Oracle blackened curse - what does it affect?

[mirtexxan]

Hello everybody,
I'm unsure of what the blackened curse really affects...

Rules Text:

Your hands and forearms are shriveled and blackened, as if you had plunged your arms into a blazing fire, and your thin, papery skin is sensitive to the touch.

Effect

You take a –4 penalty on weapon attack rolls, but you add burning hands to your list of spells known.

At 5th level, add scorching ray and flaming sphere to your list of spells known.

At 10th level, add wall of fire to your list of spells known and your penalty on weapon attack rolls is reduced to –2.

At 15th level, add delayed blast fireball to your list of spells known.

Of course the -4 affects weapon rolls, such as when an oracle attacks with his morning star or sling, or whatever. But what about TOUCH attacks, either melee of ranged? What about unarmed strike or natural weapons?

[Starcoffin]

Well it does specifically stat weapon attack rolls. So touch attacks should be exempt. As for natural weapons and unarmed strike. I would consider them to be weapons and receive the penalty.

[the_move]

Unarmed Strike isn't a weapon attack.

[Jiggy]

Somewhat vague, but how I'd probably run it is if you're trying to use physical force (swing a sword, fire a bow, punch someone), then you go "Ow, my hands!" and take the -4. If you're being all magical and just firing rays or delivering a touch spell, you're fine.

[Cheapy]

Slight necro, but here's your answer.

[Skylancer4]

Steven Langer wrote:

Unarmed Strike isn't a weapon attack.

You'll see unarmed strikes listed in the weapon chart and you'll notice that the FAQ doesn't mention unarmed strikes as exempt.