So I'm putting together an NPC for my game that I might modify to utilize as a PC later (re-skin the fellow). The basic idea is as follows.
Android Kineticist. Utilizes Telekinetic Maneuvers which reference:
Telekinesis, Combat Maneuver:
Combat Maneuver: Alternatively, once per round, you can use telekinesis to perform a bull rush, disarm, grapple (including pin), or trip. Resolve these attempts as normal, except that they don’t provoke attacks of opportunity, you use your caster level in place of your Combat Maneuver Bonus, and you add your Intelligence modifier (if a wizard) or Charisma modifier (if a sorcerer) in place of your Strength or Dexterity modifier. No save is allowed against these attempts, but spell resistance applies normally. This version of the spell can last 1 round per caster level, but it ends if you cease concentration.
Grapple of course referencing
Grapple Rules:
As a standard action, you can attempt to grapple a foe, hindering his combat options. If you do not have Improved Grapple, grab, or a similar ability, attempting to grapple a foe provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of your maneuver. Humanoid creatures without two free hands attempting to grapple a foe take a –4 penalty on the combat maneuver roll. If successful, both you and the target gain the grappled condition. If you successfully grapple a creature that is not adjacent to you, move that creature to an adjacent open space (if no space is available, your grapple fails). Although both creatures have the grappled condition, you can, as the creature that initiated the grapple, release the grapple as a free action, removing the condition from both you and the target. If you do not release the grapple, you must continue to make a check each round, as a standard action, to maintain the hold. If your target does not break the grapple, you get a +5 circumstance bonus on grapple checks made against the same target in subsequent rounds. 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).
Bolded parts mine for the part I'm asking about.
The big question is, does the attempt take a -4 penalty from the original grapple rules? Or does the CMB of CL + Con mod overwrite the -4 penalty like I assume? Does the caster/kineticist suddenly have their hands full with this spell?
And for the curious, the rest of the idea is to use Improved/Greater/Rapid Grapple to truly grapple at range, and for poops & sniggers (a form of laugh), Chokehold & expanded element air (lightning). Basically I decided to build Vader for the lulz.
RAI is clearly on your side; trying to find a good RAW justification. I kinda want to say that the TK is not itself a humanoid creature and therefore that line doesn't apply. Not sure that isn't contradicted by "resolve these attempts as normal," though, and if we claim the TK is doing the grapple instead of you then your grapple bonuses wouldn't apply, which isn't RAI and would suck. Hmm.
