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PGM Casagemas' House Rules
Grappling
Grapple Checks
A grapple check is a roll vs. either CA + (Strength/2) or CA + (Agility/2), whichever is higher. In an opposed grapple check, you and your opponent must both attempt grapple checks. Whoever succeeds the check by a greater margin wins the opposed grapple check.Attempting a Grapple
There are three points that decide whether a grappling attempt is successful:1. When you attempt a grapple, you open yourself to attack. The target that you are attempting to grapple is allowed to attack you as a free action. If this attack is successful, the grapple attempt fails. If your target is prone, he cannot take this attack.
2. If the target's free attack fails (or is not taken), you must then make an attack roll (your CA minus your opponent's Defense).
3. If the attack roll is successful, you must make an opposed grapple check. If you win this check, you have succeeded in grappling your opponent. Otherwise, the grapple fails.
Please note that spells that block physical damage also block grappling attempts.
Actions while Grappling
There are three basic actions you can take while grappling with an opponent. Each of these requires an opposed grapple check to succeed.- Attack: you can attack your opponent with an unarmed strike, or with a weapon of BC6 or less. Your Strength bonus does not apply to the latter.
- Hold: you can attempt to gain an advantage over your opponent. See below for further details.
- Escape: you can try to break the grapple. This returns you and your opponent to the standard combat state.
While you have the advantage, you may take the following actions:
- Attack: as detailed above.
- Disarm: you can disarm your opponent, or otherwise cause him to drop something. This requires a successful opposed grapple check.
- Pain: you can choose to deal BC4 non-lethal damage (plus your Strength bonus) to your opponent. This requires an action but no grapple check.
- Throw: you can throw your opponent to the ground. This requires an opposed grapple check. This deals BC8 damage, to which both your and your opponent's Str bonuses are added. This leaves your opponent prone. Your opponent is allowed a save vs. Ag/2 for half-damage and to avoid being left prone.
- You can also choose to break the grapple. This does not require an action.
On the other hand, when your opponent has the advantage, you have exactly one option:
- Break: this returns you and your opponent to a neutral grappling state, or to a standard combat state, at your discretion. This requires a successful opposed grapple check.
The following actions may be taken regardless of who has the advantage:
- Cast a Spell: M-component spells may be cast at -10 MA. V-component spells may be cast at -20 MA. S-component spells cannot be cast while grappling.
- Use an Item: at the GM's discretion, you may use an item. In general, items requiring the use of your hands -- e.g., scrolls -- will not be available.
- Use a Power or Ability: as above, this is at the GM's discretion.
Size
At the GM's discretion, the size of the grapplers can play a significant role. Suggestions include:- A creature cannot attempt to grapple a target that is more than one size category larger than itself.
- A creature that successfully grapples a target more than one size category smaller than itself automatically starts with the advantage.
- A creature grappling with a target that is more than one size category smaller than itself can take the following action:
- Toss: you can toss your opponent a number of feet equal to ([your Str] - [his Str])/2. This requires an opposed grapple check. This deals BC8 damage, with +1 damage for each five feet he is thrown. This assumes that the creature is able to traverse the prescribed distance unmolested, and that he lands on a relatively soft surface (grass, sand, etc.). Consequently, this can vary significantly at the GM's discretion.
For example, if an aesir with 60 Strength tosses a halfling with 10 Strength in an open field, the halfling will travel 25 feet and sustain BC8+5 damage. If this same throw is attempted while standing next to a stone wall, the halfling might sustain damage more along the lines of 3BC8+15.
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