Monks and DR

[Zhure]

How is this a "myth"? Oh, because you're comparing empty hand to a magic weapon. I see. But even with the magic weapon, note that the 4th-level monk can do 1-8 with his empty hand and only 2-7 with the weapon. At 8th level, the difference is 1-10 vs. 2-7 (or 3-8 for a +2 weapon).

So the difference in damage is not a myth. The monk is by far better with his empty hands. If you want to compare using magic items, include the amulet of mighty fists with the magic weapon.

Sure, let's work it all out. 9th level monks, 36,000 gp of equipment

Fisty the Monk is 9th level (1d10 unarmed, BAB of +6/+1). He spends all 24k gp on an Amulet of Mighty Fists, the best he can afford. +2 to hit and damage. Best to hit bonus is +8, damage is 1d10+2, average is 7.5.


Kama Chameleon the Monk (with his signature Hat of Disguise) is also 9th level (1d10 unarmed, BAB of +6/+1). He spends 18k gp on a kama +3 (he can't quite afford a kama +4 yet, but it's close). He also spends the remaning 6k gp he has in excess over Fisty to buy:
Gloves of Ogre Power* +2 (4k gp, +1 to hit and damage)
He spends the other 2k gp on either "ale and whores" or saves it so he can afford a +4 kama sooner.
Best to hit bonus is +10, damage is 1d6+4, average is 7.5

Kama has: more cash left over, a better to hit and does the same average damage. Since he's hitting 10% more often, he does basically 10% more damage and can benefit from the more common spells of Greater Magic Weapon and Keen as opposed to Fisty's requirement of Greater Magic Fang.


**If Fisty/Kama both have Weapon Finesse, then instead buy Gloves of Dex.

Now it could be argued that the Amulet of Mighty Fists is overpriced, which is what makes all the difference in the analysis. If you reduce the price proportionate to a standard magic item then, yes, unarmed attacks are marginally better but still take up an amulet slot, whereas weapon slots are an extra slot for Kama Chameleon so I'd still give the edge to a weapon-using monk.

Greg

-edit- math error