D&D 5E A Corner Case Rules Question about Dodge and OA's

[Hussar]

Ok, now here's a question for folks.

Character takes the Dodge action on his turn. No problems, attacks on him are at disadvantage and he has advantage on Dex saves. Cool. Now, the character still gets reactions, meaning he can take opportunity attacks. ((I think I'm right so far))

Ok, so, enemy draws an OA from the dodging PC. Instead of an attack, the PC grapples. He succeeds and grabs the enemy (reducing the enemy's speed to 0)

Is the PC still considered to be dodging or not?

Now, if I am grappled, I can TAKE the dodge action, so, there's nothing about being grabbed or grappling that particularly ends the Dodge. But, I'm not sure how to rule this.

 

[Shiroiken]

You can even dodge while restrained, so simple grappling shouldn't end it. Think of it as keeping the grappled character in the way as a human shield.

Edit: thinking back about it, I wasn't sure, so I checked the rules in detail. While you can Dodge while you have a speed of 0 (from being grappled or restrained), you lose all benefit from it (PHB 192). Grappling someone (as opposed to being grappled) doesn't affect your speed, so if you have someone grappled, you can still Dodge (and get the benefit). However, if you are Dodging and become grappled, you lose the benefit immediately.

 

[Li Shenron]

It sounds correct to me.

The controversy stems from the word "dodge", but the special combat action was likely added to the game merely to have an option for focusing on defense when a player doesn't have anything better to do. Had it been called "total defense" like in 3e, without specifying how (dodging or else), you would not have thought of this problem.

 

[Fanaelialae]

I agree that you can continue benefiting from Dodge even if you grapple someone (or are grappled yourself).

As an aside, per RAW, I don't believe that you can substitute a grapple for an attack when making an opportunity attack. I think you can only do that when taking the Attack action.

Edit
http://www.sageadvice.eu/2015/08/28/grapple-or-shove-opportunity/