Grapple vs. Grab

[Sarta]

So, creatures with a grab attack gain a +4 bonus to CMB when grappling. Does this bonus only apply when they grapple as a part of a grab attack or does it apply to all grapple checks?

Grab simply states: Creatures with the grab special attack receive a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.

The reason I ask is that the grab maneuver can only be done on creatures the same size or smaller, while grapples can be done on any sized creature.

If someone foregoes the grab maneuver, do they still get its bonus?

[MurphysParadox]

Wording just saying "if you have grab, you get +4" not "you get +4 on grapples started with grab".

So I guess if you are grabby, you're naturally good at holding on... even if the creature is too big to qualify for a free grapple after an attack.

[Sarta]

MurphysParadox wrote:

Wording just saying "if you have grab, you get +4" not "you get +4 on grapples started with grab".

So I guess if you are grabby, you're naturally good at holding on... even if the creature is too big to qualify for a free grapple after an attack.

This would mean that the tentacle discovery grants alchemists a +4 CMB for grappling, regardless of whether they use the tentacle.