Improve grapple only applies to the check to grab the opponent.<br/><br/>The helpless condition ends as soon as the prey escapes, because getting coup'de graced like that would just be silly. It's intended to make the pred vulnerable to the prey's allies.<br/><br/>Now that I take a second look at it, you're right. Mobile Predator does seem a bit overpowered. I'll nix it for now, and think of an alternative for it later.<br/><br/>By the half-way point, the pred's center of gravity will have mostly returned to normal as the meal is compacted and broken down, so the penalties disappear. The only downside at that point is that you'll be too stuffed to move if you eat another prey your size while only halfway finished with your last one. Remember, the 3.5 vore rules created on this forum didn't apply stuffing penalties to anything but movement speed, so having it affect your defense at all is already harsher than they were playing it.<br/><br/>As far as the Athletics/Acrobatics issue goes, yes, there is something of an encouragement for big, strong preds to go after big, strong prey and lithe, nimble prey to go after similarly nimble prey (spellcasters are easy for either to eat, but can give you a nasty case of heartburn). Remember, there's always a plan-B: use subdual damage attack powers until your prey can't fight back any more. Generally speaking, in the eastern continent of Gespinium, most warriors tend to choose to deal non-lethal damage... at least, with their weapons. Remember that the main reason 'soft vore' is practiced is that part of the Gift/curse of Beauty is that fresh blood tastes terrible.<br/><br/>This tendency exists even among animals and monsters, though it isn't quite as pronounced, and non-sentient creatures are generally more willing to taste blood if they must. Humanoids usually avoid it if at all possible, though there are always exceptions. Fortunately though, the humanoids and creatures of this setting are considerably tougher than real-world humans or animals, and a little less vulnerable to catastrophic blood loss. This is kind of what healing surges represent.