With athletics being a monk skill and the ability to use WIS for STR checks while your arms are summoned, and having multiple attacks (BA unarmed strike or extra attack at level 5) do you think the astral self would make a good grappler? Even if it isn’t all the time but in the right situations? Plus there’s the skill expert feat to get expertise in athletics as well, if you can spare the ASI or go vHuman or custom lineage in Tasha’s.
Plus you can beat them with your astral arms while holding two targets, one in each physical arm.
Add expertise in athletics from skill expert feat from Tasha’s and you will have a greater chance to hold on.
This uses a grey area of the rules where it says at least one arm to grapple but doesn't express in any way when one arm applies and when more than one arm applies.
So don't expect all DM's to actually allow simply holding two enemies and having them count as grappled. Just as a point of awareness.
Also keep in mind that grapple does have weaknesses and unintended consequences that often get ignored like it could be giving the opponent cover. Grappling doesn't stop forced movement of the target or any kind of movement that doesn't necessarily involve moving their body... such as forms of teleportation and so on.
Plus you can beat them with your astral arms while holding two targets, one in each physical arm.
Add expertise in athletics from skill expert feat from Tasha’s and you will have a greater chance to hold on.
This uses a grey area of the rules where it says at least one arm to grapple but doesn't express in any way when one arm applies and when more than one arm applies.
So don't expect all DM's to actually allow simply holding two enemies and having them count as grappled. Just as a point of awareness.
Also keep in mind that grapple does have weaknesses and unintended consequences that often get ignored like it could be giving the opponent cover. Grappling doesn't stop forced movement of the target or any kind of movement that doesn't necessarily involve moving their body... such as forms of teleportation and so on.
You make some good points. Guess you would have to pick and choose the best times to use an grapple and when to just attack like normal.
Although if you want to go all out you could take the grappler feat (advantage on your attacks. And if you go elf or half-elf, elven accuracy for triple advantage) and maybe even unarmed fighting style for the auto 1d4 damage each turn. Though using that many ASI’s would really hurt. Unless you grabbed one at first level with vHuman or the custom lineage.
There's a ton of wrong interpretations on this thread.
First, the arms are explicitly called out to only be able to make Unarmed Strikes. You cannot grapple with them. Since what occurs *during* a grapple (position, way of grappling, use of limbs, etc.) is kind of obscure rules-wise, however, it's reasonable and not necessarily outside of RAW to rule that you can grapple with your normal arms and maintain the grapple with the Astral arms (they're still arms). You should also be able to carry objects with the arms following the same line of thought (within your normal carry capacity, of course). This is a gray area. But making an actual grapple with the arms is 100% not RAW.
Second, the extra range applies ONLY when making Unarmed Strikes, and ONLY on your turn.
Third, you don't need a free hand to make Unarmed Strikes. You can literally hit the dude you're grappling with your Astral Elbow or whatever and it's still fully RAW.
There's a ton of wrong interpretations on this thread.
First, the arms are explicitly called out to only be able to make Unarmed Strikes. You cannot grapple with them. Since what occurs *during* a grapple (position, way of grappling, use of limbs, etc.) is kind of obscure rules-wise, however, it's reasonable and not necessarily outside of RAW to rule that you can grapple with your normal arms and maintain the grapple with the Astral arms (they're still arms). You should also be able to carry objects with the arms following the same line of thought (within your normal carry capacity, of course). This is a gray area. But making an actual grapple with the arms is 100% not RAW.
Second, the extra range applies ONLY when making Unarmed Strikes, and ONLY on your turn.
Third, you don't need a free hand to make Unarmed Strikes. You can literally hit the dude you're grappling with your Astral Elbow or whatever and it's still fully RAW.
Read the damn rules.
Quoting someone who you are refuting is helpful. Your general statement is including those of us who have read the rules. You are correct that Astral arms cannot grapple or carry objects. But you can grapple with your real arms and attack with the Astral Arms or other parts of your body and use WIS for both attacks and grapple ability checks.
People come here to post ideas and get advice. No need to be rude about it.
I just realized, if you take 1 level in Rogue first, you don't need to spend an ASI to get Skill Expertise. Plus you get to have more skills, more starting gold, and be proficient with more weapons.
There's a ton of wrong interpretations on this thread.
