Maximize Your Proficiency with Unarmed Strike in 5E
If you’re a 5E player who loves getting up close and personal in combat, you’re likely familiar with unarmed strikes. While they may not seem as powerful as using weapons, unarmed strikes offer several unique advantages that can help you out in a pinch. In this article, we’ll explore how you can maximize your proficiency with unarmed strikes in 5E, including which classes benefit from them the most, and how to make the most of your abilities to take down even the toughest foes.
What are Unarmed Strikes in 5E?
First things first: let’s define what an unarmed strike even is. In 5E, an unarmed strike is considered a melee attack that doesn’t involve any weapons or equipment. Instead, you rely on the power of your own fists, feet, and body to deal damage to your opponent. Every character in 5E is considered proficient with unarmed strikes, which means they can deal 1 + STR modifier damage at a minimum.
It’s worth noting that unarmed strikes are considered to be a part of the Melee Weapon Attack category, which means they benefit from a variety of buffs and bonuses that affect other melee weapons. For example, if you have a spell that grants you a bonus to your next attack roll with a melee weapon, it would apply to an unarmed strike as well.
Classes that Benefit from Unarmed Strikes
While all characters in 5E can use unarmed strikes, certain classes benefit from them more than others. For example, monks are known for their prowess in hand-to-hand combat, and they receive extra bonuses to their unarmed strikes as they level up. At 6th level, monks’ unarmed strikes become magical, which means they can bypass some types of damage resistance. At 11th level, they deal even more damage with their strikes, and at 17th level, their hands count as a magic weapon that can bypass any type of resistance.
Other classes that can benefit from unarmed strikes include fighters and barbarians. Fighters can use Action Surge to make an extra attack, which means they could land two devastating blows with their fists in a single turn. Barbarians can increase their damage output and accuracy with Rage, making them even stronger when they’re fighting unarmed.
How to Use Your Unarmed Strikes to Maximum Effect
So, how can you make the most of your unarmed strikes in 5E? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Use a Free Hand – When you’re fighting unarmed, you don’t have any weapons to hold with your hands. This means you can use them for other purposes, such as grappling or shoving your opponent. These actions can be incredibly effective when used in tandem with unarmed strikes.
2. Build Up Your STR Modifier – Since unarmed strikes rely on your character’s strength, it’s important to prioritize strength in your build. Take feats or use equipment that increases your strength score so you can deal more damage with each strike.
3. Use Monk Abilities – If you’re playing as a monk, make sure you’re using all of your class abilities to their fullest potential. For example, you can use Flurry of Blows to make two unarmed strikes in a single turn, or you can use Stunning Strike to try and stun your opponent.
4. Use Buffs and Bonuses – As mentioned earlier, unarmed strikes benefit from a variety of buffs and bonuses that also apply to other melee weapons. Make use of spells, items, and other abilities that grant you bonuses to melee attacks and damage.
Conclusion
Overall, unarmed strikes may not be the flashiest or most powerful option in 5E, but they offer a lot of versatility and options for players who want to get up close and personal in combat. Whether you’re a monk, fighter, or any other class, make sure you’re using your unarmed strikes to their fullest potential by following the tips outlined in this article. By doing so, you’ll be able to take down even the toughest foes with nothing but your fists and feet.
