Gauntleted monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Gauntleted monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Archwolf
08-01-07, 02:43 PM So, the FAQ has finally and at last settled the "can a monk flurry with a gauntlet question", and the answer apparently is yes, but the monk is non-proficient with it.
A monk could wear such an item and treat it as an unarmed strike (since the Player’s Handbook says that “a strike with a
gauntlet is . . . considered an unarmed attack”), although the
damage dealt by the gauntlet would always be considered lethal damage (as noted in the gauntlet entry) and the monk would
suffer a nonproficiency penalty (since the gauntlet is a simple
weapon). The monk could even use gauntlet attacks as part of a flurry of blows.

So that could be handy, since a monk could keep using his ever-increasing unarmed strike damage and also buy a silvered or cold iron or holy or otherwise magicked gauntlet, though it would mean working in martial weapon proficiency to a build. So, first question, is it worth a feat? Here's how a human monk might go:

Monk 1) imp. grapple, stunning fist, martial weapon Prof. [gauntlet]
Monk 2) Fiery fist (monk bonus)
Monk 3) power attack
Monk 6) Improved Natural Attack, improved trip or fiery defense (monk bonus)
Monk 9) Pain touch
Monk 12) Sun School, retrain pain touch to True believer
Pious Templar 3) ???

So here are the many questions: Is it worth it to burn the feat to wear gauntlets? This build does not have improved initiative, which I've been told is crucial at high levels. I've also heard power attack isn't that useful for monks because they have a slow BAB progression. I've also heard that grapple stops being all that useful in the mid-levels. So perhaps retraining out of grapple to improved init? Put power attack later in the build? Drop it entirely for some other feat I haven't through of?

Your thoughts most welcome.
Jay_Ibero_911
08-01-07, 03:05 PM So, the FAQ has finally and at last settled the "can a monk flurry with a gauntlet question", and the answer apparently is yes, but the monk is non-proficient with it.

So that could be handy, since a monk could keep using his ever-increasing unarmed strike damage and also buy a silvered or cold iron or holy or otherwise magicked gauntlet, though it would mean working in martial weapon proficiency to a build. So, first question, is it worth a feat? Here's how a human monk might go:

Monk 1) imp. grapple, stunning fist, martial weapon Prof. [gauntlet]
Monk 2) Fiery fist (monk bonus)
Monk 3) power attack
Monk 6) Improved Natural Attack, improved trip or fiery defense (monk bonus)
Monk 9) Pain touch
Monk 12) Sun School, retrain pain touch to True believer
Pious Templar 3) ???

So here are the many questions: Is it worth it to burn the feat to wear gauntlets? This build does not have improved initiative, which I've been told is crucial at high levels. I've also heard power attack isn't that useful for monks because they have a slow BAB progression. I've also heard that grapple stops being all that useful in the mid-levels. So perhaps retraining out of grapple to improved init? Put power attack later in the build? Drop it entirely for some other feat I haven't through of?

Your thoughts most welcome.

Well for one, the guantlet is a SIMPLE weapon, so you just take simple weapon proficiency to pick up the guantlet and many other weapon proficiencies.
myshkingfh
08-01-07, 03:24 PM What if you were to start with any other class at first level? For example, wouldn't Rogue 1 solve the gauntlet problem, give you a sneak die and also give you a metric ton of skill points?
Umbra_Kaitou
08-01-07, 08:58 PM Last i checked, i dunno if the issue of using improved unarmed damage through a gauntlet was solidly official, but for what its worth i side with your ruling

if your just starting out, I do rather agree with the option of taking a different class at first for the proficiency rather than burn a feat, perhaps fighter at 1st for an extra feat and HP. Personally, at least early on with my monk, I kinda wished i dipped sorcerer at 1 to be able to mage armor myself, but I don't play casters much, so I can't even recall if they get simple proficiency and all that off top of my head.

But yes, if you plan to use gauntlets constantly as well as flurry, you'll definitely want proficiency.

