Can you attack while you have two targets grappled?









up vote
13
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The scenario:



Fighter McFighterson has found himself between two opponents. He decides that he is best-off by grappling both of them so that his team can fire away. Maybe he'll pin them later with his Grappler feat, who knows?



McFighterson Succeeds and now has an enemy in each hand.




Can Fighter McFighterson make attacks against either (or both) of his two grappled opponents?



Either Unarmed Attacks, or using each of them as an improvised weapon against the other.




Related: What is an unarmed strike

Related: Enemies as Weapons










share|improve this question





















  • How can you grapple two creatures at once?
    – Kieveli
    Nov 8 at 19:17










  • Related: increasing grappler utility
    – goodguy5
    Nov 8 at 19:20







  • 3




    @Kieveli Grappling only requires the use of one hand.
    – goodguy5
    Nov 8 at 19:20










  • Which is pretty limiting. No leg grapples. Unless DM okays it :D
    – cde
    Nov 9 at 2:16










  • I think, though I'm not certain of my source, that I've read that if you have more than two arms you can even make weapon attacks or cast spells. While two hands are taken for grapples, you can still stab/slice/clobber/cast with the remaining free hand(s). Are you interested in "all of my hands are taken by grappling" or "exactly two of my hands are taken by grappling but I might have others free"?
    – Pilchard123
    Nov 9 at 9:43














up vote
13
down vote

favorite
1












The scenario:



Fighter McFighterson has found himself between two opponents. He decides that he is best-off by grappling both of them so that his team can fire away. Maybe he'll pin them later with his Grappler feat, who knows?



McFighterson Succeeds and now has an enemy in each hand.




Can Fighter McFighterson make attacks against either (or both) of his two grappled opponents?



Either Unarmed Attacks, or using each of them as an improvised weapon against the other.




Related: What is an unarmed strike

Related: Enemies as Weapons










share|improve this question





















  • How can you grapple two creatures at once?
    – Kieveli
    Nov 8 at 19:17










  • Related: increasing grappler utility
    – goodguy5
    Nov 8 at 19:20







  • 3




    @Kieveli Grappling only requires the use of one hand.
    – goodguy5
    Nov 8 at 19:20










  • Which is pretty limiting. No leg grapples. Unless DM okays it :D
    – cde
    Nov 9 at 2:16










  • I think, though I'm not certain of my source, that I've read that if you have more than two arms you can even make weapon attacks or cast spells. While two hands are taken for grapples, you can still stab/slice/clobber/cast with the remaining free hand(s). Are you interested in "all of my hands are taken by grappling" or "exactly two of my hands are taken by grappling but I might have others free"?
    – Pilchard123
    Nov 9 at 9:43












up vote
13
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
13
down vote

favorite
1






1





The scenario:



Fighter McFighterson has found himself between two opponents. He decides that he is best-off by grappling both of them so that his team can fire away. Maybe he'll pin them later with his Grappler feat, who knows?



McFighterson Succeeds and now has an enemy in each hand.




Can Fighter McFighterson make attacks against either (or both) of his two grappled opponents?



Either Unarmed Attacks, or using each of them as an improvised weapon against the other.




Related: What is an unarmed strike

Related: Enemies as Weapons










share|improve this question













The scenario:



Fighter McFighterson has found himself between two opponents. He decides that he is best-off by grappling both of them so that his team can fire away. Maybe he'll pin them later with his Grappler feat, who knows?



McFighterson Succeeds and now has an enemy in each hand.




Can Fighter McFighterson make attacks against either (or both) of his two grappled opponents?



Either Unarmed Attacks, or using each of them as an improvised weapon against the other.




