Barbarian... Lesser Beast Totem and Non-lethal?

[elcman]

I have a brawler sort of Barbarian that I want to use to knockout and subdue opponents. A boxer sort. Lesser Beast Totem seems to fit into this, but I'm not sure if I would need unarmed strike or some sort of equipment to make my fists non-lethal "pacifiers" instead of Nicholas Cage hands that need to be registered as lethal weapons.

Thoughts? Do I need to take the -4 penalty to non-lethal someone down if I have Lesser Beast Totem?

[TriOmegaZero]

Yes, you would need to take the -4, unless you had a feat like Bludgeoner that allows you to deal non-lethal damage without the penalty. Note that if you take Improved Unarmed Strike, you use your unarmed strike damage and not your Lesser Beast Totem damage. In that case, you're better off just using IUS instead of taking the totem, unless you want the extra damage types.

[elcman]

I'm going down the Greater Beast Totem "Pounce" approach and wondered if this would be a side benefit. Looks like it wouldn't be.

As I wrote this, I figured I answered my own question, but I had to see what others thought.

Thanks!

[Avoron]

You could always grab a merciful amulet of mighty fists.