I've been looking but couldn't find an answer. When a serpent/snake-like character uses constriction on their target do they then share the same square and if so which square? The one constricting or the one being constricted? The last follow up question is if the size will affect the result, such as a huge serpent using constriction on a medium target.
Thank you!
constriction is an ability that triggers with grapple checks.
A creature with this special attack can crush an opponent, dealing bludgeoning damage, when it makes a successful grapple check (in addition to any other effects caused by a successful check, including additional damage). The amount of damage is given in the creature’s entry and is typically equal to the amount of damage caused by the creature’s melee attack.
Grapple states the following:
As a standard action, you can attempt to grapple a foe, hindering his combat options.... If successful, both you and the target gain the grappled condition. If you successfully grapple a creature that is not adjacent to you, move that creature to an adjacent open space (if no space is available, your grapple fails).
So, grappling a creature causes that creature to be adjacent to you if they weren't initially. So, your huge serpent that has reach will, as part of the successful grapple, relocate the target so that they are in a square next to them. After that unless the creature that initiated the grapple moves the target that's where they stay until they're able to break free.
On a side note, most creatures that have constrict also have grab.
If a creature with this special attack hits with the indicated attack (usually a claw or bite attack), it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. Unless otherwise noted, grab can only be used against targets of a size equal to or smaller than the creature with this ability.
So, a massive constrictor can. Attack an enemy with a bite, if it hits it gets a free grapple check. If that grapple check is successful they then pull the enemy next to them and immediately deal constrict damage.
Does the attacker get to choose which open space?
If the creature they are attacking is not currently adjacent to them, then yes. The attacker may chose any adjacent open space they wish to place them in.
If the creature they are attacking is already adjacent to them then they do not get to move them for free. When the attacking creature makes a grapple check on the following rounds it could choose to move the creature instead of doing damage.
You can move both yourself and your target up to half your speed. At the end of your movement, you can place your target in any square adjacent to you. If you attempt to place your foe in a hazardous location, such as in a wall of fire or over a pit, the target receives a free attempt to break your grapple with a +4 bonus.
Of course the creature will still take constrict damage as specified above.
Thanks. But where are you getting that from?
Pathfinder is typically permissive in its wording. Meaning you can't do something unless it tells you you can. However, when it tells you that you can do something, you can do so without limitation within the boundaries given.
The rules I quoted above don't state that anything special happens if a creature is adjacent to you. So, therefore nothing special happens, you both gain the grappled condition and then the grapple proceeds as normal, without either creature changing location.
The rules do however state that if a creature is not adjacent to you then the creature being grappled gets moved to an open adjacent space. It does not define that any particular square must be chosen. This is different from say the charge action which states that you must end up in a specific square at the end of your charge.
You must have a clear path toward the opponent, and nothing can hinder your movement (such as difficult terrain or obstacles). You must move to the closest space from which you can attack the opponent. If this space is occupied or otherwise blocked, you can’t charge.
So, when it comes to grappling any adjacent square may be chosen so long as it is open. Also, since it doesn't state which creature picks the square it must be the creature initiating the action. The same way other abilities work (the creature using/performing the ability/action makes the relevant decisions) since it is not stated otherwise.
As for the constrict damage. That comes from this FAQ.
Wow, thank you so much for this new info, and for the fast reply!
I suppose that makes sense as the attacker beat the opponents CMD. However, that could be super nasty. Have very big monster with an open space behind it that is surrounded by its henchmen. Then with its super reach it grapples a pc far away and then dumps them in that square.
If I did that as a DM I could see player's contesting that. Saying it should be the closest square between the pc and the monster or something like that.
Granted I think this is correct. :)
Wow, thank you so much for this new info, and for the fast reply!
You're welcome! :)
I suppose that makes sense as the attacker beat the opponents CMD. However, that could be super nasty. Have very big monster with an open space behind it that is surrounded by its henchmen. Then with its super reach it grapples a pc far away and then dumps them in that square.
yeah, IMO it boils down to how "smart" you want the monster to be. If it's just an animal (like the one I linked above) it's unlikely to use advanced tactics like that unless it's been trained to do so. However, if it's a Naga that's taken the feat final embrace I think such a tactic is completely legit.
I think a good house rule might be depending on how much you beat the CMD by then the choice of square is limited or not.