D&D 5E Melee weapon attack--does an unarmed strike, wildshape claws, and/or grapple count?

[brehobit]

Hi folks,
Title asks the question--basically what makes for a melee weapon attack? Does an unarmed strike? Does a grapple? And what about a wildshaped druid's attacks?

Sorry if this is obvious or already asked, but it seems to matter in a number of places (think druid mageslayer)

 

[Salamandyr]

Considering that the unarmed strike is listed as a simple weapon on the table, I would rule that n does, and by extension, I would consider all the other things you mentioned as well. I might make an exception for grappling. It would depend on the interaction of the particular rule and grappling.

That being said, it seems like this is another area they've felt was better left to DM interpretation, or they thought it was obvious. I just know I wouldn't play a fighter (or monk for that matter) in a game where unarmed strikes were not considered weapons.

 

[Paraxis]

EDIT: From what other posted have said about unarmed strikes being on the weapon list and the natural attacks in the DMG section of the basic rules, I agree that RAW is yes you can.

Here is the quote from the basic rules.
The most common actions that a monster will take in combat are melee and ranged attacks. These can be spell attacks or weapon attacks, where the “weapon” might be a manufactured item or a natural weapon, such as a claw or tail spike.
-pg 6 DM Basic rules document.

 

[77IM]

FWIW, in the Basic rules DM's section, the natural attacks of monsters are all labelled "melee weapon attack."

So by extension I'd say that the things you mention are melee weapon attacks too -- natural weapons, but still weapons. Even grappling; it uses the Attack action and any court of law would treat a grappling attempt as an attack, so I'd consider it a weapon attack that imposes a condition instead of damage, like a net.