I purchased Monsters of the Multiverse recently, and I noticed Lizardfolk, Aaracockra, and Tortes (and others maybe) have natural weapons. I have researched and found out that the natural weapons these races get (like bites, claws, talons) are indeed compatible with Monk's martial arts. But I don't understand the full extent of their compatibility.
For example, Lizardfolk can gain hit points from a bite attack as a expendable bonus action Bite, while Dhampir (from another source) can gain hit points equal to the damage dealt with their own bite attack. As for the Tortle and Aaracockra, their natural weapons deal slashing damage instead of the normal bludgeoning damage. Although I don't see a situation where it matters (being an amateur), I still wonder if the martial arts feature allows for the damage type to change if a natural weapon applies to it. For example, the Tortle now deals 1d6 slashing damage for it's unarmed strike.
I think the two following questions should cover my main concerns. Can a 11th level Dhampir monk switch their bite attack to a 1d8, or must that attack remain a 1d6? Can a 5th level Tortle Monk legally change their martial arts to 1d6 slashing damage, or must it be 1d6 bludgeoning?
Your tortle or other race with claws that you can make unarmed strikes with can indeed be used by a monk and do slashing instead of bludgeoning damage. and scales with monk die.
I believe the Dhampir bite also scales since monks weapons are simple melee weapons and shortswords, and the bite counts as a simple melee weapon. But I think you are stuck using CON to attack as it says you use CON instead of STR, not you can use.
I think the two following questions should cover my main concerns. Can a 11th level Dhampir monk switch their bite attack to a 1d8, or must that attack remain a 1d6?
An 11th level Dhampir Monk who uses the optional rule they got at level 2 "Dedicated Weapon" on their bite attack changes the damage from 1d4 to 1d8. If they don't, they deal 1d4. In either case, the bite uses Constitution as the ability score for both accuracy and damage, the damage type is piercing, and the attack is not an unarmed strike.
Can a 5th level Tortle Monk legally change their martial arts to 1d6 slashing damage, or must it be 1d6 bludgeoning?
A 1st level MPMM Tortle Monk deals 1d6 slashing when they make an unarmed strike with their claws. This remains true at level 5. A Tortle Package Tortle Monk with the same claws deals 1d4 slashing at level 1 and 1d6 slashing at level 5. Any of these Tortle Monks may make the attack using Dexterity or Strength as the ability score for accuracy and damage, but they can't mix and match (must be the same ability score for both). MPMM Tortle claws aren't weapons, which can have a variety of interactions with other rules, such as not being eligible to smite; Tortle Package Tortle claws are weapons.
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I purchased Monsters of the Multiverse recently, and I noticed Lizardfolk, Aaracockra, and Tortes (and others maybe) have natural weapons. I have researched and found out that the natural weapons these races get (like bites, claws, talons) are indeed compatible with Monk's martial arts. But I don't understand the full extent of their compatibility.
For example, Lizardfolk can gain hit points from a bite attack as a expendable bonus action Bite, while Dhampir (from another source) can gain hit points equal to the damage dealt with their own bite attack. As for the Tortle and Aaracockra, their natural weapons deal slashing damage instead of the normal bludgeoning damage. Although I don't see a situation where it matters (being an amateur), I still wonder if the martial arts feature allows for the damage type to change if a natural weapon applies to it. For example, the Tortle now deals 1d6 slashing damage for it's unarmed strike.
I think the two following questions should cover my main concerns. Can a 11th level Dhampir monk switch their bite attack to a 1d8, or must that attack remain a 1d6? Can a 5th level Tortle Monk legally change their martial arts to 1d6 slashing damage, or must it be 1d6 bludgeoning?
Your tortle or other race with claws that you can make unarmed strikes with can indeed be used by a monk and do slashing instead of bludgeoning damage. and scales with monk die.
I believe the Dhampir bite also scales since monks weapons are simple melee weapons and shortswords, and the bite counts as a simple melee weapon. But I think you are stuck using CON to attack as it says you use CON instead of STR, not you can use.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
An 11th level Dhampir Monk who uses the optional rule they got at level 2 "Dedicated Weapon" on their bite attack changes the damage from 1d4 to 1d8. If they don't, they deal 1d4. In either case, the bite uses Constitution as the ability score for both accuracy and damage, the damage type is piercing, and the attack is not an unarmed strike.
A 1st level MPMM Tortle Monk deals 1d6 slashing when they make an unarmed strike with their claws. This remains true at level 5. A Tortle Package Tortle Monk with the same claws deals 1d4 slashing at level 1 and 1d6 slashing at level 5. Any of these Tortle Monks may make the attack using Dexterity or Strength as the ability score for accuracy and damage, but they can't mix and match (must be the same ability score for both). MPMM Tortle claws aren't weapons, which can have a variety of interactions with other rules, such as not being eligible to smite; Tortle Package Tortle claws are weapons.