{"id":703,"date":"2025-02-13T00:53:35","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T00:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=703"},"modified":"2025-02-13T00:53:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T00:53:35","slug":"should-you-grapple-or-shove-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you grapple or shove first?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Should_You_Grapple_or_Shove_First_A_Tactical_Deep_Dive\" title=\"Should You Grapple or Shove First? A Tactical Deep Dive\">Should You Grapple or Shove First? A Tactical Deep Dive<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Understanding_Grappling_and_Shoving\" title=\"Understanding Grappling and Shoving\">Understanding Grappling and Shoving<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Grapple_First_The_Strategic_Advantages\" title=\"Grapple First: The Strategic Advantages\">Grapple First: The Strategic Advantages<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Shove_First_When_Pushing_Makes_Sense\" title=\"Shove First: When Pushing Makes Sense\">Shove First: When Pushing Makes Sense<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#The_Deciding_Factors_Scenario_Analysis\" title=\"The Deciding Factors: Scenario Analysis\">The Deciding Factors: Scenario Analysis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Can_you_shove_after_grappling\" title=\"Can you shove after grappling?\">Can you shove after grappling?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Does_grappling_give_advantage\" title=\"Does grappling give advantage?\">Does grappling give advantage?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Can_I_shove_and_grapple_in_the_same_turn\" title=\"Can I shove and grapple in the same turn?\">Can I shove and grapple in the same turn?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Can_you_shove_or_grapple_as_an_opportunity_attack\" title=\"Can you shove or grapple as an opportunity attack?\">Can you shove or grapple as an opportunity attack?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Does_grapple_or_shove_count_as_an_attack_for_rage\" title=\"Does grapple or shove count as an attack for rage?\">Does grapple or shove count as an attack for rage?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Is_it_better_to_strike_or_grapple\" title=\"Is it better to strike or grapple?\">Is it better to strike or grapple?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Can_you_shove_twice\" title=\"Can you shove twice?\">Can you shove twice?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#What_is_the_shove_rule_in_5e\" title=\"What is the shove rule in 5e?\">What is the shove rule in 5e?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Does_grapple_cause_disadvantage\" title=\"Does grapple cause disadvantage?\">Does grapple cause disadvantage?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#How_do_I_get_stronger_at_grappling\" title=\"How do I get stronger at grappling?\">How do I get stronger at grappling?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Does_grappling_require_strength\" title=\"Does grappling require strength?\">Does grappling require strength?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Can_you_shove_an_ally_out_of_a_grapple\" title=\"Can you shove an ally out of a grapple?\">Can you shove an ally out of a grapple?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#How_far_can_you_shove_someone\" title=\"How far can you shove someone?\">How far can you shove someone?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Can_a_striker_beat_a_grappler\" title=\"Can a striker beat a grappler?\">Can a striker beat a grappler?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/#Is_a_shove_an_unarmed_strike\" title=\"Is a shove an unarmed strike?\">Is a shove an unarmed strike?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_You_Grapple_or_Shove_First_A_Tactical_Deep_Dive\"><\/span>Should You Grapple or Shove First? A Tactical Deep Dive<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>The question of whether to <strong>grapple<\/strong> or <strong>shove<\/strong> first in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5e) is a common one, and the answer isn&#8217;t always straightforward. It hinges on a variety of factors, including your character&#8217;s build, your party&#8217;s composition, the specific enemy you&#8217;re facing, and your overall tactical goals for the encounter. There&#8217;s no single &#8220;best&#8221; option, but understanding the mechanics and trade-offs will allow you to make the most informed decision in any given situation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_Grappling_and_Shoving\"><\/span>Understanding Grappling and Shoving<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before diving into specific scenarios, it&#8217;s crucial to understand what each action entails:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Grappling:<\/strong> This is a <strong>special melee attack<\/strong> that requires an <strong>Attack Action<\/strong>. Instead of making an attack roll, you make a <strong>Strength (Athletics) check<\/strong> contested by the target\u2019s <strong>Strength (Athletics)<\/strong> or <strong>Dexterity (Acrobatics)<\/strong> check (the target chooses). If you succeed, you <strong>grapple<\/strong> the target. A grappled creature&#8217;s <strong>speed becomes 0<\/strong>, and if you move, you can drag the grappled creature with you. Crucially, you have <strong>advantage on attack rolls<\/strong> against a creature you are grappling.