As for power attack, i might get disagreed with on this, but I'd say no for a monk. As a monk i tend to focus on flurry, thats already a dip on low BAB to hit bonuses, power attack early on would be a further drain.
Archwolf
08-02-07, 12:20 AM I had the same thought about sorcerer - take enlarge and mage armor and maybe a magic missile and the monk has a fine arsenal. The downside is s1/M1 still has BAB +0, which is kind of a bummer. Fighter 1 isn't a bad idea, for the feat, but I'm thinking Ranger 1 may be the best option. No free feat, but favored enemy is nice, they have the BAB +1 and they get good skill points in skills monks like to have - hide, move silent, and so forth. Even Ranger 2 is a possibility to get TWF.

The down side is if Pious Templar is the final desired result (as is very common, since monk levels peak with dim door at 12), PT 3 seems pretty great - DR 1/-, and free weapon specialization. Which brings me back to the idea of burning a feat on what I now understand to be simple weapon proficiency. Is there a clear advantage between M12/PT3 and simple weapon prof vs. R1/M12/PT2? Or is it just a question of style? I've no idea.
bitznarf
08-02-07, 12:42 AM Monk1/Sorc4/Wild Mage10 with Ascetic Mage :D Or maybe it is Monk2/Sorc3/Wild Mage10. Can't recall. Either way its funny, you end up taking Ascetic Mage at the same time you get your first level of Wild Mage. The strain of the magic has cracked your mind to its breaking point (from Lawful X to Chaotic X).
Pint_Glass_Crusader
08-05-07, 10:07 AM I am currently using a [pure 100%] monk as my primary.

I considered the gauntlet/cestus at level 1, but soon found out it that nunchaku are vastly superior (1d6 damage, +4 disarm, and you don't burn a feat on them). So unless you want them just for flavour... don't bother.

Improved Initiative is great at level 3 (as you start getting faster)... high initiative allows you to mobilise quickly and rush dangerous opponents (like arcane casters and rogues) with "Stunning Fist" (or improved trip later on) using tumbling to out maneuver more powerful melee opponents, like Fighters.

You are right that "power attack" isn't geat, you are better off using "combat tricks", like "stunning fist", "grapple", "improved trip", and "disarm" to bring well armoured foes down to your level. However, if you manage to get access to a "Monk's Belt" (DMG, 13000gp, adds +5 Monk levels to BAB, Flurry of Blows & AC) then power attack becomes really good, as you can knock off the [free] +5 BAB into "power attack".

If you are looking for an interesting feat at level 1, you might consider "Earth's Embrace" from the Complete Warrior. It boosts your grapple damage by 1d12 on a sucessful pin, which can devestate most low-level opponents (though it only effects those vulnerable to critical hits) you can always retrain it later if it starts to become less effective.
Jay_Ibero_911
08-05-07, 10:35 AM I am currently using a [pure 100%] monk as my primary.

I considered the gauntlet/cestus at level 1, but soon found out it that nunchaku are vastly superior (1d6 damage, +4 disarm, and you don't burn a feat on them). So unless you want them just for flavour... don't bother.

Improved Initiative is great at level 3 (as you start getting faster)... high initiative allows you to mobilise quickly and rush dangerous opponents (like arcane casters and rogues) with "Stunning Fist" (or improved trip later on) using tumbling to out maneuver more powerful melee opponents, like Fighters.

You are right that "power attack" isn't geat, you are better off using "combat tricks", like "stunning fist", "grapple", "improved trip", and "disarm" to bring well armoured foes down to your level. However, if you manage to get access to a "Monk's Belt" (DMG, 13000gp, adds +5 Monk levels to BAB, Flurry of Blows & AC) then power attack becomes really good, as you can knock off the [free] +5 BAB into "power attack".

If you are looking for an interesting feat at level 1, you might consider "Earth's Embrace" from the Complete Warrior. It boosts your grapple damage by 1d12 on a sucessful pin, which can devestate most low-level opponents (though it only effects those vulnerable to critical hits) you can always retrain it later if it starts to become less effective.

Monk's Belt does NOT grant any BAB. It only increases your unarmed damage, grants an additional use of Stunning Fist (if you have it), and improves your monk AC bonus by +1 (for counting as 5 levels higher).

