| SmithLord |
Hey Mr. Jacobs,
I have a fun question about a favorite topic of the rules, grappling in 1st edition pathfinder. In a recent session, it was pointed out that the grappling rules from the CRB state that, "Humanoid creatures without two free hands attempting to grapple a foe take a –4 penalty on the combat maneuver roll." A PC(standard human) insisted that this ruling let him attempt a grapple while both his hands were not free at a -4 penalty. I'm personally at a loss on how to process such a grapple and how ridiculous it sounds. The PC argues he should be able to grapple with his feet or chest while maintaining the items held in both of his hands. I feel this ruling was made for when attempting a grapple with a single hand and not for when both hands were occupied. I've scoured my rulebooks but I've been unable to find any other mention of grappling with both hands occupied. I turn to you for advice.
1. Is the official RAW that you can grapple with no free hands?
2. How would you rule this as RAI or as GM yourself?
3. This question doesn't relate to the previous ones at all. I feel that I understand the rules as a GM but I don't always get the RP right. What would you say is the most important detail in making characters and/or settings stick out to the PCs.