Dimensional Slide and Grapple Condition

[BlingerBunny]

I want to debate on this, because I can think of numerous ways that Dimensional Slide could work in a grapple, the top one being this;

An enemy is grappling me, I can create a dimensional crack beneath myself, and fall through it the enemy wouldn't fall with me because of the limitations of the exploit.

Another example here; If the enemy is a giant and he's crushing me in his hands, I could create a dimensional crack in his grip and get pushed through it as he tries crushing me again, before he realizes I've escaped. The enemy can't come with because of the limitations of the exploit, but he wouldn't be injured either. AKA The joys of early teleportation. Half here, half there.

It says it counts as a 5-foot step, but it never states whether the 5-foot step has to be willing. You could create the portal as a move action and fall or get pushed through it in the grapple. I'd say, make a concentration check vs CMD to make it work.

What are your views and opinions?

[Gauss]

There are numerous threads on Dimensional Slide already. In many of them the consensus is that you cannot use Dimensional Slide while grappled because you are not able to step through the dimensional crack. Ie., you cannot take a "move" move action or a withdraw action while grappled.

Also, Dimensional Slide does not state it counts as a 5-foot step. It states it counts as 5 feet of your movement.

In other words, you take a "move" Move action (or Withdraw action) and the Dimensional slide distance of your move (or withdraw) is 5', after which you can move the rest of your movement normally.

Level 5 with 30' move speed example: You can Dimensional Slide 50 feet (uses up 5' of movement) and then move another 25'. All with the same move action.

[CampinCarl9127]

I believe it was either James Jacobs or Mark Seifter, but somebody weighed in on RAI and said you need to be able to "step through" the crack you open, so using it in a grapple is pointless. The exact wording is ambiguous though.

[BlingerBunny]

Well I find it odd that they'd make that functionality exclusive to Wizards, or come at the expense of the 1st, 3rd, and 7th level exploits. You give it the effect of Shift, and treat it like Dimensional Steps, but you make it a move action, where neither Shift, a weaker version, and Dimensional Steps, a stronger version, have that stipulation. Why?

Aren't Arcanists supposed to be an example of natural arcane aptitude with dedication to study and training; The combination of Sorcerer and Wizard, respectively?

I want to point out that you could get the same effect, at the same cost, albeit slightly shorter in distance, with the School Understanding exploit in Teleportation, but you can use that ability while grappled.

[twells]

I think Dim Slide is actually superior to Shift, in that it does not end your turn like Shift does. The exception being that you cannot use it to get out of a grapple. When you get eventually get Dim Door, that is two teleports potentially per turn .. can be a party or mission saver.

Just buy a Talisman (lessor) of Freedom: freedom of movement 3 rounds when grappled for 900 gp. A "get-out-of-grapple-free" card. Its in the Occult Adventures (I think).