Belt, Monk’s: This simple rope belt, when wrapped around a character’s waist, confers great ability in unarmed combat. The wearer’s AC and unarmed damage is treated as a monk of five levels higher. If donned by a character with the Stunning Fist feat, the belt lets her make one additional stunning attack per day. If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th-level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk’s AC bonus.

Moderate transmutation; CL 10th; Craft Wondrous Item, righteous might or transformation; Price 13,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.

Also, Earth's Embrace is a TERRIBLE feat. It only works each round you MAINTAIN the pin, which at first level means you only get that extra d12 on the 3rd round (Round one start grapple, round 2 attempt pin, round 3 maintain pin, get extra d12 damage), when you could have just been damaging the enemy with your grapple checks for 1d6+STR for 3 rounds.
Pint_Glass_Crusader
08-05-07, 11:11 AM Monk's Belt does NOT grant any BAB. It only increases your unarmed damage, grants an additional use of Stunning Fist (if you have it), and improves your monk AC bonus by +1 (for counting as 5 levels higher).

Also, Earth's Embrace is a TERRIBLE feat. It only works each round you MAINTAIN the pin, which at first level means you only get that extra d12 on the 3rd round (Round one start grapple, round 2 attempt pin, round 3 maintain pin, get extra d12 damage), when you could have just been damaging the enemy with your grapple checks for 1d6+STR for 3 rounds.

Yep... my bad, checked it again, don't know what I was getting the belt mixed up with... it's late... and my monk ain't got one!

As for "Earth's Embrace" I have never had any problems with it. I used it against well armoured fighters that I otherwise wasn't going to hit consistently, combined with flurry it was pretty good, however I did retrain it later for "Weapon Focus - Unarmed".
Lupo
08-05-07, 11:37 AM Yep... my bad, checked it again, don't know what I was getting the belt mixed up with... it's late... and my monk ain't got one!

As for "Earth's Embrace" I have never had any problems with it. I used it against well armoured fighters that I otherwise wasn't going to hit consistently, combined with flurry it was pretty good, however I did retrain it later for "Weapon Focus - Unarmed".

just take the "girdle of giant strength +4 (or +6 if you get the money)" as this bonus will go to your attack value :)

the monk's belt is just overpriced :(

silly item takes up a valuable slot and is hard to find anyway

ciao

martin m.
Zanzibax
08-05-07, 11:50 AM So, the FAQ has finally and at last settled the "can a monk flurry with a gauntlet question", and the answer apparently is yes, but the monk is non-proficient with it.

Do you have a quick link to the new FAQ?
bitznarf
08-05-07, 01:22 PM Its in the same place as all the previous D&D FAQs.
Zanzibax
08-05-07, 02:38 PM Its in the same place as all the previous D&D FAQs.

Thanks for the help, but nevermind, I found it.

It's here:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20030221a

...and I've bookmarked it.

Previously, I've had to wait until the file was mirrored at the regional yahoo groups website.

--------------------------

The gauntlet doesn't appear to cause monk damage in the wording.

The words in the FAQ that "A monk could wear such an item and treat it as an unarmed strike seems to suggest that it does. (since the Player’s Handbook says that “a strike with a gauntlet is . . . considered an unarmed attack”),

BUT...

In that same FAQ:

Can a monk get her unarmed strike enhanced as a
magic weapon?

No. Even a magic gauntlet or spiked gauntlet isn’t the ideal
answer, since these aren’t listed as special monk weapons (and
therefore aren’t as versatile as unarmed strikes).

=======================

This seems to be contradictory since the only thing keeping it from being just as flexible is the feat: Weapon Proficiency: Simple.

=======================

However, given the nature of the posters who DM on these pages, I still expect there to be table variation.
bitznarf
08-05-07, 02:44 PM Thanks for the help, but nevermind, I found it.

