The phb says that you use your action to try and escape a grapple. The grappled condition says that it ends if the grappled creature is removed from the grappler's reach.
The phb also says that you can use an attack to attempt to shove a creature 5 feet away from you.
So rather than spend your whole action to try and escape, wouldn't it be more beneficial to try and shove the character in most cases if your character has more than one attack?
So rather than spend your whole action to try and escape, wouldn't it be more beneficial to try and shove the character in most cases if your character has more than one attack?
Usually, yes, but it depends.
If you try to escape, they're forced into a Strength (Athletics) check and you have your choice of Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics); if you shove, the choices are reversed. Depending on whether any of those checks have advantage or disadvantage (e.g. Hex, Enlarge/Reduce), double proficiency, or either of you had your strength drained by a shadow, trying to escape might give you better odds than trying to shove twice.
It might also be the case that the grappler has backed themselves into a corner (while dragging you) to stop you from shoving them away, or you're being grappled by a roper's tendrils.
If you try to escape, they're forced into a Strength (Athletics) check and you have your choice of Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics); if you shove, the choices are reversed.
I know this is old, but came across it today. The grappled creature does not have the choice, it's the grappling creature which can choose between the two rolls. I actually think the RAI here is that shoving is not an option for a grappled creature.
"Using at least one free hand, you try to seize the target by making a grapple check instead of an attack roll: a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target's Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use)."
What is said bellow is wrong. Made an edit to make it clear. "What the OP means I think is after you get grappled why use an action to escape when you can instead shove. The answer is that you cant shove, part of the grappled condition is that you cant use actions (except the action that allows you to try and escape). Either someone else moves you out or reach or you have to use your action to escape."
The answer is that you cant shove, part of the grappled condition is that you cant use actions (except the action that allows you to try and escape).
The grappled condition doesn't do that (and neither does the restrained condition, if you somehow end up with that condition too as a result of some special monster grapple.) If your DM runs things this way, it's likely a house rule.
The phb says that you use your action to try and escape a grapple. The grappled condition says that it ends if the grappled creature is removed from the grappler's reach.
The phb also says that you can use an attack to attempt to shove a creature 5 feet away from you.
So rather than spend your whole action to try and escape, wouldn't it be more beneficial to try and shove the character in most cases if your character has more than one attack?
Usually, yes, but it depends.
If you try to escape, they're forced into a Strength (Athletics) check and you have your choice of Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics); if you shove, the choices are reversed. Depending on whether any of those checks have advantage or disadvantage (e.g. Hex, Enlarge/Reduce), double proficiency, or either of you had your strength drained by a shadow, trying to escape might give you better odds than trying to shove twice.
It might also be the case that the grappler has backed themselves into a corner (while dragging you) to stop you from shoving them away, or you're being grappled by a roper's tendrils.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the answer!
I know this is old, but came across it today. The grappled creature does not have the choice, it's the grappling creature which can choose between the two rolls. I actually think the RAI here is that shoving is not an option for a grappled creature.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
What is said bellow is wrong. Made an edit to make it clear.
"What the OP means I think is after you get grappled why use an action to escape when you can instead shove. The answer is that you cant shove, part of the grappled condition is that you cant use actions (except the action that allows you to try and escape). Either someone else moves you out or reach or you have to use your action to escape."
The grappled condition doesn't do that (and neither does the restrained condition, if you somehow end up with that condition too as a result of some special monster grapple.) If your DM runs things this way, it's likely a house rule.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
You right. Was a late night, just logged in to delete it actually