Why are Ghouls not proficient with their bite attack?

Question

Looking at the Ghoul and the Ghast from the MM, we see that they both have a bite and a claw attack. The claw attack has two points more for the attack modifier which seems to indicate that the proficiency bonus is not added to the bite attack.

Now, bite has slightly higher damage, but claw has an additional paralysis effect. Given the attack modifiers and the paralysis effect, it seems like the claw attack will almost always be superior, even against undead or paralysis immunity, since 2 points on the attack modifier are usually better than two points of damage.

Ghouls and Ghast do not have a multiattack using both attacks which might make it necessary to balance the total damage of that multiattack.

For these reasons I suspect, that this is based on lore rather than mechanical / balance reasons.

I am also pretty sure these two monsters are the only ones having an attack without proficiency bonus.

Is there published information giving a reason why Ghouls and Ghasts are not proficient with their bite? I am looking specifically for published lore to explain this.

Answer 1

One of the designers offered this commentary on the issue. While not an official ruling, it offers some clarity and is in the Sage Advice Compendium by WoTC.

It's a ghoul/ghast thing. They're exceptionally bad at biting. Monsters sometimes have stat quirks like that.

This gives a good idea of the thinking behind the idea.

So, in terms of lore, it's because ghouls/ghasts are bad at biting.

Answer 2

From a in-world point of view, proficiency would be defined as what you are proficient with. Do ghouls readily practice attacking foes with their mouths? The limbs are what humanoids usually attack with.

Evolutionary, creatures that perform bite attacks usually have no other option. As a result they tend to be evolved towards doing so. For example, by possessing venom or a powerful leap (like a large cat). The lack of reach that a bite has, compared to a claw, perhaps should be reflected mechanically some how.

From the point of view of fighting, biting is a pretty terrible option as it leaves you very vulnerable to counter attack. Humanoids can only really use it in a grapple. Is there much skill to be gained in performing a bite or is the skill really reflected in how well you grapple a foe?