Monk unarmed strike

[SparqMan]

Hi folks, quick question on Monks. We've got a PC building our first group's first monk and we're dubious of the Character Builder's details.

The Compendium says, "This weapon has the off-hand weapon property and a +3 proficiency bonus, and it deals 1d8 damage" and gives an example that it can be used as a basic melee attack.

Assuming that the Monk does not use another weapon, do those same qualities apply to attack powers? The Character Builder doesn't think so. It shows "Monk unarmed strike" on the power cards, but using d6 and lower attack bonus.

Can anyone give some clarification?

 

[OnlineDM]

The Monk is a bit of an odd class. Despite the fact that the Monk can use his fists and feet very well, you'll note that his powers use the Implement keyword rather than the Weapon keyword.

Monk Unarmed Strike would usually be used as a weapon (as with Melee Basic Attack), but in the case of Monk powers, it's an implement. The implement for a Monk is usually a ki focus, but they can also use any weapon with which they're proficient, which includes unarmed strike. When you use a weapon as an implement, you don't get to add your proficiency bonus to attack rolls with it.

Implement powers have their own damage dice specified in the power description; the damage die for the "weapliment" is irrelevant when using one of those powers.

Yeah, it's confusing.

 

[RangerWickett]

Hi folks, quick question on Monks. We've got a PC building our first group's first monk and we're dubious of the Character Builder's details.

The Compendium says, "This weapon has the off-hand weapon property and a +3 proficiency bonus, and it deals 1d8 damage" and gives an example that it can be used as a basic melee attack.

Assuming that the Monk does not use another weapon, do those same qualities apply to attack powers? The Character Builder doesn't think so. It shows "Monk unarmed strike" on the power cards, but using d6 and lower attack bonus.

Can anyone give some clarification?

Most monk powers don't deal [w] damage, and they don't have the 'weapon' keyword. They're implement powers (using a ki focus, and not getting a proficiency modifier to attack rolls) that do preset damage dice.

Really, the unarmed strike thing is only really useful when making opportunity attacks (and even then, they should have given monks the ability to use Dex for basic attacks instead of Str).

 

[SparqMan]

Okay, that makes sense. It would have helped to look at the PHB3 first, rather than just his char sheet from the Character Builder.

 

[OnlineDM]

You can check the online Compendium if you're at the computer and don't have the physical book handy - it has the information as well.

 

[Zaphling]

Yes, I do agree that the devs 'forgot' to let the monk do mba's with Dex. You'll be forced to take Melee Training just for OA's.

 

[SparqMan]

Yes, I do agree that the devs 'forgot' to let the monk do mba's with Dex. You'll be forced to take Melee Training just for OA's.

Do you think house-ruling that would be too great of an advantage for the Monk?

 

[OnlineDM]

You could give him the new version of the Melee Training - Dexterity feat for free (use Dex mod for attack, add half of Dex mod to damage). I don't think that would be overpowered as a house rule.

 

[Zaphling]

NO! It's JUST TOO POWERFUL! IMAGINE. HE CAN ONE SHOT A MINION! WITH AN MBA???