D&D 5E Monk unarmed strike count as weapons?

[Zardnaar]

As the title says. Just wondering in regards to the wording on stunning strikes and how they interact with the combat styles if you MC as a fighter.

 

[pukunui]

No. Despite the fact that you make a "melee weapon attack" with an unarmed strike, it is not classed as a weapon, specifically so that things like sneak attack and such can't be used with one.

 

[Zardnaar]

Yeah figured as much. So stunning strike doesn't work with the monk unarmed strikes?

 

[pukunui]

Yeah figured as much. So stunning strike doesn't work with the monk unarmed strikes?

Why wouldn't it? Stunning Strike works with melee weapon attacks. You make a melee weapon attack when you use your unarmed strike.

 

[Zardnaar]

Why wouldn't it? Stunning Strike works with melee weapon attacks. You make a melee weapon attack when you use your unarmed strike.

Because the Monk abilities and the errata make no mention of a melee weapon attack and it is unclear.

 

[pukunui]

Because the Monk abilities and the errata make no mention of a melee weapon attack and it is unclear.

From the errata: "Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count as weapons)."

From Stunning Strike: "When you hit another creature with a melee weapon attack ..."

My emphasis.

 

[hejtmane]

Because the Monk abilities and the errata make no mention of a melee weapon attack and it is unclear.

Per sage advice stunning strike works with unarmed

https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/666345658673065985?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

From earlier this year: Stunning Strike requires a melee weapon attack. An unarmed strike qualifies

In short
Unarmed strikes are not considered melee weapons, but do make melee weapon attacks.

 

[hejtmane]

Sorry lagged and doubled posted

 

[Zardnaar]

From the errata: "Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count as weapons)."

From Stunning Strike: "When you hit another creature with a melee weapon attack ..."

My emphasis.

Cheers I just had a quick look at the errata and the DM doesn't use it.

 

[Sage Genesis]

Cheers I just had a quick look at the errata and the DM doesn't use it.

If the DM doesn't use errata then unarmed strikes are weapons; they are listed as such on page 149 amongst all other weapons. Monks don't have a special "monk strike" attack, they just alter the damage of their "normal" unarmed strikes. Stunning Strike will still work.