- 5e

https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/77313/what-are-the-minimum-stats-to-cause-fall-damage-when-grappling-plus-jumping

https://roleplayersrespite.com/grappling-in-5e-dnd https://makeaskillcheck.com/5e-grapple-build/ https://nerdbear.com/grapple-5e-guide/ https://www.nerdsandscoundrels.com/5e-grappling/ https://www.enworld.org/threads/the-grapplers-manual-2-0-grappling-in-5th-edition.468737/ https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/101129/what-is-the-most-optimal-grappling-character-build-in-dnd-5e

> It seems intuitive to me to start Barbarian 1, then Bard for 3, then Rogue for 11 based on the layout of the abilities (advantage via rage early on is way more effective than doubling a low proficiency, and 11 levels for Reliable Talent is no help at all for grappling at levels 1-10). In chat the post also mentioned starting at level 3, and I gathered that it would not be a level-20 campaign. It may be beneficial to see an optimized grappler for any level, or at least maybe the levels specified in chat. When I update with a more optimized level 20 build, I'll also upload a roadmap for it. –
C. A. Jones
Jun 7 '17 at 18:37
The best Athletics bonus in the monster manual is a CR 13 Storm giant with +14. Any decent grappler build has access to either a druid's shape change or enlarge, expertise, and some way to grant advantage on strength checks (normally either enlarge or rage). Some get their expertise through Lore Bard, so they also get cutting words. That means that by level 9, you have roughly a 70% chance to beat any monster in the game's grapple check, and it only goes up from there.

Add in tavern brawler to allow you to grapple as a bonus action after you attack, and it is actually very consistent to grapple multiple enemies at a time.

Races

Custom Lineage, Variant Human, Goliath

Now, the Bugbear, Firbolg, and Orc playable races in Volo’s Guide to Monster also get Powerful Build.

Bugbear Reach - https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/8xnlq3/can_a_volos_bug_bear_grapple_at_10ft/ https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/818alh/can_a_bugbear_grapple_from_10ft_due_to_long_limbed/

Spells: Jump, Longstrider, Haste, Enlarge, Feather Fall

Bards do not have Jump, Haste, or Enlarge/Reduce (without the expanded spell list)

Fighter (Rune Knight - Frost/Stone) Rogue (Expertise @ 1) // Lore Bard (Expertise & Cutting Words) Barbarian (Rage // Unarmored Defense // Damage Resistance)

Is there a better way to get fighting styles?

https://thinkdm.org/2021/05/01/cutting-words/

Notes on Cutting Words: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/560ona/5e_cutting_words_and_dm_rolls/ https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/7ujqww/5e_how_does_your_game_handle_the_bards_cutting/

Race: Custom Lineage or Goliath?

CL - 15/13/15/8/10/10 (Fighter 4 / Rogue 1)
    15/13/14/8/9/13 (if you're looking to go bard)

Feats: Shield Master // Heavy Armor Master (from CL), I guess Crusher would technically be better

Skill Expert allows you to skip rogue and maybe just roll barbarian instead (Dex still isn't technically a dump stat)

Brawny (UA)

Dealing with Carrying Capacity

Example Builds

Level 5 15+2/13/15/8/10/10 (Fighter 4 / Rogue 1)