It's here:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20030221a

...and I've bookmarked it.
Yup, that would be the spot.
Grimslade2001
08-05-07, 04:55 PM Ascetic knight works well with Paladin. Keeps your UAS damage at character level and gives smite.
I am planning out a character with the inverse Ftr1/Mnk1/PalX.
Human Str 14 Dex 10 Con 14 Int 8 Wis 14 Chr 15
1 Ftr1 Imp Shield Bash, Heavy Shield Spec, Agile Shield Fighter
2 Pal1 Detect Evil, Smite
3 Mnk1 Ascetic Knight Stunning Fist, UAS
4 Pal2
5 Pal3
6 Pal4 Power Attack Spells, Turning
7 Pal5 Charging Smite
8 Pal6
9 Pal7 Imp Nat Attk: UAS
10 Pal 8
etc
myshkingfh
08-06-07, 09:11 AM I considered the gauntlet/cestus at level 1, but soon found out it that nunchaku are vastly superior (1d6 damage, +4 disarm, and you don't burn a feat on them). So unless you want them just for flavour... don't bother.

I believe he wants gauntlets so he can use unarmed strike and flurry of blows but still have cold iron or silver to overcome damage reduction. I don't think you can get a silver or cold iron Nunchaku because they're primarily made of wood.
Archwolf
08-06-07, 02:29 PM The trouble with ascetic knight is it burns a feat slot, which is what I was trying to avoid by not taking weap. prof.: simple. But then I suppose you can argue that a level of Paladin provides detect evil and a smite, which might be nice. But is it nicer than Pious templar 3, where you get weapon spec.
Umbra_Kaitou
08-06-07, 02:55 PM The trouble with ascetic knight is it burns a feat slot, which is what I was trying to avoid by not taking weap. prof.: simple. But then I suppose you can argue that a level of Paladin provides detect evil and a smite, which might be nice. But is it nicer than Pious templar 3, where you get weapon spec.

Technically...that level would give you the weapon proficiency too, so you break even with the feats
_metz_
08-07-07, 12:04 AM The trouble with ascetic knight is it burns a feat slot, which is what I was trying to avoid by not taking weap. prof.: simple. But then I suppose you can argue that a level of Paladin provides detect evil and a smite, which might be nice. But is it nicer than Pious templar 3, where you get weapon spec.

And Melee Weapon Mastery - Bludgeoning.

