Thrair
2014-01-17, 03:00 AM
I'm building an unarmed character with the Brawler Fighter archetype, with a secondary focus in grappling. Mostly a lockdown build.
Given I want to use unarmed, what options do I have to get an Enhancement bonus to my unarmed strikes (and still have them count as unarmed)?
Here's the options I've found so far:
1) Amulet of Mighty Fists (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/amulet-of-mighty-fists)
-While they work, they are extremely expensive as a way of getting an enhancement bonus, and also take up the same slot as an Amulet of Natural Armor.
2) Body Wrap of Mighty Strikes (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/body-wrap-of-mighty-strikes)
-A little bit better of an option, as it's cheaper per point of bonus and also goes to a higher total bonus. It also uses a lesser-used slot for melee types. As a downside, it's got a somewhat gimmicky limitation to per/round usage, limiting it when combined with AoO. Not a huge issue in the long run, however.
3) Gauntlets (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-descriptions/gauntlet)
-These look like an option, but I'm not sure if they can be enchanted separately as weapons, or if they're like shield bashes and don't get an enhancement bonus to attacks. They also would occupy the same slot as Gauntlets of the Skilled Maneuver (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/e-g/gauntlets-of-the-skilled-maneuver), which are nearly mandatory for any grappling build.
4) Brass Knuckles (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-descriptions/brass-knuckles)
-These would seem to work, but it seems they have been Errata'd to count as armed attacks, precluding the use of unarmed feats with them. (Such as the potent Jawbreaker (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/jawbreaker-combat) feat and the Dragon Style (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/style-feats) feat chain.)
5) Cestus (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-descriptions/cestus)
-These look fantastic, and even better than Brass Knuckles in every way: As they do more damage, have a wider threat range, and can do bludgeoning or piercing damage. However, there an errata on them that also seems to make them count as armed attacks.
Inside front cover—In the Cestus entry, change Type to “B or P.”
Page 3—In the Cestus entry, in the third sentence, remove the words “unarmed” and “rather than nonlethal damage.”
Table Entry: Cestus 5 gp 1d3 1d4 19–20/×2 — 1 lb. B or P monk
I'd really like clarification on these, in particular.
So, are there any other ways to gain enhancement bonuses to Unarmed Strikes? And do Cestus now count as armed attacks, or am I simply reading the Errata incorrectly?
Given I want to use unarmed, what options do I have to get an Enhancement bonus to my unarmed strikes (and still have them count as unarmed)?
Here's the options I've found so far:
1) Amulet of Mighty Fists (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/amulet-of-mighty-fists)
-While they work, they are extremely expensive as a way of getting an enhancement bonus, and also take up the same slot as an Amulet of Natural Armor.
2) Body Wrap of Mighty Strikes (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/body-wrap-of-mighty-strikes)
-A little bit better of an option, as it's cheaper per point of bonus and also goes to a higher total bonus. It also uses a lesser-used slot for melee types. As a downside, it's got a somewhat gimmicky limitation to per/round usage, limiting it when combined with AoO. Not a huge issue in the long run, however.
3) Gauntlets (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-descriptions/gauntlet)
-These look like an option, but I'm not sure if they can be enchanted separately as weapons, or if they're like shield bashes and don't get an enhancement bonus to attacks. They also would occupy the same slot as Gauntlets of the Skilled Maneuver (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/e-g/gauntlets-of-the-skilled-maneuver), which are nearly mandatory for any grappling build.
4) Brass Knuckles (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-descriptions/brass-knuckles)
-These would seem to work, but it seems they have been Errata'd to count as armed attacks, precluding the use of unarmed feats with them. (Such as the potent Jawbreaker (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/jawbreaker-combat) feat and the Dragon Style (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/style-feats) feat chain.)
5) Cestus (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-descriptions/cestus)
-These look fantastic, and even better than Brass Knuckles in every way: As they do more damage, have a wider threat range, and can do bludgeoning or piercing damage. However, there an errata on them that also seems to make them count as armed attacks.
Inside front cover—In the Cestus entry, change Type to “B or P.”
Page 3—In the Cestus entry, in the third sentence, remove the words “unarmed” and “rather than nonlethal damage.”
Table Entry: Cestus 5 gp 1d3 1d4 19–20/×2 — 1 lb. B or P monk
I'd really like clarification on these, in particular.
So, are there any other ways to gain enhancement bonuses to Unarmed Strikes? And do Cestus now count as armed attacks, or am I simply reading the Errata incorrectly?