Monk unarmed strike 5e. The target must make a Constitution saving throw.
Monk unarmed strike 5e. When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. 5TH LEVEL: STUNNING STRIKE Once per turn when you hit a creature with a Monk Weapon or an Unarmed Strike, you can spend 1 Focus Point to attempt a stunning strike. Nov 20, 2023 · DnD unarmed strike 5e rules explained Want to build a slap-happy character who mainly uses unarmed strike 5e attacks? Here's the key Dungeons and Dragons rules you should know. Bear in mind that most of the Monk's strength is not in raw damage potential. For a first level monk, each attack will do 1d4+dex damage. ) (PHB 79. With two free hands you can make an unarmed strike as a regular action and a second as a bonus action. Monks of the Way of the Open Hand are the ultimate masters of martial arts combat, whether armed or unarmed. They are the most MAD (multiple ability dependent) class in DnD 5e, needing three high ability scores to function effectively with very little room to ignore any of them, and the Monk isn’t as durable as the Fighter nor as lethal as the Rogue. D&D 5e Monk Flurry of Blows Tips First, let's see what a Monk gets out of the Unarmed Fighting FS: 1d6 damage for their unarmed strikes, 1d8 damage if they use both hands. Jan 31, 2023 · Get the most out of the Monk's Stunning Strike feature in D&D 5e with this helpful guide. The Forged Heart is a recent path, developed by warforged exploring the Apr 4, 2016 · The monk's Stunning Strike feature reads as follows: Starting at 5th level, you can interfere with the flow of ki in an opponent’s body. Aug 9, 2023 · Increased Damage: The damage of a Monk’s unarmed strike increases as they level up, representing their increasing skill in martial arts. ) But, if you're using the Tasha's optional class features, you have access to Dedicated Weapon, which lets you use a weapon as a monk weapon if it's: simple or Monks when they make an unarmed strike us a d4 plus their dexterity modifier, with the d4 increasing to a d6 by level 5, a d8 by level 11, and finally a d10 by level 17. May 12, 2025 · After the 2024 revisions to the Player's Handbook, DnD 5e players who main Monk may want to know which subclass is best. It starts at d6 at level 3 and increases to a d8 at level 5, d10 at level 11 and a d12 at level 17. Jun 22, 2018 · One unarmed strike does 1d4 (+ attribute modifier) damage for a first level monk. When you hit level 5, your unarmed attacks do 1d6 damage each, which is only one less on average than a quarterstaff or spear - so 2 less damage per turn. They use armed strikes and specific monastic armaments such as the Kama (Nunchucks), Quarterstaff, Sai (Shuriken), and Siangham to attack with these blows. When using flurry of blows, a monk may attack only with unarmed strikes or with special monk weapons (kama, nunchaku, quarterstaff, sai, shuriken, and siangham). If you go 2 levels of Fighter for the Action Long story short, I was looking up wording in the Monk class because I'm making a homebrew for something and was reading Martial Arts. The Stunning Strike feature, however, states: "When you hit another creature with a melee weapon attack, you can spend 1 ki point to attempt a stunning strike. And at level one I can make an unarmed strike after each attack, but I don't know how to calculate its damage correctly. A monk can use his quarterstaff two handed, then kick for his unarmed strike bonus action. A regular unarmed strike uses str and everybody is proficient with their unarmed strike. It was at that point I realized that nowhere in it does it say that a character with this feature becomes proficient in unarmed strikes, only that their unarmed strikes may use Dexterity instead of Strength and deal 1d4 damage. I upgraded to version 8 last night and goddamn near everything broke. I'm working through it and I've come to the formula I've used for unarmed strike damage for monks. Aug 20, 2023 · Learn all about the martial artist class of D&D known as monks. So the damage of a low level monk’s unarmed strike is 1d4 (instead of 1 Aug 24, 2023 · Unarmed Strike unlocks Unarmed Strike as a Monk action in case you want to deal unarmed damage with the Attack action while a weapon is equipped also see Unlocked Unarmed Strike by Azrael, which unlocks Unarmed Strike as a common player action (like Dash) instead of as a class action Attack of Opportunity: Unarmed adds a toggleable passive that changes your opportunity attack to deal Apr 26, 2022 · Add a new "Unarmed Strike (Monk)" item that is granted to Monk's automatically that uses the Martial Arts die for damage. Whenever you take the Attack action and attack with an unarmed strike or monk weapon, you can make an unarmed strike as a bonus action. She may attack with