The Grappler Build: 5e's Underrated Combat Style

Grappling is one of the most underused combat styles in 5e. A grappler locks down enemies, controls positioning, and ends fights by immobilizing bosses.

Core Grappler Traits

• High Strength. 16+ preferred, 18-20 if possible.
• Athletics proficiency and Expertise. Doubles your grapple bonus.
• Action economy with bonus action grapples. (Tavern Brawler feat, Beast Barbarian variants).
• Large size or Powerful Build. Goliath or similar.

Best Classes

Fighter (Champion or Battle Master)

Two attacks. Each attack can be a grapple. Action Surge = more grapple attempts. Battle Master maneuvers (Grappling Strike, if available in variant).

Barbarian

Rage = advantage on Strength checks, so advantage on grapple Athletics. High HP to withstand punishment while grappling.

Rogue (Swashbuckler, non-SRD)

Expertise in Athletics. Sneak Attack on grappled enemies if adjacent ally. (Solo: harder.)

Bard (Valor, non-SRD)

Expertise + full caster. Can buff your grapple checks with Guidance.

Best Species

Goliath

+2 Str + Powerful Build (counts as one size larger for grapple). Can grapple Huge creatures.

Half-Orc

+2 Str + Savage Attacks (bonus die on crits). Crit grapples are fun.

Variant Human

Grappler feat at level 1. +1 Str, advantage vs. grappled targets.

Best Feats

Grappler (Variant/Base)

+1 Str. Advantage on attacks vs. creatures you're grappling. Action to grapple + restrain.

Tavern Brawler

+1 Str/Con. Proficiency with improvised weapons. Unarmed strikes grapple on hit as bonus action.

Athlete

+1 Str/Dex. Rise from prone for 5 ft instead of half your speed. Climb speed.

Grappler Build: The Goliath Fighter

Race: Goliath.

Class: Fighter, Battle Master.

Stats: STR 18, DEX 10, CON 16, INT 8, WIS 12, CHA 10.

Fighting Style: Great Weapon Fighting (rerolls 1s and 2s on damage).

Feats:

• Level 1: Tavern Brawler (variant Goliath Con boost). Or via level 4.
• Level 4: Athlete.
• Level 6: Grappler.

Weapons: Unarmed strikes (with Tavern Brawler) + a shield and longsword for when grapple isn't optimal.

Strategy:

1. Rush toward a boss.
2. Action: Grapple (2 attacks if you have Extra Attack, both as grapples).
3. Bonus action: Tavern Brawler grapple attempt with unarmed strike (if the first missed).
4. Target now Grappled + Restrained (via Grappler feat).
5. Drag target somewhere bad for them (AOE, off a cliff, into Spike Growth).

Synergy Spells

If you multiclass or have ally casters:

• Spike Growth: Dragging grappled targets through this = massive damage.
• Cloudkill: Drag into poison cloud.
• Wall of Fire: Drag through.

In Solo Play

Solo grapplers:

• Lock down single bosses.
• Control positioning tight spaces.
• Drag enemies into self-cast hazards (Spike Growth).

Slower burst than a damage dealer, but highly controlling.

The Endlessness and Grapplers

Our AI Dungeon Master handles grapple contested checks, Powerful Build for size advantage, feat interactions (Tavern Brawler, Grappler), and drag mechanics.

For related reads, our grappling and shoving, fighter guide, and goliath guide cover more.

Final Takeaway

Grapplers are underrated. Lock down bosses. Control positioning. Dominate by denying movement.

Build one on The Endlessness.