A weapon is an object that is in the Simple or Martial weapon category. See also chapter 6 (“Weapons”).
Weapon Attack
A weapon attack is an attack roll made with a weapon. See also “Weapon.”
Unarmed Strike
Instead of using a weapon to make a melee attack, you can use a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow. In game terms, this is an Unarmed Strike—a melee attack that involves you using your body to damage, grapple, or shove a target within 5 feet of you
Opportunity Attacks
You can make an Opportunity Attack when a creature that you can see leaves your reach using its action, its Bonus Action, its Reaction, or one of its speeds. To make the Opportunity Attack, take a Reaction to make [b] one melee attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike [/b] against the provoking creature.
Does this mean attacks without a weapon are Unarmed Strikes?
Does this mean you can't make Opportunity Attacks while polymorphed or Wild Shaped?
Would you benefits from the new Wraps of Unarmed Power in Wild Shape?
I assume if an ability let's you make an Unarmed Strike it is the Unarmed Strike listed in the glossary not ANY Unarmed Strike but would effects that improve Unarmed strikes apply to the attacks of say a bear?
When wildshaped the creature you change into has its own natural weapon(s) and attack(s) with those weapons - not with an unarmed attack. So things that benefit an unarmed attack would have no impact on the attacks when wildshaped.
The 2014 Monster Manual describes Natural Weapons as fallowing the same rules as weapons. When 2024 MM comes out it will probably reprint these monster specific rules (hopefully more clearly with the rule glossery).
If it doesn't, then we will have to revisit this question...
I would say it fits the definition of an unarmed strike. "a melee attack that involves you using your body to damage, grapple, or shove a target within 5 feet of you" Claws are a part of a creatures body.
I would say it fits the definition of an unarmed strike. "a melee attack that involves you using your body to damage, grapple, or shove a target within 5 feet of you" Claws are a part of a creatures body.
In the 2024 PHB it says:
Weapon
A weapon is an object that is in the Simple or Martial weapon category. See also chapter 6 (“Weapons”).
Weapon Attack
A weapon attack is an attack roll made with a weapon. See also “Weapon.”
Unarmed Strike
Instead of using a weapon to make a melee attack, you can use a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow. In game terms, this is an Unarmed Strike—a melee attack that involves you using your body to damage, grapple, or shove a target within 5 feet of you
Opportunity Attacks
You can make an Opportunity Attack when a creature that you can see leaves your reach using its action, its Bonus Action, its Reaction, or one of its speeds. To make the Opportunity Attack, take a Reaction to make [b] one melee attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike [/b] against the provoking creature.
Does this mean attacks without a weapon are Unarmed Strikes?
Does this mean you can't make Opportunity Attacks while polymorphed or Wild Shaped?
Would you benefits from the new Wraps of Unarmed Power in Wild Shape?
I assume if an ability let's you make an Unarmed Strike it is the Unarmed Strike listed in the glossary not ANY Unarmed Strike but would effects that improve Unarmed strikes apply to the attacks of say a bear?
When wildshaped the creature you change into has its own natural weapon(s) and attack(s) with those weapons - not with an unarmed attack. So things that benefit an unarmed attack would have no impact on the attacks when wildshaped.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
So they can't make AoOs?
For me, this is another reason to think that what we knew as "natural weapons" in 2014 now count as Unarmed Strikes.
This was discussed here: Are "natural weapons" still a thing in 2024? - Rules & Game Mechanics
And this is a related thread: 2024 wildshape - do you gain multiattack? - Rules & Game Mechanics
The 2014 Monster Manual describes Natural Weapons as fallowing the same rules as weapons. When 2024 MM comes out it will probably reprint these monster specific rules (hopefully more clearly with the rule glossery).
If it doesn't, then we will have to revisit this question...
So what's the verdict? I am genuinely wondering as I'm playing a circle moon druid
I would say it fits the definition of an unarmed strike. "a melee attack that involves you using your body to damage, grapple, or shove a target within 5 feet of you" Claws are a part of a creatures body.
Agreed.
The same opinion here: So monsters can't make Attacks of opportunity. - Rules & Game Mechanics