[Environments] Do aquatic creatures take an attack penalty underwater?

[blargney the second]

I was reading the section in the DMG on underwater combat, and I couldn't find anything that indicates that the penalties in the table don't apply to aquatic creatures! Does this mean a naturally aquatic creature with a swim speed attacks with -2 on its bite for half damage?
-blarg

 

[frankthedm]

I was reading the section in the DMG on underwater combat, and I couldn't find anything that indicates that the penalties in the table don't apply to aquatic creatures! Does this mean a naturally aquatic creature with a swim speed attacks with -2 on its bite for half damage?
-blarg

Possibly. though the section DOES start off with "Land-based creatures can have considerable difficulty when fighting in water."

Regardless I'd rule the bite is not penalized. I would also rule pincer type claws would not suffer any penalty.

 

[blargney the second]

Huh, I missed the "land-based" in that first line somehow. You're totally right. Thanks for the excellent reading comprehension skills, Frank!

 

[Aluvial]

There is also the fact that they are listed as having a swim speed. I believe in the chart that helps... could be wrong, I don't have it in front of me.

Ahh, but I do have the Rules Compendium...

Creatures that have a natural swim speed aren’t subject to the penalties for fighting underwater when grappling or using constrict attacks, piercing attacks (including a bite), rake attacks, ram attacks, rend attacks, tail attacks, or tentacle attacks. Slam attacks that represent full-body rams, such as a porpoise’s slam attack, don’t take the penalties. An elemental of the water subtype can use any of its natural attacks without penalty while underwater. Since a creature that has a natural swim speed doesn’t need to make Swim checks to move around, it’s never considered to be off balance.​

Aluvial

 

[Infiniti2000]

Slightly off-topic, I've houseruled several of the underwater combat rules. IMO (and game) they work fairly well. If you are interested, check here: Infiniti2000's House Rules - DMG.