Interesting. You're right. Per a very strict reading of the rules, you are correct. That's your RAW answer.
If you want an opinion, most people would probably agree that the +2 just goes to all grapple-related CMB/CMD checks (which may or may not be what was intended), but if you want that to fly, you'll have to ask your DM. If you are the DM, do what you want. Perks of the positions. :)
I'd say that its RAI to include the bonus in your CMD. Look at several creature stat blocks, they have a format like the following:
CMD 9 (17 vs. trip)
This implies that you test CMD at different values for specific maneuvers if relevant modifiers apply. I couldn't find one that specifically is Vs Grapple, but I'm sure there's one out there that includes the feat bonuses too.
There are examples exactly showing how Imp Grapple boosts CMD vs Grapple (NPC Codex Monk4),
but they don't SPELL OUT "this also applies to Grapple checks to Reverse/Escape" so that hardly changes the issue.
But IMHO, and how I've always played it, the CMD bonus certainly DOES apply vs. Reverse/Escape Grapple CMB checks.
Perhaps you could view it as NOT applying if they somehow 'fore-swore' the option of Reversing, i.e. Escape only,
(albeit per RAW you CAN'T really 'fore-swear' that option)
but IMHO that still IS a situation the CMD bonus should apply to, because it is still a Grapple check, thus they are trying to grapple you.
(the bonus wouldn't apply to your CMD against ESCAPE ARTIST checks, since that isn't a Grapple check.)
Likewise (IMHO), the CMD bonus applies when they are trying to Maintain a Grapple, not initiate one, whether for Pin, Tie-Up, Damage, or Moving you.
In other words, 'try to grapple you' = make grapple check against you, even though a grapple check can accomplish many things.
(contrast to Grab's "attempt to start a grapple" which specifies a specific type/usage of grapple check)
| 2 people marked this as FAQ candidate. |
There is a few confusing things about RAW:
Escape Artist's skill description says the Escape Artist check to escape a Grapple is 'in place of' the Grapple CMB check, which should mean that the CMD bonus should still apply against it, IMHO. But the Grapple rules don't use that 'in place of Grapple check' wording.
In fact, the Grapple rules for escaping don't even indicate that you are making a Grapple CMB check to escape, they just say "you can attempt to break the grapple as a standard action by making a combat maneuver check" which by the direct reading would just be a 'unique'/untyped CMB check that in no way counts as a Grapple check... That makes it more vague whether or not the CMD bonus should apply against it (although since it can still result in you being grappled, that leaves one avenue to justify the CMD bonus). In fact, the Escaper's own Improved Grapple/Grapple specific bonuses would clearly NOT apply to that CMB check if it is not a Grapple check per se, even if it can accomplish the same end-result. I don't think that's RAI, but that's what it says.
I think the 'try to grapple you = make grapple check against you' paradigm is the intended function,
the Reverse/Escape CMB check IS meant to be a Grapple check (benefitting from Imp Grapple CMB bonus),
and the Escape Check made 'in place of' such a check still provokes the Imp Grapple CMD bonus agaisnt it.
I should really make a separate thread to bring that to attention for FAQ/Errata... Later.