I am DMing AOW for a few friends, and while we are not new to the game, this particular question has never come up before. One person is playing a monk and wants to take the "Improved Natural Attack" feat from the monster manual. This increases the damage die of an attack by one step, as if the creature's size had increased. The character must have a natural attack to begin with. In the PHB under "Strike, Unarmed": The damage from an unarmed strike is considered weapon damage for the purposes of effects that give you a bonus on weapon damage rolls.
However, under the "Magic Fang" spell: This spell can affect a slam, fist, bite, or other natural weapon.
Then, under "Magic Weapon": A monk's unarmed strike is considered a weapon, and can be enhanced by this spell.
So, I am sure this has probably come up somewhere before. Am I missing another rule somewhere that would clarify this? or is there some errata that I can find?
I would appreciate any help at all, but I would really like something from an official source, if there is one, on the subject.
Thanks.
Can't help you with the official thing but the question has come up before with my group and we decided no.
A: improved natural attack is not something you can "learn" it means that for whatever reason the creatures weapon is more deadly, bigger, sharper whatever. (I have the suspition that this is infinitely debateable)
B: the monk is already increasing his unarmed damage with his training and that is one of the key components that defines the class. I wouldn't allow a fighter to take a feat that increased his base attack.
C: it gets rediculously powerful. low levels enlarge person, high levels extended enlarge person (or polymorph) plus a monks belt.
So, I am sure this has probably come up somewhere before. Am I missing another rule somewhere that would clarify this? or is there some errata that I can find?
I would appreciate any help at all, but I would really like something from an official source, if there is one, on the subject.
It is in the FAQ under Feats I believe.
Do a search, I had a thread on this in the last 4 months.It is a perfectly allowed combo.
Just like Ability Focus works for the Monk's stunning fist.
-c
|
Speaking as one who has played way too many monks and probably loves them in an unnatural(or at least creepy) way, I can say confidently that yes, monks can take improved unarmed strike and are then treated as being one size category larger.
To quote the SRD:
A monk’s unarmed strike is treated both as a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve either manufactured weapons or natural weapons.
Thanks alot everyone. The player is going to be thrilled.