Questions tagged [unarmed-combat]
Questions about fighting without weapons, whether that be through the use of kicks, punches, and the like, or through the use of fangs, claws, and similar.
164
questions
2
votes
1answer
125 views
Does the Blood Hunter's Order of the Lycan work well with the Fighting Styles included in the class?
I've been trying to wrap my head around the Order of the Lycan for Matt Mercer's Blood Hunter class. It looks to me like its designed around fighting unarmed in hybrid form, with a large number of its ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
Deadhand Style Feat Stacking Fear Effect
As written, this feat has some undefined qualities and I'm interested in knowing more specific details. As of right now, I am unaware of any errata or comments from the devs' that clarify.
Deadhand ...
6
votes
0answers
89 views
Deadhand Style Feat Duration
As written, this feat has some undefined qualities and I'm interested in knowing more specific details. As of right now, I am unaware of any errata or comments from the devs' that clarify.
Deadhand ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Do unarmed strikes count as “weapon attacks” for purposes of features like Enlarge and Brute Force?
According to this tweet by Jeremy Crawford:
Unarmed strikes have always been weapon attacks. Here's where the confusion comes in: your unarmed strike (fist, elbow, knee, butt, etc.) is not ...
12
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5answers
2k views
What are the ways my non-monk character can improve their unarmed damage?
My Goliath Barbarian / Fighter / Rogue hybrid killed somebody accidentally in a rage in their past, and has sworn an oath to never again wield a weapon to prevent accidentally killing somebody again ...
2
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2answers
54 views
What is the cost of Multiattack on Unarmed Attacks?
It may be a newbie question but nontheless...
How much does the Multiattack Extra cost on Unarmed Strikes, if it is even possible?
I have a Unarmed Attack based character, with the current strength of ...
4
votes
1answer
124 views
Scaling for Powerful Fist
Given the description for Monks' powerful fist:
You know how to wield your fists as deadly weapons. The damage die for your fist increases to 1d6 instead of 1d4. Most people take a –2 circumstance ...
-1
votes
3answers
320 views
Are there any cool weapons that a monk can use while still being considered an unarmed attack?
So I’m a lvl 20 tiefling monk and I was wondering is there anything that can upgrade my unarmed strike damage.
My DM gave me a "Monk" book, and when I rolled for the reward, I got a natural 20, which ...
10
votes
1answer
366 views
What interactions apply to a Monk/Druid Multiclass when attacking in wildshape?
The Setup
Moon Druid: 2nd Level
Monk: 6th Level
Wildshaped as: Brown Bear
The wildshape rules state:
You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use ...
4
votes
1answer
534 views
Can the bonus action Two-Weapon Fighting be used with a hand crossbow after making an unarmed attack?
I've started a Blood Hunter at level 3 and am using unarmed attacks. Since I'm not holding a weapon in my hand, could I strike with an unarmed attack, then use a hand crossbow in the other hand to ...
5
votes
1answer
210 views
How much damage does an unarmed bugbear deal?
The 5th edition Monster Manual gives Bugbear stats for morning star and javelin attacks, but not for unarmed attacks.
I improvised 1d4 +2, but how much damage can an unarmed bugbear actually deal?
7
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3answers
454 views
By RAW, do monks include their ability modifier in the damage roll of their unarmed strikes?
By default, an unarmed strike deals 1 + Strength modifier damage. If a character has one or more levels in Monk, the class's Martial Arts ability gives them the following benefit (among others):
...
16
votes
3answers
2k views
Do natural weapons work with the Booming Blade spell?
As far as I can tell, there are three different ways that "natural weapons" are described:
Aarakocra:
Talons: You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 slashing damage on a hit.
...
2
votes
1answer
75 views
Can you use an unarmed strike with the Hunter Ranger's Horde Breaker feature?
The Hunter Ranger's Horde Breaker feature states:
Once on each of your turns when you make a weapon attack, you can make another attack with the same weapon against a different creature that is ...
5
votes
1answer
441 views
Is there a way to increase the damage done by the claw attack for a Tabaxi?
Is there a way to increase the damage taken by tabaxi's claws? For example, increasing the die number/number of dice or something of the sort?
10
votes
1answer
445 views
Are a monk's fists considered weapons for the purpose of being targeted with weapon-empowering spells?
I've read that a monk's fists are considered monk weapons. Does that enable a paladin to cast Holy Weapon on a friendly monk?
For clarification, I am not asking if an unarmed attack is a weapon ...
12
votes
2answers
680 views
How do you determine the reach of a Monster's unarmed strikes?
