Mastering the Grapple: Extra Attacks and Multiple Holds in D&D 5e

Can you grapple multiple times with extra attack? Yes, absolutely, with conditions. If you possess the Extra Attack feature, typically gained by martial classes like Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers, you can replace one or more of your attack actions with a grapple attempt. At 5th level, a Fighter can attack twice when they take the Attack action. They could, therefore, grapple once and attack once, or grapple twice provided they are attempting to grapple different targets or maintain an existing grapple on one while initiating a new grapple on another. The core principle to understand is the Attack action versus other types of actions, and the limitations of grappling mechanics themselves.

Understanding the Grapple Mechanic

Grappling in 5e isn’t simply about overpowering an enemy. It’s a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (their choice). This emphasizes that grappling is about both strength and technique, and a nimble opponent might be harder to hold. You can only target creatures up to one size larger than you. If you win the contest, you inflict the Grappled condition, reducing the target’s speed to 0.

The Attack Action and Grappling

Grappling is a special melee attack that replaces one of the attacks you get from taking the Attack action. This is crucial. You cannot grapple as a Bonus Action, unless you have a specific feature that allows it (like the Tavern Brawler feat).

Grappling Multiple Creatures

The rules allow you to grapple as many creatures as you have free hands. This means that, theoretically, a character with two hands could maintain a grapple on two different creatures simultaneously, provided they’re strong enough. You need a free hand to initiate and maintain each grapple.

Extra Attack: More Opportunities to Grapple

The Extra Attack feature reads: “Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.” Later in the game it goes to 3 and even 4 attacks. This means that if you take the Attack action, you can make multiple attacks, and you can substitute one or more of those attacks to initiate a grapple. This opens strategic options for a martial character.

Limitations and Considerations

While you can make multiple grapple attempts, keep these points in mind:

• Maintaining a Grapple: You don’t need to use an action to maintain a grapple. Once you have a creature grappled, it remains so unless it escapes, you release it, or are incapacitated.
• Strength Check: Each grapple attempt requires a separate Strength (Athletics) check. Even with Advantage on Strength checks (from a class feature or spell), you still need to make the checks and hope for favorable results.
• Action Economy: Grappling can be action-intensive. While locking down enemies can be powerful, it can also limit your ability to deal damage or take other actions. This is the action-economy that the Games Learning Society often discusses. More information can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
• Creature Size: Remember the size restriction. You can’t grapple creatures more than one size larger than you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Grappling and Extra Attack

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about grappling and extra attack:

1. Can I grapple and then shove with Extra Attack?

Yes! You can replace one attack with a grapple attempt and another attack with a shove attempt, assuming you have the Extra Attack feature.

2. Can I use a weapon attack and then grapple with Extra Attack?

Yes! You can make a weapon attack and use another attack granted by Extra Attack to attempt a grapple.

3. Can I grapple the same creature multiple times in a turn?

No. You can only have one grapple established on a creature. However, you could maintain a grapple on one creature while attempting to grapple another.

4. Does the Tavern Brawler feat change how Extra Attack interacts with grappling?

The Tavern Brawler feat allows you to attempt to grapple a creature as a bonus action after hitting it with an unarmed strike or improvised weapon. This frees up your Attack action for other purposes, but it doesn’t directly interact with Extra Attack.

5. Can I grapple with Multiattack?

Generally, no. Multiattack is a specific action available to certain monsters, and it usually lists specific attacks the monster can make. The monster’s Multiattack entry will specify not just the number of attacks they can take, but which of their attacks (defined in the same section of their statblock) they are allowed to take. They can’t just swap any of those out with grapple or shove or any other attacks they might have. The Multiattack action doesn’t allow you to replace attacks with grapple attempts unless explicitly stated.

6. Can I use Action Surge to grapple multiple times?

Yes! Action Surge, a Fighter feature, gives you an additional action. This means you can take the Attack action twice in a turn, potentially allowing for multiple grapple attempts.

7. How do I break free from a grapple?

A grappled creature can use its action to make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check against your Strength (Athletics) check. If it succeeds, it breaks the grapple.

8. Does being Restrained impact grappling?

Yes. If a creature is restrained, it has disadvantage on attack rolls, and attackers have advantage on attack rolls against it. Restrained also sets the creature’s speed to 0 and it cannot benefit from any bonus to its speed.

9. Can I move while grappling a creature?

Yes, but your speed is halved, unless the creature is two or more sizes smaller than you. The Grappled condition prevents the target from moving away from you. If you move while grappling a creature, you drag it with you.

10. What happens if I am grappling someone and then become incapacitated?

If you become incapacitated, the grapple ends immediately.

11. Can I use a spell and grapple in the same turn?

If the spell requires an action other than the Attack action, then yes. If you take the Attack action and have Extra Attack, you can substitute one of those attacks to grapple.

12. Do multiple instances of Extra Attack stack?

No. The Extra Attack feature doesn’t stack. If you gain it from multiple classes, you only use the highest number of attacks you are granted from a single class feature.

13. Can a Rogue use their Sneak Attack while grappling?

Yes. Grappling can make it easier for a Rogue to trigger Sneak Attack. If the Rogue is grappling an enemy and an ally is within 5 feet of that enemy, the Rogue can use Sneak Attack.

14. What’s the difference between Grappled and Restrained?

Grappled reduces a creature’s speed to 0. Restrained imposes disadvantage on attack rolls, gives attackers advantage, and also reduces speed to 0.

15. What is the best class for grappling?

Fighters are often considered excellent grapplers due to their multiple attacks, and access to feats and fighting styles that enhance their grappling abilities.

Conclusion

Grappling is a versatile tactic in D&D 5e, especially when combined with the Extra Attack feature. By understanding the rules and limitations, you can effectively control the battlefield and set up your allies for devastating attacks. So, go forth and grapple strategically!