Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pliskit 06-26-06, 05:34 AM	I'm building a lvl16 monk and am looking for equipment to enhance his unarmed strike. Now of course there's the Monks Belt, but apart from that I couldn't find anything. What I am looking for specifically is a ring that grands energy-damage to unarmed attacks. I'm sure this item exists, but I can't seem to find it anywhere in the SRD or crystalkeep...
Leilond 06-26-06, 06:50 AM	I'm building a lvl16 monk and am looking for equipment to enhance his unarmed strike. Now of course there's the Monks Belt, but apart from that I couldn't find anything. What I am looking for specifically is a ring that grands energy-damage to unarmed attacks. I'm sure this item exists, but I can't seem to find it anywhere in the SRD or crystalkeep... There isn't a ring like that It is the draw back of the monk. If you want to use that high unarmed damage dice you cannot add any energy damage If you want to deal energy damage you need to use an enchanted monk weapon and you'll use the weapon damage. It's a matter of balance. For this reason the wise monks players usually use some magica weapon as "back up weapons" to use against monster with particular DR or Regeneration rate. They use the unarmed strike against the majority of the enemy and swithc to the monks weapon when their attaks aren't enought strong to overcome the DR or Regeneration rate of the enemy If you let the unarmed strike of the monk be enchanted over the magic and adamantium that he yet have, all the monk's weapon immediatly become obsolete and nearly unusefull.
Pliskit 06-26-06, 07:08 AM	Thanks for replying. You're completely correct on it being overpowerd, I just had it in my head that an item like that existed...
runestar 06-26-06, 08:35 AM	See if your mage will be allowed to research a spell that enhances the damage of your unarmed strikes, then hold them in a ring of spell storing. Or use the current existing ones like shocking grasp/vampiric touch etc. :)
Takashi Tsukikage 06-30-06, 02:58 AM	I could be wrong, but I believe that Magic of Faerun holds an item called the Bracers of Striking that give the same or very similar benefit to the one you are looking for. If I recall correctly, they took up the bracer slot, and essentially let you turn your monk's unarmed strike into an enchanted weapon. I can't recall the details, and my copy of the book has been long lost, so you'll need to do some digging on your own to find any more information. As far as a ring though... No idea. Good luck with your character.
WinDReiN 06-30-06, 05:44 AM	Bracers of striking are on page 155. in Magic of Faerun. That's an excellent item for a monk. I'm not sure about a feat called Firery fists
runestar 06-30-06, 07:02 AM	I suppose you could create a feat that burns stunning fist uses to empower your fists with fire damage... :P
kelvinaw273 06-30-06, 07:47 AM	There are several options for improving Monk unarmed damage or enhancing it, but all use either multi-class/PrC abilities or feats. Enhancing feats are: Fists of Iron (CW), Axiomatic Strike (CW) and Improved Natural Attack (MM)(if the DM allows the latter). If you use psionics, Aligned Attack, Psionic Fist, Greater Psionic Fist and Unavoidable Attack (yes, I know it does not increase damage but likely hood to hit) are all available in XPH. For energy damage, both Enlightened Fist and Sacred Fist have abilities to charge you unarmed attacks with energy, plus you can take the feats Arcane Strike or Divine Strike. Kensai allows you to enchant your unarmed attacks directly and is probably the best option. Further, both arcane and divine magic options allow spells that enhance damage or add energy damage. Once again, if you use psionics there are a number of Psychic Warrior powers that increase damage and effects, making Fist of Zuoken an attractive PrC (Dissolving Touch, Stygian Weapon, Energy Weapon). This is, unfortunately, the disadvantage of the monk: there is very little specialist equipment a monk can use. The advantage of the monk is that there is very little specialist equipment that you need. A monk at any level dumped in a situation with no equipment can still function 100% as a monk, few other classes can manage that. For new feats, you would have to rationalise why a Monk would deal energy damage without access to arcane magic or psionics - that might not be easy.
kjenks 06-30-06, 08:30 AM	Greater Magic Fang is what you need. A level 16 druid would give you a +4 enhancement bonus for 16 hours/day/spell. What was that you mumbled? You don't have a level 16 druid in your party? Select the Leadership feat ASAP. BTW, your druid buddy could also cast Brilliant Aura, letting you ignore armor and shield bonuses to AC. If you change your type to Animal (say, with Quicken Spell + Polymorph to dire tiger from your wizard buddy), the druid could cast Nature's Favor on you for a whole lot more damage.