Monk playtest: Is Unarmed Attack a weapon or an implement?

[Tuft]

The "Unarmed Combatant" section says that Unarmed Attack is a weapon, and has a +3 proficiency bonus. It can also be enchanted with weapon enchantments, such as +1 flaming.

The section "Monk Weapons" says that Unarmed Attack is a Monk Weapon.

The section "Implements" says that Monk Weapons are wielded as implements, not weapons, and do not recieve a proficiency bonus. There are also no mention of enchanting your Unarmed Attack as an implement...

 

[vagabundo]

The "Unarmed Combatant" section says that Unarmed Attack is a weapon, and has a +3 proficiency bonus. It can also be enchanted with weapon enchantments, such as +1 flaming.

The section "Monk Weapons" says that Unarmed Attack is a Monk Weapon.

The section "Implements" says that Monk Weapons are wielded as implements, not weapons, and do not recieve a proficiency bonus. There are also no mention of enchanting your Unarmed Attack as an implement...

They could be both, depending on the power. Some powers would use them as Weapons and, others, as implements. Not saying this is the case as I only scanned the article.

 

[mach1.9pants]

A monks unarmed strike is an implement AND a weapon, and just like anything else that can be used as both the enhancement bonus applies to both implement powers and weapon powers, but the proficiency bonus doesn't.

 

[Byronic]

I thought it was a weapon that can be used AS an implement for powers that have the implement keyword.

Mark my words that distinction will come back some day.

 

[Kwalish Kid]

The section "Implements" says that Monk Weapons are wielded as implements, not weapons, and do not recieve a proficiency bonus.

This section does not say this. RTP.

 

[Tuft]

This section does not say this. RTP.

Huh?
Cutting and pasting from the article:

Monks wield monk weapons as implements, channeling
psionic energy through them.

That is, when you wield a monk weapon, it is an implement.

You don’t use a monk weapon’s proficiency
bonus when wielding the weapon as an implement.

 

[FireLance]

That is, when you wield a monk weapon, it is an implement.

Technically, when you wield a monk weapon as an implement, it is an implement. When you wield a monk weapon as a weapon, it is a weapon.

So, when you use a monk weapon with a monk power that has the Implement keyword, you can add its enhancement bonus to the attack rolls and damage rolls for the power. However, you do not add the weapon proficiency bonus to the power's attack rolls.

When you use a monk weapon with a power that has the Weapon keyword, you can add its enhancement bonus to the attack rolls and damage rolls for the power and you add the weapon proficiency bonus to the power's attack rolls as well.

 

[N0Man]

Technically, when you wield a monk weapon as an implement, it is an implement. When you wield a monk weapon as a weapon, it is a weapon.

So, when you use a monk weapon with a monk power that has the Implement keyword, you can add its enhancement bonus to the attack rolls and damage rolls for the power. However, you do not add the weapon proficiency bonus to the power's attack rolls.

When you use a monk weapon with a power that has the Weapon keyword, you can add its enhancement bonus to the attack rolls and damage rolls for the power and you add the weapon proficiency bonus to the power's attack rolls as well.

This is exactly how I interpret it as well. However, I am confused why it is designed this way.

 

[CapnZapp]

To more easily balance these powers against existing Weapon powers and Implement powers respectively?

Weapon powers in general are balanced on the assumption you get the +2/+3 proficiency bonus. Implement powers are balanced on the assumption you don't.

In other words, as other meanings have fallen by the wayside or become hopelessly blurred, one thing "implement" still means in 4E is "with no proficiency bonus".

 

[kenmarable]

To more easily balance these powers against existing Weapon powers and Implement powers respectively?

Weapon powers in general are balanced on the assumption you get the +2/+3 proficiency bonus. Implement powers are balanced on the assumption you don't.

In other words, as other meanings have fallen by the wayside or become hopelessly blurred, one thing "implement" still means in 4E is "with no proficiency bonus".

I haven't done a complete survey, but I believe it also affects the damage. Powers that deal 1[W] or x[W] damage all have the Weapon keyword.

It was most clearly worked out with the swordmage, but it was dealt with even back with the wizard having a staff that can work as implement and weapon. (And now bards, druids, and sorcerers also have this as well). It's nothing new with the monk.