The Intersectin of Gauntlets and Disarm


Rules Questions


Gauntlets (not spiked gauntlets, just gauntlets) fall into an unusual classification. In some ways they are weapons and in some ways they aren't. For example, wearing gauntlets doesn't make you "armed" the way carrying a dagger does. But they do lethal damage the way a weapon does. They also are listed under unarmed attacks on the weapon table, but can be enchanted like a weapon. So some ways a weapon, some ways not.

When using the "disarm" combat maneuver, you can disarm with a weapon, which causes the weapon to drop to the ground in the opponents square. This option also allows you to use the magical enhancement or special bonus of weapon on the disarm attempt. Or you can make an "unarmed" disarm attempt (taking a penalty) and opt to take the opponents weapon.

So my question is this. If you are wearing a gauntlet (which is in someways a weapon and some ways not) that has an enhancement bonus, does an "unarmed" disarm attempt get to use the gauntlet's bonus?


Non-RAW ruling: (How I'd run it at my table)
If you just wanted to knock the weapon from your opponent's hands, the same as you would if you were wielding a longsword or a sai, then you may add any enhancement bonuses on the gauntlets to your CMB to disarm. However, if you were wanting to take the weapon and use it (the unarmed ability during a disarm) I would rule that you cannot.

As you said, gauntlets are sometimes weapons and sometimes not. Depending on how they are used, weapon-like or unarmed-like, determines how I would adjudicate their CMB bonus or penalty.

The Exchange

Mauril wrote:

Non-RAW ruling: (How I'd run it at my table)

If you just wanted to knock the weapon from your opponent's hands, the same as you would if you were wielding a longsword or a sai, then you may add any enhancement bonuses on the gauntlets to your CMB to disarm. However, if you were wanting to take the weapon and use it (the unarmed ability during a disarm) I would rule that you cannot.

As you said, gauntlets are sometimes weapons and sometimes not. Depending on how they are used, weapon-like or unarmed-like, determines how I would adjudicate their CMB bonus or penalty.

I have had this happen and ruled it the same way, if that helps.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Rules Questions / The Intersectin of Gauntlets and Disarm All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Rules Questions