Darkmantle, is this right?

[Folkish Elm]

Hi all

Inexperienced DM here wanting to check I have the interaction of darkness, grapple, grab and constrict right for a darkmantle which is going to come up in game tomorrow!

The darkmantle can use its spell like ability of darkness (is this free action?) then attacks with its slam. If it hits it does 1d4 +4 from its slam attack then gets a free action grapple attempt in the same round with no aoo in response. I roll cmb (+5) against target cmd and if successful immediately do 1d4+4 damage from constrict.

If I'm still grappling the target next round and succeed with a grapple check (again+5 but this time as a standard action but again with no aoo allowed in response?) I do the original attack's damage (slam attack 1d4+4) plus the constrict damage (another 1d4+4) again.

I would do this every round I can keep the grapple going?

Is this all correct?
Many thanks in advance

[Folkish Elm]

Oops just realised this is in the wrong forum. Apologies all. Have flagged for moving!

Also just spotted that spell like abilities are normally a standard action. So that's that bit answered!

[RandomPlayer]

Aside from the Darkness requiring a Standard action. You have the rest correct. Establish grapple deals Constrict damage. Maintain grapple deals grab attach AND Constrict damage.

[Folkish Elm]

Great! Many thanks for quick response

[Hawkmoon269]

I think the standard etiquette is that since you posted in the PACG forum, you now have to find someone who owns PACG and play a few games.

[Ascalaphus]

Spell-like and Supernatural abilities take a Standard action to use unless otherwise noted. Otherwise your rundown is spot-on.

I like darkmantles. I'm not sure if they already had this in 3.x, but in PF if the thing is over a PC's head, hitting the darkmantle also hurts the PC's head. Chopping it off with a greatsword... *evil grin*

Also note that if the PC didn't try to get it off, the darkmantle gets a +5 bonus to its check to maintain the grapple.

Enjoy!

[Folkish Elm]

Thanks. I really enjoyed the session. I was using a printed module (I won't spoil which) and this encounter was one of the best in the session.

One character very nearly had all the life squeezed out of him whilst his companions blundered around in the dark a bit until the half Orc came along with darkvision and a great sword :)

Good times :)

next session in two weeks!

Oh and yes really want to try the pathfinder card game at some point.

[Chris O'Reilly]

The darkmantles bonus to maintain the grapple in round 2+ would be +10

"If your target does not break the grapple, you get a +5 circumstance bonus on grapple checks made against the same target in subsequent rounds."

I believe ive played that module and that was one of the more memorable encounters.

[Oliver Veyrac]

Also remember, they can grapple creatures of any size. Some player's might try casting enlarge person to avoid the grapple.