Related: What is an unarmed strike

Related: Enemies as Weapons







dnd-5e spells grapple unarmed-combat






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Nov 8 at 18:57









goodguy5

5,43112057




5,43112057











  • How can you grapple two creatures at once?
    – Kieveli
    Nov 8 at 19:17










  • Related: increasing grappler utility
    – goodguy5
    Nov 8 at 19:20







  • 3




    @Kieveli Grappling only requires the use of one hand.
    – goodguy5
    Nov 8 at 19:20










  • Which is pretty limiting. No leg grapples. Unless DM okays it :D
    – cde
    Nov 9 at 2:16










  • I think, though I'm not certain of my source, that I've read that if you have more than two arms you can even make weapon attacks or cast spells. While two hands are taken for grapples, you can still stab/slice/clobber/cast with the remaining free hand(s). Are you interested in "all of my hands are taken by grappling" or "exactly two of my hands are taken by grappling but I might have others free"?
    – Pilchard123
    Nov 9 at 9:43
















  • How can you grapple two creatures at once?
    – Kieveli
    Nov 8 at 19:17










  • Related: increasing grappler utility
    – goodguy5
    Nov 8 at 19:20







  • 3




    @Kieveli Grappling only requires the use of one hand.
    – goodguy5
    Nov 8 at 19:20










  • Which is pretty limiting. No leg grapples. Unless DM okays it :D
    – cde
    Nov 9 at 2:16










  • I think, though I'm not certain of my source, that I've read that if you have more than two arms you can even make weapon attacks or cast spells. While two hands are taken for grapples, you can still stab/slice/clobber/cast with the remaining free hand(s). Are you interested in "all of my hands are taken by grappling" or "exactly two of my hands are taken by grappling but I might have others free"?
    – Pilchard123
    Nov 9 at 9:43















How can you grapple two creatures at once?
– Kieveli
Nov 8 at 19:17




How can you grapple two creatures at once?
– Kieveli
Nov 8 at 19:17












Related: increasing grappler utility
– goodguy5
Nov 8 at 19:20





Related: increasing grappler utility
– goodguy5
Nov 8 at 19:20





3




3




@Kieveli Grappling only requires the use of one hand.
– goodguy5
Nov 8 at 19:20




@Kieveli Grappling only requires the use of one hand.
– goodguy5
Nov 8 at 19:20












Which is pretty limiting. No leg grapples. Unless DM okays it :D
– cde
Nov 9 at 2:16




Which is pretty limiting. No leg grapples. Unless DM okays it :D
– cde
Nov 9 at 2:16












I think, though I'm not certain of my source, that I've read that if you have more than two arms you can even make weapon attacks or cast spells. While two hands are taken for grapples, you can still stab/slice/clobber/cast with the remaining free hand(s). Are you interested in "all of my hands are taken by grappling" or "exactly two of my hands are taken by grappling but I might have others free"?
– Pilchard123
Nov 9 at 9:43




I think, though I'm not certain of my source, that I've read that if you have more than two arms you can even make weapon attacks or cast spells. While two hands are taken for grapples, you can still stab/slice/clobber/cast with the remaining free hand(s). Are you interested in "all of my hands are taken by grappling" or "exactly two of my hands are taken by grappling but I might have others free"?
– Pilchard123
Nov 9 at 9:43










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
7
down vote



accepted










Yes, you can make as many unarmed attacks as you can utilizing your Attack action, any Extra Attacks, or any Bonus Action1 against either or both of those grappled target.



If you want to attack them with unarmed strikes in the same turn that you have grappled them then you:



  1. will need to have spent from your attack action using to successfully grapple each opponent .

  2. Have them within reach.

  3. Have a free hand per opponent.


  4. Be no smaller than one size smaller than your target (PHB page 195):




    When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a grapple. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them. The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger than you, and it must be within your reach. Using at least one free hand...




  5. Use any remaining extra attacks or bonus action attacks to make your unarmed strikes.


Note the rules governing unarmed strikes that needn't require a free hand as they aren't a weapon, or that the strike be a punch. You may strike either target with your available knee, foot, head, mutant 3rd arm, etc.



PHB Errata V1 DTD 2015:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on
unarmed strikes should read as follows:
“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.”




If you want to attack them on the round after you have grappled them, then all attacks you can use during your Attack action and any bonus action attacks can be used to make unarmed strikes against those grappled opponents.




