Unarmed Combat Alternatives - No Monks.

[Malkur]

My DM has banned Monks from our play, not because he dislikes unarmed combat but because it has a story aspect, which is irrelevant to the question.

I like unarmed combat. Is their any class/feat/something that will allow me to be at least somewhat effective unarmed without being a Monk?

 

[Dandu]

Barbarian/Fist of the Forest
Unarmed Swordsage
Psychic Warrior
Druid
Totemist

 

[Malkur]

How the hell does an 'Unarmed Swordsage' work. Don't they need swords? I rarely pay attention to the ToB.

The Barbarian/Fist of the Forest one seems my best option at this point.

I don't recall the 'Totemist' class.

We already have two Druids, so that is out.

Not a fan of Psionic classes.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Some info & options in no particular order:

1. Totemist is from Magic of Incarnum.
2. Improved Unarmed Combat is the base feat you'd want
3. The Kensai PrCl can chose unarmed strikes as it's weapon of choice
4. If you play an arcanist- Like BattleSorc, Duskblade or WarMage- load up on touch spells and the Arcane Strike and Touch Spell feats
5. Play a race with natural weapons and take Improved Natural Attack...with the Feral Template if you can get it.
6. Buy gauntlets and use them as if you were unarmed.
7. The 5 level Shou Disciple PrCl ultimately grants FoB with any weapon, while in armor, and does not require any monk levels as a prerequisite.

 

[Starbuck_II]

How the hell does an 'Unarmed Swordsage' work. Don't they need swords? I rarely pay attention to the ToB.

No, Swordsage is just a name.

The Unarmed Swordsage is a variant listed in the book wher you give up some stuff (armor proficiency, etc) for unarmed capabilities.

 

[Borthos]

You'll definitely want to take Superior Unarmed Strike from ToB, makes your unarmed damage go up by character level, not class level up to 2d6 at 16th. Prereqs are really easy and you can get it 3rd level. Definitely use gauntlets to make your unarmed lethal, and enchant those things all to hell. If you can keen them, there is a feat called Roundabout Kick from the CW that allows you to make an additional attack every time you crit.

I'm running an unarmed type character myself under the same basic rules as you, but I'm taking mine in a different direction than what these guys are suggesting, but I thought I'd throw in some ideas.

 

[Dandu]

I think Snap Kick is better than Roundabout Kick.

 

[Borthos]

shoot which one is snap kick again?

 

[Dandu]

An extra unarmed attack per round every time you make an unarmed attack, at the cost of a -2 penalty to all attacks that round. ToB.

Basically the monk's flurry of blows but better since it also activated on a standard action.

If I'm remembering it correctly.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

You mostly got it. Extra attack at highest BAB, all attacks that round take an additional -2 penalty. The snap kick only adds half strength to damage, and as written, can be combined with any[//b] attack.

It'd be hilarious with Steadfast Boots (can set against a charge with any weapon to deal x2 damage) in the right circumstances...