constricting Snake-like monsters [Archive] - Wizards Community

constricting Snake-like monsters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mage_guy
03-22-05, 01:32 PM Alright, I'm a DM, and I had a player call me on something. I was using the Bronze Serpent from MMII, and it has the improved grab and constrict abilities. What he called me on, was while grappling and constricting one opponent, can said monster still attack another PC. I figured yes, because its a snake, and has lots of body with which to constrict with, but when i went to look at it, the MMII didn't say that it could/couldn't do that. Anyone have any comments? the monster is on Pg 40 in the MMII. Thanks all!
GrandMarquis
03-22-05, 04:16 PM I don't have the MMII and haven't had much experience with grappling, but the newest Rules of the Game: All About Grappling article (perfect timing, eh?) says this about Improved Grab:

Improved Grab: ...bla bla bla...

A creature with the improved grab special attack 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 it 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. This is handy for really big monsters, such as giant squids and krakens.

Bolding and bla is mine, of course.

So, if it has Improved Grab, you can use this rule. But, if it does have Improved Grab, it probably goes with a bite (like I said, I don't have MMII) so it would have to use it to hold them.... There could be more to it than this.
Colmarr
03-23-05, 12:29 AM Marquis has quoted the appropriate sections of the rules.

If the creature has improved grab and takes a -20 to its grapple check, it can use any attack other than the one used to initiate the grapple to attack other foes.

If the creature only has one attack, such as a bite, it has no spare attacks to use. Think of it as the snake biting to establish a hold, then curling around the character to constrict. It doesn't actually let go of its bite, though, because that would let the prey slip out of its coils.
TrustTymora
03-23-05, 12:55 AM Don't forget that with improved grab and constrict that on a successful grapple check by the creature it does damage for BOTH the constrict and the weapon that started the improved grab!

TT

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mage_guy 03-22-05, 01:32 PM	Alright, I'm a DM, and I had a player call me on something. I was using the Bronze Serpent from MMII, and it has the improved grab and constrict abilities. What he called me on, was while grappling and constricting one opponent, can said monster still attack another PC. I figured yes, because its a snake, and has lots of body with which to constrict with, but when i went to look at it, the MMII didn't say that it could/couldn't do that. Anyone have any comments? the monster is on Pg 40 in the MMII. Thanks all!
GrandMarquis 03-22-05, 04:16 PM	I don't have the MMII and haven't had much experience with grappling, but the newest Rules of the Game: All About Grappling article (perfect timing, eh?) says this about Improved Grab: Improved Grab: ...bla bla bla... A creature with the improved grab special attack 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 it 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. This is handy for really big monsters, such as giant squids and krakens. Bolding and bla is mine, of course. So, if it has Improved Grab, you can use this rule. But, if it does have Improved Grab, it probably goes with a bite (like I said, I don't have MMII) so it would have to use it to hold them.... There could be more to it than this.
Colmarr 03-23-05, 12:29 AM	Marquis has quoted the appropriate sections of the rules. If the creature has improved grab and takes a -20 to its grapple check, it can use any attack other than the one used to initiate the grapple to attack other foes. If the creature only has one attack, such as a bite, it has no spare attacks to use. Think of it as the snake biting to establish a hold, then curling around the character to constrict. It doesn't actually let go of its bite, though, because that would let the prey slip out of its coils.
TrustTymora 03-23-05, 12:55 AM	Don't forget that with improved grab and constrict that on a successful grapple check by the creature it does damage for BOTH the constrict and the weapon that started the improved grab! TT