If a moon druid/monk multiclass uses wild shape to turn into an ape can you also use the monks bonus action to make an unarmed strike while being an ape? Under ape it say "makes two fists attacks" which i assume could be counted as unarmed strikes? The ape is also unarmored. The ape does 1d6 plus strength per hit. If the answer is yes, could use use that damage intead of the 1d4 monk unarmed strike damage?
If a moon druid/monk multiclass uses wild shape to turn into an ape can you also use the monks bonus action to make an unarmed strike while being an ape? Under ape it say "makes two fists attacks" which i assume could be counted as unarmed strikes? The ape is also unarmored. The ape does 1d6 plus strength per hit. If the answer is yes, could use use that damage intead of the 1d4 monk unarmed strike damage?
No, it's weirder than that. An ape's Fist attack is a natural weapon, but it can't be used to make an unarmed strike. The ape can make Unarmed Strikes (all creatures can), but it'll use the standard Unarmed Strike rules. That means an ape can Fist for 1d6 damage or Unarmed Strike for Martial Arts Die damage.
The rules block you're missing is in the Monster Manual, pages 10-11:
The most common actions that a monster will take in combat are melee and ranged attacks. These can be spell attacks or weapon attacks, where the "weapon" might be a manufactured item or a natural weapon, such as a claw or tail spike.
Monks can upgrade Simple or Martial melee weapon damage, but the Fist isn't simple or martial, which is why it's definitely not a Monk Weapon and can't be a Dedicated Weapon. This is also why Monk/Druids can't attack with Dexterity of Strength using natural weapons, in general.
In the specific cases of apes and giant apes, it's a popular homebrew for DMs to essentially let the apes have opposable thumbs, allowing them to wield weapons intended for humanoid hands. It's worth pointing out that some beasts actually do have limbs capable of tool use as or more complex than human hands - e.g. the octopus. You may want to ask your DM about specific animals like these, if you want to try wielding a Monk weapon while Wild Shaped. Monks do ordinarily swing for 1d6/1d8 out the gate, due to spears.
Monkey fist can be but only if you state you are making an unarmed strike (using your own Martial Arts die + the Monkey's Str or Dex modifier) and not using the Multiattack or Fist attack out of the stat block.
It's worth pointing out that some beasts actually do have limbs capable of tool use as or more complex than human hands - e.g. the octopus. You may want to ask your DM about specific animals like these, if you want to try wielding a Monk weapon while Wild Shaped. Monks do ordinarily swing for 1d6/1d8 out the gate, due to spears.
I played a moon druid/hexblade once... giant rocktopus wielding a maul. It was great.
So if you declare unarmed strike as an ape you can you use martial arts die, but i am assuming multi attack would not apply so i am guessing you would only get one attack as an ape with an unarmed strike. That would qualify for monk bonus unarmed strike as a monkey, gives two attacks but eats up your bonus action. It seems better just to take the multiattack and keep the bonus action free for other things. I was hoping to get three fist attacks with ape but i guess not.
So if you declare unarmed strike as an ape you can you use martial arts die, but i am assuming multi attack would not apply so i am guessing you would only get one attack as an ape with an unarmed strike. That would qualify for monk bonus unarmed strike as a monkey, gives two attacks but eats up your bonus action. It seems better just to take the multiattack and keep the bonus action free for other things. I was hoping to get three fist attacks with ape but i guess not.
So if you declare unarmed strike as an ape you can you use martial arts die, but i am assuming multi attack would not apply so i am guessing you would only get one attack as an ape with an unarmed strike. That would qualify for monk bonus unarmed strike as a monkey, gives two attacks but eats up your bonus action. It seems better just to take the multiattack and keep the bonus action free for other things. I was hoping to get three fist attacks with ape but i guess not.
Thanks for your help.
Just to add, but you might still use the unarmed strike method if you have enough levels in Monk to do Flurry of Blows (for three attacks total).
But yeah, in general you might prefer to keep the bonus action free for Patient Defence, Step of the Wind or something else if you have two or more levels in Monk.
If a moon druid/monk multiclass uses wild shape to turn into an ape can you also use the monks bonus action to make an unarmed strike while being an ape? Under ape it say "makes two fists attacks" which i assume could be counted as unarmed strikes? The ape is also unarmored. The ape does 1d6 plus strength per hit. If the answer is yes, could use use that damage intead of the 1d4 monk unarmed strike damage?
No, it's weirder than that. An ape's Fist attack is a natural weapon, but it can't be used to make an unarmed strike. The ape can make Unarmed Strikes (all creatures can), but it'll use the standard Unarmed Strike rules. That means an ape can Fist for 1d6 damage or Unarmed Strike for Martial Arts Die damage.
The rules block you're missing is in the Monster Manual, pages 10-11:
Monks can upgrade Simple or Martial melee weapon damage, but the Fist isn't simple or martial, which is why it's definitely not a Monk Weapon and can't be a Dedicated Weapon. This is also why Monk/Druids can't attack with Dexterity of Strength using natural weapons, in general.
In the specific cases of apes and giant apes, it's a popular homebrew for DMs to essentially let the apes have opposable thumbs, allowing them to wield weapons intended for humanoid hands. It's worth pointing out that some beasts actually do have limbs capable of tool use as or more complex than human hands - e.g. the octopus. You may want to ask your DM about specific animals like these, if you want to try wielding a Monk weapon while Wild Shaped. Monks do ordinarily swing for 1d6/1d8 out the gate, due to spears.
Monk fist is an unarmed strike.
Monkey fist is not.
Got it. Thank you.
Not quite.
Monk fist is.
Monkey fist can be but only if you state you are making an unarmed strike (using your own Martial Arts die + the Monkey's Str or Dex modifier) and not using the Multiattack or Fist attack out of the stat block.
I played a moon druid/hexblade once... giant rocktopus wielding a maul. It was great.
So if you declare unarmed strike as an ape you can you use martial arts die, but i am assuming multi attack would not apply so i am guessing you would only get one attack as an ape with an unarmed strike. That would qualify for monk bonus unarmed strike as a monkey, gives two attacks but eats up your bonus action. It seems better just to take the multiattack and keep the bonus action free for other things. I was hoping to get three fist attacks with ape but i guess not.
Thanks for your help.
Sound way cool!
Yep, you got it. :D
Just to add, but you might still use the unarmed strike method if you have enough levels in Monk to do Flurry of Blows (for three attacks total).
But yeah, in general you might prefer to keep the bonus action free for Patient Defence, Step of the Wind or something else if you have two or more levels in Monk.
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