Masterworked Unarmed Strike

[Quasqueton]

I've got a monk. I want to buy something to "masterwork" (+1 attack) his unarmed strike. Would masterwork gauntlets (302gp) be the answer?

Could the gauntlets be crafted with standard magic enhancements? +1 flaming gauntlets? +4 defending? Etc.

If gauntlets won't work the way I want (with a monk's unarmed attacks), is there an item that would work?

Quasqueton

 

[Skinwalker]

I haven't seen anything in the core rules about an item like this, but in the character generator that comes with the PH it did allow you to add a magical Unarmed Strike to a character. It's a stretch, I admit, but that could be used to imply you can enchant items like gauntlets or slippers that could be used with a monk's Unarmed Strike.

Most likely, your best approach will be to talk to your DM and work out a house rule on the subject. Hope this helps.

 

[Yeoman]

I've got a monk. I want to buy something to "masterwork" (+1 attack) his unarmed strike. Would masterwork gauntlets (302gp) be the answer?

Could the gauntlets be crafted with standard magic enhancements? +1 flaming gauntlets? +4 defending? Etc.

If gauntlets won't work the way I want (with a monk's unarmed attacks), is there an item that would work?

Quasqueton

Gauntlets won't work the way you want, but Bracers of Striking from Magic of Faerun will.

 

[Quasqueton]

Not to sound ungrateful for the replies, but why wouldn't the gauntlets work? They are listed as "weapons", and "unarmed". And as my monk is actually multiclassed with psychic warrior, he has the proficiency.

Quasqueton

 

[Caliban]

Not to sound ungrateful for the replies, but why wouldn't the gauntlets work? They are listed as "weapons", and "unarmed". And as my monk is actually multiclassed with psychic warrior, he has the proficiency.

Quasqueton

Guantlets are weapons that do unarmed damage, but they are not weapons on the monk list.

Thus, since they are not "special" monk weapons, the monk doesn't get his special unarmed abilities with them, any more than if the monk was using spiked guantlets or a shortsword.

Sorry.

 

[Xeoble]

Gauntlets don't work like that for the monk, Quasqueton. I think it was in a FAQ or sage advice...when a monk wears gauntlets, he/she is considered armed.

I don't particularly like the way they have it presented, but i think it's a balance issue.

 

[Quasqueton]

OK. Thanks for the info.

Darnit.

Quasqueton

 

[BenjaminB]

Well... It can't be much of a strech to come up with some kind of gizmo (a ring say) that gives you a touch attack. You charge up your fist from your Ring of Vampiric Touch and sock your foe in the chops. You nail him for your unarmed strike damage, and the ring's magical effect.

But with your base monk H2H kicking so much ass, I wouldn't even bother. Monks rock.

-B

 

[Quasqueton]

But with your base monk H2H kicking so much ass, I wouldn't even bother. Monks rock.

At 4th level (300xp away), my earth monk2/psywar2 (18 str) will have only +6 attack with his empty hands, or +4/+4 with flurry.

Compare that to the half-orc barbarian (20 str): +10 with his greatsword.

I was hoping to find some way of increasing my attack bonus without spending feats. I'm concentrating my feats on inertial armor and other AC-boosting feats.

Quasqueton

 

[BenjaminB]

Perhaps you want to pick up a masterwork version of a monk special weapon then. You use your unarmed bonus, and get the +1.

Remember- your fists are weapons. You and your barbarian buddy get chuked into prison or you run up against a rust monster, you are still armed while he's left holding squat.

-B