Dax Thura |
I didn't mean that as a slight against you. I just find the differences interesting. Like the differences between the book and the movie. People always say that the book was better than the movie. Usually they want the movie to be the book, but it can't happen. They are two different mediums for telling stories. They are different and each has its own advantages. They are hard to compare to each other. The same is true for PBP and tabletop gaming.
seekerofshadowlight |
Well it can indeed do that and it does work that way. Normally grapple is a standard action, however some beasts preform it for free with some types of attacks. Also there is no limit on constrict at all that I can find as it takes the place of an attack. This thing gets 11 attacks, 10 of which it makes a grapple check with it it hits. Last round it attacked 9 times and then used its other two attacks to constrict, which is simply an attack without having to make an attack roll.
seekerofshadowlight |
In all honestly I think the monster overrides the normal rules on this one. It makes a grapple as a free action with an attack, it damages anyone it has grapples with constrict, which takes place of the normal attack.
So it can
A: let them go attack again make a whole new roll in which point it can never constrict unless it gives up its other 10 attacks(Makes no sense)
B: Constrict without an attack roll( as it is written) which gives up the attack and it still gets the free grapple check.
The grapple check is a free action, so maintaining to me is also a free action as it is spending an attack to constrict.
Its made to do just what it is doing, grapple as many folks as it can.
Also Kevin, I can find nothing in my Book or the PRd about a -20.
Kevin Mack |
Its in the grab section of the Bestiary.
Grab (Ex) If a creature with this special attack hits with the indicated attack (usually a claw or bite attack), it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. Unless otherwise noted, grab can only be used against targets of a size equal to or smaller than the creature with this ability. If the creature can use grab on creatures of other sizes, it is noted in the creature's Special Attacks line. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on its CMB check to make and maintain the grapple, but does not gain the grappled condition itself. A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature's descriptive text).
Creatures with the grab special attack receive a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.
So from my understanding it should be doing grapple checks everyturn to maintain the graple and it should either be doing the normal grapple in which case it is a standard action per turn or the passive grapple with - 20 to the check but is essentially a free action to do.
From the grappling rules
Once you are grappling an opponent, a successful check allows you to continue grappling the foe, and also allows you to perform one of the following actions (as part of the standard action spent to maintain the grapple).
seekerofshadowlight |
It does not have the grab ability. So I never looked at the grab ability as it did not have it.
What it has is 10 attacks which, if they hit, it gets a grapple as a free action.
It then has the option to constrict that grapples foe in place of doing a normal attack.
Yes its nasty, but that is the way its written.
Guy Humual |
It is a 3.5 monster, likely from a 3rd party publisher, so it's possible that it's a little wonky on the rules. Does it have the improved grab ability instead though?
Improved Grab (Ex): If a creature with this special attack hits with a melee weapon (usually a claw or bite attack), it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. No initial touch attack is required. Unless otherwise noted, improved grab works only against opponents at least one size category smaller than the creature. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the improved grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on grapple checks, but is not considered grappled itself; the creature does not lose its Dexterity bonus to AC, still threatens an area, and can use its remaining attacks against other opponents. A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature’s descriptive text). When a creature gets a hold after an improved grab attack, it pulls the opponent into its space. This act does not provoke attacks of opportunity. It can even move (possibly carrying away the opponent), provided it can drag the opponent’s weight.
Basically the same thing only 3.5ish. If it doesn't have grab or improved grab it basically can take 10 attacks a round or a single grapple check. Ten attacks doesn't equal 10 standard actions. It's not going to matter much for Markhet, her CMD is pathetic, and even with a -20 she's probably still going to get constricted, but that -20 might help some of the other PCs resist.
seekerofshadowlight |
Sigh, it gets the grapple checks free with any of the 10 tenical attacks. It does not have improved grab as written above.
It has improved grab(Ex),but it is not written like what guy posted. I am going by it as written, as I said monsters can change the generic rules, this one does as did the demon thing from the first part.
It does not suffer a -20 and it is a free action.
Nasty but as written
Kevin Mack |
Seeker if you want I can show you the updated Pathfinder version from the tomb of horrors itself where it does get the -20 ability It has always been the intent that it works that way Otherwise it would have the ability of a Cr12+ creature.
From the tomb of horrors complete
N Large magical beast
Init +4; Senses tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +11
AC 21, touch 9, flat-footed 21 (+0 Dex, +12 natural, –1 size)
hp 100 (8d10+60
Fort +12; Ref +6; Will +4;
Speed 10 ft.
Melee 10 tentacles +13 (1d4+5 plus grab) or bite +8 (2d6+2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. (20 ft. with tentacle)
Special Attacks constrict (1d6+5)
Str 20, Dex11,
Con 23, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 1
Base Atk +8; CMB +14; CMD 24 (can’t be tripped)
Feats Improve Initiative, Iron Will, Power Attack, Weapon
Focus (tentacle)
Skills Perception +11
SQ camouflage
Environment warm deserts
Organization solitary
Treasure none
Camouflage (Ex): Because it remains buried until it attacks,
it takes a successful DC 20 Perception check to detect
the presence of a sand kraken before it attacks. Anyone
with ranks in Survival or Knowledge (nature) can use one of
those skills instead of Perception to notice the sand kraken.
Tentacles (Ex): The only part of a sand kraken that is
normally exposed is its tentacles. For combat purposes, the
creature’s tentacles are treated as separate weapons.
A single tentacle has an AC 20 (touch 14) and 15 hit
points. Once a tentacle takes more than 15 hit points of
damage, it is destroyed. A sand kraken can no longer
use the destroyed tentacle to make attacks, however the
loss of a tentacle cause the creature no other penalties.
Furthermore, damage dealt to a tentacle does not count
against the creature’s total hit points. Lost tentacles regrow
in 1d4 days.
seekerofshadowlight |
I have had alot of issues of late, which I am not gonna go into, but you guys know my post rate has been bad. Sorry for that, I really am. However, all of it is not just the issues, but a very real case of system burn out. I think I need to step away for a bit.
You guys are at the end of part two, its down, save for some roleplaying and getting back to the village, but this was the end of part two. At this point, I really need to stop dragging everyone down with me and put this game on hiatus for a month or two, maybe all summer I really do not know right now.I am hoping to pick it back up at that time, but I honestly can not say that I will.
I really want to thank you guys for putting the time in and keeping posting when my o\post rate has dropped to an abysmal level. I really do appreciate this guys and have enjoyed Gming for you.
When I get back in the right frame and have the time to run this game correctly I'll get in touch. If you guys feel like picking it back up, cool, if not that is cool as well.
Thanks for sticking around and good gaming to you all.