|
First question is about Grab and Constrict:
Grab says:
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 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 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.
Format: grab; Location: individual attacks.
And Constrict says:
A creature with this special attack can crush an opponent, dealing bludgeoning damage, when it makes a successful grapple check (in addition to any other effects caused by a successful check, including additional damage). The amount of damage is given in the creature's entry and is typically equal to the amount of damage caused by the creature's melee attack.
Format: constrict (1d8+6); Location: Special Attacks.
So, my question is this: if a creature makes a grab as a free grapple attempt after hitting with the indicated attack, does that grapple roll count as a "grapple check" for giving constrict damage too? Or does "grapple check" mean rolls made once the grapple is established, so in that first round the damage would only be from the attack? I can sort of see ways to justify either interpretation from what's written. Also, what does a 'hold' mean? Does it merely mean the character failing to make a grapple check or escape artist check to escape?
Second question: When advancing a monster so that it increases in size, do the dice types of its attacks increase accordingly, as happens for weapons (in the Equipment chapter of the main rules book)?
A creature with Grab and Constrict will do constrict damage on a successful grab.
Yes the damage dice of the creatures attacks increase as its size increases.
Also, what does 'one step' mean? 1d10 goes to 1d12, or to 2d8 as for weapons?
I use the rules for the "Improved Natural Attack" feat, which lists these two advancement lines:
1d2 - 1d3 - 1d4 - 1d6 - 1d8 - 2d6 - 3d6 - 4d6 - 6d6 - 8d6 - 12d6
1d10 - 2d8 - 3d8 - 4d8 - 6d8 - 8d8 - 12d8