Hm, just a thought on how I'd do grappling in RPGs in general-
I'd make initiating a grapple a normal damage-dealing attack.
Once grappled, both sides can do attacks and such rolled the exact same way as normal, only with some options no longer allowed (reach weapons, moving away), some new ones opened (specific grapple-attacks with their special things), and some unaffected (simple dealing damage, stab with a knife). Some of which in turn will break grapple, making it relatively easy to move in and out of grapple while both sides are still dealing damage.
Not a separate mechanic, no 'force everything to be about grapple rolls,' just 'a circumstance which affects options, and which is both entered and escaped from via attack rolls.'
no subject
I'd make initiating a grapple a normal damage-dealing attack.
Once grappled, both sides can do attacks and such rolled the exact same way as normal, only with some options no longer allowed (reach weapons, moving away), some new ones opened (specific grapple-attacks with their special things), and some unaffected (simple dealing damage, stab with a knife). Some of which in turn will break grapple, making it relatively easy to move in and out of grapple while both sides are still dealing damage.
Not a separate mechanic, no 'force everything to be about grapple rolls,' just 'a circumstance which affects options, and which is both entered and escaped from via attack rolls.'