I need help Understanding Grapple with the Linked Monster as an Example

[Rmbrodeu*]

I have attached the following link for a specific Monster as an example:

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/aberrations/dark-young-of -shub-niggurath

Now I understand that if the tentacle attack hits, the grab attempt is a free action and if successful, constriction occurs.

As the creature has 4 tentacle attacks, can it grapple four opponents? I ask because, when maintain a grapple it state it is a standard action to maintain? So initially you would have to relinquish 3 of the grapples, and only maintain one grapple? Basically, this would prevent any additional attacks as long as the creature continued the attack on that one creation (Maintaining grapple via standard action to cause constriction damage).

I need help understanding this a little better.

THANKS!

[Dominigo]

If I remember correctly, it can grapple 4 creatures at the same time using its grab ability as long as each tentacles strikes and grapples a different creature during a full attack action. However, on its next turn, it must either release all of them or choose one to attempt to maintain a grapple on (as a standard action) and release the rest.

[Cainus]

Rmbrodeu* wrote:

I have attached the following link for a specific Monster as an example:

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/aberrations/dark-young-of -shub-niggurath

Now I understand that if the tentacle attack hits, the grab attempt is a free action and if successful, constriction occurs.

As the creature has 4 tentacle attacks, can it grapple four opponents? I ask because, when maintain a grapple it state it is a standard action to maintain? So initially you would have to relinquish 3 of the grapples, and only maintain one grapple? Basically, this would prevent any additional attacks as long as the creature continued the attack on that one creation (Maintaining grapple via standard action to cause constriction damage).

I need help understanding this a little better.

THANKS!

Remember that the creature doesn't have to use the standard action to maintain until its next turn and that letting go is a free action.

Taking that into account the creature can do the following:

Attack 4 creatures and then grapple, inflicting constrict damage.

On its next turn release for free (instead of maintaining), attack and grapple again, inflicting constrict damage.

Next turn, rinse and repeat.

Also note that constriction happens whenever a creature succeeds on a grapple check, including the first round.

The morale of the story is to stay away from constricting grapplers with multiple attacks, they're bad news.

[MacGurcules]

Sounds like you've pretty much got it down. This particular aberration could attack four separate opponents and start a grapple on each of them (with constrict damage). You're right that it would need to choose which grapple it wanted to maintain on the following round and drop the rest.

The advice for monsters like this with multiple grab attacks and constrict is often to attack, grab, constrict, and then release on each attack in order to maximize damage. Do try to play somewhat to the creature, though. Against multiple threats, I could definitely see it lashing out each turn and releasing on the next to repeat. But against a single opponent, it seems to me that it would be much more likely to maintain the grapple and employ its special attack. That might be less effective damage-wise but it would be much more on theme.

[Rmbrodeu*]

Thank you for the replies and helping to ensure that I was viewing everything correctly. I appreciate the support!

Ryan B