Is it possible to use a Whip to grapple an opponent from a range of 10ft, considering the grappling rules specify you only need one hand free (whips are 1H), and that Reach extends your normal range?
No, but I highly suspect a future feat will appear to allow such to happen. Until then, homebrew a 'whipmaster' feat?
SpedGuy wrote:
The weapon dont have special rules about grappling.
The lance and the net have special rules.
Acording to RAW you can make a grapling action OR a weapon attack.
You might be able to refluff the grapple as using the whip W/O the damage thou, at a 5foot range. depending on your table and DM.
At 10 feet it would not work since it need a free hand and too be within your reach, not the weapons reach.
Specifically: "Using at least one free hand, you try to seize the target by making a grapple check". Using that one free hand, not just having it free.
As a DM, I would allow it, but you're using your whip for the grapple, so you won't be making anymore whip attacks. Any attacks you make with your other hand will be at disadvantage *unless they are against the creature you have whip-grappled.*
Also, you won't be much in control of the person you have whip-grappled, so they will be allowed to make a STR-contest against your STR to try to break free as their action, which could break your whip if they succeed with more than 5 difference. If they decide to move, they will be allowed a DEX vs STR contest to move and, if they succeed, I will allow you to move along with them (remaining 10' from them the whole time) or you will have to drop the whip. If you decide to move, that is willing and will provoke OAs as normal. If you drop the whip, they are still grappled but only until they use their action to get untangled from the whip.
So, yeah .. there ya go. Houserules for a whip-grapple. Feel free to expand on these or let me know why you wouldn't use them.
On another note, I hope they get in some sort of whip grapling feats someday, I still have fond memories of my Indiana Jones inspired rogue from 2ed 
Alternatively, a great number of the Battlemaster's Maneuvers would be perfectly fluffed as 'whip grappling': Trip Attack, Lunging Attack, Pushing Attack, Parry, Disarming Strike, Sweeping Attack... all seem to be visual compatible with most of the 'grapple' stuff Indy and his ilk do.
By RAW I'm pretty sure reach weapons only work when you use them to attack. Making a grapple is neither using the whip (as somebody else points out, it requires using a free hand) or, one might argue, making an attack (you do it in place of an attack).
That said, I'd allow it as a DM because seriously, I don't think whip grappling is going to get OP any time soon.
mapmass wrote:
mapmass wrote:
Why?
While I agree it cant be done i dont see how called shot is relevant, you dont target a bodypart spesificly, but rather give a condition on a hit or somesuch. Shouldent matter if you wrap it around the feet or the forearm IMHO.
Was as called shot ever a part of the core rules ? I cant ever recall using it...