[CONAN] Grapple

[Supplement Four]

I've noticed, here and there, that peope gripe about the Grapple rule (in D&D, too), call it too complicated. I always scratched my head at this because, when I read the Grapple rule in my Core Conan RPG book, I find it straight forward and simple to employ.

It wasn't until today that I've realized that the writers of the 2E Conan rules, which I play, simplified the Grapple rule from the two previous editions of the game.

In Conan 2E, the Grapple rule is very simple.

1. Decide if an Attack of Opportunity is appropriate for the grapple target.

2. Then, simply make the grapple attack. The defender can use an opposed grapple attack, his grapple AC (Taking 10 on his grapple attack), or his Dodge AC for his defense.

Simple as that.

It seems that 1E and AE of the Conan rules use the D&D rule that includes another attack--an attack to grab the target, then a separate attack to grapple the target, and an AoO by the target may be appropriate, too.

That is complicated. I see why people complain about it now.

And, I'm definitely more of a fan of the 2E method.

 

[Supplement Four]

Thinking about 2E's change to make the rule less complicated, I see why they removed that touch attack required a the beginging of a grapple/

But, I also see why the original with the touch attack was written.

They wanted a difference between a standard old touch attack and the grapple. A successful grapple should be harder than simply touching someone one, so they added that complexiy by requiring two throw. Make sense.

Heck, that's a strong argument to go back to the way it was done in AE.