Small creatures grappling

[geppo_68]

Hi to all.
I do not find any clear reference on how to play the situation in which a character is grappled by a bunch of small size creatures, for example SM-3 cats.

How many of SM -x creatures can grapple at the same time a normal SM 0 human?
How many of them can join forces to take down?
And to pin?
How is affected the dexterity of the grappled human (I guess it is a function of how many of them are grappling simultaneously) ?

I am trying to write down an house rule, but I am asking for your suggestions.

Thanks!

Giuseppe

[whswhs]

If a creature has ST 5, then four of them have effective ST 10, and nine have effective ST 15. The strength of one creature is multiplied by the square root of the number of creatures. But it seems fair to require some skill roll to allow them to combine their strength effectively.

[AlexanderHowl]

ST 5 would be normal for an SM-2 creature. A SM-3 creature should probably be ST 3 (so nine would effectively have ST 9). I would have them function as a swarm of cats though.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

ST 5 would be normal for an SM-2 creature. A SM-3 creature should probably be ST 3 (so nine would effectively have ST 9). I would have them function as a swarm of cats though.

I think that's not properly scaled. ST 4 predicts a weight of (4/2)^3 = 8 lbs., which is a small cat; ST 5 predicts 15.6 lbs., which is a fairly substantial cat.

[Anthony]

In reality, leverage plays a role, so small creatures are less capable at grappling than their raw lifting ability implies. GURPS handles this with a to hit modifier for SM, which isn't really correct, it's probably better to adjust the ST roll, but in any case, just calling grappling ability linear in mass is not a bad model.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by whswhs

I think that's not properly scaled. ST 4 predicts a weight of (4/2)^3 = 8 lbs., which is a small cat; ST 5 predicts 15.6 lbs., which is a fairly substantial cat.

Also cats tend to be optimized for burst strength, so would tend toward higher than mammal average, IMO. Pampered house kitties likely excepted.

[geppo_68]

Ok I understand how to calculate an "ST equivalent" of n critters as STbase *SQR(n), thanks!

Then how many can act together to grapple / take down/ pin a normal human?

And how much the dexterity of the grappled human is affected (I reckon it should be function of the number of creatures grappling him)?

[Tomsdad]

Originally Posted by geppo_68

...


And how much the dexterity of the grappled human is affected (I reckon it should be function of the number of creatures grappling him)?

Depending on what Grappling rules you are using, the Dex penalties would be a function of how successful the grappling attempt was

[geppo_68]

Originally Posted by Tomsdad

Depending on what Grappling rules you are using, the Dex penalties would be a function of how successful the grappling attempt was

Basic rules, no dungeon grappling or similar..that is a normal human with ST10 grappling me gives me -4 DX, so 2 ST 5 (Equivalent to ST7) and size -3 gives me how much?

[cdru]

For rules on multiple grapplers combining efforts, check Multiple Close Combat on Page 392