First, the arms are explicitly called out to only be able to make Unarmed Strikes. You cannot grapple with them. Since what occurs *during* a grapple (position, way of grappling, use of limbs, etc.) is kind of obscure rules-wise, however, it's reasonable and not necessarily outside of RAW to rule that you can grapple with your normal arms and maintain the grapple with the Astral arms (they're still arms). You should also be able to carry objects with the arms following the same line of thought (within your normal carry capacity, of course). This is a gray area. But making an actual grapple with the arms is 100% not RAW.
Second, the extra range applies ONLY when making Unarmed Strikes, and ONLY on your turn.
Third, you don't need a free hand to make Unarmed Strikes. You can literally hit the dude you're grappling with your Astral Elbow or whatever and it's still fully RAW.
Read the damn rules.
I don't understand... the rules say you're allowed to make unarmed strikes with your astral arms. The rule book also says "creatures typically grapple by using an unarmed strike". Furthermore, your statement about using the same logic to carry things with astral arms... you don't use unarmed strikes to carry. A grapple is an unarmed strike. Two different things.
Is there a page number or section where the rules specify that astral arms can't be used to grapple?
I don't understand... the rules say you're allowed to make unarmed strikes with your astral arms. The rule book also says "creatures typically grapple by using an unarmed strike". Furthermore, your statement about using the same logic to carry things with astral arms... you don't use unarmed strikes to carry. A grapple is an unarmed strike. Two different things.
Is there a page number or section where the rules specify that astral arms can't be used to grapple?
Basically, the new 2024 Grappling Rules make Grappling part of Unarmed Strikes, instead of a special Attack Action Variant as they were in the 2014 Grappling Rules, which were standard at the time post you're replying to was made (in 2023).
The Way of the Astral Self Monk, under 2024 Rules-as-written, would not be able to use WIS to set the DC for Grappling and Grapple-Breaking and would have to use the Monk's STR or DEX, but I think an official (or homebrewed) revision to the subclass would probably change that.
General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+, Strength or Dexterity 13+)
You gain the following benefits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Punch and Grab. When you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use both the Damage and the Grapple option. You can use this benefit only once per turn.
Here’s your rules, so now go away. So using spectral arms work.
General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+, Strength or Dexterity 13+)
You gain the following benefits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Punch and Grab. When you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use both the Damage and the Grapple option. You can use this benefit only once per turn.
Here’s your rules, so now go away. So using spectral arms work.
Who are you talking to and why are you using the grappler feat as your source?
General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+, Strength or Dexterity 13+)
You gain the following benefits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Punch and Grab. When you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use both the Damage and the Grapple option. You can use this benefit only once per turn.
Here’s your rules, so now go away. So using spectral arms work.
As notovny pointed out, the reply was to a post about the 2014 rules, I assume by mistake. And the poster that was quoted was wrong at the time. 2024 is different
General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+, Strength or Dexterity 13+)
You gain the following benefits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Punch and Grab. When you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use both the Damage and the Grapple option. You can use this benefit only once per turn.
Here’s your rules, so now go away. So using spectral arms work.
As notovny pointed out, the reply was to a post about the 2014 rules, I assume by mistake. And the poster that was quoted was wrong at the time. 2024 is different
Sorry I’m on 24 rules, and buried 14 rules. So that explains why I posted. I should read if 14 or 24 is being applied. To much to have to do 😛
General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+, Strength or Dexterity 13+)
You gain the following benefits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Punch and Grab. When you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use both the Damage and the Grapple option. You can use this benefit only once per turn.
Here’s your rules, so now go away. So using spectral arms work.
As notovny pointed out, the reply was to a post about the 2014 rules, I assume by mistake. And the poster that was quoted was wrong at the time. 2024 is different
Sorry I’m on 24 rules, and buried 14 rules. So that explains why I posted. I should read if 14 or 24 is being applied. To much to have to do 😛
It’s easy to mix it up. Especially when someone is necro-ing an older thread and you don’t check the date of the post being quoted. 😉
With athletics being a monk skill and the ability to use WIS for STR checks while your arms are summoned, and having multiple attacks (BA unarmed strike or extra attack at level 5) do you think the astral self would make a good grappler? Even if it isn’t all the time but in the right situations? Plus there’s the skill expert feat to get expertise in athletics as well, if you can spare the ASI or go vHuman or custom lineage in Tasha’s.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
I like it a lot because you get a lot of movement and can grapple at 10ft. It's pretty cool to drag someone across the entire map.
Plus you can beat them with your astral arms while holding two targets, one in each physical arm.
Add expertise in athletics from skill expert feat from Tasha’s and you will have a greater chance to hold on.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
For sure I think it's an excellent build!
