Grappler Feat 5e: Everything You Need to Know
Are you looking for a way to take your character’s grappling to the next level in 5e? The Grappler Feat 5e might be just what you need. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Grappler Feat in 5e, from understanding the rules of grappling to how to use the Grappler Feat in combat.
Understanding the Rules of Grappling in 5e
Before we dive into the Grappler Feat, let’s first review the grapple rules of grappling in 5e. Grappling is a special form of melee attack that allows a character to grab an opponent and restrict their movement. Here’s how it works:
How to Initiate a Grapple
To initiate a grapple, a character must use their Attack action to make a special melee attack, known as a grapple attack. The attacker must have at least one free hand to make a grapple attack, and the target must be no more than one size larger than the attacker.
Limitations of Grappling
Grappling has several limitations to keep in mind. First, the attacker must use their Attack action to initiate a grapple, meaning they can’t make a regular weapon attack on the same turn.
Second, grappling only restrains the target’s movement and doesn’t prevent them from attacking or casting spells, though it does give attackers advantage on attacks against the grappled target.
Finally, grappling can be ended by the attacker or the target using an action to break the grapple.
What Happens Once a Character is Grappled
Once a character is grappled, their speed becomes 0 and they can’t benefit from any bonuses to their speed.
The attacker also has advantage on attack rolls against the grappled target, and the grappled target has disadvantage on attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws.
What is the Grappler Feat and What Does it Do?
Now that we understand the rules of grappling, let’s move on to the Grappler Feat itself. The Grappler Feat is a special feat that enhances a character’s grappling abilities in several ways.
Benefits of the Grappler Feat 5e
The Grappler Feat provides several benefits to characters who take it. Here are some of the main advantages:
Advantage on attack rolls against targets you’re grappling:
This means you’re even more likely to hit a grappled target, making it easier to deal damage or incapacitate them.
Restraining a grappled target:
Once a character is restrained, their movement speed drops to 0, they have disadvantage on attack rolls, and attackers have advantage on attack rolls against them. This makes it even harder for a grappled target to escape or fight back effectively.
The ability to use a bonus action to pin a grappled target:
Once a target is pinned, they’re considered incapacitated and can’t take any actions, even to break the grapple. This is an incredibly powerful ability that can neutralize even the strongest opponents.
How the Grappler Feat Enhances Grappling in 5e
The Grappler Feat enhances grappling in several ways. First, it provides a significant boost to your grappling abilities, making it easier to initiate a grapple and to hold onto your target. Second, it allows you to restrain and even pin a target, making it much harder for them to escape or fight back.
How to Use the Grappler Feat in Combat
Now that we understand the benefits of the Grappler Feat, let’s talk about how to use it in combat. Here are some tips and strategies for making the most of the Grappler Feat:
- Use your Action to initiate a grapple: Remember, you can’t make a regular weapon attack on the same turn you initiate a grapple. But once you have a target grappled, you can use your Action to attack them instead.
- Consider using the shove action: The shove action can be used in place of a weapon attack and can be used to knock an opponent prone. Once they’re prone, it’s much easier to maintain a grapple or to attack them with advantage.
- Coordinate with your team: Grappling is most effective when combined with other attacks or abilities. Work with your team to create powerful combos, like grappling a target and having a spellcaster cast a powerful spell or having a rogue use their sneak attack while you have the target restrained.
Examples of Using the Grappler Feat in Different Combat Scenarios
Here are a few examples of how the Grappler Feat can be used in different combat scenarios:
Scenario 1: Fighting a Single Powerful Opponent
In this scenario, you’re facing off against a powerful enemy who could easily take down one of your team members. You decide to use the Grappler Feat to restrain them and take them out of the fight.
- Use your Attack action to initiate a grapple.
- Use your bonus action to try to pin the target.
- Once the target is pinned, focus on taking out the rest of their team members while they’re out of the fight.
Scenario 2: Fighting Multiple Enemies
In this scenario, you’re facing off against several enemies at once. You decide to use the Grappler Feat to restrain one of the enemies and take them out of the fight while your team focuses on the others.
- Use your Attack action to initiate a grapple on one of the enemies.
- Use your bonus action to try to pin the target.
- Once the target is pinned, focus on attacking the other enemies or maintaining the grapple if you need to keep them out of the fight for longer.
Scenario 3: Rescuing a Captive
In this scenario, you must rescue a captive who an enemy is holding. You decide to use the Grappler Feat to disable the enemy and free the captive.
- Use your Attack action to initiate a grapple on the enemy holding the captive.
- Use your bonus action to try to pin the target, which will keep them from taking any actions.
- Once you pin the enemy, free the captive and take them to safety.
Combining the Grappler Feat with other Feats and Abilities
The Grappler Feat is a powerful tool on its own, but it can be even more effective when combined with other Feats and abilities.
Here are a few examples of Feats and abilities that work well with the Grappler Feat:
Tavern Brawler:
This Feat grants proficiency in unarmed strikes and allows you to use a bonus action to grapple a creature after hitting it with an unarmed strike. Combining the Tavern Brawler Feat with the Grappler Feat allows you to grapple and restrain enemies with ease.
