One of my players wants the ability to grapple other creatures at range when using a whip (think Indiana Jones wrapping his whip around things). I think this is a reasonable ability to have, but because it confers a mechanical advantage, I want to make this a feat. The text of the feat would read as follows:
Whip Master
You have trained extensively with the whip, allowing you to use it both within and outside of combat. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- When wielding a whip, you can attempt to grab another creature using your whip. To do so, make a Dexterity check to which you can add your proficiency bonus if you are proficient with whips contested by the other creature's Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. On a successful check, the creature cannot move away from you. On its turn, it can make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by your Strength (Athletics) check to try to escape. Once the creature has been grabbed, you can move in a direction opposite it and drag it with you at half your speed unless it is two or more sizes smaller.
- When wielding a whip, you may use its reach instead of your own on ability checks to grab or catch objects.
Does this seem balanced when compared to other feats?
Best Answer
This feat seems to be generally on par with one of the other big melee, crowd control feats: Sentinel
Sentinel gives the following as one of its three bonuses:
Whip Master's special action is slightly less effective for the following reasons
So, the crowd control portion of Whip Master is inferior to the crowd control portion of Sentinel. +1 to a specific attribute is a pretty standard 'half-feat' and so is fine. The final ability you get is very situational, though could potentially be cool. I think this is balanced enough to at least give some playtesting to.