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I know the grappling rules rather well, but I admit I'm a little confused about how the constrict and improved grab special attacks are used while grappling. Hopefully someone on these boards can help me, since this could mean the difference between an easy encounter or a TPK.
1) Exactly when can a creature get its constrict damage? Obviously, if it hits with an improved grab attack and wins the following grapple check it scores the constrict damage. However, the MM states that constrict damage is applied with a successful grapple check. What does that mean exactly? Is this damage applied everytime the creature wins a grapple check, even on its opponent's turn? What if the creature tries to use the 'damage your opponent' grapple option? Does it deal constrict damage or does it deal its unarmed damage as well as the constrict damage? Can the creature attempt to pin its opponent and deal constrict as well?
2) The MM states that a creature using improved grab can take a -20 penalty on its grapple checks to grapple and still use its remaining attacks on other opponents. What if the creature decides to not maintain the grapple? Does it still get the -20 penalty? Does it still get its constrict damage? Or should the option to not maintain the grapple be removed from its options?
3) Assuming I send a kraken against my players. On the first round the kraken gets its first hit with an improved grab attack. It takes a -20 penalty to its grapple check so as to take its remaining attacks on other opponents. Assuming it successfully grapples all of its remaining opponents with 2 tentacle attacks unused (I'm assuming it can't use those tentacles for lack of ungrappled opponents since the entry for improved grab states that remaining attacks can be used on other opponents), what are the kraken's options next round? According to the Player's Handbook, a high base attack seems to be the only way to get more than one grapple action per round. The D&D 3.5 FAQ confirms that this restriction even applies to creatures with natural weapons. Since the kraken is grappling with multiple opponents and has a base attack of +20, is it only allowed 4 grapple actions or can it use its improved grab ability with its two unused tentacles? If the kraken uses its actions to deal damage to its grappled opponents, does it still receive the -20 penalty to its grapple checks?
To quote the Monstrous Manual:
Constrict (Ex): A creature with this special attack can crush an opponent, dealing bludgeoning damage, after making a successful grapple check. The amount of damage is given in the creature's entry. If the creature also has the improved grab ability, it deals constriction damage in addition to damage dealt by the wepon used to grab.
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 on 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 pullss 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.
From the Kraken entry:
Constrict (Ex): A kraken deals automatic arm or tentacle damage with a successful grapple check.