Grappling multiple targets- How?

[Arne Schmidt]

How would a giant squid attack work using the grapple rules in Pathfinder?

I assume Improved Grab would still give a free Combat Manuever check to start a grapple. So initiating multiple grapples in a single round is still possible. But how does grappling multiple foes affect the Squid? Are there penalties?

If it takes a standard action each round to maintain a grapple does that mean that once the squid grapples someone it cannot use its other tentacles against anyone else? Can the maintenance check be made with an attack action instead (thus part of a full attack which would include attacking non-grappled foes).

Does the maintenance check apply to all targets currently grappled?

Should the Improved Grab ability allow a free check to maintain the grapple each round as well?

I'm curious how this would work and I'm planning to run a giant squid attack this weekend, so thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Shisumo]

I'm going to bump this thread, because I've also got a grappling question and maybe we can both get answers this way.

One of my PCs has a panther pet, and I'm trying to work out how raking works in the new grapple system. The problem, though, is not limited to rakes in particular. The "grappled" condition lists a penalty for attack rolls made by grappled characters, but as far as I can tell, it should be impossible for grappled characters to ever make attack rolls, since, once grappled, your only options seem to be either make a grapple check as a standard action to maintain the hold (and possibly infict damage, pin, etc.), or to make a grapple check or Escape Artist check, also as a standard action, to get free. Unless there's some way to get a second standard action in the round, I'm at a bit of a loss here.

How do I make attacks in a grapple without using the unarmed damage option?

[Maezer]

For good measure, I'll stack my grappling issue on this. This seems so incredibly basic but I think there is an inherit flaw in requiring a succesful check to maintain a grapples. What happens when you fail in that check and the other character wants to maintain it? This is especially relevent in the move grappled target over a pit and release tactic.

1) A grapples B and succeeds. Both A and B gain the grappled condition.
2a) B attempts to maintain the grapple and fails. He is no longer maintain the grapple so he uses his movement action to walk away as he is no longer grappled.

[Shinami]

Maezer wrote:

For good measure, I'll stack my grappling issue on this. This seems so incredibly basic but I think there is an inherit flaw in requiring a succesful check to maintain a grapples. What happens when you fail in that check and the other character wants to maintain it? This is especially relevent in the move grappled target over a pit and release tactic.

1) A grapples B and succeeds. Both A and B gain the grappled condition.
2a) B attempts to maintain the grapple and fails. He is no longer maintain the grapple so he uses his movement action to walk away as he is no longer grappled.

If I'm reading the rules correctly, if A grapples B then B needs to take a standard action to break the grapple. If B thinks he has the advantage and doesn't want A to get away, then he makes a check to maintain, but he doesn't have to because the grapple was started by A and unless B breaks the grapple, the grapple continues until A is allowed the chance to maintain. Very complicated indeed.

So assuming B has the advantage in a grapple...
1) A grapples B.
2) B lets the grapple continue and attacks A.
3) Since A started the grapple and chooses not to continue, the grapple ends.

Or...
1) A grapples B.
2) B counter-grapples A(maintains the grapple).
3) A attempts to escape the grapple.

Edit: As for multiple grapplers, I think its just 1 check vs. all grapplers CMB. However the question becomes, does the giant squid get only one grapple action(move, damage, or pin)?

[Todd Johnson]

I would rule in the case of a multi-armed grab attempt against multiple victims (like said squid) that it would be separate roll vs. each victim's DC. Since combat maneuvers substitute for melee attacks, then a squid should get as many attempts as they have attacks per round, and each attempt has it's own roll, just like each attack would. That of course, is simply a DM call, I see nothing in documentation to even clarify it.

Again, DM ruling, for the case of char B deciding he wants to maintain said grapple with char A, B would reply to A's grapple failure with a maintain grapple check of his own vs. A's DC.

In the end, these should be documented, and likely are simply awaiting to see what playtesting DMs decide is best.

[Pneumonica]

Shinami wrote:

Maezer wrote:

For good measure, I'll stack my grappling issue on this. This seems so incredibly basic but I think there is an inherit flaw in requiring a succesful check to maintain a grapples. What happens when you fail in that check and the other character wants to maintain it? This is especially relevent in the move grappled target over a pit and release tactic.

1) A grapples B and succeeds. Both A and B gain the grappled condition.
2a) B attempts to maintain the grapple and fails. He is no longer maintain the grapple so he uses his movement action to walk away as he is no longer grappled.

If I'm reading the rules correctly, if A grapples B then B needs to take a standard action to break the grapple. If B thinks he has the advantage and doesn't want A to get away, then he makes a check to maintain, but he doesn't have to because the grapple was started by A and unless B breaks the grapple, the grapple continues until A is allowed the chance to maintain. Very complicated indeed.

So assuming B has the advantage in a grapple...
1) A grapples B.
2) B lets the grapple continue and attacks A.
3) Since A started the grapple and chooses not to continue, the grapple ends.

Or...
1) A grapples B.
2) B counter-grapples A(maintains the grapple).
3) A attempts to escape the grapple.

Edit: As for multiple grapplers, I think its just 1 check vs. all grapplers CMB. However the question becomes, does the giant squid get only one grapple action(move, damage, or pin)?

Agreed. Failing to maintain a grapple doesn't free yourself - it only frees your adversary. If your adversary had you grappled, you still wouldn't be free to escape.

[Pneumonica]

Bump in hopes the OP's question gets answered.

[Shisumo]

I'm still hoping to find out how you make attacks in a grapple too.

[David Jackson 60]

I will also bump this thread and ask if the 5/5/5 thing is gone for hold/grapple/pin.

I was fairly clear that it was, but I saw several threads where people were referring to it.

[Arne Schmidt]

Bumping for all the questions in the thread.

As far as my own question went, I ran the encounter with the giant squid and gave it one grapple attempt per attack (so each tentacle).
Basically the squid attacked, got a free grapple attempt from improved grab, and if succesful added constrict damage.

On the following rounds it made grapple attempts for damage with each arm and added constriction damage. It never attempted any pins or moving a target, but I would have allowed each tentacle to attempt that as well.

The Squid has a +4 racial bonus to grapple checks. I'm thinking that it should be revised to +2 to match the improved grapple feat, though I'm actually just as inclined to return each of the improved combat maneuver feats to a +4.