Sweet for pushing damage up without power attack, and any bonus to hit is good.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Archwolf 08-01-07, 02:43 PM	So, the FAQ has finally and at last settled the "can a monk flurry with a gauntlet question", and the answer apparently is yes, but the monk is non-proficient with it. A monk could wear such an item and treat it as an unarmed strike (since the Player’s Handbook says that “a strike with a gauntlet is . . . considered an unarmed attack”), although the damage dealt by the gauntlet would always be considered lethal damage (as noted in the gauntlet entry) and the monk would suffer a nonproficiency penalty (since the gauntlet is a simple weapon). The monk could even use gauntlet attacks as part of a flurry of blows. So that could be handy, since a monk could keep using his ever-increasing unarmed strike damage and also buy a silvered or cold iron or holy or otherwise magicked gauntlet, though it would mean working in martial weapon proficiency to a build. So, first question, is it worth a feat? Here's how a human monk might go: Monk 1) imp. grapple, stunning fist, martial weapon Prof. [gauntlet] Monk 2) Fiery fist (monk bonus) Monk 3) power attack Monk 6) Improved Natural Attack, improved trip or fiery defense (monk bonus) Monk 9) Pain touch Monk 12) Sun School, retrain pain touch to True believer Pious Templar 3) ??? So here are the many questions: Is it worth it to burn the feat to wear gauntlets? This build does not have improved initiative, which I've been told is crucial at high levels. I've also heard power attack isn't that useful for monks because they have a slow BAB progression. I've also heard that grapple stops being all that useful in the mid-levels. So perhaps retraining out of grapple to improved init? Put power attack later in the build? Drop it entirely for some other feat I haven't through of? Your thoughts most welcome.
Jay_Ibero_911 08-01-07, 03:05 PM	So, the FAQ has finally and at last settled the "can a monk flurry with a gauntlet question", and the answer apparently is yes, but the monk is non-proficient with it. So that could be handy, since a monk could keep using his ever-increasing unarmed strike damage and also buy a silvered or cold iron or holy or otherwise magicked gauntlet, though it would mean working in martial weapon proficiency to a build. So, first question, is it worth a feat? Here's how a human monk might go: Monk 1) imp. grapple, stunning fist, martial weapon Prof. [gauntlet] Monk 2) Fiery fist (monk bonus) Monk 3) power attack Monk 6) Improved Natural Attack, improved trip or fiery defense (monk bonus) Monk 9) Pain touch Monk 12) Sun School, retrain pain touch to True believer Pious Templar 3) ??? So here are the many questions: Is it worth it to burn the feat to wear gauntlets? This build does not have improved initiative, which I've been told is crucial at high levels. I've also heard power attack isn't that useful for monks because they have a slow BAB progression. I've also heard that grapple stops being all that useful in the mid-levels. So perhaps retraining out of grapple to improved init? Put power attack later in the build? Drop it entirely for some other feat I haven't through of? Your thoughts most welcome. Well for one, the guantlet is a SIMPLE weapon, so you just take simple weapon proficiency to pick up the guantlet and many other weapon proficiencies.
myshkingfh 08-01-07, 03:24 PM	What if you were to start with any other class at first level? For example, wouldn't Rogue 1 solve the gauntlet problem, give you a sneak die and also give you a metric ton of skill points?
Umbra_Kaitou 08-01-07, 08:58 PM	Last i checked, i dunno if the issue of using improved unarmed damage through a gauntlet was solidly official, but for what its worth i side with your ruling if your just starting out, I do rather agree with the option of taking a different class at first for the proficiency rather than burn a feat, perhaps fighter at 1st for an extra feat and HP. Personally, at least early on with my monk, I kinda wished i dipped sorcerer at 1 to be able to mage armor myself, but I don't play casters much, so I can't even recall if they get simple proficiency and all that off top of my head. But yes, if you plan to use gauntlets constantly as well as flurry, you'll definitely want proficiency. As for power attack, i might get disagreed with on this, but I'd say no for a monk. As a monk i tend to focus on flurry, thats already a dip on low BAB to hit bonuses, power attack early on would be a further drain.
Archwolf 08-02-07, 12:20 AM	I had the same thought about sorcerer - take enlarge and mage armor and maybe a magic missile and the monk has a fine arsenal. The downside is s1/M1 still has BAB +0, which is kind of a bummer. Fighter 1 isn't a bad idea, for the feat, but I'm thinking Ranger 1 may be the best option. No free feat, but favored enemy is nice, they have the BAB +1 and they get good skill points in skills monks like to have - hide, move silent, and so forth. Even Ranger 2 is a possibility to get TWF. The down side is if Pious Templar is the final desired result (as is very common, since monk levels peak with dim door at 12), PT 3 seems pretty great - DR 1/-, and free weapon specialization. Which brings me back to the idea of burning a feat on what I now understand to be simple weapon proficiency. Is there a clear advantage between M12/PT3 and simple weapon prof vs. R1/M12/PT2? Or is it just a question of style? I've no idea.
