These are the most intelligent monsters in the D&D universe.
But really, it’s not the same thing at all!
The problem lies in figuring out how it actually works!
The Brawl at Yawning Portal Tavern by Scott Murphy
What Is Grappling?
To make it short, sweet, and succinct,a grapple is when you grab something.
Obviously, terms and conditions will apply.
Savra Sunstar and Jander Sunstar by Andrew Mar
Some DMs love to make grappling more effective and some like to weaken it.
Check with your DM to see how they’re running their grappling rules.
How Does Grappling Work?
Savra Sunstar and Jander Sunstar by Andrew Mar
There are a couple of requirements to working your first grapple.
Firstly,grappling is considered a “special melee attack.
This isexclusiveto Attack actions.
Though it uses anAttack action,a grapple cannot use anAttack roll.It is anability check!
Secondly, your character has to haveone hand free.
you might also grapple two people if you have two hands free!
Fighter Class via Wizards of the Coast
Two-Weapon fighting will also require you to drop one of your weapons, so be careful!
Additionally, the creature can’t be more than one size larger than you.
This means halflings can’t grapple cloud giants!
Art by Brian Valeza
Taking the Grappler feat will give you advantage on any hits against a creature you’ve grappled.
The Grapple-Shove Combo
Grappling and shoving someone can be the Fighter’s delight.
it’s possible for you to choose whether your target goes five feet back or goes prone.
Until then, you’ve given your party advantage on all melee attacks made against them.
In bigger parties, this can beabsolutely lethalfor your enemy.
Grappling reduces their speed to zero.They use their speed to stand up.
Without that speed, they’reessentially caught in a grapple.
For rogue or monk-like opponents, this can be really, reallybad for them.
How To Escape A Grapple
Oh no!
The grappler has become the grappled!
First,succeed on your Acrobatics or Athletics roll.If your roll ishigher, you win.
You are no longer grappled, and you might still run around to your heart’s content.
Barring that, there are still a couple of options available for you.
Both creatures will make the check again.
That’s the smell of adventure!
