Unarmed Combat + Power Attack

[Thanee]

That is correct. THF is probably the most powerful fighting style in 3.5, because of Power Attack mostly.

Also, I would be worried, if you could make an unarmed fighter who could keep up with a greatsword-armed fighter, really.

Bye
Thanee

 

[UltimaGabe]

Also, I would be worried, if you could make an unarmed fighter who could keep up with a greatsword-armed fighter, really.

Exactly. People use weapons for a reason. It shouldn't come as a big surprise if it requires a heck of a lot more work to become better at fighting without one.

 

[Goblyn]

Well, I've got a crazy suggestion.
If ...
you don't mind a +1 LA AND
your gm allows it AND
you have access to Savage Species,

you could slap the Feral template on your Barb
+4Str,+2Con,-2Dex,-4Int,+2Wis, +6 Natural Armor, +10' Speed, Darkvision, Fast Healing, if you've enough levels, pounce and rend, etc. Not to mention as a medium creature your dude will have two claw attacks at 1d8 damage.

I know this is a 'probably not' suggestion, but I thought I'd throw it out there none-the less.

 

[Yair]

That is correct. THF is probably the most powerful fighting style in 3.5, because of Power Attack mostly.

Also, I would be worried, if you could make an unarmed fighter who could keep up with a greatsword-armed fighter, really.

Bye
Thanee

True, but it would be nice if I could be somewhere in the same neighberhood. The weapons already do more base damage, and it took one feat not to provoke AOO with unarmed strike - how much benefit should a choice of weaponry dictate?
Personally, I would allow slapping on PA (and perhaps x1.5 multiplier to "right arm" attacks) for a cost of a feat - the character would still be weaker than a comparable warrior using a two-handed weapon by merit of the base damage and two lost feats. But that's moving to house rules.

 

[Thanee]

As said above, you can use PA just fine, but not the 1.5 multiplier, of course.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Hypersmurf]

As said above, you can use PA just fine, but not the 1.5 multiplier, of course.

There's a feat in Races of Faerun - Hammerfist Strike, or something - but I can't remember exactly how it's worded...

-Hyp.

 

[Li Shenron]

Is there any way to do reasonable damage using unarmed combat?

Not that it is completely unfair that armed combat is more efficient than unarmed combat. After all, I don't remember any historical army having fought unarmed... except maybe the boxers in china which ended soon.