Understanding Grappling

This tutorial covers how to handle a grapple, both from the perspective of being grappled and if you're the person doing the grappling. Credits for this content go to Pyroclasm, with a big thanks for all the time and effort he put into this!

What the Grappled Condition Does

Before starting, there are three conditions to consider:

Grappled: During a grapple, both parties gain this condition. That is:

• they each cannot move (outside of the grapple)
• they each take a -4 to Dex
• they each take -2 to all attack and CMB checks except to grapple or escape a grapple
• they each cannot take any action that requires two hands, can't take AoOs, can't use stealth (but if they do become invisible, they gain +2 to CMD against the grapple).

Pinned: Pinned is a condition that be inflicted in a grapple, and is a worse version of "grappled." A creature under this condition has no movement, is considered flat-footed, takes an additional -4 to AC, and may use no spell (or spell-like ability) with S or M components

Multiple Creatures: Multiple creatures can aid grappling or aid breaking free with Aid Another. Each success contributes to the CMB roll.

Consider: Grappling is not as simple to escape as it might seem. Once an opponent succeeds on their first grapple, they receive a +5 to maintain it. In addition, the opponent has a -4 penalty to Dex, which lowers his CMD. And, if they are still holding onto a weapon with one hand, they get -4 to their grapple check.

How to Grapple

To grapple, follow these steps. Be sure you understand the above conditions, however, before proceeding.

1. Do you have improved grapple?

N -- eat an AoO

Y -- proceed

2. Are both hands free?

N -- roll at -4

Y -- proceed

3. Roll your CMB vs the target's CMD.

4. If successful, both of you gain the grappled condition, but only the grappler can let go as a free action.

To Continue the Grapple

Make a new check each round to maintain your hold--if the opponent doesn't break free, you get a +5 circumstance bonus to the roll.

While you maintain your hold, you can:

A) Move both of you at up to 1/2 your speed--if you move someone somewhere dangerous (like a wall of fire or off a cliff), they get a free chance to break free at +4.

B) Do damage, lethal or non-lethal, equal to:

i) an unarmed strike

ii) a natural attack; or,

iii) armor spikes or a light or one-handed weapon

C) Pin -- give opponent the pinned condition, at the cost of your Dex bonus to AC

D) Tie-up (if opponent is pinned (roll at -10), otherwise restrained, or unconscious) with rope -- Escape DC = 20 + your CMB.

If You are Grappled

If you're grappled, you can try to break free as a standard action by:

A) rolling CMB vs CMD; or,

B) rolling Escape Artist against a DC equal to the opponent's CMD

If this succeeds, you can:

A) Break free and act normally;

B) Become the grappler; or,

C) Take any one-handed action (attack any target w/in your reach with a light or one-handed weapon)

D) Cast a spell (though instead of a CMB check, this is a Concentration check with a high DC (DC 10 + grappler's CMB + spell level). If this check is failed, you lose the spell.

If you are grappled, you may not take AoOs. If you become invisible, you gain a +2 circumstance bonus on CMD to avoid being grappled, but receive no other benefit.

Spellcasting, Spell-Like Abilities, and Grappling

If you want to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability, you can only cast ones without S components, and with M components already in hand (unless you're pinned); also, you need to roll a Concentration check with a DC = 10 + grappler's CMB + spell level