NEZUMI Unarmed oddity

[CyberThread]

So I was looking over my adventures book and found NEZUMI, which add a 1d4 to unarmed strikes but can only do it once per round.

Is this a free 1d4 damage ontop of a monks punch?


A ratling’s sharp claws and teeth deal 1d4 points of normal
damage with a successful unarmed strike. A ratling can make
only one unarmed attack per round, using either claw or a
bite attack.

[Twilightwyrm]

I believe the RAI was for that to be a natural attack. But considering it within the RAW, it actually makes them worse at unarmed strikes, as it limits them to one per round, and it only deals the 1d4, not that on top of other unarmed damage.

[Yogibear41]

Well it could make one attack with hits claws that deals an extra 1d4 then just head butt or something for its other unarmed strikes right?

[The Viscount]

I'm with Twilightwyrm. It's likely that it was supposed to be a natural attack, and was muddled by 3.0ness. I'd play it as a natural attack.

[The Ravensong]

In the Dragonmagazine OA update they simply list it's unarmed strike damage as 1d4. I'd say they're just meant to have a higher damaged unarmed strike.
If the Nezumi aren't masters of the martial arts, how are they supposed to train their teenage mutant ninja turtle disciples?

[Amnestic]

I'm with Twilightwyrm. It's likely that it was supposed to be a natural attack, and was muddled by 3.0ness. I'd play it as a natural attack.

OA got updated to 3.5 in Dragon Magazine #318 and Nezumi aren't mentioned in the races section (Humans, Vanara and Hengeyokai are the only races updated). Possibly an oversight, but them's the breaks.

[CyberThread]

will need to check the monster update , but if it is listed as 1d4 unarmed in that section , then it may stack.

[BWR]

Rokugan d20 says they deal 1d4 on an unarmed strike. Considering the authors, I'm guessing they meant natural attacks, based on the way armed/unarmed damage works in R&K.

[Amnestic]

will need to check the monster update , but if it is listed as 1d4 unarmed in that section , then it may stack.

Ah, good point. They do have a listing in the monster section, but the Attack section for them reads as follows

Attack: Nagamaki +3 melee (2d4+1/x3), or unarmed strike +2 melee (1d4+1), or composite shortbow +1 ranged (1d6+1)

The 'or' there is crucial.