Masterworked Unarmed Strike

[The Blue Elf]

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

Well you can try weapons focus (Unarmed Strike) but that doesn't give you a magical +1 bonus to attacks rolls but it gives you a plus +1.Yes you can Enchant Gauntlet with what ever you want on it but it would maybe be a +5 Gauntlets that would be hard to get and expensive.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

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

If you don't play with Magic of Faerun, then this is the way to go for enhancement bonuses to attack. Also, you could consider an Amulet of Mighty Fists, which would also provide an enhancement bonus to your unarmed attacks, but could not be enchanted with other special weapon properties.

It is, as another poster mentioned, a balance issue. You shouldn't be able to add +1d6 to a weapon that already gets a damage die of (eventually) 1d20. If you want the elemental damage, pick up a flaming kama.

 

[hong]

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?

Really sharp fingernails.

 

[Particle_Man]

Another option:

At 6th level take the leadership feat and get a druid cohort. This cohort will live to cast Magic Fang (and later, Greater Magic Fang) on your monk, thus allowing you to use your fists as magic weapons, complete with enhancement bonuses.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Masterworked Unarmed Strike?

Step 1. Find an Expert with at least 10 ranks of Craft: Monk...

-Hyp.

 

[Steverooo]

In 3.5e, get a use-activated magic item of Greater Magic Fang. All your attacks will be at +1, or you can boost one of them to a higher level... It's expensive, though. Spell Level (3?) x Caster Level (6?) x 2,000 GP = 36,000 GP. Probably not worth it, to you. I believe that would give you +1 to all, or +2 to one, and you'd still be behind the Barb.

 

[Dimwhit]

Along those lines, get a Ring of Magic Fang. +1 to hit and damage. I don't think it's in the DMG, but I could swear it was in one of the 'official' modules.

 

[BenjaminB]

If you go magic, then perhaps the most economical solution would be effects based on 'Bull's Strength'- either a potion of strength, or a belt or whatnot. Boosted strength will give you between +1 and +3 to hit and to damage, and there are no issues with having your unarmed attacks suddenly being considered 'armed' and hosing up your monk mojo.