This is inspired by the question "Does a Stone Giant get an attack of opportunity if I move only 5 feet away from it?".
The question "Can a monster with no melee attack make an Opportunity Attack?" (...
4
votes
1answer
132 views
Can you make non-fist unarmed attacks?
The section for Unarmed Strikes says you can make attacks with your fists, or other body parts, however the Equipment section only lists "Fist" as an available Unarmed attack. Does this mean that ...
1
vote
0answers
35 views
Seeking clarification on unarmed attacks and brawling weapons
For Dungeons the Dragoning, I have some confusion about unarmed attacks versus brawling weapons. The description of the "Brawling" tag for weapons (203 of the core book) is as follows:
The damage ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
Do you add your strength modifier once or twice to an unarmed strike?
Post-errata, page 195 of the PHB contains the text:
On a hit, an unarmed strike deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1 + your Strength modifier.
Moreover, page 196 says:
When attacking with a ...
2
votes
1answer
158 views
Can you combine the feats Iron Palm Technique and Dragon Style?
A party member of my campaign wants to get both Iron Palm Technique and Dragon Style.
However, it is unclear for us if it is possible to combine these two feats and what the result will be.
Iron ...
7
votes
2answers
718 views
RAW, Is the “Finesse” trait incompatible with unarmed attacks?
Pathfinder draws a strict distinction between unarmed attacks and weapons. Does this distinction invalidate the benefits of the "Finesse" trait, when applied to unarmed attacks?
Almost all ...
7
votes
1answer
174 views
What how much damage does an unarmed melee attack deal?
We played the Shadowrun 6th world beginner set earlier this week and could not find the relevant damage anywhere in the included rulebook or tool cards. We do not have access yet to the full rules, so ...
4
votes
1answer
277 views
Can this multiclassed character build combine the Symbiotic Entity feature with unarmed strikes?
I accidentally stumbled upon what seems like an incredibly resource-heavy but incredibly powerful monk build. The mechanics seem to work together, but I want to get clarification on whether I’m ...
5
votes
1answer
403 views
Stances vs Flurry of Blows
I'm making a Goblin Monk with the background of being a poor farmhand at the sides of the monk.
My level 1 build would be to use Tiger Stance to deal 1d8+2 + potential 1d4 bleed.
When comparing to ...
15
votes
1answer
986 views
Does the Haste spell's hasted action allow you to make multiple unarmed strikes? Or none at all?
The Haste spell states that you can
take the Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action.
(emphasis mine)
But we know that "weapon attacks" and "melee weapon ...
14
votes
2answers
3k views
Can a PC attack themselves with an unarmed strike?
Let's say a PC attempts to punch herself. Can she do so?
If the PC is willing and deliberate, can she miss?
Does she make an attack roll? If so, what AC is she trying to hit?
How much damage would it ...
1
vote
1answer
383 views
Is it imbalancing to have unarmed strikes count as weapons? [duplicate]
Unarmed strikes already count as "attacks", "melee attacks", and even "melee weapon attacks" as the Sage Advice Compendium, version 2.3, states this on page 11:
For example, an unarmed strike ...
2
votes
2answers
105 views
Grappling and overbearing creatures only vulnerable to magic weapons
If a character is attacking a creature that is corporeal, but only vulnerable to special weapons, say a wight or werewolf, are they able to grapple or overbear effectively? If so, is the creature able ...
8
votes
3answers
583 views
Maximum average damage from a single unarmed strike
What is the maximum average damage that can be delivered by a single unarmed strike from a Dungeons and Dragons 5e character?
A few qualifications for preferred answers:
The damage must be a direct ...
1
vote
1answer
103 views
For non-monks, what is the interaction between mighty wallop on gauntlets and unarmed strike damage?
If a character is not a monk, and therefore their base unarmed attack is considered to be neither a manufactured nor natural weapon, does casting mighty wallop or greater mighty wallop on their ...
2
votes
4answers
227 views
How can I increase the reach of unarmed strikes (and only unarmed strikes)?
I'm working on a build that uses the feats Great Throw and Knock-Down, so even with the errata'd version of Knock-Down I can still deal unarmed strike damage again with almost every attack. Problem is,...
11
votes
2answers
153 views
How can I make a Beorning Shapechanger in MERP?
My friends and I are starting a MERP campaign and only I have experience with MERP. One of my friends wanted to be a shape-changer, but my Second Edition MERP book does not cover how to use Martial ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Can natural weapons be used for unarmed strikes?
While there are several similar questions they all seem to deal with 3.5 or Pathfinder. This question may contain the key to the answer for this, but focuses on Wildshape, doesn't have an accepted ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
Can you use Thunderous Smite and other “Smite” spells with unarmed strikes?
