1. Monks should be able to have advtantage on grapple checks starting at level 6 or 9, OR (better) Monks should be able to use Acrobatics for grapple checks
Not all martial arts emphasize grapples. Monks already have a leg up over everyone since they can fight effectively even if both their hands are unavailable; you could grapple two separate creatures and lose almost no damage compared to holding a monk weapon. Monks also get to bypass the grapple check altogether if they stun their target, which doesn't cost them any actions. That could be a good idea for subclass though.
2. The grapples feat is dumb. Just grapple then shove them prone for the same effect.
It's not the same effect. Knocking someone prone makes them harder to hit from a distance and doesn't hurt their dex saves the way restraining does.
3. Without the feat, if you roll a crit on a grapple check they aren’t automatically restrained while you are grappled?
There's no such thing as a crit on an ability check.
i love the grappling mechanic and I’m a Monk fanboy, and k don’t know why Monks, the martial artists, can’t pin someone easily.
Because restraining someone easily is incredibly strong. No movement and disadvantage on attacks and dex saves both takes many monsters out of the fight and makes them really easy to kill to boot.
Grappling in 3.5 was very powerful, but also extremely complicated... You either had to go all-in with classes and feats or it was useless. There was very little middleground. I think the 5E version is very elegant in both simplifying the system and making it situationally a good option. Being able to cause the restrained condition willy nilly is extremely potent, and only reliably applicable by spells lvl 4th or higher. Making it a class feature of somekind is possible, but should not come before lvl 7, depending on how reliable it is. If it's a part of an attack, it should be way higher level.
Have to remove this.
Not all martial arts emphasize grapples. Monks already have a leg up over everyone since they can fight effectively even if both their hands are unavailable; you could grapple two separate creatures and lose almost no damage compared to holding a monk weapon. Monks also get to bypass the grapple check altogether if they stun their target, which doesn't cost them any actions. That could be a good idea for subclass though.
It's not the same effect. Knocking someone prone makes them harder to hit from a distance and doesn't hurt their dex saves the way restraining does.
There's no such thing as a crit on an ability check.
Because restraining someone easily is incredibly strong. No movement and disadvantage on attacks and dex saves both takes many monsters out of the fight and makes them really easy to kill to boot.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Either way, I wish there was a grapple class in DND. The Luchador would be cool
That statement is incorrect.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
3.5 introduced a bro named the reaping mauler that was essentially built around grappling. They've yet to dedicate anything even close to his glory.
Being able to whisper softly into the ear of a helpless humanoid as you choke them to death should be a class feature.
Grappling in 3.5 was very powerful, but also extremely complicated... You either had to go all-in with classes and feats or it was useless. There was very little middleground. I think the 5E version is very elegant in both simplifying the system and making it situationally a good option. Being able to cause the restrained condition willy nilly is extremely potent, and only reliably applicable by spells lvl 4th or higher. Making it a class feature of somekind is possible, but should not come before lvl 7, depending on how reliable it is. If it's a part of an attack, it should be way higher level.
Subclass: Dwarven Defender - Dragonborn Paragon
Feats: Artificer Apprentice
Monsters: Sheep - Spellbreaker Warforged Titan
Magic Items: Whipier - Ring of Secret Storage - Collar of the Guardian
Monster template: Skeletal Creature