GRAPPLE RULES

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GRAPPLING RULES

What Grappling Is

Grappling is a form of physical combat where one character attempts to seize and restrain another. Grapples are not strikes—they are contests of strength, balance, and positioning. Grappled targets lose mobility and may be restrained further with successful holds.

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INITIATING A GRAPPLE

To start a grapple, the attacker must have at least one free hand.

The attacker declares a grapple and rolls 1d20 + Strength vs the target’s choice of:

Strength (to overpower)

Dexterity (to slip free)

If the attacker’s roll is equal to or higher, the target is grappled.

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EFFECTS OF A GRAPPLE

A grappled creature’s movement becomes 0.

The grappler may move the grappled target at half movement speed.

Grappled creatures suffer -2 to attack rolls while grappled.

The grappler may only attack with unarmed strikes, daggers, or natural weapons while holding a target.

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ESCAPING A GRAPPLE

At the start of their turn, a grappled creature may attempt to break free.

Roll 1d20 + Strength or Dexterity vs the grappler’s Strength.

Success ends the grapple immediately.

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ADVANCING THE GRAPPLE (HOLDS)

On the attacker’s turn, if they already have the target grappled, they may attempt a Hold:

Pin: Target is restrained, cannot attack, and rolls at disadvantage for escaping.

Choke: Target begins suffocating, losing 1d4 HP per round until released.

Throw/Trip: Target is thrown prone and takes 1d6 damage, ending the grapple.

Each hold requires a new grapple contest.

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MULTIPLE GRAPPLES

A creature may only grapple one target per free hand.

Large creatures may grapple two targets per hand.

Multiple grapplers may restrain the same target, giving the restrained creature -2 per additional grappler on escape attempts.

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SIZE RESTRICTIONS

You cannot grapple a creature two sizes larger than yourself.

You may grapple creatures up to one size larger at disadvantage.

Creatures two sizes smaller than you automatically fail grapple contests unless they succeed on a critical escape roll (natural 20).

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SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Underwater Grapple: Both parties have disadvantage unless they have a swimming trait.

Flying Grapple: If a flying creature is grappled and loses control, both creatures fall.

Mounted Grapple: Grappling a mounted rider requires targeting the rider separately from the mount.

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