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.
149
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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
218 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
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2answers
644 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?" (...
2
votes
1answer
106 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 ...
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0answers
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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
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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
148 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
481 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
93 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
146 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
280 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 ...
14
votes
1answer
912 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 ...
13
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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
243 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
102 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
479 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
82 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
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4answers
204 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
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2answers
133 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
686 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 ...
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2answers
1k views
Do you need a weapon for Thunderous Smite, and the other 'Smite' spells?
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" in ...
7
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2answers
403 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
185 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
3k 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
542 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 ...
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0answers
106 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
118 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
178 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
1k 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
votes
2answers
663 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
2k 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 ...
14
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1answer
2k 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 ...
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vote
2answers
395 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
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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
100 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
121 views
After an unarmed creature disarms a foe, can the creature keep the weapon?
I'm playing a brawler who uses unarmed strikes and who specializes in disarming foes. Can an unarmed brawler retain a weapon after he disarms an opponent since his hands are free when he makes the ...
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2answers
2k views
Can you attack while you have two targets grappled?
The scenario:
Fighter McFighterson has found himself between two opponents. He decides that he is best-off by grappling both of them so that his team can fire away. Maybe he'll pin them later with ...
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1answer
563 views
Unarmed Strikes for Monks as a Bonus Action Following an Attack? [closed]
My DM is arguing that I need to roll a hit as my bonus action to take an unarmed strike following an attack action (as per Martial Arts or Flurry of Blows). Is this true? I was under the impression ...
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0answers
392 views
Is a Monk attack considered a finesse weapon attack? [duplicate]
Since the Monk Martial Arts feature grants the ability to choose either Str or Dex as the modifier would the unarmed and flurry of blows be considered as finesse? the mechanics are essentially the ...
4
votes
1answer
366 views
Can brass knuckles be combined with Brawler/Martial Artist edge? Would it be unbalanced to allow it anyway?
I was wondering whether brass knuckle can be combined with the brawler and martial artist edges from the Savage Worlds Deluxe Edition.
Both edges imply in their description, that they are meant to be ...
4
votes
2answers
167 views
Gauntlets In Regards to Negating Damage Resistance on Unarmed Strikes
Currently playing a Brawler in a campaign where demons are a common enemy and I'd like to use cold iron gauntlets to overcome damage resistance using my brawler's unarmed strikes. However, I've read ...
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0answers
233 views
Buffing Unarmed Attacks [duplicate]
In D&D 5e after the errata it was clarified that monks unarmed attacks are not weapons.
But in saying that, they are melee weapon attacks which is a form of a weapon attack.
My question is for ...
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1answer
2k views
Can unarmed strikes benefit from the Blood Hunter's Crimson Rite feature even if they do not choose the Order of the Lycan subclass?
The Order of the Lycan's Hybrid Transformation feature (for the homebrew Blood Hunter class by Matt Mercer) says:
Predatory Strikes. Your unarmed strikes are considered a single weapon in regards ...
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1answer
47k views
For a basic unarmed strike, is only the proficiency bonus included in the attack roll, or is the Strength modifier also added?
The Player's Handbook, Chapter 9, states about attack rolls:
The ability modifier used for a melee weapon attack is Strength
A bit later on it also states about melee attacks:
Instead of using ...
1
vote
1answer
875 views
If I punch someone and have a -2 Strength modifier, will I technically heal the target by 1 HP? [duplicate]
Unarmed strikes normally do damage equal to (1 + Str mod).
If I punch someone and have a -2 Strength modifier, will I technically heal the target by 1 HP?
8
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3answers
338 views
Is there such a thing as a ranged unarmed attack?
So I haven't had much time to create a character for playing D&D and thought I'd try my luck using a character generator for 4e, so I had something to tinker with before game. Mind you I am a ...
9
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2answers
882 views
Can a human fighter use an action to attack with a greataxe and then a bonus action to do an unarmed attack?
I'm a fairly new DM and we are playing through the Starter Set campaign (Lost Mine of Phandelver).
One of my players, who chose the pregen human fighter, wanted to punch a goblin with his bonus ...
8
votes
1answer
422 views
Do Natural Attacks count as Unarmed?
Several spells and powers, e.g. Dinosaur Form, give you:
natural melee attacks, which are the only types of attacks you can use.
Items such as the Handwraps of Mighty Fists:
give your unarmed ...
9
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2answers
379 views
Is Rolemaster Classic Martial Arts as weak as it seems?
So I rebooted my pen&paper career after almost 20 years with Rolemaster Classic 5.0 (RMC). (20 years ago I think I played 2.0, not sure what exactly that German translation was ...)
Martial Arts ...
