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Grappling

Complete guide to grappling in D&D 5e. Learn the rules for grappling, how to escape grapples, and tactics for building a grappler character.

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Step-by-Step RulesCommon MistakesDM TipsSources

Step-by-Step Rules

1

Choose a Target

The target must be no more than one size larger than you (e.g., Medium creatures can grapple Large or smaller). The target must be within your reach.

2

Use the Attack Action

Instead of making an attack roll, you use one of your attacks to attempt a grapple. If you have multiple attacks (from Extra Attack), you can grapple with one and attack normally with others.

3

Make a Grapple Check

Make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target's Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (target chooses which).

4

On Success - Target is Grappled

The target's speed becomes 0 and can't benefit from any bonus to speed. The grapple ends if you are incapacitated, if an effect removes the grappled creature from your reach, or if you release them (no action required).

5

Moving with a Grappled Target

You can drag or carry the grappled creature with you, but your speed is halved unless the creature is two or more sizes smaller than you.

6

Escaping a Grapple

The grappled creature can use its action to attempt to escape by making a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by your Strength (Athletics) check.

7

Attacking While Grappling

Both you and the grappled creature can attack normally. Grappling doesn't restrain or prevent attacks - it only reduces speed to 0.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistake
Thinking grappling prevents the target from attacking - it only reduces speed to 0
Common Mistake
Forgetting you can use Extra Attack to grapple multiple times or grapple + attack
Common Mistake
Not realizing you can grapple with one hand and attack with a weapon in the other
Common Mistake
Thinking you need a free hand only while maintaining the grapple - you do, you can't grapple with weapons in both hands
Common Mistake
Missing that size matters - you can only grapple creatures up to one size larger
Common Mistake
Not dragging grappled enemies away from allies or into hazards (your speed is halved, but it's often worth it)
Common Mistake
Forgetting that Shove and Grapple work together - grapple, then shove prone for massive advantage on attacks
Common Mistake
Not using Athletics checks to escape grapples when you have a better STR than DEX
Common Mistake
Thinking grappling requires two hands - one hand can maintain a grapple
Common Mistake
Not considering that flying creatures fall if their speed becomes 0 while airborne

DM Tips

DM Tip
Grappling can trivialize single large enemies if not accounted for - give bosses legendary resistance or high Athletics
DM Tip
Remember that creatures with multiple limbs (like a spider) can grapple multiple targets
DM Tip
Grapple + Shove prone is a devastating combo - the prone creature has disadvantage on attacks and can't stand up (speed is 0)
DM Tip
Huge and larger creatures can grapple multiple Medium creatures without penalty
DM Tip
Swallow attacks often work like improved grapples - use them on dedicated grapplers
DM Tip
Grease, difficult terrain, and environmental hazards become more dangerous when combined with grappling
DM Tip
An invisible grappler is terrifying - grappled creatures can't see where to attack
DM Tip
Water combat makes grappling deadly if grapplers can breathe underwater
DM Tip
Consider adding magic items that enhance grappling (Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Belt of Giant Strength)
DM Tip
Grappling works wonderfully for bodyguard characters protecting allies - they can lock down threats

Sources & Further Reading