Unarmed Divine Bond

[GnomePaladin]

Can a paladins "Divine Bond" ability be applied to unarmed strikes?

My conclusion is yes since an unarmed strike counts as a "light weapon", but I want to confirm.

[Deadmanwalking]

I...don't actually see any reason why not. I'd definitely allow it even if there were rules otherwise (go Paladins of Irori!) but I'm not seeing any rules disallowing it.

[Oracle of Sunder]

*Thread Bump*

And also, would a normal paladin, that is not wearing gauntlets, still provoke an AoO for using his fists in a swordfight, or would adding the divine bond effectively turn his fists into un-provoking melee weapons?

[lemeres]

Just play an Irorian paladin

Although, admittedly, this is kind of a major change in the class on par with stonelords in how far they go.

But no-most likely, you could not pick your unarmed strike normally (I only know that a monk's unarmed strike counts as a weapon rather than a natural one for spells and such; it is hard to tell where everything else stands).

And not, you do not get improved unarmed strike just because it is your bond. You only really get that if you are receiving it from the whole 'favored weapon' thing that clerics and inquisitors have. Paladins come with partial proficiency from the get go, so they never gave you that feature.

[Kazaan]

"Weapon" and "Manufactured Weapon" are distinct terms in Pathfinder. Unarmed Strikes are Weapons but not Manufactured Weapons (unless you're a Monk), but Divine Bond only calls out "weapon" so you can use it not only on Unarmed Strikes but also Natural Weapons like claws or bites.

However, using Divine Bond on your Unarmed Strike won't make it not provoke anymore than wearing an Amulet of Mighty Fists without IUS. Enhancing your Unarmed Strikes doesn't make them stop provoking.