Unarmed Weapon Damage

[Waker]

Alright then, in a few weeks here one of my friends is planning on running a short game 2-4 sessions long and our party is restricted to the new hybrid classes recently released by Paizo. Now being that it's been a long time since I've played as a mundane character, I've been getting the urge to play a Big Dumb Fighter and have chosen to give the Brawler a go. Now while it isn't absolutely necessary, I wouldn't mind taking advantage of the unarmed damage progression, but still not miss out of magic enhancement bonuses. I went through several pages of the forum searching for an answer before making this thread, but couldn't come up with a solution, so here is my question. Aside from relying on an Amulet of Mighty Fists, Body Wrap of Mighty Strikes or the Ki Wrap that I can't seem to find, is there any way to use unarmed strike damage with enhancement bonuses?

[grarrrg]

Alright then, in a few weeks here one of my friends is planning on running a short game 2-4 sessions long and our party is restricted to the new hybrid classes recently released by Paizo. Now being that it's been a long time since I've played as a mundane character, I've been getting the urge to play a Big Dumb Fighter and have chosen to give the Brawler a go. Now while it isn't absolutely necessary, I wouldn't mind taking advantage of the unarmed damage progression, but still not miss out of magic enhancement bonuses. I went through several pages of the forum searching for an answer before making this thread, but couldn't come up with a solution, so here is my question. Aside from relying on an Amulet of Mighty Fists, Body Wrap of Mighty Strikes or the Ki Wrap that I can't seem to find, is there any way to use unarmed strike damage with enhancement bonuses?

No that's about it.
There's also getting a "Permanent" Greater Magic whatever cast on them.

The next best thing is Brawler level 5, Close Weapon Mastery (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/brawler#TOC-Close-Weapon-Mastery-Ex-), which lets you use Unarmed damage (minus 1 step) with any "Close Weapon Group" Weapon.
In other words, just use an actual weapon.

[Waker]

The next best thing is Brawler level 5, Close Weapon Mastery (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/brawler#TOC-Close-Weapon-Mastery-Ex-), which lets you use Unarmed damage (minus 1 step) with any "Close Weapon Group" Weapon.
In other words, just use an actual weapon.

Huh, that's strange. The pdf that I have for all the classes doesn't include Close Weapon Mastery. Well, I'll just point that link out to the DM and hope it flies, since we're all using the same file. Thanks grarrrg.

[Novawurmson]

Huh, that's strange. The pdf that I have for all the classes doesn't include Close Weapon Mastery. Well, I'll just point that link out to the DM and hope it flies, since we're all using the same file. Thanks grarrrg.

Do you have the playtest document or the full book?

Edit: Better yet, just use the SRD (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/brawler).

[Diachronos]

You could use a set of brass knuckles. You can enchant them and they automatically use your unarmed strike damage.

[AvatarVecna]

The hybrid class "Brawler" from the Advanced Class guide has an ability it gains at 5th level called "Close Weapon Mastery" that allows you to use your unarmed strike damage (stepped down) for any other close weapon.

If you're set on Monk, Fighter, Barbarian, or something similar, I'd instead suggest sticking to a Permanencied Greater Magic Fang; for the price of two spells (which can be purchased via spellcasting services for quite the bargain), you can have a permanent +5 enhancement bonus to unarmed strikes; it can be dispelled (effective caster level is whatever you paid for, so I suggest buying at 20 for both spells), but other than that it shouldn't be a problem.

[CaptainPlatypus]

As others have mentioned, you have a few other options, including enchanted brass knuckles, close weapon mastery from the brawler, and Greater Magic Fang. Note that even if you're getting your enhancement bonus elsewhere, the Amulet of Mighty Fists is still worth it - it can specifically be used to add weapon qualities, not just an enhancement bonus, and it doesn't make you add a +1 bonus first. An amulet of holy dispelling burst ghost touch mighty fists may not have any kind of ring to it, but it'll make you one happy brawler. Refer to it as your Amulet of Punching and call it a day.

[grarrrg]

You could use a set of brass knuckles. You can enchant them and they automatically use your unarmed strike damage.

Brass Knuckles got the "can use Unarmed Damage" removed from them in later printings. So this no longer works.


The hybrid class "Brawler" from the Advanced Class guide has an ability it gains at 5th level called "Close Weapon Mastery"

...Permanencied Greater Magic Fang

Somehow you managed to get ninja'd by a good 12+ hours.

[Stella]

A Belt, Monks (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#beltMonks) boosts your unarmed strike damage from 1d3 to 1d8, even if you aren't a Monk. If you are a Monk it boost your AC as well as your unarmed strike damage.

[grarrrg]

A Belt, Monks (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#beltMonks) boosts your unarmed strike damage from 1d3 to 1d8, even if you aren't a Monk. If you are a Monk it boost your AC as well as your unarmed strike damage.

Pathfinder thread, it's a Robe (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/r-z/robe-monk-s) now.
And given how Brawler words its Unarmed stuff, this should still work for you.

[Diachronos]

Brass Knuckles got the "can use Unarmed Damage" removed from them in later printings. So this no longer works.

So what you're saying is that, unless you have a generous DM who'll ignore the rules and let you use your class' unarmed damage instead of the crappy brass knuckle/gauntlet damage, the only way to boost your unarmed attack damage is with Magic Weapon/Magic Fang?