1 - For clarity, I understand that, and intend to communicate that: a PC may only use a bonus action to make this unarmed attack if they have some sort of ability/feature/item that would grant them the ability to make it. One cannot simply decide to use a bonus action and punch/kick/head-butt something. Thank you various reputable users from the comment section for your helpful advice and discussion.






share|improve this answer






















  • How is the Fighter gaining access to bonus action unarmed strikes?
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:38










  • @DavidCoffron I'm reading "any bonus action" as indicating if you have a bonus action for attacking, then it can be used in the same fashion. IOW Token isn't expecting to know every possible source of lowercase-a-attacks and leaves the door open that someone could use a bonus action attack this way. Am I reading you right, Token?
    – nitsua60
    Nov 8 at 19:45






  • 1




    Yes @nitusa60 "any bonus action if one is available through any unaccounted for feature/trait/ability that all collectively may be too numerous to list". That is, I think, as accurately as I can put it. Basically, if you have a bonus unarmed strike somehow, go for it.
    – Token
    Nov 8 at 19:48











  • For clarity, the only official way right now to gain a bonus action unarmed strike at the moment is through the Martial Arts monk feature and the War Priest cleric feature; but your answer is future proofed so no problems from me. :)
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:56











  • @Token You may want to revise the wording of the answer itself with edits, since comments are only temporary, and votes are on the wording of the answer rather than answer+comments.
    – SevenSidedDie
    Nov 8 at 19:58

















up vote
17
down vote













Yes, McFighterson the fighter can.



From the PHB errata:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on unarmed strikes should read as
follows: “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.”




Cut and dry. He can even multi-attack with unarmed attacks such as: headbutts, knee blows or kicks.



Weapon attacks for the fighter would require at least one hand free, but unarmed attacks now clearly have no such restriction.






share|improve this answer






















  • Just not for a ton of damage :)
    – NautArch
    Nov 8 at 19:35






  • 1




    Sure. But its not always about the damage :). Those two goons are ready to fail any dex checks thrown at them and (if this was at my table) disadvantage (advantage to the checking PC) on Intimidation checks to drop combat all together.
    – BaronBart
    Nov 8 at 19:42











  • I like this; any smart fighter should know how to use their head...
    – Matthieu M.
    Nov 9 at 7:35










  • No one said grappling two is a good idea, but it works.
    – András
    Nov 9 at 9:36










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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
7
down vote



accepted










Yes, you can make as many unarmed attacks as you can utilizing your Attack action, any Extra Attacks, or any Bonus Action1 against either or both of those grappled target.



If you want to attack them with unarmed strikes in the same turn that you have grappled them then you:



  1. will need to have spent from your attack action using to successfully grapple each opponent .

  2. Have them within reach.

  3. Have a free hand per opponent.


  4. Be no smaller than one size smaller than your target (PHB page 195):




    When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a grapple. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them. The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger than you, and it must be within your reach. Using at least one free hand...




  5. Use any remaining extra attacks or bonus action attacks to make your unarmed strikes.


Note the rules governing unarmed strikes that needn't require a free hand as they aren't a weapon, or that the strike be a punch. You may strike either target with your available knee, foot, head, mutant 3rd arm, etc.



PHB Errata V1 DTD 2015:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on
unarmed strikes should read as follows:
“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.”




If you want to attack them on the round after you have grappled them, then all attacks you can use during your Attack action and any bonus action attacks can be used to make unarmed strikes against those grappled opponents.




