Grasping Hand. The hand attempts to grapple a Huge or smaller creature within 5 feet of it. You use the hand’s Strength score to resolve the grapple. If the target is Medium or smaller, you have advantage on the check. While the hand is grappling the target, you can use a bonus action to have the hand crush it. When you do so, the target takes bludgeoning damage equal to 2d6 + your spellcasting ability modifier.
Grasping Hand. The hand attempts to grapple a Huge or smaller creature within 5 feet of it. You use the hand’s Strength score to resolve the grapple. If the target is Medium or smaller, you have advantage on the check. While the hand is grappling the target, you can use a bonus action to have the hand crush it. When you do so, the target takes bludgeoning damage equal to 2d6 + your spellcasting ability modifier.
I'm a little confused by your use of "only". +8 is higher than any bonus you can natively get for grappling (without the use of magical items) and you get Advantage against creatures that are medium or smaller. There aren't many better options for grappling.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I'm a little confused by your use of "only". +8 is higher than any bonus you can natively get for grappling (without the use of magical items) and you get Advantage against creatures that are medium or smaller. There aren't many better options for grappling.
For a Wizard (and many Artificers too) a +8 is a big improvement to what they'd usually have but in general it isn't really that good. Grappling is a Strength (Athletics) check and thus you could have proficiency or expertise added to the roll which allows you to quite easily surpass the +8.
I'm a little confused by your use of "only". +8 is higher than any bonus you can natively get for grappling (without the use of magical items) and you get Advantage against creatures that are medium or smaller. There aren't many better options for grappling.
For a Wizard (and many Artificers too) a +8 is a big improvement to what they'd usually have but in general it isn't really that good. Grappling is a Strength (Athletics) check and thus you could have proficiency or expertise added to the roll which allows you to quite easily surpass the +8.
I agree with your facts but think you are badly misunderstanding the situation. This is a very GOOD spell, not a bad one. Most enemies do not have the things you think make this a poor choice.
In other words, you cannot expect to use Grappling hand to beat someone that is themselves skilled in Grappling, but it will totally crush most creatures that are not skilled in grappling. Similarly, fire attacks are great, but do not use fire against a fire elemental.
Does that mean I only have +8 vs. grapple?
Yes, because when you do a Grapple attack, you use only your Strength modifier contended by their Strength or Dexterity modifier (their choice). Since Bigby's Hand specifies that you use the Hand's modifier of +8, then then you use that instead of yours, giving you a +8.
I'm a little confused by your use of "only". +8 is higher than any bonus you can natively get for grappling (without the use of magical items) and you get Advantage against creatures that are medium or smaller. There aren't many better options for grappling.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
For a Wizard (and many Artificers too) a +8 is a big improvement to what they'd usually have but in general it isn't really that good. Grappling is a Strength (Athletics) check and thus you could have proficiency or expertise added to the roll which allows you to quite easily surpass the +8.
I agree with your facts but think you are badly misunderstanding the situation. This is a very GOOD spell, not a bad one. Most enemies do not have the things you think make this a poor choice.
In other words, you cannot expect to use Grappling hand to beat someone that is themselves skilled in Grappling, but it will totally crush most creatures that are not skilled in grappling. Similarly, fire attacks are great, but do not use fire against a fire elemental.