Does dual wielder work with unarmed strikes?

Does Dual Wielder Work with Unarmed Strikes?

The debate about using Dual Wielder with unarmed strikes has been a long-standing topic of discussion in the D&D community. Some players believe that Dual Wielder, a feat that allows a character to fight with two weapons, can be used with unarmed strikes. However, others argue that it cannot. In this article, we will delve into the rules and mechanics of Dual Wielder and unarmed strikes to determine whether they can be used together.

RAW: Unarmed Strikes Aren’t Weapons

According to the official D&D 5th edition rules, unarmed strikes are not weapons. As stated in the Player’s Handbook (PHB), "Unarmed strike. You can make an unarmed strike using your bare hands. Your unarmed attack does 1d6 + your Strength modifier bludgeoning damage." Unarmed strikes do not require the use of a weapon, and as such, do not qualify as weapons.

Does Dual Wielder Work with Unarmed Strikes?

Given that unarmed strikes are not weapons, the question becomes whether the Dual Wielder feat can be used with unarmed strikes. The answer is no, according to RAW. The Dual Wielder feat states that a character can "make two weapon attacks as part of a single attack action." However, this feat explicitly requires the use of a weapon, not an unarmed strike.

Battle Master Maneuvers

What about Battle Master maneuvers? Can a character use an unarmed strike with a Battle Master maneuver? According to the official FAQ, unarmed strikes do not qualify as a weapon and cannot be used with Battle Master maneuvers. Some maneuvers, such as Booming Blade, require the use of a weapon, and unarmed strikes do not meet this requirement.

Monk Tradition

For monks, the story is slightly different. Some monk traditions, such as the Way of the Open Hand, allow monks to use their hands as a focus for their martial abilities. However, this is specific to monk traditions and not a general rule that applies to all characters.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, according to RAW, Dual Wielder does not work with unarmed strikes. Unarmed strikes are not considered weapons, and the Dual Wielder feat requires the use of a weapon. While monks may have specific abilities that allow them to use their hands as a focus for their martial abilities, this is not a general rule that applies to all characters.

Takeaways

• Unarmed strikes are not weapons and do not qualify as such.
• The Dual Wielder feat requires the use of a weapon and does not work with unarmed strikes.
• Monks with certain traditions may have abilities that allow them to use their hands as a focus for their martial abilities.
• In general, unarmed strikes cannot be used with Battle Master maneuvers or the Dual Wielder feat.

Final Thoughts

While some players may argue that unarmed strikes should be allowed with Dual Wielder, the rules as written do not support this interpretation. By understanding the rules and mechanics of Dual Wielder and unarmed strikes, players can make informed decisions about their character builds and optimize their combat performance.