D&D 5E DEX Save, if Grabbed

[maritimo80]

In combat, a warrior grabbed a thief, and then immediately a wizard appears and uses a fireball in two.


1) The thief grabbed this can make the save DEX? Normal or disdadvantage?


2) And the warrior this gripping, can make the save DEX? Normal or disdadvantage?


3) The Warrior could release the thief with his reaction to the save DEX if you can not grabbed ie with disadvantage?

 

[The Crimson Binome]

I would say that they both get Disadvantage, but a more lenient DM might suggest that neither do. Maybe, if the DM says you both have Disadvantage, the warrior could release the rogue (as a reaction) so that they can both save as normal.

 

[Antz7766]

Considering that the grappled condition stays that

A grappled creature’s speed becomes 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed.

and also

When you move, you can drag or carry the grappled creature with you, but
your speed is halved, unless the creature is two or more sizes smaller than you.

I would rule the following:

1) Auto fail because he can't move, unless the character grappling him chooses to let go (see 3)

2) Makes at disadvantage, but keeps the grappled creature

3) Uses reaction to release and jump away, allowing normal dex save for both creature.

By the way, not sure if you've been doing this, but with all the questions you've been asking, make sure you click on the "give xp to this post" for the one that answers your question. That's the least you can do

 

[maritimo80]

Considering that the grappled condition stays that and also

I would rule the following:

1) Auto fail because he can't move, unless the character grappling him chooses to let go (see 3)

2) Makes at disadvantage, but keeps the grappled creature

3) Uses reaction to release and jump away, allowing normal dex save for both creature.

By the way, not sure if you've been doing this, but with all the questions you've been asking, make sure you click on the "give xp to this post" for the one that answers your question. That's the least you can do

Thanks for the replies and the information of XP.

I only got a question:

In response 2, the Warrior can take the test with disadvantage and maintain the thief grabbed him, that if he succeeds in save DEX, the thief also has success? That is, the Warrior test always worth to the thief, as this clinging to him?

 

[pedro2112]

The only negative one has by being grabbed is that your speed is zero. So:

1) Normal
2) Normal
3) N/A

 

[keterys]

The rules / intent is that grappling does not affect your Dex saves. If you want it to matter more, you can do that.

It makes a bit more sense as a rider on special creatures' grabs than generically. Otherwise you'll create situations where grab->Dex save spell becomes a standard tactic, which isn't really that interesting.

 

[seebs]

There's a general historical trend in D&D of not penalizing reflex/dex/whatever saves based on immobility, because it's really a sort of Heroic Luck thing, and it doesn't matter whether you can move or not. 3e sometimes gave dex penalties, which indirectly affected reflex saves, but in the absense of it, no, you just keep your saves. It's simpler and it works.

 

[Antz7766]

Perhaps my previous answer has been a bit harsh on the player with the grappled condition, since similar condition like paralyzed, stunned, and unconscious all makes the creature automatically fail str/dex saving throws. However, with restrained condition only giving disadvantage on saving throws, I would probably consider grappled not affecting DEX saving throws so the creature can make it normally.

Example: Neo in Matrix. Bullet dodging without moving a single step and ended with just a grazed shot on his shoulder (half the dmg!).

And this goes for both the grappler and the grappled, so #3 no longer applies.

 

[Riley37]

My houserule: Barbarian gets regular save. If he saves, then he sidestepped or jumped out of the blast; he carries the thief with him into (relative) safety, saving both of them.
If barbarian fails, then thief gets roll with disadvantage.
I cannot imagine a situation in which the barbarian avoids full damage and the thief suffers full damage.

 

[Dausuul]

Certainly the rules on the subject are straightforward: No penalty of any kind.

To make things more interesting, I might rule that while there is no penalty on the save, you have to both match/beat the save DC and beat the other grappler's roll--in other words, only one of you can succeed on the saving throw. Whoever succeeds, uses the other's body for shelter. If neither of you makes the save DC, or if you tie on the roll, you both fry.