1 - For clarity, I understand that, and intend to communicate that: a PC may only use a bonus action to make this unarmed attack if they have some sort of ability/feature/item that would grant them the ability to make it. One cannot simply decide to use a bonus action and punch/kick/head-butt something. Thank you various reputable users from the comment section for your helpful advice and discussion.






share|improve this answer






















  • How is the Fighter gaining access to bonus action unarmed strikes?
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:38










  • @DavidCoffron I'm reading "any bonus action" as indicating if you have a bonus action for attacking, then it can be used in the same fashion. IOW Token isn't expecting to know every possible source of lowercase-a-attacks and leaves the door open that someone could use a bonus action attack this way. Am I reading you right, Token?
    – nitsua60
    Nov 8 at 19:45






  • 1




    Yes @nitusa60 "any bonus action if one is available through any unaccounted for feature/trait/ability that all collectively may be too numerous to list". That is, I think, as accurately as I can put it. Basically, if you have a bonus unarmed strike somehow, go for it.
    – Token
    Nov 8 at 19:48











  • For clarity, the only official way right now to gain a bonus action unarmed strike at the moment is through the Martial Arts monk feature and the War Priest cleric feature; but your answer is future proofed so no problems from me. :)
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:56











  • @Token You may want to revise the wording of the answer itself with edits, since comments are only temporary, and votes are on the wording of the answer rather than answer+comments.
    – SevenSidedDie
    Nov 8 at 19:58














up vote
7
down vote



accepted










Yes, you can make as many unarmed attacks as you can utilizing your Attack action, any Extra Attacks, or any Bonus Action1 against either or both of those grappled target.



If you want to attack them with unarmed strikes in the same turn that you have grappled them then you:



  1. will need to have spent from your attack action using to successfully grapple each opponent .

  2. Have them within reach.

  3. Have a free hand per opponent.


  4. Be no smaller than one size smaller than your target (PHB page 195):




    When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a grapple. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them. The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger than you, and it must be within your reach. Using at least one free hand...




  5. Use any remaining extra attacks or bonus action attacks to make your unarmed strikes.


Note the rules governing unarmed strikes that needn't require a free hand as they aren't a weapon, or that the strike be a punch. You may strike either target with your available knee, foot, head, mutant 3rd arm, etc.



PHB Errata V1 DTD 2015:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on
unarmed strikes should read as follows:
“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.”




If you want to attack them on the round after you have grappled them, then all attacks you can use during your Attack action and any bonus action attacks can be used to make unarmed strikes against those grappled opponents.




1 - For clarity, I understand that, and intend to communicate that: a PC may only use a bonus action to make this unarmed attack if they have some sort of ability/feature/item that would grant them the ability to make it. One cannot simply decide to use a bonus action and punch/kick/head-butt something. Thank you various reputable users from the comment section for your helpful advice and discussion.






share|improve this answer






















  • How is the Fighter gaining access to bonus action unarmed strikes?
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:38










  • @DavidCoffron I'm reading "any bonus action" as indicating if you have a bonus action for attacking, then it can be used in the same fashion. IOW Token isn't expecting to know every possible source of lowercase-a-attacks and leaves the door open that someone could use a bonus action attack this way. Am I reading you right, Token?
    – nitsua60
    Nov 8 at 19:45






  • 1




    Yes @nitusa60 "any bonus action if one is available through any unaccounted for feature/trait/ability that all collectively may be too numerous to list". That is, I think, as accurately as I can put it. Basically, if you have a bonus unarmed strike somehow, go for it.
    – Token
    Nov 8 at 19:48











  • For clarity, the only official way right now to gain a bonus action unarmed strike at the moment is through the Martial Arts monk feature and the War Priest cleric feature; but your answer is future proofed so no problems from me. :)
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:56











  • @Token You may want to revise the wording of the answer itself with edits, since comments are only temporary, and votes are on the wording of the answer rather than answer+comments.
    – SevenSidedDie
    Nov 8 at 19:58












up vote
7
down vote



accepted







up vote
7
down vote



accepted






Yes, you can make as many unarmed attacks as you can utilizing your Attack action, any Extra Attacks, or any Bonus Action1 against either or both of those grappled target.



If you want to attack them with unarmed strikes in the same turn that you have grappled them then you:



  1. will need to have spent from your attack action using to successfully grapple each opponent .

