples like an otyugh. I don't suppose the creature can constrict the same opponent more than once in a round?
NexH
11-16-04, 11:05 AM What about creatures with multiple attacks that can start grapples like an otyugh. I don't suppose the creature can constrict the same opponent more than once in a round?

That is a hard question, since grapple checks are normally based on BAB, while natural attacks are not.

In the 9/6/2004 3.5 FAQ on p.33 says that when a monster uses an special attack option (trip or sunder in the example) it can use any of its natural weapons for each special attack. While it is not clear if this applies to any kind of special attack, I would rule that the otyugh can use each of its tentacles to make a grapple check at the maximum bonus, and if it has conducted the grapple with the -20 penalty, then it can still attack with its bite attack.

On the other hand, if grapple isn't a valid attack option to use this way, then I don't know how this would work if the otyugh does something beyond grappling.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
eggplantm 11-15-04, 10:37 AM	To quote the SRD: "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." So this means that a choker that does 1d3+3 with a tentacle and has constrict for 1d3+3 does 2d3+6, correct? For almost all creatures, the constrict damage equals the damage of the attack used to start the grapple so for almost all cases a successful constrict does double the intial attack's damage. Am I also correct on this? Last question. Does the creature apply the constrict damage on the same round that it makes its first attack? For example a choker attacks, does tentacle damage, establishes a hold with a grapple check as a free action. Does it also do constrict damage on this round because it successfully made its grapple check? Thanks in advance for your help in this matter.
eggplantm 11-16-04, 07:34 AM	Doesn't anyone have an answer to this? I'm sorry if it has been debated to death before but I was just hoping for some feedback.
NexH 11-16-04, 09:54 AM	So this means that a choker that does 1d3+3 with a tentacle and has constrict for 1d3+3 does 2d3+6, correct? If the choker established the hold with its tentacle (probably he did) then yes, with each successful grapple check to constrict he does 2d3 + 6 damage. For almost all creatures, the constrict damage equals the damage of the attack used to start the grapple so for almost all cases a successful constrict does double the intial attack's damage. Am I also correct on this? Yes, except on the initial hold (see below) Last question. Does the creature apply the constrict damage on the same round that it makes its first attack? For example a choker attacks, does tentacle damage, establishes a hold with a grapple check as a free action. Does it also do constrict damage on this round because it successfully made its grapple check? Yes, but that damage is only constrict damage, you don't also add the damage of the tentacle. Note however that he doesn´t gets the constrict damage because he made a "successful grapple check" but because this case is considered under the "Improved Grab" entry.
eggplantm 11-16-04, 10:41 AM	Okay, I think I have it. Improved grab lets you apply the damage of the attack used to start the grapple every time you make a successful grapple check (not counting the round you started the grapple) Constrict is extra damage you apply every time you make a successful grapple check (including the round you established the hold) What about creatures with mulitple attacks that can start grapples like an otyugh. I don't suppose the creature can constrict the same opponent more than once in a round?
NexH 11-16-04, 11:05 AM	What about creatures with multiple attacks that can start grapples like an otyugh. I don't suppose the creature can constrict the same opponent more than once in a round? That is a hard question, since grapple checks are normally based on BAB, while natural attacks are not. In the 9/6/2004 3.5 FAQ on p.33 says that when a monster uses an special attack option (trip or sunder in the example) it can use any of its natural weapons for each special attack. While it is not clear if this applies to any kind of special attack, I would rule that the otyugh can use each of its tentacles to make a grapple check at the maximum bonus, and if it has conducted the grapple with the -20 penalty, then it can still attack with its bite attack. On the other hand, if grapple isn't a valid attack option to use this way, then I don't know how this would work if the otyugh does something beyond grappling.