Can monsters make unarmed strikes?

[RangerWickett]

Say I'm a dragon, and I want to subdue someone, but I don't want to take a -4 penalty to my attack roll to deal nonlethal damage with a claw or bite. Can I just make an unarmed strike, which is nonlethal damage? I mean, sure, I provoke an AoO if I don't have improved unarmed strike, but can I do it?

 

[sukael]

Yep. You'd do nonlethal damage as appropriate for your size, and provoke an AoO.

 

[Ranger REG]

Say I'm a dragon, and I want to subdue someone, but I don't want to take a -4 penalty to my attack roll to deal nonlethal damage with a claw or bite. Can I just make an unarmed strike, which is nonlethal damage? I mean, sure, I provoke an AoO if I don't have improved unarmed strike, but can I do it?

Exactly what soft part of the dragon's body can you make an unarmed strike with?

 

[sukael]

Exactly what soft part of the dragon's body can you make an unarmed strike with?

I'd assume the back or palm of the paw/hand, personally.

 

[moritheil]

Let's not drag believability into this. Next someone will be incredulous about a dragon wanting to do nonlethal damage.

 

[shilsen]

Exactly what soft part of the dragon's body can you make an unarmed strike with?

Whichever part it wants. As moritheil mentioned, if you can wrap your head around the concept of a dragon, and a dragon the way it works in D&D, where it's able to breathe fire, fly despite its size, and be killed by a halfling with a sword smaller than its toenail, then being unable to see the same dragon making an unarmed strike seems a little contradictory.

 

[robberbaron]

Dragons doing non-lethal damage? Fine by me. I really like the idea of a dragon striking to subdue. Payback for 1e.

Can't understand how you could get NL damage from a mouth full of sharp spikes, though. Maybe the aging dragon could take its teeth out as a move action then give you a good gumming.

 

[kjenks]

A large dragon would probably not suffer any AoOs when using its unarmed strike if it has more reach than its opponent. The opponent can only take an AoO if it threatens the dragon's squares, so if the dragon is 10 ft. away, it can sucker-punch that opponent with impunity. See reach rules in PH and the Main 3.5e FAQ for details.

 

[FireLance]

EDIT: should read carefully before posting.

 

[TheGogmagog]

The dragon might also be able to grapple, then use the damage option instead of the attack option. This would negate the -4 to deal nonlethal damage.

I'm not sure if that would be an option for natual attacks (bite, claw, claw, wing, wing, tail) or would be based on BAB, BAB-5, BAB-10.... I'm guessing the number of attacks would be based on BAB, and then damage would be based on unarmed attacks of the size plus strength.