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shoving:<\/strong> This is another <strong>special melee attack<\/strong> also requiring an <strong>Attack Action<\/strong>. Again, you make a <strong>Strength (Athletics) check<\/strong> contested by the target&#8217;s <strong>Strength (Athletics)<\/strong> or <strong>Dexterity (Acrobatics)<\/strong> check. If you succeed, you can either <strong>push the target 5 feet away<\/strong> or <strong>knock it prone<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Grapple_First_The_Strategic_Advantages\"><\/span>Grapple First: The Strategic Advantages<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Starting with a grapple can be advantageous in several scenarios:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Controlling Mobile Enemies:<\/strong> If you&#8217;re facing a slippery foe with high movement speed, grappling them first <strong>reduces their speed to 0<\/strong>, preventing them from easily repositioning or fleeing. This buys your party valuable time to focus fire.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Setting Up Advantage:<\/strong> By grappling first, you gain <strong>advantage on subsequent attacks against the grappled target<\/strong>. This significantly increases your chance to hit and can be very useful if you plan to attack the target with multiple attacks on the same turn.<\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8220;Pinning&#8221; with Shove:<\/strong> As the original article points out, this is a key tactical reason for grappling. If you grapple and then successfully shove a target prone, it creates a &#8216;pinned&#8217; effect. A grappled creature has a speed of 0, and being prone reduces movement, thus making it difficult to get back up. This is potent against melee fighters.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Controlling the Battlefield:<\/strong> By grappling a target and moving them around, you can block movement, pull enemies into a trap, or position them for better party focus.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tanking for Your Party:<\/strong> By grappling a dangerous enemy, you force them to stay in melee range with you and take attacks, while your less durable party members can engage from a safe distance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shove_First_When_Pushing_Makes_Sense\"><\/span>Shove First: When Pushing Makes Sense<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Choosing to shove first also presents its own strategic advantages:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Creating Space:<\/strong> Shoving an enemy away can break a grapple that enemy has on an ally or create space for allies to move away safely. Shoving an enemy away from melee can allow ranged party members to take advantage of the now-distant foe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Setting Up Prone:<\/strong> If your goal is to give your allies advantage on melee attacks, shoving the enemy prone first is the best option. However, remember prone enemies can use half their movement to stand back up.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Breaking Grapples:<\/strong> If you or an ally are grappled, a successful shove on the grappler can <strong>end the grapple<\/strong> as you force the grappler out of range of their target. This is often preferable to trying to win an opposed check.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Disrupting Formations:<\/strong> Shoving can be used to break up tightly packed groups of enemies, making them easier to target with area-of-effect spells or abilities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Movement Control:<\/strong> Shoving can sometimes move an enemy into a hazard, or off a cliff, dealing damage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Deciding_Factors_Scenario_Analysis\"><\/span>The Deciding Factors: Scenario Analysis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The optimal approach to grappling or shoving hinges on the nuances of the situation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Enemy Type:<\/strong> Is the enemy a mobile skirmisher or a melee brawler? A mobile enemy might need to be grappled first while a melee enemy might be shoved prone.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Party Composition:<\/strong> If your party has many melee fighters, setting up prone is helpful, if your party has powerful ranged attacks, shoving away might be a more tactical choice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Terrain:<\/strong> Is the terrain open or is it full of hazards? Shoving an enemy into a pit may be a more optimal choice than grappling.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Your Character Build:<\/strong> Are you a fighter that can capitalize on grapple advantage, or are you a tank that wants to protect the party by moving enemies around?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Your Overall Strategy:<\/strong> Are you trying to disable a specific enemy, control the battlefield, or focus fire on a single target?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In many cases, the optimal move may be a combination. Grappling, then shoving a target prone is a common strategy, but remember that doing so is two attacks.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There&#8217;s no universally &#8220;better&#8221; action between grappling and shoving first. Understanding their mechanics and the context of the encounter allows for tactical decision making. Grappling excels in controlling mobile threats and granting advantage while shoving shines when creating space and setting up prone. Ultimately, the most effective approach depends on your party&#8217;s synergy, your character&#8217;s capabilities, and the strategic goals of the moment.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_shove_after_grappling\"><\/span>Can you shove after grappling?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can absolutely <strong>shove<\/strong> a creature after you&#8217;ve grappled it. Both actions utilize an <strong>Attack Action<\/strong>, and if you have multiple attacks you could grapple with one attack and shove with another on the same turn. This is a common tactical maneuver.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_grappling_give_advantage\"><\/span>Does grappling give advantage?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you have <strong>advantage on attack rolls against a creature you are grappling<\/strong>. However, the creature doesn&#8217;t have disadvantage on attacks against you, unless they are restrained which requires you using an action to &#8216;pin&#8217; them.