D&D 5E Unarmed Strike. One damage plus strength?

[Fralex]

As far as simple weapons go, you can't get simpler than a fist. Makes sense.

 

[BigVanVader]

Unarmed Strike is a simple weapon (PHB 149), so anyone with proficiency in "Simple Weapons" is proficient with Unarmed Strike. Rogues are proficient in simple weapons. So, enjoy that 4-damage punch at full proficiency.

Note that Unarmed Strike is not a light weapon. So, if you want to be a two-fisted pulp hero you've got to take the Dual Wielder feat.

Unarmed doesn't count as a light weapon? that seems a little...heavy handed.

 

[Joe Liker]

In Using Ability Scores under Strength, it says, "You add your Strength modifier to your attack roll and your damage ROLL when attacking with a melee weapon ..."

In the Combat section, the bit that says you add your Strength mod to damage appears in a section called "Damage ROLLS," not just "Damage."

Since it's a static 1 point of bludgeoning damage, not a roll, I don't think you get the modifier.

FWIW, I believe the intent is that even a very strong person should not be able to kill the average NPC with a single punch unless the attacker has martial arts (or tavern brawling) training.

 

[BigVanVader]

I dunno, that seems unlikely to me. If the Hulk punches someone, it doesn't matter how few feats he's invested, that person is gonna get hurt. And get hurt for a lot more than just one damage.

 

[Eric V]

I dunno, that seems unlikely to me. If the Hulk punches someone, it doesn't matter how few feats he's invested, that person is gonna get hurt. And get hurt for a lot more than just one damage.

Wouldn't the Hulk be a monster using a slam attack?

Joe's point is interesting...and may in fact be RAI.

 

[BigVanVader]

No way man, Hulk's a total PC. That Barbarian Rage is a real doozy.

 

[Fralex]

In Using Ability Scores under Strength, it says, "You add your Strength modifier to your attack roll and your damage ROLL when attacking with a melee weapon ..."

In the Combat section, the bit that says you add your Strength mod to damage appears in a section called "Damage ROLLS," not just "Damage."

Since it's a static 1 point of bludgeoning damage, not a roll, I don't think you get the modifier.

FWIW, I believe the intent is that even a very strong person should not be able to kill the average NPC with a single punch unless the attacker has martial arts (or tavern brawling) training.

No, that's still an attack roll! How can I know how much damage I do without rolling a one-sided die first?!

 

[Zaruthustran]

It is an interesting point, and might be RAW. But I don't think it's RAI. Stronger creatures should hit harder. That's in keeping with how everything else works; not adding Str bonus to a damaging attack would be inconsistent.

Compare to a net, which does no damage. Ability mod isn't added to that. But Unarmed Strike does do damage.

Interesting topic!

 

[Riley37]

Odysseus once broke a guy's jaw with one punch. That's more than 1 HP, no? I don't think he was a Monk. He might have had Tavern Brawler. And he coulda killed the guy, but he was holding back: "Then Odysseus considered whether he should let drive so hard at him as to make an end of him then and there, or whether he should give him a lighter blow that should only knock him down; in the end he deemed it best to give the lighter blow for fear the Achaeans should begin to suspect who he was."

 

[Anth]

Odysseus once broke a guy's jaw with one punch.

He also had a bow that no other man could use. I would give him at least STR 20.