Can you Grapple on a Mount?

Yes, you can maintain a grapple while on a moving mount, and if a flying character grappled someone, they could use their move to lift the grappled creature off the ground and up and away. This is because the 5e rules allow for grappling as long as you have a free hand, and being on a mount does not restrict this ability, provided you can still physically grapple your target.

Grappling Mechanics

To understand how grappling on a mount works, it’s essential to know the basic grappling rules. Initiating a grapple involves making a Str (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Str (Athletics) or Dex (Acrobatics) check. A creature can escape a grapple by using its action to repeat this contest.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions that provide more insight into grappling and related mechanics:

1. What is the grapple rule in 5e? – In 5e, you initiate a grapple by making a Str (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Str (Athletics) or Dex (Acrobatics) check. Then, to escape, a creature must use its action to repeat this contest.
2. Can you grapple with a weapon? – You only need a free hand to grapple mechanically, so narratively you should be able to accomplish your goal with a one-handed weapon.
3. Does grapple count as restrained? – If a creature is grappled by two or more creatures, it is restrained. The creature has disadvantage to escape the joint grapple/restraint.
4. Can you grapple on an opportunity attack? – Opportunity attacks do not grant the Attack action, so you cannot use the specialized “grapple” attack during an OA.
5. Can you draw a weapon as part of an opportunity attack? – You can’t draw a weapon as part of an opportunity attack because drawing a weapon requires it to be your turn.
6. Can I sneak attack on an opportunity attack? – You sometimes get a chance to use Sneak Attack on someone else’s turn, like when a foe provokes an opportunity attack from you.
7. Can you grapple while flying? – According to RAW, a high-flying creature falls the very moment it becomes grappled because a grappled creature’s speed becomes 0.
8. Does a grapple count as an unarmed strike? – Grapples and shoves are separate mechanics and do not count as unarmed strikes for the purpose of rules that refer to unarmed strikes.
9. Can you grapple someone who is grappled? – Yes, you can grapple someone who is already grappled, which can be useful in strategic situations.
10. Is it better to strike or grapple? – The choice between striking and grappling depends on the situation, with grappling being useful for immobilizing targets and striking for dealing damage.
11. Can you grapple twice? – With Extra Attacks, you can grapple twice, or shove twice, or combine these actions with attacks.
12. Can you grapple as a monk? – As a monk, the Astral Self or a strength build can be useful for grappling.
13. Can you restrain with a grapple 5e? – Yes, you can restrain a creature you are grappling by making another grapple check, giving you advantage on Attack rolls against the creature.
14. What is the disadvantage of grapple in D&D? – A grappled creature has a disadvantage if it is restrained, affecting its ability to attack or move.
15. Can you grapple while holding a two-handed weapon? – You can grapple while holding a two-handed weapon, but you cannot attack with it while grappling because it requires two hands to attack.

By understanding these grappling mechanics and rules, players and Dungeon Masters can create more dynamic and engaging combat scenarios, especially when grappling on a mount is involved, adding a new layer of strategy and excitement to their D&D games.