bitznarf 08-02-07, 12:42 AM	Monk1/Sorc4/Wild Mage10 with Ascetic Mage :D Or maybe it is Monk2/Sorc3/Wild Mage10. Can't recall. Either way its funny, you end up taking Ascetic Mage at the same time you get your first level of Wild Mage. The strain of the magic has cracked your mind to its breaking point (from Lawful X to Chaotic X).
Pint_Glass_Crusader 08-05-07, 10:07 AM	I am currently using a [pure 100%] monk as my primary. I considered the gauntlet/cestus at level 1, but soon found out it that nunchaku are vastly superior (1d6 damage, +4 disarm, and you don't burn a feat on them). So unless you want them just for flavour... don't bother. Improved Initiative is great at level 3 (as you start getting faster)... high initiative allows you to mobilise quickly and rush dangerous opponents (like arcane casters and rogues) with "Stunning Fist" (or improved trip later on) using tumbling to out maneuver more powerful melee opponents, like Fighters. You are right that "power attack" isn't geat, you are better off using "combat tricks", like "stunning fist", "grapple", "improved trip", and "disarm" to bring well armoured foes down to your level. However, if you manage to get access to a "Monk's Belt" (DMG, 13000gp, adds +5 Monk levels to BAB, Flurry of Blows & AC) then power attack becomes really good, as you can knock off the [free] +5 BAB into "power attack". If you are looking for an interesting feat at level 1, you might consider "Earth's Embrace" from the Complete Warrior. It boosts your grapple damage by 1d12 on a sucessful pin, which can devestate most low-level opponents (though it only effects those vulnerable to critical hits) you can always retrain it later if it starts to become less effective.
Jay_Ibero_911 08-05-07, 10:35 AM	I am currently using a [pure 100%] monk as my primary. I considered the gauntlet/cestus at level 1, but soon found out it that nunchaku are vastly superior (1d6 damage, +4 disarm, and you don't burn a feat on them). So unless you want them just for flavour... don't bother. Improved Initiative is great at level 3 (as you start getting faster)... high initiative allows you to mobilise quickly and rush dangerous opponents (like arcane casters and rogues) with "Stunning Fist" (or improved trip later on) using tumbling to out maneuver more powerful melee opponents, like Fighters. You are right that "power attack" isn't geat, you are better off using "combat tricks", like "stunning fist", "grapple", "improved trip", and "disarm" to bring well armoured foes down to your level. However, if you manage to get access to a "Monk's Belt" (DMG, 13000gp, adds +5 Monk levels to BAB, Flurry of Blows & AC) then power attack becomes really good, as you can knock off the [free] +5 BAB into "power attack". If you are looking for an interesting feat at level 1, you might consider "Earth's Embrace" from the Complete Warrior. It boosts your grapple damage by 1d12 on a sucessful pin, which can devestate most low-level opponents (though it only effects those vulnerable to critical hits) you can always retrain it later if it starts to become less effective. Monk's Belt does NOT grant any BAB. It only increases your unarmed damage, grants an additional use of Stunning Fist (if you have it), and improves your monk AC bonus by +1 (for counting as 5 levels higher). Belt, Monk’s: This simple rope belt, when wrapped around a character’s waist, confers great ability in unarmed combat. The wearer’s AC and unarmed damage is treated as a monk of five levels higher. If donned by a character with the Stunning Fist feat, the belt lets her make one additional stunning attack per day. If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th-level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk’s AC bonus. Moderate transmutation; CL 10th; Craft Wondrous Item, righteous might or transformation; Price 13,000 gp; Weight 1 lb. Also, Earth's Embrace is a TERRIBLE feat. It only works each round you MAINTAIN the pin, which at first level means you only get that extra d12 on the 3rd round (Round one start grapple, round 2 attempt pin, round 3 maintain pin, get extra d12 damage), when you could have just been damaging the enemy with your grapple checks for 1d6+STR for 3 rounds.