Sentinel:
This Feat allows you to make an opportunity attack when a creature within 5 feet of you attacks an ally. When combined with the Grappler Feat, you can grapple the enemy who attacked your ally, preventing them from taking any further actions.
Battle Master Fighter’s Maneuvers:
The Battle Master Fighter subclass has several maneuvers that can be used in conjunction with the Grappler Feat, such as Trip Attack, which allows you to knock a creature prone, and Pushing Attack, which allows you to push a creature up to 15 feet away from you. These maneuvers can help you position enemies for grappling or even break their grapple attempts.
Ranger’s Giant Killer:
This ability allows a Ranger to make an opportunity attack against a Large or larger creature when they enter the Ranger’s reach. When combined with the Grappler Feat, the Ranger can grapple the creature, preventing it from moving and attacking.
Monk’s Stunning Strike:
This ability allows a Monk to stun a creature for one round if they hit it with a melee attack. When combined with the Grappler Feat, the Monk can grapple the creature, preventing it from taking any actions while it’s stunned.
By combining the Grappler Feat with other Feats and abilities, players and DMs can create powerful characters that can control the battlefield and neutralize enemies quickly and efficiently. However, it’s important to remember that not all Feats and abilities will work well together, so it’s important to carefully consider your character’s build and play style before choosing which Feats and abilities to take.
Melee Attacks and Close Quarters Grappling
Melee attacks and close quarters grappling go hand-in-hand, as many grappling techniques involve grabbing and holding onto an opponent with your hands or arms. When using the Grappler Feat, it’s important to remember that it requires you to make a melee attack to initiate the grapple. This means that you need to be in close quarters with your target, making it easier for them to attack you as well.
To mitigate this risk, it’s often best to use the grapple as part of a larger melee attack, such as a shove or a trip. By using these techniques, you can knock your opponent prone or push them away from you before grappling them, making it harder for them to retaliate.
Creature Grappled
When you successfully grapple a creature, you gain several benefits, such as restraining them and preventing them from moving. However, it’s important to note that the creature you’re grappling is not incapacitated, and they can still attack you with certain weapons and spells.
In addition, grappling a creature doesn’t automatically prevent them from using their own grappling techniques or trying to break free of your grapple. Some creatures, such as giants and other large creatures, may have their own unique grappling abilities that can be used against you.
As a DM, it’s important to keep in mind the strengths and weaknesses of your grapple creatures when using grappling techniques. For example, a creature with a lot of physical strength may be harder to grapple, while a creature with a lot of agility may be easier to avoid when grappling.
Grapple Ends
When you successfully grapple a creature, you gain several benefits, such as restraining them and preventing them from moving. However, grappling doesn’t last forever, and there are several ways that a grapple can end.
The first way a grapple can end is if the grappler voluntarily ends it. The grappler can release the creature as a free action, allowing them to move and act normally.
The creature being grappled can end the grapple by succeeding on a contesting check to break free. On its turn, the creature can use its action to attempt an Athletics or Acrobatics check contested by the grappler’s Athletics check. If the creature succeeds, the grapple ends and the creature is no longer restrained.
The third way a grapple can end is if the grappler is incapacitated or killed. If the grappler becomes incapacitated or dies, the grapple ends automatically.
Finally, some spells and abilities can end a grapple. The spell “Freedom of Movement” can prevent a creature from being grappled or restrained, for example.Additionally, certain class abilities or spells may allow a creature to escape a grapple or even end it automatically.
As a DM, it’s important to keep these factors in mind when using grappling techniques in your games. Players need to be aware of the risks and benefits of grappling, and DMs should be prepared to handle the different ways that a grapple can end to keep the game flowing smoothly.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Grapple | A special melee attack used to restrain an opponent. |
| Grappler | The character attempting to grapple their opponent. |
| Target | The creature being grappled. |
| Restrained | A condition that causes the target’s speed to become 0, and gives attackers advantage on attacks against them. |
| Athletics | The skill used to initiate a grapple. |
| Acrobatics | The skill used to contest a grapple. |
Frequently Asked Grappler Feat 5e Questions (FAQs)
Do you need to be proficient in Athletics to take the Grappler Feat?
Proficiency in Athletics is not necessary to take the Grappler Feat. However, proficiency in Athletics can make it easier to successfully initiate and maintain a grapple.
Can you use the Grappler Feat on larger creatures?
Yes, you can use the Grappler Feat on creatures larger than you. However, the DM may impose disadvantage on your grapple check.
Can you still use your weapon while grappling?
Yes, you can still use a one-handed weapon while grappling, but you’ll have disadvantage on the attack roll. You cannot use two-handed weapons while grappling.
Can a grappled creature still attack?
Yes, a grappled creature can still attack, but they have disadvantage on the attack roll. Additionally, if you have the target restrained, they cannot take any actions.
Can you use the Grappler Feat to grapple a flying creature?
The Grappler Feat specifically states that you can only use it on a creature within your reach. However, you can try to knock the flying creature prone with the shove action before attempting to grapple them.
Conclusion
The Grappler Feat is a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled grappler. Grappling’s ability to restrain and pin targets can neutralize even the strongest opponents and turn the tide of a battle. Combining the Grappler Feat with other attacks and abilities will make you a formidable force on the battlefield.
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