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Glorfindel
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Despite what the article says, a creature with the special ability improved grabimproved grab does not also have the unique ability to simultaneously drag away a grappled foe

As mentioned, the Monster Manual (even the most recent 2012 premium edition) includes in the special ability improved grabimproved grab a section saying that

Emphasis mine. That a creature can move after having grappled another creature is true as per the Player's Handbook rules on grapplegrapple, but

Just in case this is worrisome, there are at least two other places wherein similar unplayable rules persist in the text. I know that it's really difficult to let go of such troublesome artifacts, but the system isn't perfect, and letting some things go is okay. (See this question about the spell major imagemajor image and this question about accidentally activating magic items.)

On those Rules of the GameRules of the Game columns...

That's cool. From Sandstorm the general feat Scorpion's Grasp mimics much of the special ability improved grab, including giving the DM specific rules he can choose to use if he wants to implement the It can even move sentence as originally presented in the special ability improved grabimproved grab:

Were I a player, however, I would want the DM to make such house rules clear before, for example, being attacked by an ankhegankheg (which can, in the same turn, make such an off-hand grapple then burrowburrow away, my character in its mandibles).1

Despite what the article says, a creature with the special ability improved grab does not also have the unique ability to simultaneously drag away a grappled foe

As mentioned, the Monster Manual (even the most recent 2012 premium edition) includes in the special ability improved grab a section saying that

Emphasis mine. That a creature can move after having grappled another creature is true as per the Player's Handbook rules on grapple, but

Just in case this is worrisome, there are at least two other places wherein similar unplayable rules persist in the text. I know that it's really difficult to let go of such troublesome artifacts, but the system isn't perfect, and letting some things go is okay. (See this question about the spell major image and this question about accidentally activating magic items.)

On those Rules of the Game columns...

That's cool. From Sandstorm the general feat Scorpion's Grasp mimics much of the special ability improved grab, including giving the DM specific rules he can choose to use if he wants to implement the It can even move sentence as originally presented in the special ability improved grab:

Were I a player, however, I would want the DM to make such house rules clear before, for example, being attacked by an ankheg (which can, in the same turn, make such an off-hand grapple then burrow away, my character in its mandibles).1

Despite what the article says, a creature with the special ability improved grab does not also have the unique ability to simultaneously drag away a grappled foe

As mentioned, the Monster Manual (even the most recent 2012 premium edition) includes in the special ability improved grab a section saying that

Emphasis mine. That a creature can move after having grappled another creature is true as per the Player's Handbook rules on grapple, but

Just in case this is worrisome, there are at least two other places wherein similar unplayable rules persist in the text. I know that it's really difficult to let go of such troublesome artifacts, but the system isn't perfect, and letting some things go is okay. (See this question about the spell major image and this question about accidentally activating magic items.)

On those Rules of the Game columns...

That's cool. From Sandstorm the general feat Scorpion's Grasp mimics much of the special ability improved grab, including giving the DM specific rules he can choose to use if he wants to implement the It can even move sentence as originally presented in the special ability improved grab:

Were I a player, however, I would want the DM to make such house rules clear before, for example, being attacked by an ankheg (which can, in the same turn, make such an off-hand grapple then burrow away, my character in its mandibles).1

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Just in case this is worrisome, there are at least two other places wherein similar unplayable rules persist in the text. I know that it's really difficult to let go of such troublesome artifacts, but the system isn't perfect, and letting some things go is okay. (See this questionquestion about the spell major image and this questionquestion about accidentally activating magic items.)

Those columns aren't errata and can't make changes to the text. They carry the same or less weight as the FAQ (and the FAQ's authority is dubiousthe FAQ's authority is dubious). Use them with caution, confirming that any strangeness you perceive in the columns also exists within the text. Then go with the text.

Thus, the RC omits the disturbing sentence entirely. (Note that the Rules CompendiumRules Compendium is not without issues.)

Were I a player, however, I would want the DM to make such house rules clear before, for example, being attacked by an ankheg (which can, in the same turn, make such an off-hand grapple then burrow away, my character in its mandiblesmy character in its mandibles).1

Just in case this is worrisome, there are at least two other places wherein similar unplayable rules persist in the text. I know that it's really difficult to let go of such troublesome artifacts, but the system isn't perfect, and letting some things go is okay. (See this question about the spell major image and this question about accidentally activating magic items.)