Pint_Glass_Crusader 08-05-07, 11:11 AM	Monk's Belt does NOT grant any BAB. It only increases your unarmed damage, grants an additional use of Stunning Fist (if you have it), and improves your monk AC bonus by +1 (for counting as 5 levels higher). Also, Earth's Embrace is a TERRIBLE feat. It only works each round you MAINTAIN the pin, which at first level means you only get that extra d12 on the 3rd round (Round one start grapple, round 2 attempt pin, round 3 maintain pin, get extra d12 damage), when you could have just been damaging the enemy with your grapple checks for 1d6+STR for 3 rounds. Yep... my bad, checked it again, don't know what I was getting the belt mixed up with... it's late... and my monk ain't got one! As for "Earth's Embrace" I have never had any problems with it. I used it against well armoured fighters that I otherwise wasn't going to hit consistently, combined with flurry it was pretty good, however I did retrain it later for "Weapon Focus - Unarmed".
Lupo 08-05-07, 11:37 AM	Yep... my bad, checked it again, don't know what I was getting the belt mixed up with... it's late... and my monk ain't got one! As for "Earth's Embrace" I have never had any problems with it. I used it against well armoured fighters that I otherwise wasn't going to hit consistently, combined with flurry it was pretty good, however I did retrain it later for "Weapon Focus - Unarmed". just take the "girdle of giant strength +4 (or +6 if you get the money)" as this bonus will go to your attack value :) the monk's belt is just overpriced :( silly item takes up a valuable slot and is hard to find anyway ciao martin m.
Zanzibax 08-05-07, 11:50 AM	So, the FAQ has finally and at last settled the "can a monk flurry with a gauntlet question", and the answer apparently is yes, but the monk is non-proficient with it. Do you have a quick link to the new FAQ?
bitznarf 08-05-07, 01:22 PM	Its in the same place as all the previous D&D FAQs.
Zanzibax 08-05-07, 02:38 PM	Its in the same place as all the previous D&D FAQs. Thanks for the help, but nevermind, I found it. It's here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20030221a ...and I've bookmarked it. Previously, I've had to wait until the file was mirrored at the regional yahoo groups website. -------------------------- The gauntlet doesn't appear to cause monk damage in the wording. The words in the FAQ that "A monk could wear such an item and treat it as an unarmed strike seems to suggest that it does. (since the Player’s Handbook says that “a strike with a gauntlet is . . . considered an unarmed attack”), BUT... In that same FAQ: Can a monk get her unarmed strike enhanced as a magic weapon? No. Even a magic gauntlet or spiked gauntlet isn’t the ideal answer, since these aren’t listed as special monk weapons (and therefore aren’t as versatile as unarmed strikes). ======================= This seems to be contradictory since the only thing keeping it from being just as flexible is the feat: Weapon Proficiency: Simple. ======================= However, given the nature of the posters who DM on these pages, I still expect there to be table variation.
bitznarf 08-05-07, 02:44 PM	Thanks for the help, but nevermind, I found it. It's here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20030221a ...and I've bookmarked it. Yup, that would be the spot.
Grimslade2001 08-05-07, 04:55 PM	Ascetic knight works well with Paladin. Keeps your UAS damage at character level and gives smite. I am planning out a character with the inverse Ftr1/Mnk1/PalX. Human Str 14 Dex 10 Con 14 Int 8 Wis 14 Chr 15 1 Ftr1 Imp Shield Bash, Heavy Shield Spec, Agile Shield Fighter 2 Pal1 Detect Evil, Smite 3 Mnk1 Ascetic Knight Stunning Fist, UAS 4 Pal2 5 Pal3 6 Pal4 Power Attack Spells, Turning 7 Pal5 Charging Smite 8 Pal6 9 Pal7 Imp Nat Attk: UAS 10 Pal 8 etc
myshkingfh 08-06-07, 09:11 AM	I considered the gauntlet/cestus at level 1, but soon found out it that nunchaku are vastly superior (1d6 damage, +4 disarm, and you don't burn a feat on them). So unless you want them just for flavour... don't bother. I believe he wants gauntlets so he can use unarmed strike and flurry of blows but still have cold iron or silver to overcome damage reduction. I don't think you can get a silver or cold iron Nunchaku because they're primarily made of wood.
Archwolf 08-06-07, 02:29 PM	The trouble with ascetic knight is it burns a feat slot, which is what I was trying to avoid by not taking weap. prof.: simple. But then I suppose you can argue that a level of Paladin provides detect evil and a smite, which might be nice. But is it nicer than Pious templar 3, where you get weapon spec.
Umbra_Kaitou 08-06-07, 02:55 PM	The trouble with ascetic knight is it burns a feat slot, which is what I was trying to avoid by not taking weap. prof.: simple. But then I suppose you can argue that a level of Paladin provides detect evil and a smite, which might be nice. But is it nicer than Pious templar 3, where you get weapon spec. Technically...that level would give you the weapon proficiency too, so you break even with the feats
_metz_ 08-07-07, 12:04 AM	The trouble with ascetic knight is it burns a feat slot, which is what I was trying to avoid by not taking weap. prof.: simple. But then I suppose you can argue that a level of Paladin provides detect evil and a smite, which might be nice. But is it nicer than Pious templar 3, where you get weapon spec. And Melee Weapon Mastery - Bludgeoning. Sweet for pushing damage up without power attack, and any bonus to hit is good.