Monk + Belt of the Brawler + Crashing Tempest ?

[Klaus]

Belt of the Brawler: "Make improvised attacks (included unarmed attacks) as if you were armed with a club."

Crashing Tempest feat: "While you are wielding a club, you gain a +2 bonus to damage dealt by your Flurry of Blows power."

So, would a monk wearing a Belt of the Brawler gain the Crashing Tempest benefit?

In other news, I'm adding a half-orc monk to the ever-growing list of characters I'd love to play.

 

[AngryMojo]

I'd allow it. A magic item and a feat for a +2 bonus to damage is by no means unbalancing.

 

[keterys]

No... because he's not actually wielding a club.

It's a popular question, though, and I'd probably consider allowing it in my game. Mostly I'd ask why you need to go that route, instead of just using a club. Ie, if it's cause you want to also wield a spear in one hand and dagger in the other, so you can pointed step, crashing tempest, starblade with your accurate dagger. Meh.

 

[RigaMortus2]

I'd say no because of the order of operations...

First, you make your improvised (unarmed) attack, and do so as if you were armed with a club.

Then, you do Flurry of Blows and see if Crashing Tempest factors in.

It doesn't, because you are not wielding a club. At the time of the original attack, it was as if you were armed with a club, but since you can't attack + flurry at the same time, by the time flurry comes around, you are no longer making the improvised (unarmed) [club] attack...

Is that confusing enough? I hope the rationale is clear...

 

[I'm A Banana]

I don't think an unarmed attack is an improvised attack for a monk.

But I don't care enough to disallow it.

 

[Klaus]

I don't think an unarmed attack is an improvised attack for a monk.

But I don't care enough to disallow it.

I think you have the right rationale.

The question was purely theoric, since a 2nd-level half-orc monk could be doing 7 damage with Stone Fist flurry (or 9 vs. a different target). Adding 2 to that ain't much.

As for why not just use a club: I prefer the unarmed look. Either that or a giant greatsword.

EDIT: Gah! Must spread Xp around before giving it to AngryMojo again!