In general, natural weapons, including claws and bites, are not unarmed strikes. This is confirmed by Jeremy Crawford here. However, in Volo’s Guide to Monsters, the Tabaxi and Lizardfolk races both have natural weapons that count as unarmed strikes, claws and a bite respectively.
Can natural weapons be monk weapons?
Yes. Having natural weapons, a monk would naturally use them.
Do Wildshape attacks count as unarmed strikes?
The downside to this is that your natural attacks definitely don’t count as unarmed strikes, so you can only do your normal unarmed strike damage. This was also confirmed by Jeremy Crawford.
Can you divine smite an unarmed strike?
Unarmed strikes are melee weapon attacks. And they don’t work with Divine Smite, which requires a weapon.
Are there any natural weapons that count as Unarmed Strikes?
1 Answer 1. In general, natural weapons, including claws and bites, are not unarmed strikes. This is confirmed by Jeremy Crawford here. However, in Volo’s Guide to Monsters, the Tabaxi and Lizardfolk races both have natural weapons that count as unarmed strikes, claws and a bite respectively. Cat’s Claws (Tabaxi, pg.
Can a claw be used as an unarmed weapon?
In addition, your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Your hooves are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes.
Can you use a shield instead of an unarmed strike?
It is not possible to dual-wield fists, so a non-weapon item (e.g. a shield) may be held in the off-hand with no penalty to attacks. Many creatures that do not appear to have a weapon use natural weapons instead of unarmed strike.
Can you use dexterity on an unarmed strike?
You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. The Attack must use a Finesse or a ranged weapon. While unarmed strikes count as weapon attacks, they are not weapons.
