Grappled 5e condition
How the grappled condition works in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1) and the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2), what changed, and which spells and monsters cause it.
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Grappled in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1)
- A grappled creature's speed becomes 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed.
- The condition ends if the grappler is incapacitated.
- The condition also ends if an effect removes the grappled creature from the reach of the grappler or grappling effect, such as when a creature is hurled away by the thunderwave spell.
Grappled in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)
While you have the Grappled condition, you experience the following effects.
Speed 0. Your Speed is 0 and can't increase.
Attacks Affected. You have Disadvantage on attack rolls against any target other than the grappler.
Movable. The grappler can drag or carry you when it moves, but every foot of movement costs it 1 extra foot unless you are Tiny or two or more sizes smaller.
What changed in 2024
- 2024 adds Disadvantage on attack rolls against any target other than the grappler.
- Dragging moves into the condition: the grappler spends 1 extra foot for every foot moved unless you’re Tiny or two or more sizes smaller than it. In 2014 the grappling rules halve the grappler’s speed instead, unless the creature is two or more sizes smaller.
- The 2014 condition says how it ends (the grappler is incapacitated, or an effect moves you out of reach). The 2024 condition text doesn’t.
How Grappled works
In the 2014 rules the grappled condition does one thing: the creature’s speed becomes 0, and it can’t benefit from any bonus to its speed. It can still attack whoever it likes, cast spells, and use its action to try to break free. Being held doesn’t make it any easier to hit.
The condition ends if the grappler becomes incapacitated, or if an effect moves the grappled creature out of the grappler’s reach, like Thunderwave blasting it away. The grappler can also let go whenever it likes, no action required.
A character grapples by following the grappling rules: replace one attack of the Attack action with a Strength (Athletics) check, contested by the target’s Athletics or Acrobatics, using a free hand, against a creature no more than one size larger than you. Monsters usually grapple as a rider on a hit and list an escape DC in their stat block.
Escaping, dragging and combos
- Escape by using your action for a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, contested by the grappler’s Athletics. Against a monster, beat the escape DC in its stat block.
- Teleport out. Misty Step takes you out of reach, which ends the condition. Freedom of Movement lets you spend 5 feet of movement to slip a nonmagical grapple automatically.
- Drag it along. A grappler can move and take the grappled creature with it, but in the 2014 rules its speed is halved unless the creature is two or more sizes smaller.
- Grapple, then shove. Knock the grappled creature prone with a shove. With a speed of 0 it can’t stand up, so melee attackers have advantage against it and its own attacks have disadvantage.
What changed in 2024
The 2024 condition does more. Your speed is still 0 and can’t increase, but you also have disadvantage on attack rolls against any target other than the grappler, and the grappler can drag or carry you, spending 1 extra foot of movement for every foot unless you’re Tiny or two or more sizes smaller than it.
Grappling itself changed too. It’s now an option of an Unarmed Strike: instead of a contested check, the target makes a Strength or Dexterity saving throw (its choice) against DC 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus. Escaping takes an action and a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check against that same DC.
Common questions
Can a grappled creature still attack?
Yes. In the 2014 rules it can attack anyone, cast spells and take any action; only its speed is 0. In the 2024 rules it has disadvantage on attacks against anyone except the creature grappling it.
Does grappling give advantage on attacks?
No. Grappled doesn’t change attack rolls against the creature. For advantage, knock it prone as well: with a speed of 0 it can’t spend movement to stand back up.
How do you escape a grapple in 5e?
Use your action for a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. In 2014 it’s contested by the grappler’s Athletics, or made against a monster’s escape DC; in 2024 it’s against the grapple’s escape DC. Teleporting away, or anything that moves you out of reach, also ends it.
Can a grappled creature cast spells?
Yes, if it can provide the components. Teleportation like Misty Step or Dimension Door is the classic way out.
Is grappled the same as restrained?
No. Restrained also gives attackers advantage and gives the creature disadvantage on its attacks and Dexterity saves. Many monster grapples impose both, like the giant constrictor snake’s Constrict.
What ends the grappled condition?
A successful escape, the grappler letting go, the grappler becoming incapacitated, or the grappled creature being moved out of the grappler’s reach by something like a push or teleportation.
Grappled compared with similar conditions
| Condition | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Restrained | Speed 0 plus advantage for attackers and disadvantage on the creature’s attacks and Dexterity saves. What most monster grapples add on top. |
| Prone | No speed penalty, but melee attackers get advantage. Grapple first, then shove prone, and the target can’t get up. |
| Grappling | The rule for making a grapple: the contested check (2014) or saving throw (2024), size limits, and escaping. |
| Incapacitated | Breaks a grapple when it hits the grappler, and stops a grappled creature from using its action to escape. |
| Freedom of Movement | 4th level: for an hour, spend 5 feet of movement to slip any nonmagical grapple automatically. |
Spells and the grappled condition
From the SRD 5.1 spells: no spell causes it directly.
Monsters and the grappled condition
Monsters whose attacks or traits cause it (29)
- Octopus CR 0
- Giant Crab CR 1/8
- Constrictor Snake CR 1/4
- Giant Frog CR 1/4
- Crocodile CR 1/2
- Giant Octopus CR 1
- Giant Toad CR 1
- Ankheg CR 2
- Giant Constrictor Snake CR 2
- Mimic CR 2
- Rug of Smothering CR 2
- Giant Scorpion CR 3
- Chuul CR 4
- Couatl CR 4
- Giant Crocodile CR 5
- Otyugh CR 5
- Roper CR 5
- Salamander CR 5
- Shambling Mound CR 5
- Water Elemental CR 5
- Chain Devil CR 8
- Tyrannosaurus Rex CR 8
- Glabrezu CR 9
- Behir CR 11
- Remorhaz CR 11
- Roc CR 11
- Marilith CR 16
- Kraken CR 23
- Tarrasque CR 30
Monsters immune to it (19)
- Swarm of Bats CR 1/4
- Swarm of Rats CR 1/4
- Swarm of Ravens CR 1/4
- Shadow CR 1/2
- Swarm of Beetles CR 1/2
- Swarm of Centipedes CR 1/2
- Swarm of Insects CR 1/2
- Swarm of Spiders CR 1/2
- Swarm of Wasps CR 1/2
- Specter CR 1
- Swarm of Quippers CR 1
- Swarm of Poisonous Snakes CR 2
- Will-o'-Wisp CR 2
- Ghost CR 4
- Air Elemental CR 5
- Fire Elemental CR 5
- Water Elemental CR 5
- Wraith CR 5
- Invisible Stalker CR 6