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.
195
questions
5
votes
1
answer
277
views
Can a Paladin smite using an unarmed attack if they’re wearing Demon Armor?
Since Demon Armor turns the wearer’s unarmed strikes into magic weapons can a Paladin smite with their unarmed strikes while wearing it?
- 1,978
6
votes
1
answer
230
views
If knives and fists are all considered light weapons, what's the benefit of picking up such weapons?
If weapons like knives, small guns, and a fist punch are all considered light weapons, why would a player ever pick up a knife if they drop it in a fight (from a bad roll, for instance)?
Sure, they ...
- 419
2
votes
2
answers
316
views
Do the Gloves of Soul Catching heal HP equal to only the damage from the item, or does it include any other force damage from the attack as well?
The description of the Gloves of Soul Catching state, in part (Candlekeep Mysteries, p. 169; emphasis mine):
After making a successful unarmed strike while wearing these gloves,
you can use the ...
- 377
9
votes
2
answers
401
views
Why would I spend resources on racial unarmed attacks?
As highlighted in this question about Razortooth Goblin, racial unarmed attacks seem to be significantly weaker than manufactured weapons.
Some examples:
Razertooth Goblin jaws: Damage comparable to ...
- 51.9k
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can a paladin use Divine Smite with unarmed strikes, but not Improved Divine Smite?
In the Player's Handbook, it says that paladins can use Divine Smite when they make a melee weapon attack. That seems to mean that I can use Divine Smite when I attack with my fists (I think, based on ...
10
votes
1
answer
176
views
Does armor provide the same protection against unarmed attacks as it does to armed attacks?
I mean, there isn't any rule differentiating ballistic and impact damages? I remember that in the old 2nd edition this rule existed, but I couldn't find something similar in the 5th and I would like ...
- 1,337
3
votes
3
answers
332
views
What is monk off-hand str damage bonus when using unarmed two-weapon fighting
With regard to this question, assuming it is decided that a monk can use unarmed attacks "off-hand" in two-weapon fighting, does a monk using the standard rules for two-weapon fighting with &...
- 6,154
-1
votes
1
answer
534
views
Are unarmed strikes "an attack using a weapon"? [duplicate]
The relevant part of the Rune Knight's Fire Rune reads as follows:
When you hit a creature with an attack using a weapon, you can invoke the rune to summon fiery shackles: the target takes an extra ...
- 1,067
8
votes
1
answer
950
views
How does the Grung playable race's Poisonous Skin ability interact with unarmed strikes?
The relevant text of the ability in question is as follows:
Poisonous Skin. Any creature that grapples you or otherwise comes into direct contact with your skin must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution ...
- 1,067
8
votes
1
answer
476
views
Can you stack Bracers of Striking and Necklace of Natural Weapons?
Let's say you play a monk or other unarmed character and wear both a bracers of striking and necklace of natural weapons. Magic Fang established that for the exclusive purposes of enchantment, unarmed ...
- 83
8
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Does a Monk gain benefits from taking a level in Fighter and choosing Unarmed Fighting from Tasha's?
The Unarmed Fighting style from Tasha's states:
Your unarmed strikes can deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier. If you strike
with two free hands, the d6 becomes a d8. When ...
- 83
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can I make an unarmed strike while holding a two handed weapon? [duplicate]
My barbarian Gus uses a Greataxe, a two handed weapon. While raging in combat against harpies, a round passed without Gus taking damage. On his turn, all harpies were out of his melee range, and he ...
- 5,525
4
votes
1
answer
112
views
Can I use two feats affecting unarmed strike at the same time?
Is there anything preventing a character from using, for example, Stunning Fist on the same attack as he uses Befuddling Strike, Perfect Strike (with a Ki Focus weapon), Scorpion Style, or similar ...
- 1,345
4
votes
1
answer
340
views
What's the furthest possible range that an unarmed strike could have?
From what I have seen, the furthest that I could get it was 20 feet, however, I'm sure it's possible to increase it further, so, how far can an unarmed strike truly reach?
- 43
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
As a monk, if I throw a dart with my action, can I make an unarmed strike using my bonus action?
As a monk, after failing to hit someone with a dart throw, can I make an unarmed strike against an enemy close to me using my bonus action?
3
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Can a Way of the Astral Self monk grapple with its Arms of the Astral Self?
In the Unearthed Arcana version of the Way of the Astral Self, the monk's Astral Arms were treated as monk weapons.
Under that wording, the monk probably couldn't grapple/shove with them because ...
- 27.7k
3
votes
1
answer
61
views
Attacker's AC effect on pummeling attacks
On page 72 of the DMG under Pummel - Base Score to Hit, it says
Attacker's AC, per point, with negative AC being treated as
positive by type* +1%
...
* Magical protections such as rings ... do not ...
- 1,133
6
votes
2
answers
458
views
Is Stumbling Feint a misprint?
