[RPG] What to roll to save someone from a grapple

grapplepathfinder-1e

What do you use when you try to save your ally who is being grappled? For example the evil boss is currently grappling Bob the Wizard and Mark the Barbarian wants to tackle the evil boss in order to free the wizard?Also if possible write down whether the same thing applies when the person is pinned.

Best Answer

As listed in the Grapple rules for Multiple Creatures (highlight mine)

Multiple creatures can attempt to grapple one target. The creature that first initiates the grapple is the only one that makes a check, with a +2 bonus for each creature that assists in the grapple (using the Aid Another action). Multiple creatures can also assist another creature in breaking free from a grapple, with each creature that assists (using the Aid Another action) granting a +2 bonus on the grappled creature’s combat maneuver check.

The highlighted portion is the only option Mark has to directly help Bob with the Grapple. Alternatively, Mark could try to Grapple the evil boss, who would suffer the penalties of the Grappled condition (mainly, the -4 to Dex, which would lower his Combat Maneuver Defense by 2). The evil boss would then have the option of letting go of Bob to concentrate on Mark, or to keep trying to Pin Bob. Lastly, Mark could just keep hitting the evil boss, who will likely also have a lower AC, thanks to the same penalty.

If Bob is Pinned by the evil boss, Mark has much the same options to assist, although Bob's chance of escape, even with assistance, will likely be even lower because of the Pinned condition (denied his Dex Bonus).

Related Topic