  2. Have them within reach.

  3. Have a free hand per opponent.


  4. Be no smaller than one size smaller than your target (PHB page 195):




    When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a grapple. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them. The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger than you, and it must be within your reach. Using at least one free hand...




  5. Use any remaining extra attacks or bonus action attacks to make your unarmed strikes.


Note the rules governing unarmed strikes that needn't require a free hand as they aren't a weapon, or that the strike be a punch. You may strike either target with your available knee, foot, head, mutant 3rd arm, etc.



PHB Errata V1 DTD 2015:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on
unarmed strikes should read as follows:
“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.”




If you want to attack them on the round after you have grappled them, then all attacks you can use during your Attack action and any bonus action attacks can be used to make unarmed strikes against those grappled opponents.




1 - For clarity, I understand that, and intend to communicate that: a PC may only use a bonus action to make this unarmed attack if they have some sort of ability/feature/item that would grant them the ability to make it. One cannot simply decide to use a bonus action and punch/kick/head-butt something. Thank you various reputable users from the comment section for your helpful advice and discussion.






share|improve this answer














Yes, you can make as many unarmed attacks as you can utilizing your Attack action, any Extra Attacks, or any Bonus Action1 against either or both of those grappled target.



If you want to attack them with unarmed strikes in the same turn that you have grappled them then you:



  1. will need to have spent from your attack action using to successfully grapple each opponent .

  2. Have them within reach.

  3. Have a free hand per opponent.


  4. Be no smaller than one size smaller than your target (PHB page 195):




    When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a grapple. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them. The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger than you, and it must be within your reach. Using at least one free hand...




  5. Use any remaining extra attacks or bonus action attacks to make your unarmed strikes.


Note the rules governing unarmed strikes that needn't require a free hand as they aren't a weapon, or that the strike be a punch. You may strike either target with your available knee, foot, head, mutant 3rd arm, etc.



PHB Errata V1 DTD 2015:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on
unarmed strikes should read as follows:
“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.”




If you want to attack them on the round after you have grappled them, then all attacks you can use during your Attack action and any bonus action attacks can be used to make unarmed strikes against those grappled opponents.




1 - For clarity, I understand that, and intend to communicate that: a PC may only use a bonus action to make this unarmed attack if they have some sort of ability/feature/item that would grant them the ability to make it. One cannot simply decide to use a bonus action and punch/kick/head-butt something. Thank you various reputable users from the comment section for your helpful advice and discussion.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Nov 8 at 20:45









Rubiksmoose

43.9k6220337




43.9k6220337










answered Nov 8 at 19:37









Token

2175




2175











  • How is the Fighter gaining access to bonus action unarmed strikes?
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:38










  • @DavidCoffron I'm reading "any bonus action" as indicating if you have a bonus action for attacking, then it can be used in the same fashion. IOW Token isn't expecting to know every possible source of lowercase-a-attacks and leaves the door open that someone could use a bonus action attack this way. Am I reading you right, Token?
    – nitsua60
    Nov 8 at 19:45






  • 1




    Yes @nitusa60 "any bonus action if one is available through any unaccounted for feature/trait/ability that all collectively may be too numerous to list". That is, I think, as accurately as I can put it. Basically, if you have a bonus unarmed strike somehow, go for it.
    – Token
    Nov 8 at 19:48











  • For clarity, the only official way right now to gain a bonus action unarmed strike at the moment is through the Martial Arts monk feature and the War Priest cleric feature; but your answer is future proofed so no problems from me. :)
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:56











  • @Token You may want to revise the wording of the answer itself with edits, since comments are only temporary, and votes are on the wording of the answer rather than answer+comments.
    – SevenSidedDie
    Nov 8 at 19:58
















  • How is the Fighter gaining access to bonus action unarmed strikes?
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:38










  • @DavidCoffron I'm reading "any bonus action" as indicating if you have a bonus action for attacking, then it can be used in the same fashion. IOW Token isn't expecting to know every possible source of lowercase-a-attacks and leaves the door open that someone could use a bonus action attack this way. Am I reading you right, Token?
    – nitsua60
    Nov 8 at 19:45






