Monks using weapons, is it worth it?

[Li Shenron]

I do not mean weapons like swords or axes, but weapons specialized for monks, like tiger claws and such, where you still get the unarmed attack bonus. I was told using weapon, although allowing you to use your Unarmed Attack bonuses, will not allow you to use moves like stunning fist (is that right?) or anything else that monks can do unarmed.

My question was, if it really works like that, would it be worth it to take a level in Exotic Weapons Master and to get Stunning Fist's stun placed into your exotic weapon, or is that all just too confusing?

1- you can use any limb to make an unarmed attack, while still holding a regular weapon in another hand
2- you can have lots of different magic enchantments on a weapon, or a weapon's specific abilities (non-magical) or special material

These mean that (for example) you could have a ghost-touch or flaming or adamantine kama in hand when those enchantments are useful, or otherwise use your other arm and legs when they have an advantage.

 

[Kvantum]

Another nice thing about monk weapons... they're not your actual hands. Would you rather pummel a living vat of acid with your bare flesh, or a 6' long staff?

Yeah, tough choice. Anything that inflicts damage with a touch is a bad target for unarmed strikes, but a perfect target for a kama or nunchuk or quarterstaff.

 

[DarkMask]

Ok, starting to get the idea now, although I will have to talk it over with my DM, obviously.

I've heard a lot of people talking between Tripping and Disarming, so I was thinking:

Which is better? Knockdown + Improved Trip (or some other combo since it sounds like Knockdown isn't that great a combo with it since it can't feed off of Improved Trip, or I was thinking, Improved Disarm + Throw Anything. Using DIsarm bare handed means you get the weapon, and if its not something you like, you can use Throw ANything to make ti an instant projectile . . .

Or is that just silly?

 

[FalcWP]

For nice combos - Improved Trip + Combat Reflexes. Trip them, get a free attack, get another free attack when they attempt to stand. Improved Disarm is more so they lose their most powerful weapon (or, for non-monks, to get a weapon after you've been imprisoned or otherwise lost your weapon), but, again, combat reflexes is nice, since they'll provoke Attacks of Opportunity if they attack you unarmed.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I would also prioritize Combat Reflexes and Improved Trip over Improved Disarm.

The beauty of a tripped opponent is that if you trip someone near one or more of your allies, EACH of them gets an AoO against the prone foe.

 

[BASHMAN]

You should check out the 3.0 FAQ or the Sword and Fist errata. One of those clarifies the use of the Knockdown feat in that you are not eligible for the bonus attack from Improved Trip if the opponent is tripped because of the Knockdown feat. Sorry.

Yes, I was aware of that, and when I made the character, I asked the DM about it, and he said, "no, I think if you trip someone with knockdown you should get the extra attack. You paid a feat for it, afterall" He recomended the feat to me when he heard I used a spiked chain and had improved trip.

 

[Legildur]

Yes, I was aware of that, and when I made the character, I asked the DM about it, and he said, "no, I think if you trip someone with knockdown you should get the extra attack. You paid a feat for it, afterall" He recomended the feat to me when he heard I used a spiked chain and had improved trip.

Lucky you! I think my DM would choke on his snack food if I tried to introduce the feat - even with errata/FAQ.

 

[pawsplay]

Brilliant energy quarterstaff FTW.