unarmed strikes and special monk weapons interchangeably as desired. For example, if you take the Attack action and attack with a quarterstaff, you can also make an unarmed strike as a Bonus action, assuming you haven’t already taken a Bonus action this turn. The main question is, how easy will it be for other classes to have magical unarmed strikes matching the monk's level 6 ability? There are now magical handwraps, if an unarmed build can reasonably obtain it via their Bastion As long as you took the attack action (with or without an unarmed strike or monk weapon) you can then spend 1 Ki to use Flurry of Blows and make 2 unarmed bonus attacks. I know this could all be homebrewed away, but I was trying to think of a way to balance a fist weapon for a level 6 Monk. You make an attack roll against the target. Open Hand) + Thrust (Tavern Attack) + Thrust (Unarmed Strike) in the same unarmed strike? Clearly, using Shove or Grapple (Unarmed Strike) prevents you from doing the damage of the unarmed attack. You can't use a beast's natural weapon in place of an unarmed strike, nor is it a Monk weapon. Basically unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks that do not use melee weapons. Browse and reference your favorite RPG rule sets for systems including D&D, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, and Cyberpunk RED. A monk unarmed strike is an off-hand weapon. He might even have to forego the quarterstaff, at least some of the time, as early as level 6 if the Jan 20, 2015 · Another (insane) interpretation: since the monk can use any part of his body to make an unarmed strike, then his "unarmed strike" weapon is effectively his whole body. Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action. You can almost always use a bonus action to make an unarmed strike (or 2 with Flurry of Blows). Learn how to play a monk in D&D 5th Edition, a martial artist who uses unarmed strikes and monk weapons. Combine with Martial Arts, this type of fighting could yield one quarterstaff attack, one off-hand unarmed strike, and then a bonus unarmed strike from Martial Arts. Your unarmed attacks while shifted are considered magical for the purposes of resistance and immunity. Jul 2, 2023 · You can replace the damage dealt by your unarmed strikes or monk weapons with a d4. Feb 6, 2021 · I'm continually confused by the rulings in Sage Advice on the Monk Unarmed Attack and conflating it with Unarmed Attack's available to other characters. At its core, determining the damage for an unarmed strike requires understanding your character’s abilities and class features that may come into play. Jul 2, 2015 · The reason I have this question is because with the Martial Arts class feature it says that I would use DEX instead of STR for attack and damage rolls: do I use DEX when calculating my attack bonus, or, do I still use STR for calculating my attack bonus (for an unarmed strike)? Aug 18, 2021 · The new Unarmed Fighting Style from Tasha's states that your character does 1D8 in hand-to-hand combat as long as they're not holding a weapon or a shield. So when Stunning Strike says melee weapon attack you can use unarmed in instead of a weapon and it will still work. With the Monk’s ability to make unarmed strikes as a bonus action, this is a big deal. This guide offers a When you hit another creature with a melee weapon attack Stunning strike just requires a melee weapon attack which is not an attack with a melee weapon. Can a monk do a unarmed strike (or weapon attack) as an action and then an unarmed strike as a bonus action without spending any ki points? If they use a ki point (flurry of blows) as their bonus action they could then do 3 unarmed strikes or a weapon attack plus 2 unarmed strikes in one turn? So basically 3 attacks in total? Monks are different in 5e Using a monk weapon to make attacks with your action is by design, but your unarmed strikes certainly aren't useless. So you can absolutely get the 1d8+Dex attack that way. I want a monk character that is primarily fists, but has a little extra. Using this energy, monks channel uncanny speed and strength into their unarmed strikes. This die changes as you gain monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk table. There is no such thing as an off-hand attack for a monk striking unarmed. You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk High damage from unarmed attacks is a bit of an oxymoron. There are several weapons that are considered Monk weapons and therefore use the Martial Arts dice for their damage when you attack. You also get magical unarmed strikes at monk level 6. Dec 17, 2015 · From level 17 your Unarmed Strikes deal more damage than any weapon you could wield, but you can use the same damage die for your Monk weapons, and your weapons can have magical bonuses, while your fists can't. Multi-class into druid is specific to spore druid as you get the ability to do 1d6 extra on melee attacks as long as your temp hitpoints When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. Both the Unarmed Fighting Style and Martial Arts change the damage die, so since both have the option to replace it, you get to pick which to use on any strike. 