  • 1




    Yes @nitusa60 "any bonus action if one is available through any unaccounted for feature/trait/ability that all collectively may be too numerous to list". That is, I think, as accurately as I can put it. Basically, if you have a bonus unarmed strike somehow, go for it.
    – Token
    Nov 8 at 19:48











  • For clarity, the only official way right now to gain a bonus action unarmed strike at the moment is through the Martial Arts monk feature and the War Priest cleric feature; but your answer is future proofed so no problems from me. :)
    – David Coffron
    Nov 8 at 19:56











  • @Token You may want to revise the wording of the answer itself with edits, since comments are only temporary, and votes are on the wording of the answer rather than answer+comments.
    – SevenSidedDie
    Nov 8 at 19:58















How is the Fighter gaining access to bonus action unarmed strikes?
– David Coffron
Nov 8 at 19:38




How is the Fighter gaining access to bonus action unarmed strikes?
– David Coffron
Nov 8 at 19:38












@DavidCoffron I'm reading "any bonus action" as indicating if you have a bonus action for attacking, then it can be used in the same fashion. IOW Token isn't expecting to know every possible source of lowercase-a-attacks and leaves the door open that someone could use a bonus action attack this way. Am I reading you right, Token?
– nitsua60
Nov 8 at 19:45




@DavidCoffron I'm reading "any bonus action" as indicating if you have a bonus action for attacking, then it can be used in the same fashion. IOW Token isn't expecting to know every possible source of lowercase-a-attacks and leaves the door open that someone could use a bonus action attack this way. Am I reading you right, Token?
– nitsua60
Nov 8 at 19:45




1




1




Yes @nitusa60 "any bonus action if one is available through any unaccounted for feature/trait/ability that all collectively may be too numerous to list". That is, I think, as accurately as I can put it. Basically, if you have a bonus unarmed strike somehow, go for it.
– Token
Nov 8 at 19:48





Yes @nitusa60 "any bonus action if one is available through any unaccounted for feature/trait/ability that all collectively may be too numerous to list". That is, I think, as accurately as I can put it. Basically, if you have a bonus unarmed strike somehow, go for it.
– Token
Nov 8 at 19:48













For clarity, the only official way right now to gain a bonus action unarmed strike at the moment is through the Martial Arts monk feature and the War Priest cleric feature; but your answer is future proofed so no problems from me. :)
– David Coffron
Nov 8 at 19:56





For clarity, the only official way right now to gain a bonus action unarmed strike at the moment is through the Martial Arts monk feature and the War Priest cleric feature; but your answer is future proofed so no problems from me. :)
– David Coffron
Nov 8 at 19:56













@Token You may want to revise the wording of the answer itself with edits, since comments are only temporary, and votes are on the wording of the answer rather than answer+comments.
– SevenSidedDie
Nov 8 at 19:58




@Token You may want to revise the wording of the answer itself with edits, since comments are only temporary, and votes are on the wording of the answer rather than answer+comments.
– SevenSidedDie
Nov 8 at 19:58












up vote
17
down vote













Yes, McFighterson the fighter can.



From the PHB errata:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on unarmed strikes should read as
follows: “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.”




Cut and dry. He can even multi-attack with unarmed attacks such as: headbutts, knee blows or kicks.



Weapon attacks for the fighter would require at least one hand free, but unarmed attacks now clearly have no such restriction.






share|improve this answer






















  • Just not for a ton of damage :)
    – NautArch
    Nov 8 at 19:35






  • 1




    Sure. But its not always about the damage :). Those two goons are ready to fail any dex checks thrown at them and (if this was at my table) disadvantage (advantage to the checking PC) on Intimidation checks to drop combat all together.
    – BaronBart
    Nov 8 at 19:42











  • I like this; any smart fighter should know how to use their head...
    – Matthieu M.
    Nov 9 at 7:35










  • No one said grappling two is a good idea, but it works.
    – András
    Nov 9 at 9:36














up vote
17
down vote













Yes, McFighterson the fighter can.



