Unarmored Attack (5e Variant Rule)
Unarmed Attack
Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed attack: 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 your Unarmed Attack die + your attack modifier. You are not proficient with your unarmed attacks unless your class has a Fighting Style or Martial Arts feature.
| Class | Die |
|---|---|
| Barbarian | 1d8 + Strength Mod |
| Bard | 1d4 + Dexterity Mod |
| Cleric | 1d4 + Strength Mod |
| Druid | 1d4 + Strength Mod |
| Fighter | 1d6 + Strength or Dexterity Mod |
| Monk | 1d4 + Strength + Dexterity Mod |
| Paladin | 1d6 + Strength Mod |
| Ranger | 1d6 + Dexterity Mod |
| Rogue | 1d4 + Dexterity Mod |
| Sorcerer | 1d2 + Dexterity Mod |
| Warlock | 1d4 + Dexterity Mod |
| Wizard | 1d2 + Dexterity Mod |
Improvements
When taking a feature (such as Unarmed Fighting) or a feat (such as Tavern Brawler), you would instead increase the number of the Unarmed Attack die rather than the value.
Monk
A Monk's Unarmed Strike increases as they level up, as seen in the chart below.
| Level | Unarmed Attack Dice |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1d4 |
| 2nd | 1d4 |
| 3rd | 1d4 |
| 4th | 1d4 |
| 5th | 2d4 |
| 6th | 2d4 |
| 7th | 2d4 |
| 8th | 2d4 |
| 9th | 2d4 |
| 10th | 2d4 |
| 11th | 3d4 |
| 12th | 3d4 |
| 13th | 3d4 |
| 14th | 3d4 |
| 15th | 3d4 |
| 16th | 3d4 |
| 17th | 4d4 |
| 18th | 4d4 |
| 19th | 4d4 |
| 20th | 4d4 |
Other Classes
The dice used for Unarmed Attack is determined through a class's Hit Point Die, as seen in the table below. For example, Blood Hunter has a d10 for their Hit Point Die so their Unarmed Attack would use a d6.
| Hit Point Die | Unarmed Attack Die |
|---|---|
| 1d6 | 1d2 |
| 1d8 | 1d4 |
| 1d10 | 1d6 |
| 1d12 | 1d8 |
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