Let's take everyone's favorite party-killer, monstrous crab. If said creature attacks an opponent with claw #1 and initiates improved grapple, can the crab then attack the same opponent again with the 2nd claw attack and join its own grapple on that creature since the monstrous crab itself is not considered to be in a grapple?
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asked Feb 20, 2019 at 23:05
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1 Answer
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A creature can't join a grapple against a foe that it's already grappling
The Player's Handbook on Joining a Grapple, in part, says
If your target is already grappling someone else [i.e. not you!], you can use an attack to start a grapple, as above, [to join a grapple] except that the target doesn’t get an attack of opportunity against you, and your grab automatically succeeds. You still have to make a successful opposed grapple check to become part of the grapple. (157)
(Emphases mine.) So, while the monstrous crab that used the improved grab ability and suffered the substantial penalty is not considered grappled, his foe is not grappling someone else and is grappling the monstrous crab! Hence the rules sadly forbid the monstrous crab from chipping in and helping itself grapple its foe.
answered Feb 21, 2019 at 7:13
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\$\begingroup\$ I think you're right, but I really want the crab to rip someone in half with both claws, you know? \$\endgroup\$ Feb 23, 2019 at 1:43
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\$\begingroup\$ @WannabeWarlock O, yeah, I understand completely, but the monstrous crab is pretty all right at that without breaking any rules. Besides, man, monstrous crab ain't angry but hungry — it'll take the grabbed dude and eat the grabbed dude in peace and quiet… [sings] Under the sea! Under the sea! [/sings]. \$\endgroup\$ Feb 23, 2019 at 3:56