Those columns aren't errata and can't make changes to the text. They carry the same or less weight as the FAQ (and the FAQ's authority is dubious). Use them with caution, confirming that any strangeness you perceive in the columns also exists within the text. Then go with the text.

Thus, the RC omits the disturbing sentence entirely. (Note that the Rules Compendium is not without issues.)

Were I a player, however, I would want the DM to make such house rules clear before, for example, being attacked by an ankheg (which can, in the same turn, make such an off-hand grapple then burrow away, my character in its mandibles).1

Just in case this is worrisome, there are at least two other places wherein similar unplayable rules persist in the text. I know that it's really difficult to let go of such troublesome artifacts, but the system isn't perfect, and letting some things go is okay. (See this question about the spell major image and this question about accidentally activating magic items.)

Those columns aren't errata and can't make changes to the text. They carry the same or less weight as the FAQ (and the FAQ's authority is dubious). Use them with caution, confirming that any strangeness you perceive in the columns also exists within the text. Then go with the text.

Thus, the RC omits the disturbing sentence entirely. (Note that the Rules Compendium is not without issues.)

Were I a player, however, I would want the DM to make such house rules clear before, for example, being attacked by an ankheg (which can, in the same turn, make such an off-hand grapple then burrow away, my character in its mandibles).1

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Hey I Can Chan
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...And on the Rules Compendium

The Rules Compendium presents the special ability improved grab as follows:

When a creature gets a hold after an improved grab attack, it pulls the opponent into its space. This act doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally or simply use the part of its body it used in the improved grab to hold the opponent. (101)

Thus, the RC omits the disturbing sentence entirely. (Note that the Rules Compendium is not without issues.)

"But I want monsters to do this!"

That's cool. From Sandstorm the general feat Scorpion's Grasp mimics much of the special ability improved grab, including giving the DM specific rules he can choose to use if he wants to implement the It can even move sentence as originally presented in the special ability improved grab:

You have the option to conduct the grapple normally, or you may hold a creature one or more sizes smaller than you with your off hand. If you choose to do the latter, you take a −20 penalty on grapple checks against that creature and you cannot deal damage with your grapple checks, but you are not considered grappled yourself. You don’t lose your Dexterity bonus to AC, you still threaten an area, and you can use remaining attacks against other opponents. While maintaining this latter type of hold, you can move normally (possibly carrying your opponent away), provided you can drag the opponent’s weight. (52-3)

Were I a player, however, I would want the DM to make such house rules clear before, for example, being attacked by an ankheg (which can, in the same turn, make such an off-hand grapple then burrow away, my character in its mandibles).1


1 The phrase house rules is not in any way used pejoratively here (nor do I use it pejoratively elsewhere ever), but, instead, as an indication that the DM must essentially tell the players, "We're deviating from the text a bit: When a creature has the special ability improved grab, we're using some of the rules from the feat Scorpion's Grasp to complement that special ability."

...And on the Rules Compendium

The Rules Compendium presents the special ability improved grab as follows:

When a creature gets a hold after an improved grab attack, it pulls the opponent into its space. This act doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally or simply use the part of its body it used in the improved grab to hold the opponent. (101)

Thus, the RC omits the disturbing sentence entirely. (Note that the Rules Compendium is not without issues.)

"But I want monsters to do this!"

That's cool. From Sandstorm the general feat Scorpion's Grasp mimics much of the special ability improved grab, including giving the DM specific rules he can choose to use if he wants to implement the It can even move sentence as originally presented in the special ability improved grab:

You have the option to conduct the grapple normally, or you may hold a creature one or more sizes smaller than you with your off hand. If you choose to do the latter, you take a −20 penalty on grapple checks against that creature and you cannot deal damage with your grapple checks, but you are not considered grappled yourself. You don’t lose your Dexterity bonus to AC, you still threaten an area, and you can use remaining attacks against other opponents. While maintaining this latter type of hold, you can move normally (possibly carrying your opponent away), provided you can drag the opponent’s weight. (52-3)

Were I a player, however, I would want the DM to make such house rules clear before, for example, being attacked by an ankheg (which can, in the same turn, make such an off-hand grapple then burrow away, my character in its mandibles).1


1 The phrase house rules is not in any way used pejoratively here (nor do I use it pejoratively elsewhere ever), but, instead, as an indication that the DM must essentially tell the players, "We're deviating from the text a bit: When a creature has the special ability improved grab, we're using some of the rules from the feat Scorpion's Grasp to complement that special ability."

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Hey I Can Chan
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