This uses a grey area of the rules where it says at least one arm to grapple but doesn't express in any way when one arm applies and when more than one arm applies.
So don't expect all DM's to actually allow simply holding two enemies and having them count as grappled. Just as a point of awareness.
Also keep in mind that grapple does have weaknesses and unintended consequences that often get ignored like it could be giving the opponent cover. Grappling doesn't stop forced movement of the target or any kind of movement that doesn't necessarily involve moving their body... such as forms of teleportation and so on.
This was literally the first thing that I made when the class came out. I fullheartedly support this type of character
Buyers Guide for D&D Beyond - Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You - How/What is Toggled Content?
Everything you need to know about Homebrew - Homebrew FAQ - Digital Book on D&D Beyond Vs Physical Books
Can't find the content you are supposed to have access to? Read this FAQ.
"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
You make some good points. Guess you would have to pick and choose the best times to use an grapple and when to just attack like normal.
Although if you want to go all out you could take the grappler feat (advantage on your attacks. And if you go elf or half-elf, elven accuracy for triple advantage) and maybe even unarmed fighting style for the auto 1d4 damage each turn. Though using that many ASI’s would really hurt. Unless you grabbed one at first level with vHuman or the custom lineage.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
There's a ton of wrong interpretations on this thread.
First, the arms are explicitly called out to only be able to make Unarmed Strikes. You cannot grapple with them. Since what occurs *during* a grapple (position, way of grappling, use of limbs, etc.) is kind of obscure rules-wise, however, it's reasonable and not necessarily outside of RAW to rule that you can grapple with your normal arms and maintain the grapple with the Astral arms (they're still arms). You should also be able to carry objects with the arms following the same line of thought (within your normal carry capacity, of course). This is a gray area. But making an actual grapple with the arms is 100% not RAW.
Second, the extra range applies ONLY when making Unarmed Strikes, and ONLY on your turn.
Third, you don't need a free hand to make Unarmed Strikes. You can literally hit the dude you're grappling with your Astral Elbow or whatever and it's still fully RAW.
Read the damn rules.
Quoting someone who you are refuting is helpful. Your general statement is including those of us who have read the rules. You are correct that Astral arms cannot grapple or carry objects. But you can grapple with your real arms and attack with the Astral Arms or other parts of your body and use WIS for both attacks and grapple ability checks.
People come here to post ideas and get advice. No need to be rude about it.
Can you point out what statements were wrong?
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
I just realized, if you take 1 level in Rogue first, you don't need to spend an ASI to get Skill Expertise. Plus you get to have more skills, more starting gold, and be proficient with more weapons.
I don't understand... the rules say you're allowed to make unarmed strikes with your astral arms. The rule book also says "creatures typically grapple by using an unarmed strike". Furthermore, your statement about using the same logic to carry things with astral arms... you don't use unarmed strikes to carry. A grapple is an unarmed strike. Two different things.
Is there a page number or section where the rules specify that astral arms can't be used to grapple?
Basically, the new 2024 Grappling Rules make Grappling part of Unarmed Strikes, instead of a special Attack Action Variant as they were in the 2014 Grappling Rules, which were standard at the time post you're replying to was made (in 2023).
The Way of the Astral Self Monk, under 2024 Rules-as-written, would not be able to use WIS to set the DC for Grappling and Grapple-Breaking and would have to use the Monk's STR or DEX, but I think an official (or homebrewed) revision to the subclass would probably change that.
🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
Charisma Saving Throw: DC 18, Failure: 20d6 Psychic Damage, Success: Half damage
Grappler
General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+, Strength or Dexterity 13+)
You gain the following benefits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Punch and Grab. When you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use both the Damage and the Grapple option. You can use this benefit only once per turn.
Here’s your rules, so now go away. So using spectral arms work.
Who are you talking to and why are you using the grappler feat as your source?
As notovny pointed out, the reply was to a post about the 2014 rules, I assume by mistake. And the poster that was quoted was wrong at the time. 2024 is different
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
Sorry I’m on 24 rules, and buried 14 rules. So that explains why I posted. I should read if 14 or 24 is being applied. To much to have to do 😛
It’s easy to mix it up. Especially when someone is necro-ing an older thread and you don’t check the date of the post being quoted. 😉
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
Sorry to necro the post my bad i am not a really a forum person. Yes I confused 24 rules. May the gods have mercy on me.
It’s all good 😊
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?