24 rules has that changed? Lvl 6: When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. So you can stunning strike with either your fists or a weapon like a spear. Jan 12, 2024 · A Wild Shape Druid use the beast's proficiency bonus when using attack's action in it's statblock so while not specifically mentioned, it should also apply to unarmed strike. As a monk, your unarmed strike damage is replaced with a d4 (second Martial Arts bullet point, PH78), and " [y]ou can use dexterity instead of strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons " (first bullet point), so you ignore the normal 1 + Str mod. We can help. Unarmed Strikes ≠ Monk Weapons. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. When a monster takes its action, it can choose from the options in the Actions section of its stat block or use one of the actions available to all creatures, such as the Dash or Hide action, as described in the Player With Barb3 Monk 5 you could make one unarmed strike for a d6, get +2 AC, then make a claw attack, which turns into 2 claw attacks, then use flurry of blows. It takes Monk 5 to get 1d6 unarmed damage instead of 1d4, and Monk 10 to get 1d8. Are you required to make both attacks with the monk weapon? Or can it be 1 Monk Weapon, 1 Unarmed Strike? There are no restrictions like that on the attacks you can make with Extra Attack. Dec 1, 2023 · The unarmed strike in D&D 5e is a testament to the game’s dedication to versatility and detailed combat mechanics. Jun 18, 2023 · Can monks use Dex for unarmed strike? You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. This would give the opportunity to build a strength-based monk (since adding dexterity instead of strength to damage is optional). Monk launches a flurry of punches with their full attack. (Quotation is under the Multiclassing section if you're having a hard time finding it) Unarmed strikes don't use a weapon with the finesse property (or a weapon at all) and the monk abilities specify that you can use dexterity without mentioning finesse iirc. I'm curious how we think weapon mastery will intersect with unarmed strikes. Apr 20, 2020 · Looking for a D&D class that is a smooth as water? Learn about unarmed fighting and other sweet powers with our complete Monk 5E Guide. One of my players asked me about making a monk that "dual-wielded" unarmed attacks. Or, is there s Yes. levels > 4 ? 6 : 4) + @mod That formula now throws an The eldritch claw tattoo from Tasha’s or the insignia of claws from hoard of the dragon queen are both uncommon items that make your unarmed strikes magical and give you +1 to attack and damage rolls for unarmed strikes. • When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. Everybody has magical weapons that work with their class, but I feel the monk is a bit left out since he doesn't get any magic weapons since he is at the point where unarmed strikes do as much damage as a two-handed quarterstaff strike. During our last session, the DM informed our level 2 monk that they could only use the unarmed strike bonus action, or spend a ki point to do flurry of blows, if their main attack action hit. But at level 6 the unarmored strike is already 1d6 so I was wondering if there's a way use the cestus while Aug 15, 2023 · That or dip back into Monk for 5 more levels, but that would add some redundancy, a few features, and delay the extra fighter feats and Extra Extra Attack. Me and my group got into a discussion concerning unarmed strikes. That attack is with a part of the body, whether it be a fist, foot, forearm, or forehead. Be prepared for revitalised subclasses, better unarmed Feb 18, 2025 · For example, could one also use Stunning Strike (Monk's 5th-level characteristic) + Shaking Palm + Thrust (T. My question is this: in the new 5e. Jun 19, 2016 · 28 You are overcomplicating things here. The Monk ability Martial Arts applies to attack rolls and damage rolls for unarmed strikes. Stunning Strike works with melee weapon attacks, and an unarmed strike is a special type of melee weapon You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. It's in the same category as the grapple attack action. Fighter and barbarian are terrific options, too, if built right. It's my understanding that I can make an unarmed strike - a strike with no weapon - as a bonus action after striking with a