Is it REALLY such a huge problem to let monks have enchantments without sacrificing their unarmed strikes, Paizo? Is it?

[grarrrg]

So what you're saying is that, unless you have a generous DM who'll ignore the rules and let you use your class' unarmed damage instead of the crappy brass knuckle/gauntlet damage, the only way to boost your unarmed attack damage is with Magic Weapon/Magic Fang?

Is it REALLY such a huge problem to let monks have enchantments without sacrificing their unarmed strikes, Paizo? Is it?

Not that it really solves the problem, but they did drop the price of the Amulet of Mighty Fists. It was originally grossly-overpriced, now it's 'merely' kinda expensive.

[Crimson Wolf]

Wow I didn't realize they removed the may use unarmed damage for brass knuckles. I would say ask the dm if brass knuckles can just still use it, and bring up how it isn't to make anything OP in any way, just puts you on the same terms as before pazio needlessly nerfed the item.

[Diachronos]

Not that it really solves the problem, but they did drop the price of the Amulet of Mighty Fists. It was originally grossly-overpriced, now it's 'merely' kinda expensive.

It still leaves the problem of the enhancement limit on Amulet of Mighty Fists. Weapons can have up to +10 in enchantments, with a maximum of +5 for the enhancement bonus to attack/damage rolls; Amulet of Mighty Fists only allows up to +5 total, and you have to decide whether to use that for enhancements to attack and damage or for special effects.

I can understand wanting to avoid giving monks and multi-attack creatures a larger total number of enhancement bonuses... but is it REALLY too much to ask to at least let Amulet of Mighty Fists go up to +10 worth of bonuses like a weapon?

[Doorhandle]

Alright then, in a few weeks here one of my friends is planning on running a short game 2-4 sessions long and our party is restricted to the new hybrid classes recently released by Paizo. Now being that it's been a long time since I've played as a mundane character, I've been getting the urge to play a Big Dumb Fighter and have chosen to give the Brawler a go. Now while it isn't absolutely necessary, I wouldn't mind taking advantage of the unarmed damage progression, but still not miss out of magic enhancement bonuses. I went through several pages of the forum searching for an answer before making this thread, but couldn't come up with a solution, so here is my question. Aside from relying on an Amulet of Mighty Fists, Body Wrap of Mighty Strikes or the Ki Wrap that I can't seem to find, is there any way to use unarmed strike damage with enhancement bonuses?

The Brawling (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-armor/magic-armor-and-shield-special-abilities/brawling)quality on Armour will help you a little.

Impact (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special-abilities/impact) on an amulet of mighty fists may also help, particularly once you start getting into stupidly high base damage like 2d8.

Getting a few style feats can help. Tiger style basically lets you use shock trooper in pathfinder in the higher levels, but I prefer dragon style because it lets you effectively wield your unarmed strikes in two hands and has less filler feats. Boar style is also ok: some intimidate and a lot of bleed damage. The other styles have niches other that straight damage, and if the brawler isn't int-based Kirin style won't help.

[caimbuel]

I know I am late to this thread, but my favorite unarmed punch you in the face is a sacred fist warpriest. They get full BAB flurry, and a few other nice things.

Also dont forget
Your charge ends with a mighty haymaker.
Prerequisites: Improved Unarmed Strike, Pummeling
Stylet; base attack bonus +12 , brawlert level 8th, or monk
level 8th.
Benefit: When using Pummeling Style, you can charge
and make a Pummeling Style attack at the end of your
charge as part of the charge action.
Normal: Making a Pummeling Style attack is a fullround
action.

[caimbuel]

Be sure to look at arch types for brawler as well, wild child looks fun

[Drelua]

Impact (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special-abilities/impact) on an amulet of mighty fists may also help, particularly once you start getting into stupidly high base damage like 2d8.

I don't think that works on unarmed strikes, or most close weapons for that matter, since it doesn't work with light weapons. I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind that restriction, but oh well.

[grarrrg]

I don't think that works on unarmed strikes, or most close weapons for that matter, since it doesn't work with light weapons. I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind that restriction, but oh well.

Kind of a gray area, but it should work for Monk or Brawler Unarmed Strikes though, as they have "is treated as both a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effect"
While an Unarmed attack is Light, a Natural Weapon is only "Light" when it comes to Weapon Finesse-type stuff.

[Drelua]

Kind of a gray area, but it should work for Monk or Brawler Unarmed Strikes though, as they have "is treated as both a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effect"
While an Unarmed attack is Light, a Natural Weapon is only "Light" when it comes to Weapon Finesse-type stuff.

Oh wow, I did not know that. I actually wanted to use Impact for a natural weapon Psywar, but someone else pointed out to me that that doesn't work because natural weapons are light. Does this mean Impact would work for that?

[grarrrg]

Oh wow, I did not know that. I actually wanted to use Impact for a natural weapon Psywar, but someone else pointed out to me that that doesn't work because natural weapons are light. Does this mean Impact would work for that?

The only place I've seen (and I've looked) where it says Natural's count as Light is in the Weapon Finesse (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/weapon-finesse-combat---final) feat, in the "special" area "Special: Natural weapons are considered light weapons.". As this is the "Special" reference, that means it is an exception to the normal. Light/1-Handed/2-Handed classifications apply only to Manufactured weapons.