When a monster hits with a constrict attack and its target fails to break free, does the monster need to make subsequent attack rolls to deal damage with the constrict? Or does it simply deal damage automatically until the target breaks free?
Usually the stat block itself will say. If it does not say that it requires another attack roll, the damage just happens while the creature is "constricted." For example, look at the Rug of Smothering statblock, the restrained creature continues to take damage while restrained at the start of each of it's turns.
Yeah the stat block would say. The constrictor and giant constrictor don't automatically do damage so must roll to attack again (with advantage since the target is restrained).
Thanks guys The prevailing logic to these types of questions always seems to be "the stat block would say so". The event in question was actually the constricting attack of a Yuan-Ti abomination. I was grappled an unable to escape. The DM was making attack rolls each time and I wasn't sure if that was necessary. My default of the attack doing automatic damage may be left over from previous editions of D&D. Thanks for your help.
Constrict.Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the yuan-ti can’t constrict another target.
This ability does not say that it automatically does damage, so it doesn't. If YT wants to keep constricting you on future rounds, he must do so by making an attack roll.
Autodamage attacks are usually "swallows" instead of "grab/constrict/whatever" in my recollection. Here's one, from Giant Subterranean Lizard:
Swallow.Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Medium or smaller creature the lizard is grappling. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage, the target is swallowed, and the grapple ends. The swallowed target is blindedand restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the lizard, and it takes 10 (3d6) acid damage at the start of each of the lizard’s turns. The lizard can have only one target swallowed at a time.
This ability says that it does damage, and doesn't say that doing damage requires another attack roll, so it is automatic.
So we're all on the same page? Attacks generally need attack rolls every round, no auto-hits. But if something says "take damage at the start of the turn," that probably doesn't need an attack roll.
When a monster hits with a constrict attack and its target fails to break free, does the monster need to make subsequent attack rolls to deal damage with the constrict? Or does it simply deal damage automatically until the target breaks free?
Usually the stat block itself will say. If it does not say that it requires another attack roll, the damage just happens while the creature is "constricted." For example, look at the Rug of Smothering statblock, the restrained creature continues to take damage while restrained at the start of each of it's turns.
Yeah the stat block would say. The constrictor and giant constrictor don't automatically do damage so must roll to attack again (with advantage since the target is restrained).
Thanks guys The prevailing logic to these types of questions always seems to be "the stat block would say so". The event in question was actually the constricting attack of a Yuan-Ti abomination. I was grappled an unable to escape. The DM was making attack rolls each time and I wasn't sure if that was necessary. My default of the attack doing automatic damage may be left over from previous editions of D&D. Thanks for your help.
Okay, emr and Dx are agreeing, but from opposite sides of the question, just want to be sure it's laid out clearly here.
From the Yuan-ti Abomination in question:
This ability does not say that it automatically does damage, so it doesn't. If YT wants to keep constricting you on future rounds, he must do so by making an attack roll.
Autodamage attacks are usually "swallows" instead of "grab/constrict/whatever" in my recollection. Here's one, from Giant Subterranean Lizard:
This ability says that it does damage, and doesn't say that doing damage requires another attack roll, so it is automatic.
So we're all on the same page? Attacks generally need attack rolls every round, no auto-hits. But if something says "take damage at the start of the turn," that probably doesn't need an attack roll.
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.