Is there a way to boost the monk's critical threat range on his unarmed attacks? We have a druid and a wizard in the party, and witch and cleric followers, so we have access to a number of spell lists and item creation options.
My only thought would be to take improved critical for unarmed attacks, that is the only think I can think of and it would only make the threat range 19-20. (to the best of my knowledge there is nothing preventing it)
My only thought would be to take improved critical for unarmed attacks, that is the only think I can think of and it would only make the threat range 19-20. (to the best of my knowledge there is nothing preventing it)
Imp Crit is on the lvl 10 bonus feat list for Monks.It's about the only thing I can think of to up the range. IMO the monk should have had increased crit ranges built into his unarmed strike progression.
APG... Cestus weapon - a studded gloove. 19-20 X's 2 believe give P/B damage. enchant with keen...
Unless I am mistaken that would make the damage 1d4, making a Monk deal less damage. So that would mean at a Level 1 Monk with Cestus would have 1d4 damage with 19-20/x2 crit, where a Level 1 Monk without the Cestus would have 1d6 and crit only on nat 20. The slight increase in crit range wouldn't be worth the damage trade, especially at higher levels when the damage dice increase.
Unless I am mistaken that would make the damage 1d4, making a Monk deal less damage. So that would mean at a Level 1 Monk with Cestus would have 1d4 damage with 19-20/x2 crit, where a Level 1 Monk without the Cestus would have 1d6 and crit only on nat 20. The slight increase in crit range wouldn't be worth the damage trade, especially at higher levels when the damage dice increase.APG... Cestus weapon - a studded gloove. 19-20 X's 2 believe give P/B damage. enchant with keen...
no a monk may choose to do his unarmed strike damage with a cestus or brass knuckles
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Under the description for Brass Knuckles it says
"Monks are proficient with brass knuckles and can use their monk unarmed damage when fighting with them."
for the Cestus
"...your unarmed attacks deal normal damage"
this language seems to me to be that your unarmed attacks to lethal damage not to allow Monk damage progression.
no a monk may choose to do his unarmed strike damage with a cestus or brass knucklesUnless I am mistaken that would make the damage 1d4, making a Monk deal less damage. So that would mean at a Level 1 Monk with Cestus would have 1d4 damage with 19-20/x2 crit, where a Level 1 Monk without the Cestus would have 1d6 and crit only on nat 20. The slight increase in crit range wouldn't be worth the damage trade, especially at higher levels when the damage dice increase.APG... Cestus weapon - a studded gloove. 19-20 X's 2 believe give P/B damage. enchant with keen...
Oh ok, then you are right getting either a Keen Cestus or taking Improved critical for the Cestus would be the best option.
Under the description for Brass Knuckles it says
"Monks are proficient with brass knuckles and can use their monk unarmed damage when fighting with them."for the Cestus
"...your unarmed attacks deal normal damage"
this language seems to me to be that your unarmed attacks to lethal damage not to allow Monk damage progression.
Ohh you may be right serves me right for not re reading before posting.
Thanks all. I'd like to avoid the cestus and brass knuckles, as while they count as unarmed under the rules, they are weapons, and that clashes with my character concept.
Also, the brass knuckles damage output has been clarified here. They can be enhanced, but monks don't get their unarmed damage with them. So that's a potential rules headache I'd want to avoid either way.
It looks like Improved Critical it is then! Thanks again.
I wouldn't say it has been cleared up, since despite SKR's post, the book printed in 2011 still has the same text for the brass knuckles. :(
Add to that that they still haven't updated the FAQ for it, and it's still just as murky as ever. BLECH!