Grappling
Grappling a reasonably-sized opponent is resolved as follows: The attackers (or attacker) make individual to-hit rolls. The grapple is resolved among those who hit: Each combatant rolls 1d6 per hit die.
- If the sums are exactly equal, everyone is struggling, and none of them can attack with a weapon
- If the sum of the dice of all the attackers is higher than the defender’s total, the hapless defender is Grabbed.
- If the defender wins, the attackers are beaten back and must make a save or be knocked Prone.
In subsequent rounds, if the attackers wins the grappling contest against an already Grabbed opponent, the defender is Pinned.
Five orcs attempt to overwhelm a 5th-level Fighter, each orc rolls to hit. Let us assume that two of them succeed on the to-hit roll. The orcs roll a total of 2d6 (each orc has 1HD), and the Fighter rolls 5d6 (the Fighter has 5HD). The orcs get a total of 10, and the Fighter gets a total of 15. One of the orcs fails its save, so ends up Prone on the ground. The other orc is beaten back, but can act normally next round.
Grapplers Being Attacked
Any character who has a defender Grabbed or Pinned can choose to release their victim to defend against the attack normally. If they choose to keep the grapple, attackers get +4 to their to-hit rolls.
Design Notes
Mostly SW, but with some BECMI thrown in for a little more granularity and detail on how to handle situations.