I had the idea for a gimmiky character that takes 5 levels of hexblade to get improved pact weapon and repelling blast invocations so I can use fists as "weapons" to use as spell casting focus. I was thinking like an innocuous pitfighter who might pull his punch to use a short range Eldritch blast or 4 to push the enemy back 10-40 feet depending on how late a level it might be. Human varient for crossbow expert feat, so no penalty for ranged attack close up.
I thought monk let you count your fists as melee weapons, but I couldn't find it. Is there a way to make a RAW "force push pitfighter?"
Unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks, but there is no way to make your fists into melee weapons for spells or the like. If you talk to your DM about your idea, you might be able to get it approved for his campaign though.
Don't forget to take into account the fact that casting Eldritch Blast in melee range will be at disadvantage (using ranged attacks, which includes both weapon and spell attacks, within 5 feet of an enemy gives you disadvantage).
Don't forget to take into account the fact that casting Eldritch Blast in melee range will be at disadvantage (using ranged attacks, which includes both weapon and spell attacks, within 5 feet of an enemy gives you disadvantage).
Don't forget to take into account the fact that casting Eldritch Blast in melee range will be at disadvantage (using ranged attacks, which includes both weapon and spell attacks, within 5 feet of an enemy gives you disadvantage).
Thanks for the replies! Sad to see it would never be Raw legal . But the fact you are minimum level 5 to make the effect of the gimmick work be anyway means it isn't very visible anyway
I don't see why you need your hands to be "weapons" for this. Empty hands can cast spells just fine as long as you have your focus/component pouch somewhere about your person. Feint punch with one hand, touch your crystal amulet with the other -> blast of energy. If you are actually looking for an invisible, unstealable spell focus then that is not available - though an improved pact weapon can always be summoned to use as a focus if all your other magical supplies are gone, it just isn't invisible.
Used in hand-to-hand combat, a melee attack allows you to attack a foe within your reach. A melee attack typically uses a handheld weapon such as a sword, a warhammer, or an axe. A typical monster makes a melee attack when it strikes with its claws, horns, teeth, tentacles, or other body part. A few spells also involve making a melee attack.
Most creatures have a 5-foot reach and can thus attack targets within 5 feet of them when making a melee attack. Certain creatures (typically those larger than Medium) have melee attacks with a greater reach than 5 feet, as noted in their descriptions.
Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count as weapons). On a hit, an unarmed strike deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1 + your Strength modifier. You are proficient with your unarmed strikes.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
You are not a very convincing pit fighter if you're are bringing in a wand/crystal ball/hunk of crystal or a component pouch to "cheat" from. Why not Throw bat dung in the eyes of your opponent from your pouch of you have it.
I understand where you are coming from, could play it was unnecessary, and at which point could do it at level 3. I've understood you needed something to spellcast through though, even if no material components were required
And Eldritch Blast is VS (along with the majority of Warlock spells) so you an cast it without any magical accoutrements. You just need an empty hand and a functioning mouth.
"Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count as weapons).On a hit, an unarmed strike deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1 + your Strength modifier. You are proficient with your unarmed strikes." PHB pg 195 under "Melee Attacks"
If there is a way to make Unarmed Strikes count as Melee Weapon Attacks within the rules, I would very much like to know it.
I know I could always talk to the DM and maybe work something out. But I would like to know if this is AL legal.
"Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count as weapons).On a hit, an unarmed strike deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1 + your Strength modifier. You are proficient with your unarmed strikes." PHB pg 195 under "Melee Attacks"
If there is a way to make Unarmed Strikes count as Melee Weapon Attacks within the rules, I would very much like to know it.
I know I could always talk to the DM and maybe work something out. But I would like to know if this is AL legal.
Unarmed strikes are always Melee Weapon Attacks by the rules, they are not, however, attacks with a Melee Weapon.