Luce Bri is a human fighter, who decided to take the Martial Artist archetype dedication.
This means Luce doesn't have access to Flurry of Blows, as it's only available if Luce instead takes the Monk ...
- 2,352
3
votes
1
answer
377
views
Are monks only allowed to use non-unarmed weapons as off-hand when two-weapon fighting?
Do the special rules regarding monks' unarmed strikes prevent monks from using unarmed strikes as off-hand weapons when using two-weapon fighting?
The monk class' unarmed strike section states:
There ...
- 6,154
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can a monk use a quarterstaff for the attacks from Flurry of Blows?
I have a Level 3 Air Genasi Monk with a quarterstaff. When I take Flurry of Blows, do I have to attack without a weapon, are there certain weapons I can use, or can I use any monk weapon as my Flurry ...
- 284
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can a Monk use multiple Ki points to get more unarmed strikes from Flurry of Blows in a single turn?
In a recent session of 5e, our monk (4th level, Way of the Drunken Master) was using unarmed strikes, and the DM claimed that she could use any number of available Ki points to increase the amount of ...
- 91
1
vote
0
answers
47
views
Can produce flame do damage on unarmed strike? [duplicate]
So I have seen previous questions regarding this situation, but all of them appeared to be for fun and silly one shots. What’s different in this case is I’m trying to run a long and intense campaign. ...
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How do ranged unarmed attacks work in Pathfinder 2e? [closed]
I was looking at the Leshy Ancestry feats and found one where you make a ranged unarmed attack called Seedpod. I was wondering, how does a ranged unarmed attack work?
- 21
3
votes
0
answers
140
views
What Happens When You Have Multiple Unarmed Strike Dice? [duplicate]
So, while flipping through the PHB, I've noticed that in 5th edition, multiple abilities can give you a buff on your unarmed strike, such as a monk's Martial Arts ability, the Tavern Brawler feat or ...
3
votes
1
answer
156
views
Can I use both flying kick and Dragon Style in the same round?
So I am a level 8 unchained monk with haste. That gives me 4 attacks.
I've selected the Dragon style feat tree and Flying kick as style strike.
Can I use both Dragon Ferocity and Flying Kick in the ...
- 1,079
2
votes
1
answer
68
views
Can one use Shadowblade's "Unseen Weapon" on unarmed strikes?
Unseen Weapon (Su): As a standard action, you can wrap any melee
weapon you wield in a layer of shifting shadows. This causes the
weapon to darken, become less distinct, and leave a trail of shadow
...
- 1,087
6
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Is the "Way of the Astral Self" Monk's extra punch useless?
Martial arts for monks states that when you take the attack action you can make 1 unarmed strike as a bonus action. However UA 2019 Astral monks at third level says the same thing: “you can make 1 ...
- 956
2
votes
1
answer
347
views
What would the attack modifier be for an unarmed strike while wildshaped?
I know from a well voted for answer in Is a Wild Shape attack considered an unarmed strike? that it is possible for a druid to make an unarmed strike while wildshaped, just instead of the beast's ...
- 5,379
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Do unarmed strikes work with the Great Weapon Master feat?
A new player told me he wants to use the Great Weapon Master feat and choose 'Unarmed Strikes' as his weapon. I told him no because Unarmed Strikes are not considered weapons. He argued with me and I ...
- 229
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Unarmed strikes in mutants and masterminds
I have looked for how to perform unarmed strikes, but i can’t find it. I have looked in weapons and attacking but it does not say anything
- 317
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Creature "Armed" Unarmed Attacks and Attacks of Opportunity
Ok, I'm stuck in a rules question, and I can't decide on the answer. This is from a Rise of the Runelords campaign that's reached Fort Rannick. My players went up against the Ogre Fighters and one of ...
- 23
3
votes
2
answers
8k
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 ...
- 1,002
3
votes
1
answer
169
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 ...
- 11.6k
6
votes
2
answers
302
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 ...
- 11.6k
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Do unarmed strikes count as attacks with "weapons" for purposes of features like Enlarge/Reduce and Brute Force? [duplicate]
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 ...
- 127
13
votes
5
answers
11k
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 ...
- 35.4k
2
votes
2
answers
650
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 ...
- 51
4
votes
1
answer
237
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 ...
- 143
-1
votes
3
answers
894
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 ...
- 135
11
votes
1
answer
2k
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 them if ...
- 1,215
3
votes
1
answer
657
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 ...
- 41
5
votes
1
answer
884
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?
- 505
7
votes
3
answers
2k
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):
...
- 2,194
18
votes
4
answers
7k
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.
...
- 71.6k
2
votes
1
answer
647
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 ...
- 71.6k
6
votes
1
answer
4k
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?
- 1,025
10
votes
2
answers
7k
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 ...
- 583
12
votes
2
answers
1k
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?" (...
- 71.6k
4
votes
1
answer
279
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 ...
- 9,299
1
vote
0
answers
69
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 ...
- 24.8k