I am confused about how best to use a summoned leopard in combat since the leopard has grab, pounce and rake. Naturally things don't always work out to fit your strategy, but as best I can understand, the most effective way to use the leopard would be:
1st round: Charge/Pounce would give 5 attacks (bite, 2 claws, 2 claws from rake). And you could attempt to grab with the bite attack.
2nd round: Assuming you succeeded on the grab, you would get 5 attacks again and the 2 rake claws would hit automatically? If the grab missed you could take your normal 3 attacks or try to pounce on another enemy.
Is all of that right? Is there a more effective way to structure your actions so that grab/pounce/rake are used more effectively? And if my strategy is completely off base (which may be the case), what would be better?
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
1. Pounce: Correct on 5 attacks assuming you're free to charge. Then, free action grab with no AoO if bite hits. Remember, though, the leopard can only grab creatures at least 1 size category smaller. The cat has two options: grapple normally or hold on with the bite only at a -20 to the CMB (with latter, cat doesn't get penalties for having grappled condition).
2. Grab: Can maintain the grapple. If succeed, automatically apply BITE damage. Then, with the RAKE ability, the cat may attempt two back-claw attacks. These are not auto hits and require an attack roll, but remember the foe is suffering from the grappled condition and may be easier to hit. Because the cat is using a standard action to maintain the grapple, it won't get the front claws as attacks.
A pouncing cat is a great way to take out casters and ranged attackers. My housecat does it all the time, but because she's smaller than me, she isn't able to maintain the grab unless I fudge the rules and let her.