weapon as a monk. Their Proficiencies list just says simple weapons and shortswords. At 1st level, your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use unarmed strikes and monk weapons, which are shortswords and any simple melee weapons that don't have the two-handed or heavy property. Mar 1, 2018 · 18 I am co-DM'ing a campaign, and in our party we have a monk. Do the claws of Tabaxi and Tortles change the unarmed attacks of monk to slashing damage, or is the damage separate? Does the unarmed slashing damage increase with the monk's level, as described on A Monk's unarmed strike is certainly not a Spell Attack TM, and so by this definition and according to both of those Sage Advices, it is a Melee Weapon Attack TM and Divine Smite works with it. Aug 10, 2024 · Special Note: Changes to Unarmed Strikes! The core rules for unarmed strikes have changed slightly. Because of this, monk is (unintuitively) is possibly the worst class o take this feat with. 14, it was pretty firmly stated that Unarmed Strikes were intentionally *not* [Light]. I dunno. As a Monk, you gain the following class features when you reach the specified Monk levels. If a monk gets the tavern brawler feat, does his martial arts damage stack with the 1d4 damage given with tavern brawler? For example: could a 1st level monk deal 2d4 damage with his unarmed strike Jun 6, 2025 · The Monk can be difficult to play compared to the Fighter or the Rogue. This dice size improves at 5th, 11th, and 17th levels to a d6, d8, and d10 respectively. Certain monasteries use specialized forms of the monk weapons. This ability allows monks to use their Dexterity modifier for attack and damage rolls with Unarmed Strikes, and the damage die for these strikes increases as they level up. E. It's very viable. A monk’s attacks may be with either fist interchangeably or even from elbows, knees, and feet. Sep 28, 2022 · In several years of playing, I have yet to observe an unarmed strike from someone who is not a monk, so whatever you decide here is extremely unlikely to affect game balance in any material way. So would a tortle monk deal 2d4 plus strength or dexterity for their unarmed strikes? I know the unarmed strike combo is a bit of a reach, but I feel like AC of 17 + wis is RAW. Mar 7, 2025 · You cannot apply Monk Attack to Unarmed Strike, it errors saying cannot do that for a Natural weapon. ^ In game terms, this is an Unarmed Strike — a melee attack that involves you using your body to Damage, Grapple, or Shove a target within 5 feet of you. This showed the general dissatisfaction with how the monk worked, necessitating such sweeping changes. You gain the following benefits while you are unarmed or wielding only monk weapons and you aren't wearing armor or wielding a shield: • You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. g. I don't want to take a monk weapon either, so I'm hoping there's something I'm missing that lets me do it with an unarmed strike. May 11, 2023 · Diving into the nitty-gritty of calculating damage for unarmed attacks in 5e can feel like navigating a labyrinth, but with a little guidance, you’ll be throwing powerful punches in no time. To do this mechanically, I wanted to make a Monk/Barbarian multiclass and go strength based. Monks have some of the lowest damage output in the game, there's just no way to bump up the unarmed strike damage without just picking a different class entirely and pretending they're a Monk. This means that a monk may even make unarmed strikes with her hands full. So I was thinking about what makes a weapon a weapon in 5e Even the playable races that have "natural weapons" state you can use your "claws, bite, horns, ect" as an unarmed strike that deals normally 1d4 damage Aug 20, 2023 · Learn all about the martial artist class of D&D known as monks. The unarmed strike is like a weird halfway between weapon attack and special attack action. That said Jun 19, 2023 · Simple question, can a Monk/Rogue make an Unarmed Strike then use Sneak attack with that strike? I would argue that a Monk's Unarmed Strike would be considered a Finesse weapon due to the fact that a Finesse weapon can use either your STR or DEX modifier as shown in the official rules below as well as the official rule of Monk stating the exact same thing for their Unarmed Strikes: Finesse A monk following the Way of the Living Weapon pursues physical perfection, honing their body as a smith sharpens a sword. You gain the following benefits while you are unarmed or wielding only monk weapons and you aren’t wearing armor or wielding a shield: You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. Their Martial Arts Jun 20, 2025 · Way of the living weapon features Monk: Wizards of the Coast Fists of bone and steel – Lv3 How it works