Touch attacks and Unarmed strikes

[isoChron]

Well I always thought the solution is given in Complete Arcane (p.72/73).

You can deliver a touch spell with an unarmed strike melee attack but if the regular unarmed strike misses (melee, not touch) the touch spell doesn't discharge.

You can take Weapon Focus (touch spell) for spells with range touch (and ranged touch is also possible). Why would they mention it if this was covered by Weapon Focus (unarmed strike) ?

You can treat touch spells as light weapon and thus use Weapon Finesse.

All that tells me that touch and ranged touch is always a unique class of "weapon". With a special rule that you can combine it with unarmed strike.

 

[KarinsDad]

All that tells me that touch and ranged touch is always a unique class of "weapon". With a special rule that you can combine it with unarmed strike.

They are a unique class of (unarmed) attack, not a unique class of weapon.

Note: Weapon Focus (touch spell) does not add anything to an Unarmed Strike. It is a different feat. Just like Weapon Focus (longsword) does not add anything to a short sword. Just because one can use Weapon Focus for touch spells does not make them a weapon. It's just the name of the feat due to the fact that the feat was originally designed for weapons.

You can also choose unarmed strike or grapple (or ray, if you are a spellcaster) as your weapon for purposes of this feat.

That does not make a touch spell a weapon for any other purposes.

 

[irdeggman]

Well I always thought the solution is given in Complete Arcane (p.72/73).

I was wondering if someone was finally going to look there.

CA has an entire write up on weaponlike spells and that information sure seems to be what is being talked about here to me.

 

[isoChron]

They are a unique class of (unarmed) attack, not a unique class of weapon.

OK. But the point is that it's not Unarmed Strike (heck, it's a touch not a strike ).

Note: Weapon Focus (touch spell) does not add anything to an Unarmed Strike. It is a different feat. Just like Weapon Focus (longsword) does not add anything to a short sword. Just because one can use Weapon Focus for touch spells does not make them a weapon. It's just the name of the feat due to the fact that the feat was originally designed for weapons.

That's what I meant, sorry if my skill in language doesn't reflect my thoughts on this subject. Unarmed Strike shouln't grant anything to touch spells. There is nothing similar. The one is about hurting people, the other about touching (which may hurt because of spell or whatnot). The technics are quite different. Touch requires you to be very agile and fast, Strike to have a good stance, connect to the right spot and transfer the kinetic energy.

That does not make a touch spell a weapon for any other purposes.

Sure, but it shows a difference between Unarmed Strike and Touch. At least in my little world