Mighty Fists vs. +1 Gauntlets

[Kafkonia]

So, I'm building a non-monk unarmed fighter (not optimized, I know.) I was looking at picking up an Amulet of Mighty Fists +1 (6000 GP) -- but then I realized that a single +1 gauntlet will net the same effect for less than half the cost. So why would I pick the amulet instead? I feel like I'm overlooking something.

Thoughts I had:

1) The gauntlet can be taken away. But then, so can the amulet.

2) The amulet covers all unarmed strikes. But the system doesn't tend to differentiate between body parts, so it would only be an issue if he lost use of the arm the gauntlet belongs to. And even so, I could pick up one for each hand and still have spent less.

3) It's not party of the concept. Putting gauntlets on does sort of negate the "unarmed" aspect of the concept, but he's not a martial artist, he's a villager who's grown up having little reason to fight with weapons.

Also, he could always get the gauntlet enchanted beyond +1 bonuses -- flaming, bane, etc. -- if the opportunity were to arise.

So, please, convince me to take the amulet.

 

[stonegod]

So, I'm building a non-monk unarmed fighter (not optimized, I know.)

I say he should give up now. Ravenloft's going to get 'im.

 

[Pyrex]

Gauntlets aren't Unarmed Strikes, they're Light Weapons. I you take Weapon Specialization (Unarmed Strike), it doesn't apply to attacks with the gauntlets.

Similarly, if you later take Stunning Fist it doesn't work with the gauntlets either.

 

[Kafkonia]

Gauntlets aren't Unarmed Strikes, they're Light Weapons. I you take Weapon Specialization (Unarmed Strike), it doesn't apply to attacks with the gauntlets.

Similarly, if you later take Stunning Fist it doesn't work with the gauntlets either.

Are you sure? The SRD I was checking says:

This metal glove lets you deal lethal damage rather than nonlethal damage with unarmed strikes. A strike with a gauntlet is otherwise considered an unarmed attack.

If you're right, that certainly solves the question.

 

[Kafkonia]

I say he should give up now. Ravenloft's going to get 'im.

Well of course. But he'll go down swinging!

 

[seans23]

If you're right, that certainly solves the question.

he's not.

 

[mvincent]

So, I'm building a non-monk unarmed fighter (not optimized, I know.) I was looking at picking up an Amulet of Mighty Fists +1 (6000 GP) -- but then I realized that a single +1 gauntlet will net the same effect for less than half the cost.

A monk using a gauntlet to enhance his unarmed strikes is subject to serious debate (and the FAQ itself has threee contradictory rulings on it, all by the same person). Best to avoid the issue entirely

 

[stonegod]

Gauntlets aren't Unarmed Strikes, they're Light Weapons. I you take Weapon Specialization (Unarmed Strike), it doesn't apply to attacks with the gauntlets.

Ah, gauntlets. So confusing that even the FAQ is inconsistent (the two question on page 18 contradict each other!). Gauntlets are weapons (they can be mwk and enchanted, unarmed strikes cannot), but they seem to augment unarmed strikes (see Kaf's SRD quote). Gauntlets are listed unarmed attacks in the weapon table (not simple weapons), unlike spiked gauntlets. I'd say they are pretty much brass knuckles in d20 modern---an augmentation. Thus, feats which improved unarmed attacks would generally work on them, but they are a weapon so things which effect weapons effect them. So someone wearing them would benefit from either a magic weapon or magic fang spell.

But its still fuzzy.

 

[seans23]

Ah, gauntlets. So confusing that even the FAQ is inconsistent (the two question on page 18 contradict each other!). Gauntlets are weapons (they can be mwk and enchanted, unarmed strikes cannot), but they seem to augment unarmed strikes (see Kaf's SRD quote).

gauntlets of ogre strength mess it up even more. YAY! fun!

(IMC gauntlets of ogre strength are just gloves that extend beyond the wrist)

 

[stonegod]

gauntlets of ogre strength mess it up even more. YAY! fun!

(IMC gauntlets of ogre strength are just gloves that extend beyond the wrist)

Yeah. The Magic Item Compendium clears this up a bit by explicitly stating which "gauntlet" items are really gauntlets (ogre strength is not one of them).