Your martial arts damage die is higher for unarmed strikes than for other monks. Dec 27, 2023 · Seeing as the Monk’s unarmed strikes are considered “melee weapon attacks,” you can even use this after you hit with Martial Arts or Flurry of Blows. Apr 13, 2020 · In my campaign we have a 6th level monk. In contrast, a rogue/monk can use Sneak Attack with a monk weapon, such as a shortsword or a dagger, that has one of the required properties. Apr 21, 2015 · When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. What is an unarmed attack in 5E? Martial Arts reads, in part: You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. Nov 11, 2020 · Should the monk get to add their ability modifier to the damage on a bonus attack unarmed strike if the main attack is a monk weapon, since now they are hitting with the offhand like in Two-weapon fighting? The D&D Beyond character sheet indicates either either monk weapon or unarmed strike bonus action unarmed strike gets the ability modifier damage added which does conflict directly with the Is there any way to perform the Smite Spells with an unarmed attack? OR Is there a way to make an unarmed strike count as a melee weapon attack? I was playing around with a Paladin/Monk idea, but all of the spite spells specify they need a melee weapon attack. Ergo, using a Monk Weapon would disqualify you from making an unarmed strike outside of the one allowed by your bonus move. Previously, this worked: 1d(@classes. This edited live stream video explains and demonstrates how the monk's unarmed strike works in the game of Dungeons & Dragons 5e. However, because the Martial Arts ability is explicit about attack and damage rolls Unarmed strike doesn't even have to be a punch. Because a grapple or a shove is now an effect chosen after an unarmed strike, you would have the option of using Dexterity on the unarmed strike before you choose those effects. Gloves of Missile Snaring Jan 3, 2022 · D&D 5e allows you to make a powerful combatant with no arms or armor, and it doesn't have to be a monk. Using your free hand to make a second attack post-lvl 5. Sep 13, 2023 · Unarmed Strike 5e is a sort of battle in which you fight with your hands and make strikes and use magic, sword, or shielding. You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon. Flurry of Blows: After the Monk takes the Attack action, they can spend 1 ki point to make two additional unarmed strikes as a bonus action. Oct 16, 2024 · Want to play a monk that hits with rapid strikes or a grappler and shove build that can move your enemies easily around the battlefield. It specifically says you can use unarmed instead of a weapon attack in such cases where a weapon attack is needed. Apr 13, 2024 · So, unarmed strikes don't generally require a free hand -- you can kick, headbutt, tail strike, etc. A monk cannot use any weapon other than an unarmed strike or a special monk weapon as part of a flurry of blows. Whenever you use your Unarmed Strike, choose one of the following options for its effect. Mar 17, 2015 · The rule on unarmed strikes should read as follows: “Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count as weapons). See full list on dndlounge. However, the free bonus action attack requires you to be unarmed or wielding a monk weapon. Monk's Martial Arts: Dextrous Attacks may replace the Strength damage scaling with the Dexterity modifier if it is higher. The clarification about the difference. The Activities tab > Effect > switch ability to Dex was the only solution I could find. The damage roll is a d4+DEX, as the martial arts ability of the monk states You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. 10 Simply put - can the Monk class use the Dual Wielder Feat with: A (monk) weapon and an unarmed strike? An unarmed strike "in each hand"? Admittedly this is a similar question to this post about Monks and TWF but I wanted to know if there is any difference in D&D 5e? Does RAW cover Monks and TWF in any meaningful way? One, unarmed strikes and natural weapons are different things. Its traditions are drawn from cultures of shapeshifters and creatures who fight with tooth and claw. The second attack takes a bonus action, so you cannot spend a ki point and flurry, because you already used the bonus action for a single unarmed strike. Stunning Strike only cares about hits, not damage, so any magical weapon is always better than Unarmed Strike. It can be two weapon attacks, two unarmed attacks, or one of each; if you're holding two weapons, you can mix the two weapons Dec 18, 2017 · An unarmed strike isn’t a weapon, so it doesn’t qualify. The damage dealt by a regular unarmed strike is 1+str mod. Unarmed strikes aren’t just limited to fists Master the art of DND unarmed strike! Discover top