Hi all, I'm looking for feed back on your thoughts as to see if I flush this out enough for my home brew games. Any feed back would be great.
Thanks.
Dragging an Opponent: A New Combat Action
Dragging allows a creature to forcibly move a grappled opponent across the battlefield, potentially positioning them for strategic advantages, such as moving them into hazardous terrain, away from allies, or setting them up for further attacks.
Dragging Mechanics
Action Type: A creature can use its action to drag a grappled or prone opponent. The target must be no more than one size larger than the dragging creature. The creature must have already grappled the target to perform the drag.
Strength Check: The dragging creature must make a contested Strength (Athletics) check against the grappled creature’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses which to use). If the dragging creature succeeds, it can move the grappled creature up to half its movement speed in any direction. If the dragging creature fails, the grapple remains, but no movement occurs.
Dragging a Prone Creature: If the target is prone, the dragging creature has advantage on the Strength (Athletics) check to drag them. The prone creature cannot use Dexterity (Acrobatics) to contest the drag and must use Strength (Athletics) instead.
Movement and Terrain: The dragging creature can pull the target through any terrain it can traverse. Moving through difficult terrain reduces the movement up to half speed.
Normal Terrain: The dragging creature can move the target up to half its speed in normal terrain.
Difficult Terrain: If the dragging creature moves the target through difficult terrain, the dragging distance is reduced to a quarter of the dragging creature’s speed.
Damage from Terrain:
Normal Terrain: If the dragged target is prone, they take 1d4 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet they are dragged across normal terrain.
Difficult Terrain: If the target is dragged through difficult terrain (e.g., rocky ground, rubble, spikes), the damage increases to 1d6 bludgeoning or piercing damage per 10 feet dragged.
Obstacles and Hazards: If the dragging creature drags the target through a hazardous area (such as fire, acid, spikes), the target must make a saving throw against the hazard (usually Dexterity or Constitution, depending on the hazard). On a failed save, the target takes additional damage as specified by the hazard. For example, dragging a target through a spike trap might cause them to take 1d10 piercing damage if they fail a Dexterity saving throw.
Multiple Attackers: If other creatures are assisting in dragging the target, the dragging creature can add 5 feet to the dragging distance for each ally that uses their action to assist and is adjacent to the grappled creature. The ally must also succeed on a Strength (Athletics) check against the same DC as the dragging creature.
Combat Applications
Positioning: Dragging can be used to move an opponent into hazardous areas or less favorable spots, such as traps, spell effects (like Wall of Fire), or environmental dangers (like an Acid pool or Quicksand). It can also be used to pull a target away from their allies or advantageous positions.
Dragging and Attacks: If a creature succeeds in dragging its opponent and an ally is within reach of the grappled target, .
Dragging and Attacks: If a creature successfully drags a target through terrain or into a hazard, allies may be able to take advantage of the target’s new position. That ally can use their reaction to make an opportunity attack against the dragged creature. This attack is made with advantage if the dragging creature moves the target through difficult terrain or into a disadvantaged position (like prone). For instance, an ally might prepare a reaction to attack the target as soon as they are moved within range, potentially with advantage if the target is prone.
Dragging a Prone Target: Dragging a prone target is particularly effective, as they have disadvantage on attacks and are easier to drag (since they cannot use Dexterity to resist). This makes dragging a prone target into a more dangerous area or exposing them to attacks from allies a viable strategy.
Ending the Drag: The dragged creature can use its action on its turn to attempt to break the grapple, per the normal grapple escape rules. If the grapple is broken, the dragging ends immediately, and the creature is no longer restrained by the drag.
Combat Example
Round 1: A fighter knocks an orc prone with a shove attack, then uses their action to grapple the orc.
Round 2: The fighter decides to drag the prone orc across rocky ground (difficult terrain) towards a spike trap 10 feet away. With advantage on the Strength (Athletics) check, the fighter succeeds and drags the orc 5 feet (quarter of the fighter’s 20 ft. movement due to difficult terrain). The orc takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage from being dragged across the rocky ground.
Round 3: The fighter drags the orc another 5 feet into the spike trap. The orc must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the orc takes 1d10 piercing damage from the spikes. The fighter’s ally, a rogue, readies an action to attack the orc as soon as it’s moved into the trap, gaining advantage on the attack roll since the orc is still prone.
Tactical Considerations
Team Synergy: Combining the Dragging mechanic with prone conditions, hazardous terrain, and ready actions can create devastating combos in combat. For example, a barbarian knocking enemies prone, then dragging them through spikes, while a rogue finishes them off, showcases excellent teamwork.
Risks: Dragging an opponent, especially through difficult terrain, slows down movement and may expose the dragging creature to counterattacks from other enemies. Additionally, while dragging, the creature is still in close proximity to the target, which could be risky if the target manages to break free or retaliate.
Strategic Depth: This mechanic rewards players who carefully consider their positioning, terrain, and coordination with allies, adding a layer of strategy to combat that goes beyond simple attacks.
Hi all, I'm looking for feed back on your thoughts as to see if I flush this out enough for my home brew games. Any feed back would be great.
Thanks.
Dragging an Opponent: A New Combat Action
Dragging allows a creature to forcibly move a grappled opponent across the battlefield, potentially positioning them for strategic advantages, such as moving them into hazardous terrain, away from allies, or setting them up for further attacks.
Dragging Mechanics
Combat Applications
Combat Example
Tactical Considerations
I think this all looks great. No critiques, but I'm new so don't take my word for it, haha
Thanks! I appreciate you taking a look.
Yeah no problem! Every once in a while I'll see if there's a question no one's replied to and see what I can do.