Ah, thanks for the clarification. So you get to choose either unarmed OR talon.
Thanks!
Correct. To explain a bit more, every PC has the ability to attack with an "Unarmed Strike" by default, and for non-Monks that is 1 + STR bludgeoning damage. A Monk's Unarmed Strike is instead 1d4 + STR or Dex bludgeoning at level 1, and increases up to 1d10 + STR or DEX bludgeoning as you level up.
All Aarakocra PCs have Talons, which are considered a "Natural Weapon" that deals 1d4 + STR slashing. PCs with Natural Weapons also carry the unique benefit of their Natural Weapons also counting as an Unarmed Strike, which means they qualify for the benefits from Martial Arts, so an Aarakocra Monk's Talons start at 1d4 + STR or Dex slashing and scales up to 1d10 + STR or DEX slashing as you level up!
TL;DR Aarakocra Monks have three kinds of attacks that qualify for Martial Arts: Unarmed Strike, Talons, any valid Monk Weapon.
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.
While they do not stack, it also lets you use a slashing instead of a Blunt.
As a DM, at higher levels I would also let them choose to use either the talon damage or the damage from the monk chart with either blunt or slashing damage, at any level.
While they do not stack, it also lets you use a slashing instead of a Blunt.
As a DM, at higher levels I would also let them choose to use either the talon damage or the damage from the monk chart with either blunt or slashing damage, at any level.
I was thinking the same thing as we progress through the campaign. Thanks!
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So does an unarmed strike as a level 1 monk do 1d4 unarmed PLUS 1d4 talon damage?
"Talons: Unarmed strikes deal 1d4 +1 slashing damage on a hit."
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D&D Beyond FoundersThey don't stack.
The Talons feature of the Aarakocra allows it to replace the usual 1 damage for unarmed with the 1d4 damage for talons.
It does give you the ability to inflict slashing damage as a Monk though, which can be handy.
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Ah, thanks for the clarification. So you get to choose either unarmed OR talon.
Thanks!
Correct. To explain a bit more, every PC has the ability to attack with an "Unarmed Strike" by default, and for non-Monks that is 1 + STR bludgeoning damage. A Monk's Unarmed Strike is instead 1d4 + STR or Dex bludgeoning at level 1, and increases up to 1d10 + STR or DEX bludgeoning as you level up.
All Aarakocra PCs have Talons, which are considered a "Natural Weapon" that deals 1d4 + STR slashing. PCs with Natural Weapons also carry the unique benefit of their Natural Weapons also counting as an Unarmed Strike, which means they qualify for the benefits from Martial Arts, so an Aarakocra Monk's Talons start at 1d4 + STR or Dex slashing and scales up to 1d10 + STR or DEX slashing as you level up!
TL;DR Aarakocra Monks have three kinds of attacks that qualify for Martial Arts: Unarmed Strike, Talons, any valid Monk Weapon.
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.
While they do not stack, it also lets you use a slashing instead of a Blunt.
As a DM, at higher levels I would also let them choose to use either the talon damage or the damage from the monk chart with either blunt or slashing damage, at any level.
I was thinking the same thing as we progress through the campaign. Thanks!