Way of the Steel Grappler

Monks that study the Way of the Steel Grappler are practitioners that have extended martial arts beyond simply striking techniques or brandishing weapons with the precision. What these monks learn to do is take these same techniques of grace and precision to manipulate their foes to be exactly where they want them to be. 

They become experts of joint locks, holds, and momentum being used against their enemies to keep them held into submission. They use their ki to be able to perform techniques on any creature, deny their targets breaking free from their grasp, or even minimize strikes to counterattack their foes. The perfection of these arts are said to cause their enemies to move where they don't wish to move and even to be brought down within a matter of seconds.

Steel Grappler Techniques

Starting at the 3rd level, you've extended the limitations of your martial arts style
You gain proficiency with Athletics. Additionally, you're able to do the following things with your Martial Arts ability:

• You can make Athletics checks to Grapple or Shove a target using your Strength Modifier or Dexterity Modifier
• Grappling or Shoving a Creature allows you to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action
• You can Grapple or Shove a creature the size category of Large
• At the start of your turn, you can deal your unarmed damage to one creature grappled by you

Additionally, when you're attempting to Grapple or Shove a creature larger than you or immune to the grapple condition, you can spend 1 ki point to make a Grapple or Shove check against them as if they were the same size category as you. This effect ends for the other creature after they break out of Grapple.

Commanding Space

At 6th level, you know how to command the area that you occupy and create a territory hostile towards anyone that happens to enter it. Someone in your grasp is going to stumble around and move where you want them to.

• Difficult Target. If a creature is grappled by you, you can move through the threatened range of other creatures without provoking an attack of opportunity.
• Trading Hits. When a creature attacks you with a melee attack roll, you can spend 1 ki point as a reaction to reduce the attack by 1d10 + your Dexterity/Strength modifier + monk level. If the damage is reduced to 0 then you can attempt to grapple the target.

Steel Grasp

At the 11th level, when a creature tries to break free from being grappled by you, you can spend 2 ki points to force them to make the check at disadvantage. If the creature fails the check, you can move them to any location within your threatening range to grant you thee-quarters cover if the creature is within the path of ranged attacks made against you until the start of the creature's turn.

Choke Hold

At the 17th level, you know where exactly to strike or constrict life from a target caught in your grasp from each successful attack you make bringing them closer to critical points of exhaustion. 

If a creature is grappled by you and you successfully make an unarmed attack against them, you can spend 1 ki point to deal your martial arts die that also reduces their max hit points, and force the creature to make a Constitution saving throw against 1 point of Exhaustion.

Once free from grapple, a creature can remove 1 point of exhaustion (unless it's at 6) if they don't move on their turn and spend a bonus action to slowly regain their senses.