unarmed

[hivedragon]

why would anyone choose to go the unarmed/unarmored version of swordsage? having equipment sounds like the better route in the long run
also why isn't the extra damage from improved unarmed strike transfered to any weapon you wield? how is it you do less damage while holding something hard and sharp than while holding nothing?

[Keld Denar]

1) Some people like the freedom of not having to worry about being armed or having a weapon. If you are in a city where bearing arms is frowned upon, you are still armed with your bare arms.

2) This is a decent houserule I've seen proposed before. As it stands, there is only two weapons that have that property, and that's gauntlets (which use your UAS damage), and the Scorpion Kama from the MIC.

[MeeposFire]

1) It makes an effective monk character and Bruce lee style characters are popular. There is good support for unarmed attacks and since swordsages do not have restrictions on weapons like monks do with flurry they can make free use of standard gauntlets to get magical enhancements on their unarmed attacks (normally a weakness). It is also not a weakness as they have no problems with wearing armor as long as it has no check penalty.

2) You can get unarmed damage with any weapon assuming you take superior unarmed strike (with no monk or monk damage) and use the aptitude weapon enchantment from TOB.

[hivedragon]

There is good support for unarmed attacks and since swordsages do not have restrictions on weapons like monks do with flurry they can make free use of standard gauntlets to get magical enhancements on their unarmed attacks (normally a weakness).

you do not get bonus unarmed damage to gauntlets

[John Cribati]

you do not get bonus unarmed damage to gauntlets

You can get bonus unarmed damage from gauntlets, magic or otherwise.:smallamused:

[Keld Denar]

Oh?


Gauntlet
This metal glove lets you deal lethal damage rather than nonlethal damage with unarmed strikes. A strike with a gauntlet is otherwise considered an unarmed attack. The cost and weight given are for a single gauntlet. Medium and heavy armors (except breastplate) come with gauntlets.

When a guantleted character makes UASs, he uses his UAS damage. The damage listed is what a normal, medium sized creature would deal with their UAS. Its still an UAS though, and follows all of the rules for UASs, including any increased damage.

[hivedragon]

I find that ruling to be just plain bizarre. Why would a gauntlet receive increased damage while a dagger wouldn't. This is especially odd since unarmed strikes doesn't mean fists, it means any part of your body. Can you enchant your boots to the same effect as with gauntlets?

[MeeposFire]

you do not get bonus unarmed damage to gauntlets

Yes you do check page 21 in the 3.5 FAQ. It is in nice bright red.

Boots won't work since you cannot enchant boots as a weapon.