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_shove_and_grapple_in_the_same_turn\"><\/span>Can I shove and grapple in the same turn?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can. You can use any of your attacks on your turn to <strong>grapple<\/strong> or <strong>shove<\/strong>. If your character has extra attacks, you can use one attack for a grapple and another for a shove.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_shove_or_grapple_as_an_opportunity_attack\"><\/span>Can you shove or grapple as an opportunity attack?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, you cannot. <strong>Opportunity Attacks<\/strong> do not grant the <strong>Attack Action<\/strong>, which is required for both grappling and shoving. An opportunity attack is a special reaction not an attack action.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_grapple_or_shove_count_as_an_attack_for_rage\"><\/span>Does grapple or shove count as an attack for rage?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, both grappling and shoving are considered <strong>attacks<\/strong>, even though they don&#8217;t use attack rolls. So, they <strong>will satisfy the requirements to keep your Rage going<\/strong> as a Barbarian.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_better_to_strike_or_grapple\"><\/span>Is it better to strike or grapple?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It depends on the situation. <strong>Striking<\/strong> is generally better for dealing direct damage. <strong>Grappling<\/strong> is better for battlefield control and creating opportunities for others.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_shove_twice\"><\/span>Can you shove twice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can <strong>shove<\/strong> twice in a single turn only if you have a way to perform more than one action. For example, with the <strong>Action Surge<\/strong> feature of a fighter, or via another source of additional actions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_shove_rule_in_5e\"><\/span>What is the shove rule in 5e?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When you <strong>shove<\/strong> a creature, you make a <strong>Strength (Athletics) check<\/strong> contested by the target&#8217;s <strong>Strength (Athletics)<\/strong> or <strong>Dexterity (Acrobatics)<\/strong> check (the target chooses). If you succeed, you can either <strong>knock the target prone<\/strong> or <strong>push it 5 feet away<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_grapple_cause_disadvantage\"><\/span>Does grapple cause disadvantage?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The &#8216;grappled&#8217; condition itself does not impose disadvantage on attacks made by the grappled creature. However, the &#8216;restrained&#8217; condition, which can be achieved by using an action to &#8216;pin&#8217; a grappled creature, <em>does<\/em> impose disadvantage on all attack rolls the restrained creature makes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_get_stronger_at_grappling\"><\/span>How do I get stronger at grappling?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Focus on exercises that build your overall strength. This includes building strength in your <strong>quads<\/strong>, <strong>glutes<\/strong>, <strong>hamstrings<\/strong>, and <strong>calves<\/strong>. Exercises like squats, lunges, and deadlifts will help with grappling success. Grip strength exercises will also help.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_grappling_require_strength\"><\/span>Does grappling require strength?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, grappling requires <strong>strength<\/strong>, both in terms of technique but also for securing the grapple and maintaining control. Strong grip is very useful in grappling.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_shove_an_ally_out_of_a_grapple\"><\/span>Can you shove an ally out of a grapple?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can. By successfully shoving a grappler <strong>out of reach<\/strong> of their target, you can break the grapple. The grappled creature&#8217;s speed is zero, but moving the grappler is enough.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_far_can_you_shove_someone\"><\/span>How far can you shove someone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you succeed on a shove, you can move the target 5 feet in any direction away from you. You have to make the target move <strong>away from you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_striker_beat_a_grappler\"><\/span>Can a striker beat a grappler?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, a striker can beat a grappler. It depends on the circumstances, skill, and luck involved in the engagement. Grappling and striking each have their strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_shove_an_unarmed_strike\"><\/span>Is a shove an unarmed strike?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An unarmed strike is defined as a melee attack where you use your body to damage, grapple, or shove a target. So, <strong>a shove is a type of unarmed strike<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Should You Grapple or Shove First? A Tactical Deep Dive The question of whether to grapple or shove first in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5e) is a common one, and the answer isn&#8217;t always straightforward. It hinges on a variety of factors, including your character&#8217;s build, your party&#8217;s composition, the specific enemy you&#8217;re facing, &#8230; <a title=\"Should you grapple or shove first?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/should-you-grapple-or-shove-first\/\" aria-label=\"More on Should you grapple or shove first?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=703"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}