classes, builds, and strategies to enhance your gameplay and turn fists into formidable weapons in 5e. These features are listed in the Monk Features table. The exact wording of Martial Arts is this: “You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. A monk with natural weapons cannot use such weapons as part of a flurry of blows, nor can he make natural attacks in addition to his flurry of blows attacks. Existing 5e subclasses will all work mechanically with this form of the monk class. The monk’s martial arts lets you use use a d4 for your unarmed strikes, in adddition to letting you use dex instead of str for attack and damage rolls with unarmed strikes. The best way I can figure out how to increase unarmed damage is to take a feat either magic adept or fate touched or multi-class into warlock or druid . Attacks at level 10, (sustained with Reckless Attack, no Rage) When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. It signifies that unarmed strikes overcome a monster’s Part of my thinking i know comes from playing 3. Unarmed Strike 5e: Divine Smite and Unarmed Strike 5e: Should You Implement an Unarmed Strike 5e? Details: How Can Humans Improve Unarmed Strike 5e? Options Based on Race: Monk Class: Choices for Sub-classes: “Unarmed Combat” Fighting Technique: Tavern Brawler Feature: The Spell of Alter Self: The first quote from Stormknight does say unarmed strikes count as a weapon attack. But if that's the case, the classical unarmed fighting monk will not really have access to this system unless it uses weapons. Nov 6, 2019 · By default, an unarmed strike deals 1 + Strength modifier damage. With Monk in the warrior class group, it seems a certainty that it will have weapon mastery access. Unlock your Monk's full potential! Nov 8, 2024 · What are the rules for Unarmed Strike 5E? In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, an Unarmed Strike is a type of melee attack that uses the character’s bare hands or feet to deal damage to an opponent. Since it requires a "Melee Weapon Attack using strength" I don't know whether the unarmed strike qualifies. Also you could turn your Claws into +3 weapons at lv 11. My first 5E Monk was "That guy in your martial arts class who is going to use what he learned to pick fights, and really doesn't care aboot the self-discipline parts". The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a normal attack with a Quartersta Sep 14, 2024 · Yep. Right from the Monk's Martial Arts section, first bullet. These are a few of the martial techniques that have evolved into the Way of the Living Weapon. Whatever the reason given. Nov 27, 2024 · The 2024 Monk is particularly proficient in unarmed combat, and they can use their impeccable discipline to land blow after devastating blow on an enemy. Thus, you would roll d20+DEX+PROF to see if you hit. There are also more useful abilities at higher levels. I doubt I'd be opening any real kind of Pandora's box, but the question remains: A monk must use a full attack action to strike with a flurry of blows. For example, if you take the Attack action and attack with a quarterstaff, you can also make an unarmed strike as a bonus action, assuming you haven't already taken a bonus action this turn. On a failed save, the target has the Stunned condition until the start of your next turn. So you can always give them a magical Monk Weapon with whatever desired effect you want them to get. Whether it’s a rogue’s swift knee to the gut or a monk’s precise palm strike, these actions are governed by specific rules that dictate their efficacy. Monks also lean heavily into using Bonus Actions right from level 1, which can . A character can use a monk unarmed strike to make attacks even while holding another one-handed weapon in the other hand, and can use the other one-handed weapon to make attacks even if it isn't an off-hand weapon. Honestly, your best option is to go Fighter 1, Monk 1, Fighter X, pick Battle Master as your subclass and keep leveling with Fighter for the rest The following is a revision of the 5e monk class, meant to increase unarmed damage, move monk resources off its short rest recovery system, and prevent stunning strike spamming at high levels. Tactics This doesn’t necessarily affect your tactics too much as unarmed strikes remain strong for a monk 1: Monks aren't only limited to their unarmed strike. Hey y'all, apologies if this has been brought up a million times. levels > 10 ? 