Can Monks Unarmed Strike be used as a basic attack?

Question

I know there are a ton of monk questions and I read as many as I thought might apply but I'm still not sure I understand.

First, I am wondering if you can use your Monk Unarmed Strike as a basic attack? It is defined as a weapon in the unarmed category so I'm wondering if it can be used as my weapon. For role-play purposes I don't want to wield or use any weapons so I plan to only use unarmed attacks. So if I make a melee basic attack can I use my monk unarmed strike as the weapon? That is to say would I roll 1d4 or 1d8 for basic unarmed melee attacks?

Additionally, would the bonus attack be triggered if I were to use the monk unarmed strike as a weapon?

Finally, is there a way to negate attacks of opportunity against me when I make unarmed attacks?

Answer 1

Monk Unarmed Strike is a weapon As a weapon, you can use it with any weapon power, including a Melee Basic Attack.

Note, however, that Melee Basic Attack uses Strength for its attack and damage rolls, unless you take a feat or item that allows you to use Dexterity instead.

Note also that you cannot enchant your fists -- but you can use the enhancement bonus of a Ki focus to empower your Monk Unarmed Strike attacks.

Unarmed attacks do not grant enemies attacks of opportunity in 4th edition, so that's a non-issue.