Since unarmed strikes are considered melee weapon attacks, and the 'smite' spells don't have the same restriction as booming blade or green-flame blade (the part where it requires "a weapon" as the ...
7
votes
2answers
468 views
Does Magic Circle prevent unarmed melee attacks from crossing the circle's perimeter?
The Magic Circle spell creates a circle that protects against certain types of creatures. The spell description states:
Choose one or more of the following types of creatures: celestials, ...
2
votes
2answers
226 views
Does the Quick Draw & Flick of the Wrist feat work with Unarmed Strikes?
Does the Quick Draw & Flick of the Wrist feat work with Unarmed Strikes?
Flick of the Wrist from Song and Silence makes a target flat-footed if you use the Quick Draw feat as part of the attack, ...
18
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2answers
4k views
Does Improved Divine Smite trigger when a paladin makes an unarmed strike?
Context
The paladin in my game frequently uses his backhand to "correct" the ranger/assassin/warlock. The table enjoys these social interactions, as part of their bromance. It mostly happens out of ...
8
votes
1answer
655 views
Do I add my Strength modifier to the damage of unarmed strikes if I have the Tavern Brawler feat?
Do I add my Strength modifier to the damage of unarmed strikes if I have the Tavern Brawler feat?
From my understanding, the attack roll would be 1d20 + Proficiency + Str modifier. My question is ...
0
votes
0answers
121 views
Can a monk use Flurry of Blows without meeting the requirements of the Martial Arts feature? [duplicate]
The Martial Arts feature gives a monk the ability to use Dexterity instead of Strength with unarmed strikes and monk weapons. It also gives the monk the ability to make an additional unarmed strike as ...
3
votes
1answer
119 views
Are there any ways for a core race PC to start a grapple with an unarmed attack instead of a touch attack?
To start a grapple, the attacker specifically must use a touch attack. Are there any feats or other methods that would allow the attacker to start the grapple with a successful unarmed melee attack ...
3
votes
1answer
226 views
Can I use unarmed attacks to deliver touch attacks?
I know you can use unarmed strikes to deliver spells that need a touch attack.
However, is it also possible use unarmed strikes with spells that allow for several touch attacks, like Darkfire (SP, ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Unarmed strikes with Monk/Aarakocra [duplicate]
I am playing a Level 5 Monk/Aarakocra with the monk I get 1d6 + 5 (20 dex) but with Aarakocra’s talons I get 1d4 + 5. Does it become 1d6 + 1d4 + 5?
11
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2answers
803 views
What are the mechanics of attacking with a Talisman of (Pure Good / Ultimate Evil)?
Both the Talisman of Pure Good and the Talisman of Ultimate Evil deal damage to creatures of the wrong alignment who touch them (6d6 to neutrals and 8d6 to the exact opposite alignment). Here is the ...
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2answers
3k views
How does a lizardfolk monk's Bite attack work? [duplicate]
I got an idea to build a lizardfolk sun soul monk for some cool RP with praise the sun, sunrays from reptile jaws and stuff. But then I see bite can be used as unarmed attack. From this point I have ...
15
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1answer
3k views
Can a lizardfolk monk use their bonus action to make an unarmed strike using their Bite trait?
I'm gonna be playing my very first D&D game pretty soon and I'm really excited. I'm playing a Lizardfolk monk, and I just finished my character sheet, but I was confused about something.
We're ...
1
vote
2answers
410 views
Is this houserule about unarmed creatures balanced?
I'm fairly well-acquainted with 5e rules, and realised recently that, as far as I know, being unarmed in melee combat imposes no penalty at all to AC, nor confers any advantage to an armed attacker.
...
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3answers
4k views
If I multiclass my unarmed monk into rogue, which archetype is best suited for unarmed combat?
Goal: Battlefield controller able to zip around stunning casters and offering help to Assassin/fighter and Barbarian/fighter melee.
The strategy I plan on using is having my Monk run to the back and ...
2
votes
1answer
102 views
How does Cutting Hand affect grappling?
Cutting Hand (SC, p.57) changes your hand so that it does more damage and has a +2 enhancement bonus, but he enhancement bonus does not apply to touch attacks.
My question is this: When grappling, ...
48
votes
2answers
7k views
Should my fighter really punch that werewolf?
A werewolf from the MM has the following in its stat block:
Damage Immunities: Bludgeoning, Piercing, And Slashing Damage From Nonmagical Weapons That Aren't Silvered
And as established in the ...