8 : @classes. Find out how to use ki points, unarmored defense, and monastic traditions to enhance your combat style. Sep 22, 2019 · So I'm playing for the first time (5e) with a group that's also pretty much all playing for the first time, and we have one player who rolled a monk. Level 1: Martial Arts Your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use your Unarmed Strike and Monk weapons, which are the following: Simple Melee weapons Martial Melee weapons that have the Light property You gain the Jan 1, 2025 · What Accurately Is an Unarmed Strike? Weapons vs. Nov 4, 2024 · In 5e. (Interestingly, flurry of blows doesn't. Optimising for unarmed combat in D&D 2024 isn’t immediately obvious as there’s an interaction between a lot of rules As a Monk, you gain the following class features when you reach the specified Monk levels. Mar 20, 2025 · Monk’s Martial Arts: A defining feature of the Monk class in D&D 5e is their Martial Arts ability. Monk's Martial Arts: Deft Strikes replaces the 1 base damage of Unarmed Strike with 1d4. Now, when you make an unarmed strike, you may either deal damage (just like normal), or attempt to Grapple or Shove. But take into account that Monks, like many characters, want to beeline level 5 to get Extra Attack and Stunning Strike, and the difference between 1d6 When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. If a character has one or more levels in Monk, the class's Martial Arts ability gives them the following benefit (among others): Jan 4, 2025 · You are holding a monk weapon. • You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon. The Grapple and Shove Oct 13, 2015 · Monks gain the benefits of Martial Arts while either unarmed OR using a Monk weapon (and unarmored/-shielded). I'm playing a monk in our campaign. monk. Eventually, the monk's unarmed damage die will overtake the quarterstaff damage die and he'll stop using the quarterstaff entirely at that point anyway. 195). Does this mean that a Monk that takes a 1-level dip into Fighter suddenly does D8s for their Attacks instead of D4s? It seems like this increases the damage curve for low-level Monks by a LOT. I was thinking early on a Monk's unarmed strike is 1d4 and the cestus could turn it into 1d6. Unique among other classes, Monks usually fight unarmed and unarmored, using their incredible capabilities to perform superhuman acts of athleticism Dec 16, 2014 · Melee Attacks (p. In this article, we will explore the rules governing Unarmed Strikes in 5E, including the damage calculation, proficiency, and special abilities. " (Emphasis added. Heck, you could even still punch them with out any claw usage whatsoever. You're a monk who has reached 5th level and excited about finally getting the Stunning Strike feature. You now have different options to choose from when attacking targets in Unarmed Strike, and these options have also changed from 2014. Our guide has everything you need to know from class features to optimisation advice. Is it useful? Maybe. Level 5: Stunning Strike Once per turn when you hit a creature with a Monk weapon or an Unarmed Strike, you can expend 1 Focus Point to attempt a stunning strike. While the Monk was unbalanced and unpopular in the 2014 rules, the 2024 version is a much more appealing martial option. This increases to 1d6 at Monk level 3 and 1d8 at Monk level 9. On a hit, an unarmed strike deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1 + your Strength modifier. Additionally, you get to choose which stat among Str and Dex to apply to Unarmed Strikes. Magical adept or multi-classing into warlock will give you hex while fey touched gives you hunters mark. Can a monk use the quarterstaff with two hands, dealing a 1d8, then still use the unarmed strike as a bonus action? The monk is a pro martial artist, I guess they can have two hands on the quarterstaff for their action and then letting go of one hand before the bonus action? Or even kick in the unarmed strike? The best use-case of an unarmed build will almost certainly be grappling, as one can hold a shield and grapple, or grapple two enemies, while still effectively attacking. Aug 15, 2024 · Introduction The Monk is DnD 5e’s iconic martial artist, popular among those who prefer to punch things rather than stabbing them or setting them on fire (though stabbing things and/or setting them on fire is still a possibility for the Monk). ) Are hands considered Oct 12, 2022 · Unarmed strikes are often ignored in D&D, but they have their place! Learn more with out Unarmed Strike 5E Guide. My question would be whether I can use the Reckless Attack feature with the unarmed strikes of a monk. The rule on unarmed strikes should read as follows: “Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count as weapons). Like many monks, you opt to rely just on your deadly hands in combat. Apr 6, 2022 · The 5E Tavern Brawler feat does not stack with a monk’s unarmed attack. It takes multiple good ability scores to manage it, though, more so than most builds. Well today I’m going to take you through how unarmed combat work and how you can make an unarmed warrior that’s actually effective. levels > 16 ? 