D&D 4E Need some help understanding 4e Monk attacks

[jcook119]

Good evening,

I am not new to D&D, but am new to 4e. I have made a 1st level Monk, and have a question regarding unarmed attacks. What confuses me are these two statements, from pages 63 and 64:

"When you make a weapon attack such as a melec basic

attack.​

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you can use the monk unarmed strike, which
i .. a weapon ill the unarllled wcapon group. This​

weapon​

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has theoff-hand \\eapon property and a +3​

proficienC)' bonus.​

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and it deals 1d8 damage. You must​

have a​

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hand free to use your monk unarmed strike.
e,"en ifyou're kicking, kneeing. elbowing. or head·​

bUlling a target."

And this one:

"All your monk attacks can involve the

use of a weapon, whether it's your monk unarmed strike​

or a manufactured object."

So do I get one attack per round, using either my unarmed or my weapon? Or do I get a weapon attack and an unarmed attack using the off-hand? Also, if I want to use a quarterstaff as my primary weapon, does that mean I do not get an unarmed attack since it is a two-handed weapon?

Thanks,
James

 

[Shadus]

You get one standard action attack per-round, unless you use an action point (Which give you another standard action)

An Off-Hand weapon simply can be used in your off hand while holding another weapon in your main hand. But a two-handed weapon takes up both hands. A Monks power can be used with either a unarmed strike or a weapon attack. Not both.

 

[jcook119]

So other than a magical weapon, or a non-magical weapon with better base damage, is there any reason to use a weapon instead of the unarmed attack?

 

[Saagael]

You can use a magic item called a "Ki focus" to enhance your unarmed strikes. Ki focuses are a little trickier, but suffice to say that they are the magic item for unarmed strikes.

Certain feats require you to use different weapons. If you want to focus on using spears, you get to take spear-based feats. If you want to use daggers, you take light-blade feats. Weapons for a monk are mostly a preference for non-optimizers, as all of your attacks don't actually use weapon damage dice or properties (I know, more confusing).

The point being: Use whatever weapon you think would make your character look the most awesome. Like Jackie Chan, monks don't care what weapon they use because, as long as they've got their trusty Ki Focus, attacking with anything from your fists to a chair you just pulled out from under that thug is just as viable.

 

[Shadus]

Well, the only game benefit of the unarmed attack is that you don't have to draw a weapon. I still prefer my monks to be unarmed though. Just because it's cool.

 

[jcook119]

OK, I think I understand now. Thank you gentlemen!

 

[Thraug]

Somewhat related, a L9 Monk character in my game is a Goliath with the "Goliath Greatweapon Prowess" feat (You gain proficiency with all simple and military two-handed melee weapons and a +2 feat bonus to damage rolls with such weapons.). He has a Longspear and wants to attack targets with his L9 "Crane Dance" power at a range of 2 using the Longspear. Crane Dance is a "Implement, Psionic" and "Melee touch" power.

The "Goliath Greatweapon Prowess" feat gives him proficiency with Longspear and Monks can use weapons they are proficient with as implements (PHB3 pg62). Can he attack targets at a range of 2?

 

[Saagael]

Somewhat related, a L9 Monk character in my game is a Goliath with the "Goliath Greatweapon Prowess" feat (You gain proficiency with all simple and military two-handed melee weapons and a +2 feat bonus to damage rolls with such weapons.). He has a Longspear and wants to attack targets with his L9 "Crane Dance" power at a range of 2 using the Longspear. Crane Dance is a "Implement, Psionic" and "Melee touch" power.

The "Goliath Greatweapon Prowess" feat gives him proficiency with Longspear and Monks can use weapons they are proficient with as implements (PHB3 pg62). Can he attack targets at a range of 2?

Nope, sadly. Melee Touch refers to the natural reach of a creature. "Melee Weapon" as a range refers to the reach of the weapon.