So Grapple, a “Special Attack” is not an attack?

So Grapple, a "Special Attack" is not an attack? The game language has gone back and forth on this one.

— Thomas "You Can Call Me Tom" (@thomasabarry1) October 27, 2018

The rules for grappling and shoving in D&D (PH, 195) say they're special melee attacks. That means they're attacks.

The attack is classified as special, rather than as a weapon or a spell attack. These rules are examples of the many exceptions in this exceptions-based game. #DnD https://t.co/Dxwqvv1Ffd

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) October 27, 2018

So the proper way to parse your "all attacks are weapon or spell attacks" is actually "all attacks are weapon or spell attacks unless specified otherwise" then.

— Thomas "You Can Call Me Tom" (@thomasabarry1) October 27, 2018

The way to read every rule in D&D is as follows: the rule does what it says, unless some other rule says otherwise.

For more about this principle, see the section "Specific Beats General" on page 7 of the "Player's Handbook." #DnD https://t.co/1JXMgxOiYg

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) October 27, 2018