10 : @classes. Even if you didn't give the Tabaxi Monk the full 1d4 claw strike on top of the monk's martial arts damage die, you could add a plus 2 or something so you aren't completely ignoring the fact that this creature, untrained, starts off with natural increased unarmed damage. Do you add Dex to unarmed strike 5e? Yes, a monk can use Dexterity instead of Strength for unarmed strikes thanks to their Martial Arts class feature. Aug 20, 2022 · Yes for attack rolls, no for grapple DC. 5, were the Monk's unarmed strikes we considered natural weapons and not manufactured weapons, because there was a difference. You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed It was my understanding that for damage for the monk’s extra unarmed strike (per Martial Arts) they roll a d4 for damage (or could alternatively choose 1+ strength/or dex modifier, bludgeoning damage). Oct 7, 2016 · I want to make a half-orc monk and I was wondering if the racial feature Savage Attacks from the half-orc race and unarmed strikes from the monk's Martial Arts feature work together. com Monks harness this power within themselves to create magical effects and exceed their bodies’ physical capabilities, and some of their special attacks can hinder the flow of ki in their opponents. As such, yes, monks add their modifiers to damage on bonus action unarmed strike attacks, but only if they have made an attack already with their action, AND Martial Arts You gain the following benefits while you are unarmed or wielding only monk weapons and you aren’t wearing armor or wielding a shield: You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. You just have to expand your understanding of Monk. A good example is the quarterstaff fits this. When you hit another creature with a melee weapon atta Mar 28, 2023 · 5E Unarmed Strikes: In Conclusion Unarmed strikes might not come up all that often outside of the Monk in 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons, but it’s a good mechanic that can come up for bare knuckle boxing arenas, unarmed combat, or maybe just trying to bloody up an NPC at low levels to make them more cooperative. They learn techniques to push and trip their opponents, manipulate ki to heal damage to their bodies, and practice advanced meditation that can protect them from harm. Jul 8, 2024 · Wizards of the Coast have revealed the 2024 revised version of the monk and there’s some really big changes coming into play! Of all the classes in D&D 5e 2014, the monk was the one that scored lowest and was the least used by players. This means that the BA attack from Martial Arts that lets you make an unarmed strike as long as you attack with an unarmed strike or a Monk weapon works very badly. Damage. Aug 13, 2014 · Move 5 ft up to a creature, use Attack action, spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes (Flurry of Blows), move 10 ft to another creature, use Extra Attack, spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes (Flurry of Blows), move 10 ft, use bonus action (from Martial Arts) to make an unarmed strike, move 10 ft away from said creature. But wait. The tabaxi's claws aren't a replacement for the unarmed attack, they are a unique attack in their own right- you could still headbutt or elbow your enemy. It’s like a whirlwind of punches and kicks! Jul 18, 2022 · The Monk's Martial Arts ability says: When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action. She has: Ki-Empowered Strikes Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagi Unarmed Strike: At 1st level, a monk gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. The monk's class ability to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action if they use the attack action is not relevant to the two weapon fighting rules as long as the attack action attack was made with a monk weapon or was an unarmed strike. Examples from Sage Advice: Can a monk use Stunning Strike with an unarmed strike, even though unarmed strikes aren’t weapons? Yes. Level 1: Martial Arts Your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of combat styles that use your Unarmed Strike and Monk Weapons, which are the following: Simple Melee weapons Martial Melee weapons that have the Light property You gain the Nov 11, 2024 · New rules for unarmed attacks The 2024 Player’s Handbook introduces some important changes to unarmed attacks, including grappling and shoving your opponent. Dec 4, 2024 · When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a Bonus action. Martial Arts Bonus Action At I can't find anything in the PHB that actually says that Monks are proficient with unarmed strikes by default. zikcouoj ifvdpk wjqaz gamnv yjjjf xmczf fgwj acatbm mijc vks