From the PHB errata:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on unarmed strikes should read as
follows: “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.”




Cut and dry. He can even multi-attack with unarmed attacks such as: headbutts, knee blows or kicks.



Weapon attacks for the fighter would require at least one hand free, but unarmed attacks now clearly have no such restriction.






share|improve this answer






















  • Just not for a ton of damage :)
    – NautArch
    Nov 8 at 19:35






  • 1




    Sure. But its not always about the damage :). Those two goons are ready to fail any dex checks thrown at them and (if this was at my table) disadvantage (advantage to the checking PC) on Intimidation checks to drop combat all together.
    – BaronBart
    Nov 8 at 19:42











  • I like this; any smart fighter should know how to use their head...
    – Matthieu M.
    Nov 9 at 7:35










  • No one said grappling two is a good idea, but it works.
    – András
    Nov 9 at 9:36












up vote
17
down vote










up vote
17
down vote









Yes, McFighterson the fighter can.



From the PHB errata:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on unarmed strikes should read as
follows: “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.”




Cut and dry. He can even multi-attack with unarmed attacks such as: headbutts, knee blows or kicks.



Weapon attacks for the fighter would require at least one hand free, but unarmed attacks now clearly have no such restriction.






share|improve this answer














Yes, McFighterson the fighter can.



From the PHB errata:




Melee Attacks (p. 195). The rule on unarmed strikes should read as
follows: “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.”




Cut and dry. He can even multi-attack with unarmed attacks such as: headbutts, knee blows or kicks.



Weapon attacks for the fighter would require at least one hand free, but unarmed attacks now clearly have no such restriction.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Nov 8 at 19:59









V2Blast

18.1k248114




18.1k248114










answered Nov 8 at 19:34









BaronBart

2897




2897











  • Just not for a ton of damage :)
    – NautArch
    Nov 8 at 19:35






  • 1




    Sure. But its not always about the damage :). Those two goons are ready to fail any dex checks thrown at them and (if this was at my table) disadvantage (advantage to the checking PC) on Intimidation checks to drop combat all together.
    – BaronBart
    Nov 8 at 19:42











  • I like this; any smart fighter should know how to use their head...
    – Matthieu M.
    Nov 9 at 7:35










  • No one said grappling two is a good idea, but it works.
    – András
    Nov 9 at 9:36
















  • Just not for a ton of damage :)
    – NautArch
    Nov 8 at 19:35






  • 1




    Sure. But its not always about the damage :). Those two goons are ready to fail any dex checks thrown at them and (if this was at my table) disadvantage (advantage to the checking PC) on Intimidation checks to drop combat all together.
    – BaronBart
    Nov 8 at 19:42











  • I like this; any smart fighter should know how to use their head...
    – Matthieu M.
    Nov 9 at 7:35










  • No one said grappling two is a good idea, but it works.
    – András
    Nov 9 at 9:36















Just not for a ton of damage :)
– NautArch
Nov 8 at 19:35




Just not for a ton of damage :)
– NautArch
Nov 8 at 19:35




1




1




Sure. But its not always about the damage :). Those two goons are ready to fail any dex checks thrown at them and (if this was at my table) disadvantage (advantage to the checking PC) on Intimidation checks to drop combat all together.
– BaronBart
Nov 8 at 19:42





Sure. But its not always about the damage :). Those two goons are ready to fail any dex checks thrown at them and (if this was at my table) disadvantage (advantage to the checking PC) on Intimidation checks to drop combat all together.
– BaronBart
Nov 8 at 19:42













I like this; any smart fighter should know how to use their head...
– Matthieu M.
Nov 9 at 7:35




I like this; any smart fighter should know how to use their head...
– Matthieu M.
Nov 9 at 7:35












No one said grappling two is a good idea, but it works.
– András
Nov 9 at 9:36




No one said grappling two is a good idea, but it works.
– András
Nov 9 at 9:36

















 

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