Grappled

A grappled creature is physically restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. It is locked in close contact and cannot move freely or attack with full effectiveness.

Effects

• Cannot move — the creature is held in place.
• –4 penalty to Dexterity.
• –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks.
• –4 penalty to CMD (making it easier to further maneuver against).
• Cannot make attacks of opportunity.
• Cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even with abilities like hide in plain sight.
• If the grappled creature becomes invisible, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus to CMD against being grappled further, but no other benefit.
• Casting a spell with a somatic (S) component while grappled requires a concentration check (DC 15 + double the spell's level), or the spell is lost.
• Cannot make attacks with two-handed weapons or ranged weapons (unless the weapon is a light weapon or specifically usable while grappling).

Escaping a Grapple

• The grappled creature can attempt a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check (against the grappler's CMD) as a standard action to break free.
• If the grappled creature has the greater CMB, it can attempt to reverse the grapple and become the controlling grappler.
• Freedom of movement allows the creature to ignore grapple effects and escape automatically.

Related Conditions

• Pinned — the escalated state; a grappler who succeeds on a second grapple check pins the grappled creature.
• Entangled — similarly restricts movement and imposes penalties, but from a trap or spell rather than a creature.
• Helpless — a pinned creature is treated as helpless for many purposes.

Common Sources

A successful Grapple combat maneuver check; certain monster attacks (constrict, grab special quality, tentacles); the black tentacles and web spells; bear traps and similar mechanical restraints. A creature with the Grab special quality can attempt a free grapple check on a successful natural attack.