Monk unarmed attacks

[Elminster298]

Maybe I have missed something somewhere but does it say anywhere that your unarmed stikes must with your hands? It has always been included that a monk uses hands, elbows, knees, feet, head, etc. as unarmed strikes. I ask this because I have seen in other posts that people mention not being able to use unarmed strike while your hands are full.

[RickAllison]

Maybe I have missed something somewhere but does it say anywhere that your unarmed stikes must with your hands? It has always been included that a monk uses hands, elbows, knees, feet, head, etc. as unarmed strikes. I ask this because I have seen in other posts that people mention not being able to use unarmed strike while your hands are full.

Not true whatsoever. One of the reasons why attempting to make grapplers out of monks is so popular is due to the ability to do respectable damage while holding separate people.

Heck, one of my favorite things to do for my monks is create combination moves. Like using a quarterstaff or spear with Flurry of Blows could be the Banner in the Wind: abdomen jab->head/shoulder jab->plant butt of quarterstaff into ground->lift off ground using upper body->double kick as monk sets himself up as a banner with the staff/spear being his pole. For grappling, I just get a kick out of imagining the refined monk repeatedly headbutting his victims...

[Fflewddur Fflam]

Maybe I have missed something somewhere but does it say anywhere that your unarmed stikes must with your hands? It has always been included that a monk uses hands, elbows, knees, feet, head, etc. as unarmed strikes. I ask this because I have seen in other posts that people mention not being able to use unarmed strike while your hands are full.

Completely wrong. From the PHB errata:
"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"

[Grod_The_Giant]

Indeed-- you can hit people however you want. It's great for low-level monks who can two-hand a spear or quarterstaff for added damage.

[Elminster298]

Thanks everyone. I've been playing 5th ed for quite a while and I've never even really thought that this would have changed. I still never would have until I saw some lowkey comments on here that led me to think either I missed something, SA clarified a rule, or an errata changed it. I absolutely had no intention of changing it either way since it wouldn't have been appropriate but I just wanted to know for my own records.

[Naanomi]

We had a short lived Hill-Dwarf 'drunken master' who fought exclusively with his gut and butt

[Vogonjeltz]

Completely wrong. From the PHB errata:
"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"

I mean, that's not completely wrong he said: "It has always been included that a monk uses hands, elbows, knees, feet, head, etc. as unarmed strikes."

Strictly speaking, that's true under the errata...it just isn't exclusive to the Monk.

Examples, most of these mix in some other attacks, but you'll get the general idea. And if you haven't seen these before, do yourself a favor and see the whole movie or show.

Bourne Ultimatum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08MG5wAxKnc

Daredevil Season 1 Hallway Fight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B66feInucFY

Captain America: The Winter Soldier Elevator Fight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqIBGEcKhGs

Captain America: Civil War Team vs Bucky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27_qmFNYldE

They Live, alley fight (a real classic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mm4mLsCAyI

[Fflewddur Fflam]

I mean, that's not completely wrong he said: "It has always been included that a monk uses hands, elbows, knees, feet, head, etc. as unarmed strikes."


I meant "completely wrong" in reference to people saying he couldn't do that.

[GlenSmash!]

We had a short lived Hill-Dwarf 'drunken master' who fought exclusively with his gut and butt

LOL! Glorious!