(3.x.pf) Unarmed Combat Question

[Ashtagon]

A monk character who has his hands full or otherwise unable to use his hands can still make an unarmed strike.

What about a non-monk? Would you let them kick at an enemy as an unarmed strike if their hands/arms were not useable for attacking with for whatever reason?

I'm interested in RAW, RAI, and RACSD answers here; please indicate which is your approach in answering.

[Karl Aegis]

A popular choice for an unarmed strike is a headbutt. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm#attack)

[liquidformat]

I have played multiple games where I have used unarmed strike as an off hand weapon for two weapon fighting with a two handed primary weapon. Most DMs were fine with it as long as I had improved Unarmed Strike. I have only had one DM take issue and he was in general kind of a jerk who nit pick everything, I no longer play with him because of his behavior...

[Ashtagon]

A popular choice for an unarmed strike is a headbutt. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm#attack)

Yes. I am aware of that. The question is essentially would you allow a character with no particular training in unarmed combat to make an unarmed strike using anything other than their fists.

[Telonius]

From the PHB, page 121, under the "unarmed strike" description (in with the rest of the weapon descriptions):


Strike, Unarmed: A Medium character deals 1d3 points of nonlethal damage with an unarmed strike, which may be a punch, kick, head butt, or other type of attack. A Small character deals 1d2 points of nonlethal damage. A monk or any character with the Improved Unarmed Strike feat can deal lethal or nonlethal damage with unarmed strikes, at her option. The damage from an unarmed strike is considered weapon damage for the purposes of effects that give you a bonus on weapon damage rolls. An unarmed strike is always considered a light weapon. Therefore, you can use the Weapon Finesse feat (page 102) to apply your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to attack rolls with an unarmed strike.

Bolded section is the important one; per the rules, headbutts, kicks, and "other" types of attacks are allowed. The d20srd version omits a bunch of the text.

[Psyren]

PF answer is also yes (https://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9qd3), a creature can kick/headbutt/etc. if its hands are occupied.

[Ashtagon]

PF answer is also yes (https://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9qd3), a creature can kick/headbutt/etc. if its hands are occupied.

That Paizo ruling seems to be talking about unarmed strike in the context of a monk. I'm specifically interested in non-monks here.

I suspect RAW non-monks can also use any part of their body, but I want to be 100% sure.

[Psyren]

That Paizo ruling seems to be talking about unarmed strike in the context of a monk. I'm specifically interested in non-monks here.

It starts off talking about monks, but if you read the conclusion it says:

"Therefore, a creature's unarmed strike is its entire body..."

[KillianHawkeye]

My interpretation has always been that anyone can punch, kick, slap, headbutt, knee, or similar, but you have to be a Monk in order to elbow, karate chop, foot stomp, pressure point tap, one-inch punch, wushi finger hold, spin kick, et cetera.