Constriction [Archive] - Wizards Community

Constriction [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Plothos
10-20-05, 02:52 PM Question about constiction, e.g., that used by the Shambling Mound.

Description of their improved grab ability says it can get a free AoO-less grab with a successful hit, and can make a grapple check to establish a hold, which then allows it to constrict.

Description of constrict says it deals damage with a successful grapple check.

So, to deal constriction damage, does the mound have to succeed on two grapple checks or one after landing the initial blow? Strict reading of the description suggests yes more than no, to my ear anyway, but this seems counter-intuitive to me. If he's got a hold of you, it seems the constriction would kinda come for free.

Opinions?
ieattrollsforbreakfast
10-20-05, 03:02 PM A creature deals constriction damage every time it succeeds on a grapple check, including immediately after it hits with a relevant natural weapon with improved grab. For example, if a shambler hits with both slam attacks, it deals 2d6+5 damage with each slam attack. It can then use a free action to initiate a grapple without provoking an AoO. It must then make a grapple check, which is it succeeds it deals damage from its constrict ability. This gives a possible 6d6+17 damage in one round, and every round it manages to maintain the grapple.
edgy_rhinx
10-20-05, 06:41 PM I am confused:

If monster uses grapple to inflict damage (I think, it can do it with improved grab) and also has a constrict damage, what happens?

For example, monster is already in grapple and it has 2 attacks per round. Normal damage is 1d6, constrict - 1d8.
Assuming all hits and all checks are successful...

Is it 2d6+2d8? Or is it just 2d8?
Wayward Son
10-21-05, 09:06 AM It's just like with a normal grapple, except the shambler gets to initiate the grapple without an AoO. One check to establish the hold, another to be able to apply damage.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Plothos 10-20-05, 02:52 PM	Question about constiction, e.g., that used by the Shambling Mound. Description of their improved grab ability says it can get a free AoO-less grab with a successful hit, and can make a grapple check to establish a hold, which then allows it to constrict. Description of constrict says it deals damage with a successful grapple check. So, to deal constriction damage, does the mound have to succeed on two grapple checks or one after landing the initial blow? Strict reading of the description suggests yes more than no, to my ear anyway, but this seems counter-intuitive to me. If he's got a hold of you, it seems the constriction would kinda come for free. Opinions?
ieattrollsforbreakfast 10-20-05, 03:02 PM	A creature deals constriction damage every time it succeeds on a grapple check, including immediately after it hits with a relevant natural weapon with improved grab. For example, if a shambler hits with both slam attacks, it deals 2d6+5 damage with each slam attack. It can then use a free action to initiate a grapple without provoking an AoO. It must then make a grapple check, which is it succeeds it deals damage from its constrict ability. This gives a possible 6d6+17 damage in one round, and every round it manages to maintain the grapple.
edgy_rhinx 10-20-05, 06:41 PM	I am confused: If monster uses grapple to inflict damage (I think, it can do it with improved grab) and also has a constrict damage, what happens? For example, monster is already in grapple and it has 2 attacks per round. Normal damage is 1d6, constrict - 1d8. Assuming all hits and all checks are successful... Is it 2d6+2d8? Or is it just 2d8?
Wayward Son 10-21-05, 09:06 AM	It's just like with a normal grapple, except the shambler gets to initiate the grapple without an AoO. One check to establish the hold, another to be able to apply damage.