Post/Author/DateTime	Post
m o n k 08-11-06, 08:54 PM	When using an unarmed strike to attack monsters such as fire elementals, oozes, and other icky or dangerous-to-the-skin monsters, does a monk take damage on his unprotected fists? Thanks!
Yobgod Ababua 08-11-06, 09:05 PM	Depends on the monster. Check the MM (or SRD) for details. For example, the answer for fire elemental is "yes, you get hurt": Creatures hitting a fire elemental with natural weapons or unarmed attacks take fire damage as though hit by the elemental’s attack, and also catch on fire unless they succeed on a Reflex save. The standard oozes, however, have no similar text, so you can safely punch and kick away!
bondious 08-11-06, 09:07 PM	When using an unarmed strike to attack monsters such as fire elementals, oozes, and other icky or dangerous-to-the-skin monsters, does a monk take damage on his unprotected fists? Thanks! The monk himself/herself will take any such damage, not the specific body part used for the unarmed strike (remember, an unarmed strike can be fist, foot, knee, elbow, etc...not just a punch). So, in the case of a Fire Elemental, I found this: Creatures hitting a fire elemental with natural weapons or unarmed attacks take fire damage as though hit by the elemental’s attack, and also catch on fire unless they succeed on a Reflex save. I'm assuming that other creatures will have something in their descriptions about this as well. Guess that's one MORE reason for a monk to carry around a melee weapon or two, huh? Maybe a +1 Icy Burst Kama for that pesky Fire Elemental?
SoldierOfFortune187 08-11-06, 09:09 PM	Unless a creature has an effect that specifically occurs by either being in proximity to or striking the creature with something (say, a natural weapon or a weapon without reach), your character is fine. The Fire Elemental has such an ability (creatures striking it with natural weapons or unarmed attacks take fire damage as though being hit by the elemental's attack, and also catch on fire unless they succeed in the appropiate Reflex save). Information can be found for many individual monsters in the SRD.
DM_Greatness 08-12-06, 06:13 PM	Whatever! Monks are too badassed to take silly burn damage from merely punching a creature composed of raw living fire! I mean, for real.... Let the players be heroes in a heroic game. If you want to challenge something from a rules point of view, I'm sure there is something about Monks, and how their unarmed strikes can also be counted as manufactured weapons. But all that aside... DMs, let your monks be hardcore, and allow them to clinch those vile fire elementals Mui Thai style, and drive a hard knee right into their firey essessence, all while yelling "Whaaaaaaa!"
Generic Poster 08-13-06, 02:45 AM	if your monk happens to be Chuck Norris, then I would rule that it's the fire element that takes fire damage, right before it's sent back to the inner planes with a roundhouse kick :P
Nived 08-13-06, 02:51 AM	You know I was setting up a campaign and was heavily using elementals and paraelementals (manual of the planes) for a particular section. However there was one creature suspiciously missing. The Ooze Paraelemental (Earth and Water). It has an ability where any weapon that hits it must make a reflex save or take 40 points of acid damage... this would outright destroy most weapons. Which when I was originally not concerned about since the rewards from this adventure were suposed to be higher than normal anyway.... but then I got to thinking about the monk in my party, how was I supposed to rule on that? Reflex save or HE takes 40 points of damage? Just damage or would he actually lose his arm? Would it be like that starburst commercial with the barrel of acid!?!?! I decided that Air, Fire, Earth, Water, Smoke, Magma, and Ice would just have to get along without Ooze.
shift244 08-13-06, 11:30 PM	If the monk strikes and hits, when normally another manufactured weapon takes, damage, then the monk's unarmed strike takes damage. Due to the fact that D&D d20 does not have anatomy specific damage, then the monk takes the damage into his-self ie. to his HP. I believe this is an agreeable reading of the rules, with references to general responses to "can you sunder a monk's unarmed strike?" posts. I'm not sure about the Reflex, but would think that there should not be one. But a spellcaster casting Resist/Protection from Energy spells on the monk would make him the good choice against those creatures if the party warriors (unsure you would be giving weapons as rewards) are less than willing to sacrifice their weapons against them.
Nived 08-14-06, 12:22 AM	The only reason I mention a reflex save is the particular ability of the Ooze Paraelemental allows combatants using manufactured weapons a reflex save to avoid the damage.
mvincent 08-14-06, 03:25 PM	The Babau demon also has an ability to damage unarmed strikers: "Protective Slime (Su) A slimy red jelly coats the babau’s skin. Any weapon that touches it takes 1d8 points of acid damage from the corrosive goo, and the weapon’s hardness does not reduce this damage. A magic weapon may attempt a DC 18 Reflex save to avoid taking this damage. A creature who strikes the babau with an unarmed attack, unarmed strike, touch spell, or natural weapon takes this damage as well but can negate the damage with a DC 18 Reflex save."