IMPROVED GRAPPLING

A 5E RULES GUIDE

Sample file Updated rules for Grappling for the world’s greatest roleplaying game. IMPROVED GRAPPLING

A 5E RULES GUIDE By Matt Vaughan

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Writing, Layout & Editing: Matt Vaughan Additional Thanks: The Adventurer’s Guild of Holmsgarth for their noble non- actions that gave me this idea. Dave for ideas bouncing as always. Background Art: DevonTT Cover Art andInternal Art: All art provided used from DMs Guild SampleCreator Resource, supplied by Wizards of the Coast file

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©2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK. Improved Grappling Rules

Grappling is a great form of battlefield manipulation, allowing Silence. Covering the creature’s mouth, you try to stop it strong melee based characters an additional option to from making any noise. Make a grapple check. If you succeed, manipulate the flow of the battle. the creature suffers the silence effect until your next turn. The rules contained within the Player’s Handbook on Pound. Make an unarmed attack, or an attack with a light page 195, whilst adequate we feel sometimes do not offer , with advantage players a large amount of choice, and can often feel like Moving a Grappled Creature. When you move, you can drag a suboptimal move. We have attempted to remedy this by or carry the grappled creature with you, but your speed is halved, offering additional options, and bolstering the ‘Grappler’ feat unless the creature is two or more sizes smaller than you. to expand upon this option. Prone. You attempt to throw a creature grappled by It is important to remember that while these changes were you to the ground. Make a grapple check, if you succeed, the designed for players foremost, they are also extremely strong creature is no longer grappled, but is knocked prone. roleplay tools for enemy creatures attempting to disrupt the Disarm. Target an item held by the grappled creature, and parties plans. make a grapple check. If you succeed, the defender drops the item. You have disadvantage if the defender is holding the item Grappling with two or more hands. The target has advantage if it is larger than you, or disadvantage if it is smaller. When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a Additionally, allies can attempt to subdue an enemy creature grapple. If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the Attack that your are grappling: action, this attack replaces one of them. Subdue. Whilst grappled, an ally can attempt to subdue the The target of your grapple must be no more than one size target using ropes/manacles. The friendly creature uses their larger than you and must be within your reach. action to make a grapple check to inflict the incapacitated effect Using at least one free hand, you try to seize the target by on the target. Whilst incapacitated this way, a creature may making a grapple check instead of an attack roll: a Strength attempt to break the equipment subduing them but may take (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) no other actions or reactions. This effect lasts until another or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability creature frees the subdued creatures, or they break the to use). If you succeed, you subject the target to the grappled equipment used. condition (see appendix A of the Player’s Handbook). If you move at least 20 feet before grappling a target creature, you can instead use the your action to make a special melee Additional Changes attack, as described above, with advantage. In addition you can Due to the changes above, the Grappler feat should be use your bonus action to make the pound action this turn. amended as follows: The condition specifies the things that end it, and you can rappler release the target whenever you like (no action required). G Escaping a Grapple. A grappled creature can use its action Prerequisite: Strength 13 or higher to escape. To do so, it must succeed on a Strength (Athletics) A skilled wrestler or veteran of barroom brawls you gain the or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by your Strength following benefits: (Athletics) check. • Increase your Constitution score by 1, to a maximum of 20 A grappled creature may attempt to cause Free. • You gain proficiency in the Athletics skill. harm to the grappler instead, attempting to cause it to lose focus. When making an attack whilst grappled the creature • When grappling, your unarmed strikes deal d6 damage. may spend it’s bonus action to try and break free. The attack has • You have advantage on Constitution saving throws that you disadvantage but if successful the grappler must make a CON make when resolving the ‘Breaking Free’ action. save at DC 10 + Strength Modifier (or half the attacks damage, whichever is higher) in order to maintain the grapple.

Actions Whilst Grappling Whilst grappling a creature you may make one of the following special attacks against that creature. If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one ofSample them. file . You attempt to pin a creature grappled by you to the ground, or other solid object. Make a grapple check, if you succeed, you and the creature are both restrained and prone until the grapple ends.

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