The grab ability states:
Creatures with the grab special attack receive a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.
Normally you get a +5 to maintain a grapple, so if you had grab also would it stack? Resulting in +9 to maintain.
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Short answer: yes.
Long answer: Bonuses to the same thing stack unless they are the same type of bonus. Untyped bonuses and circumstance bonuses are the exception. They stack with themselves. The +5 bonus to maintain a grapple is a circumstance bonus, and the +4 bonus from the grab special ability is untyped. Theyre different types, so they stack. In this case, even if either was the same type as the other, they would still stack. If, however, both were a morale bonus, they wouldn't stack, and you would use the larger of the two, so it would be +5 to maintain.
if I have grab but don't use the attack feature to trigger it, if I still grapple would it be without the +4? And secondly during the maintaining of the grapple would Grab kick in (+4 to maintain) even if it wasn't used during the initial phase?
As long as you have the grab ability you always, always, always get a +4 on any check to maintain a grapple. Whether you've actually been grabbing is irrelevant.
Ahh thank you very good to know. So on the initial grab you have to trigger it with the attack though to use it though correct?
if I have grab on my bite. Walk over and grapple someone normally with my arms, I have the +4 on grapple checks since I have the grab ability.
if I have grab on my bite. Walk over and grapple someone normally with my arms, I have the +4 on grapple checks since I have the grab ability.
You get the +4, but you also provoke unless you have improved grapple.
Ohh really? I did not know that it provokes. Would it be a standard action then? It's only a free action if you use the attack feature to grab and grapple correct?
I mean the actual initiating of the grapple is only a free action if you use "Grab" correct?
Using grab after a successful attack is a free action that does not provoke AoOs.
However, having the grab ability doesn't prevent a creature for using combat maneuvers the old fashioned way. The creature can still attempt a grapple as a standard action as normal. This might be useful against a creature with a very high AC but lower CMD.
The standard action grapple would still follow all the normal rules for grappling, though it does get a +4 from the grab ability since that bonus applies to all grapple checks.