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So I'm a constrictor snake and I bite you. Because I have grab I get a free attempt to grapple you, let's say I roll high enough.
So do I get to add constrict damage at the same time? Yes/no why?
In my next turn, can I bite you? Or do I have to maintain the grapple, and if successful, then just do constrict damage again?
Can I maintain the grapple and bite someone else?
Is it better to let go and start over so I can get bite and constrict damage again?
Help!
1. Yes. Constrict damage is added whenever you succeed on a grapple check.
2. Yes, and yes. First, you have to maintain. If that's successful, you do constrict damage, and also get to choose between 4 options, one of which is to deal damage equal to a natural attack.
3. No.
4. Not in this case. However, in cases where the creature has multiple attacks during a full attack, it might be better to do so (assuming you can easily meet the target's AC).
You REALLY should print out the grapple flowchart.
To expand on point four (since 1-3 are correctly answered by Are):
If you choose to maintain the grapple and succeed, you do automatic constrict damage and, if you choose this option, automatic bite damage without having to roll any to-hit dice.
If you let go, you'd have to successfully hit and then do grapple without a bonus to do the same amount of damage.
Also, remember that having the Grab special ability gives you a +4 to the grapple CMB check to grab or maintain (this is usually accounted for in the creature's stat block).
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Usually, it's better to grapple and constrict than let go and attack normally to re-apply the grapple with a grab attack. Most PCs have a higher AC than CMD, and most creates with grab have a higher grapple bonus than to hit bonus, making the constrict more likely to do damage. It also is a great debuff, and it becomes even more attractive with Final Embrace feats.