My party is currently in The Varnhold Vanishing and after losing half their party to Vordekai's Island they are on their way back. Last time they managed to get across the lake and past the Wyverns with a critical intimidate and the location of a nearby recently killed Roc. This time however the Wyverns will be attacking, the party is crossing in their folding boat.
My question: With the grab ability on their bite and flyby attack, does that mean that a wyvern could swoop at the party, snatch someone up, and finish its movement without penalty?
Paladin bait! (If you do not know the reference, count yourself blessed)
If it grapples, it gets the grappled condition, with penalties for dex, which governs the Fly skill. And if the target is heavy, like a fighter in plate etc, the wyvern might get over his light load, which further penalizes it.
Against the target, it can attack without an attack of opportunity. But if it comes within threatened reach of another PC, they will get their AoOs.
I do not gain the reference
That is a good thing to keep in mind, it most likely will take a heavy penalty to movement no matter who it grabs.
And I will keep the AoO's in mind... I know my players will
and sorry if I wasnt being clear, my main question was if the wyvern's movement would continue. Would the wyvern be able to snatch someone and finish its movement with flyby attack? or would it simply halt upon gaining the grappled condition?
I would rule "no", as you need to succeed on a separate grapple check in order to move someone (at half your speed) during a grapple, as per the grappling rules, which in turn is a standard action.
If the wyvern opts to grab without doing damage, then I might say there is room for debating being able to fly half of whatever remaining distance (keep potential speed reduction due to weight in mind for heavy characters) his flyby attack range would garner him.
Do bear in mind that the victim gets a free check to break free, with a +4 bonus if the victim is deposited anywhere hazardous (anywhere that would deal damage).
I disagree with Kamelguru.
The Wyvern has the grab option with their bite attack, so assuming that the wyvern swoops in, attacks with its bite, succeeds on its grapple check, it could then swoop out with Spring Attack. (Edit: I mean Flyby Attack.)
However, aside from the problems that Kamel points out above in his first reply, there's also the issue that the Wyvern has a relatively slow fly speed (60 ft.) and poor maneuverability. Unless the Wyverns are starting off very close to the party, it's unlikely that the wyvern will be able to close, attack, and have enough movement left to lift off again.
So the short answer is - yes, it can be done, but it's unlikely to be a great tactic to hold them for long. Best thing for the Wyverns would be to swoop down, grab, fly off a bit and then end the grapple, dropping them into the water (and thus, neutralizing the character for a bit - or perhaps even drowning them altogether if they're bound in heavy armor.)
I disagree with Kamelguru.
The Wyvern has the grab option with their bite attack, so assuming that the wyvern swoops in, attacks with its bite, succeeds on its grapple check, it could then swoop out with Spring Attack. (Edit: I mean Flyby Attack.)
However, aside from the problems that Kamel points out above in his first reply, there's also the issue that the Wyvern has a relatively slow fly speed (60 ft.) and poor maneuverability. Unless the Wyverns are starting off very close to the party, it's unlikely that the wyvern will be able to close, attack, and have enough movement left to lift off again.
So the short answer is - yes, it can be done, but it's unlikely to be a great tactic to hold them for long. Best thing for the Wyverns would be to swoop down, grab, fly off a bit and then end the grapple, dropping them into the water (and thus, neutralizing the character for a bit - or perhaps even drowning them altogether if they're bound in heavy armor.)
This inadvertantly answered my question about the nearby Roc and it's abiltiy to "swoop and scoop." Thanks all!