"What does “melee weapon attack” mean: a melee attack with a weapon or an attack with a melee weapon? It means a melee attack with a weapon. Similarly, “ranged weapon attack” means a ranged attack with a weapon. Some attacks count as a melee or ranged weapon attack even if a weapon isn’t involved, as specified in the text of those attacks. For example, an unarmed strike counts as a melee weapon attack, even though the attacker’s body isn’t considered a weapon. Here’s a bit of wording minutia: we would write “melee-weapon attack” (with a hyphen) if we meant an attack with a melee weapon."
Thanks to Lunali, Sigred and Bigfoot from Discord for answering my questions and being patient with a new player.
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I had the idea for a gimmiky character that takes 5 levels of hexblade to get improved pact weapon and repelling blast invocations so I can use fists as "weapons" to use as spell casting focus. I was thinking like an innocuous pitfighter who might pull his punch to use a short range Eldritch blast or 4 to push the enemy back 10-40 feet depending on how late a level it might be. Human varient for crossbow expert feat, so no penalty for ranged attack close up.
I thought monk let you count your fists as melee weapons, but I couldn't find it. Is there a way to make a RAW "force push pitfighter?"
Unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks, but there is no way to make your fists into melee weapons for spells or the like. If you talk to your DM about your idea, you might be able to get it approved for his campaign though.
You can use dark shard amulet. It can be used as a focus while wearing it instead of holding it.
You could go 3 levels sorcerer for subtle spell metamagic (so you don't give away your casting)
Don't forget to take into account the fact that casting Eldritch Blast in melee range will be at disadvantage (using ranged attacks, which includes both weapon and spell attacks, within 5 feet of an enemy gives you disadvantage).
He did:
Ah yeah, whoops, my bad. Not sure how I missed that...
Thanks for the replies! Sad to see it would never be Raw legal . But the fact you are minimum level 5 to make the effect of the gimmick work be anyway means it isn't very visible anyway
I don't see why you need your hands to be "weapons" for this. Empty hands can cast spells just fine as long as you have your focus/component pouch somewhere about your person. Feint punch with one hand, touch your crystal amulet with the other -> blast of energy. If you are actually looking for an invisible, unstealable spell focus then that is not available - though an improved pact weapon can always be summoned to use as a focus if all your other magical supplies are gone, it just isn't invisible.
Could you list the reference source for this please?
Basic Rules:
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
You are not a very convincing pit fighter if you're are bringing in a wand/crystal ball/hunk of crystal or a component pouch to "cheat" from. Why not Throw bat dung in the eyes of your opponent from your pouch of you have it.
I understand where you are coming from, could play it was unnecessary, and at which point could do it at level 3. I've understood you needed something to spellcast through though, even if no material components were required
You could just choose only spells with Verbal and Somatic components. Those spells can all be cast naked with nothing in hand.
And Eldritch Blast is VS (along with the majority of Warlock spells) so you an cast it without any magical accoutrements. You just need an empty hand and a functioning mouth.
If there is a way to make Unarmed Strikes count as Melee Weapon Attacks within the rules, I would very much like to know it.
I know I could always talk to the DM and maybe work something out. But I would like to know if this is AL legal.
Unarmed strikes are always Melee Weapon Attacks by the rules, they are not, however, attacks with a Melee Weapon.
https://media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/SA-Compendium.pdf
I found what I was looking for here. Pages 10-11.
"What does “melee weapon attack” mean: a melee attack with a weapon or an attack with a melee weapon? It means a melee attack with a weapon. Similarly, “ranged weapon attack” means a ranged attack with a weapon. Some attacks count as a melee or ranged weapon attack even if a weapon isn’t involved, as specified in the text of those attacks. For example, an unarmed strike counts as a melee weapon attack, even though the attacker’s body isn’t considered a weapon. Here’s a bit of wording minutia: we would write “melee-weapon attack” (with a hyphen) if we meant an attack with a melee weapon."
Thanks to Lunali, Sigred and Bigfoot from Discord for answering my questions and being patient with a new player.