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Does the Strangler (Brawler archtype) actually do sneak attack damage with a pin after a successful grapple?
Strangle (Ex): At 1st level, a strangler deals +1d6 sneak attack damage whenever she succeeds at a grapple check to damage or pin an opponent. The strangler is always considered flanking her target for the purpose of using this ability. This damage increases by +1d6 at 2nd, 8th and 15th levels.
I ask only because sneak attack damage is usually a rider to another attack that does damage. And the pin action does not do any damage normally.
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I would say yes, based on the wording of the ability. You do sneak attack damage whenever you succeed at a grapple check to pin.
Interestingly, because they actually state it as sneak attack, not just precision damage, you could add 1d6 to it with the Accomplished Sneak Attacker feat (starting at level 5 if you don't multiclass)
Yes. Grappling and Pinning does hurt IRL, especially when it's done by an experienced grappler. When I think of a Grappler who causes Sneak Attack damage on Chokes and Pins, I think of Wrestling, Judo, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Maybe "Strangle" is a bit of a misnomer for an ability name, when it should be called "Strangle, Arm Bar, Omoplata, Heel Hook, Knee Bar, or Kimura". Anyone who can perform choke moves can do any of the aforementioned moves as well, because any semi-decent grappler isn't trying to be a one trick pony. As a grappler, you have to know a plethora of moves to disable an opponent so that you can even get to the position of performing a choke, as well as counters to those moves if they're ever done to you.
So your specialty for knocking out an opponent is to strangle them, but you're going to have to grapple them into a position to where you *can* finally choke them. You're not actually causing damage by pinning the target on the ground, but rather you're causing damage with the hold you're using to keep them pinned, and this is definitely precision damage because you can break bones, snap tendons, and hyper-extend joints with these holds if you want to.
I'm curious to see how viable a Strangler2/RogueX would be.
Strangler2/Tetori2/KrakenCallerDruidX....
Someone catch me, I'm swooning
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Tetori Monk's best ability doesn't come in til level 9/13...Inescapable Grasp and Form Lock...suppress freedom of movement at 9...plus dimension lock things at 13 and shut down polymorph effects at 13 as well.
IMHO, those are the only real reason to take Tetori at all, the basic grapple bonuses are easy to get from any number of other sources. Nothing else short of a fairly powerful caster can shut down freedom of movement, polymorph effects, and d-lock something.