Tentamort - Running full attack, grab, grapple, constrict correctly

[Paz]

My session last week ended on a cliffhanger with the party encountering a tentamort. I'm a bit hazy on the way grapple interacts with the relevant monster rules, and I want to make sure I understand them correctly before making its first attack at the start of my next session. Is the following correct:

Round 1 - Assuming it can reach (using a 5-foot step if necessary), the tentamort can make a full attack.

- Attack with tentacle (+2)
- If tentacle hits: do 1d6+1 damage, and make grapple roll (+10) versus victim's CMD
- If grapple succeeds: move victim next to tentamort, do 1d6+1 constrict damage, both tentamort and victim gain grappled condition. Continue full attack with sting (+4, as -2 from grappled condition) against victim's AC-2 (as -4 Dex from grappled condition).

- If tentacle misses or grapple fails, continue full attack with sting (+6).

Assume grapple succeeded, and victim is still grappled by the time the tentamort's next turn comes round (otherwise follow steps for round 1 again). During this period, the tentamort can't make AoOs.

Round 2 - Tentamort can maintain the grapple.

- Make grapple check: +10 vs. victim's CMD
- If grapple succeeds: can do damage with one natural attack (assume the sting), or move with the victim, or pin him. Whatever choice made, do 1d6+1 constrict damage (by virtue of making a successful grapple check).

Does that all sound correct? Anything important I should be aware of?

[Ximen Bao]

Almost. In round 2 maintaining the grapple would be +15 versus the victim's cmd, since you get +5 on maintain checks.

Also, you didn't mention it (probably because it's irrelevant to the grapple) but don't forget it has some nasty poison with it's sting attack.

[MacGurcules]

After accounting for Bao's comment, you've pretty much got it.

There are reasonable arguments that grab will continue to do damage in subsequent rounds in addition to other sources. There's some kinda awkward wording regarding the interaction of grab, constrict, and the option to avoid the grapple condition with grab. It makes the intention somewhat less than clear but there are ways to read it which suggest the ability to pile on one more bit of damage.

The way you've outlined is probably the safer interpretation.

[Paz]

Re maintaining the grapple: not sure how I missed that +5 until now. In addition, the victim's CMD will be 2 worse than normal, due to the -4 Dex penalty from having the grappled condition, right?

Re sting posion: Yes, I'm aware of it, I just didn't want to make my post even more cluttered!

Thanks for your help!

[Ximen Bao]

Paz wrote:

Re maintaining the grapple: not sure how I missed that +5 until now. In addition, the victim's CMD will be 2 worse than normal, due to the -4 Dex penalty from having the grappled condition, right?

I believe that's correct. MacGurcules is also right about grab. I rule it to deal damage similar to constrict on maintain checks but not initiate checks. Your mileage may vary.