Does Dueling Work with Unarmed Strikes?
The short and definitive answer is no, the Dueling Fighting Style does not work with unarmed strikes in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e). This is due to a fundamental rule: unarmed strikes are not considered weapons. While they are a form of melee attack, they lack the core designation of being a weapon, which is crucial for the Dueling Fighting Style to apply. This seemingly simple distinction has a ripple effect on several game mechanics, as we’ll explore in more detail.
Understanding the Dueling Fighting Style
The Dueling Fighting Style is a popular option for melee-focused characters, particularly Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers. Its core benefit is simple yet powerful: When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
The critical aspect here is the requirement for a “melee weapon.” This is the key phrase that excludes unarmed strikes from benefiting from the Dueling style. An unarmed strike is defined as a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow, none of which are classified as weapons within the game’s rules.
Why Unarmed Strikes Aren’t Weapons
This might seem counterintuitive, but the difference is important to the system. Unarmed strikes are a fundamental attack action available to every character, regardless of their class or proficiency. They’re considered melee weapon attacks in terms of how they interact with things like Rage damage or Sneak Attack, but they do not count as actual weapons. This means they lack properties like “light,” “heavy,” “finesse,” and so on.
This distinction highlights the game’s intended design: the Dueling Fighting Style is specifically intended to boost the effectiveness of weapon-based combat. By keeping unarmed strikes separate, the game maintains a balance between weapon-focused classes and those that rely more on natural combat abilities.
The Impact on Gameplay
The inability to use Dueling with unarmed strikes has several implications:
- No Damage Bonus: Characters relying on unarmed attacks will not get the +2 damage bonus from the Dueling Fighting Style.
- Fighter Builds: Fighters aiming for a “bare-handed brawler” style will need to look to other options, like the Unarmed Fighting style, which was added in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, and the Tavern Brawler feat to enhance their unarmed damage.
- Multiclassing Considerations: When multiclassing, the synergy between Dueling and unarmed attacks is non-existent, forcing players to consider other Fighting Style options if they are not planning to wield weapons.
Related FAQs
Let’s delve into some related questions to further clarify the nuances of unarmed strikes and the Dueling Fighting Style:
Can I use Two-Weapon Fighting with Unarmed Strikes?
No, two-weapon fighting requires weapons with the light property, and unarmed strikes are not weapons and do not possess the light property. This means you cannot use your bonus action for an off-hand unarmed attack if you are following two weapon fighting rules.
Does Dueling work with Two-Handed Weapons?
No. The Dueling Fighting style specifically states it only works when you are wielding a one-handed melee weapon and no other weapons. Two handed weapons by their very nature require both hands to wield.
Can I use a Versatile Weapon with Dueling?
Yes, as long as the versatile weapon is being used in one hand, with no other weapon in the offhand. The versatility property in this instance does not affect it being considered one-handed. Note that there are inconsistencies and disagreements on this in the community. However RAW rules support this.
Does Dueling work with Natural Weapons?
Usually no. Natural weapons, like claws or bites, are often found in pairs. Since Dueling specifies that you must wield a single weapon and have no other weapon in hand, this usually makes Dueling and natural weapons not compatible. Unless you only have one claw/natural weapon, then you could consider it.
Are Unarmed Duels Legal?
This is not directly tied to 5e mechanics, but regarding real life, in certain places it is possible. California’s mutual combat laws are undefined, meaning that while not explicitly legal, consensual unarmed fights are not illegal either.
Do Predatory Strikes work with Dueling?
No. As cited in the source text, Predatory strikes are treated as a single weapon for the purposes of the crimson rite, not for anything else, and therefore don’t work with Dueling.
Can I make an Unarmed Strike while wielding a Two-Handed Weapon?
Yes. You can hold a two-handed weapon in one hand when you are not attacking with it. You can perform an unarmed strike while holding a two-handed weapon, but you cannot attack with the two-handed weapon and use Dueling.
Can a Monk use Unarmed Strikes and Two-Handed Weapons?
Yes, Monks can use a two-handed weapon, such as a quarterstaff, and then use an unarmed strike as a bonus action if they qualify for the bonus action from their Martial Arts class feature.
Can I use Maneuvers with Unarmed Strikes?
Yes, with the exception of maneuvers that specify that you must use a weapon, such as Brace. Unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks.
Do Unarmed Strikes Count as Light Weapons?
No, unarmed strikes are not weapons and therefore do not possess any weapon properties, including the light property.
Can Unarmed Strikes Be a Pact Weapon?
No, unarmed strikes are not weapons and so are not valid targets for the pact of the blade feature. Pact of the Blade requires the creation of a weapon, and unarmed strikes are not weapons.
Can I use a Monk Weapon for Unarmed Strikes?
When using the attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon, you can use a bonus action to make one unarmed strike, as part of the Monk’s class feature.
Am I Proficient in Unarmed Strikes?
Yes, everyone is proficient in unarmed strikes. You add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll, as you would for any weapon you are proficient in.
Does Divine Fury work with Unarmed Strikes?
No, the rules state it requires a WEAPON STRIKE, not an unarmed strike. Therefore you cannot add divine fury damage to an unarmed strike.
Can Unarmed Strikes Be Finesse?
No, unarmed attacks do not have the finesse property. You must use your Strength modifier for the attack and damage rolls.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the idea of a dueling master weaving in unarmed blows might seem cool, the mechanics of D&D 5e are very clear: Dueling does not work with unarmed strikes. The Dueling Fighting Style is exclusively for weapon-based combat, and unarmed attacks are distinct by design. For players who want to focus on unarmed combat, exploring options such as the Unarmed Fighting Style, the Monk class or the Tavern Brawler feat is crucial for making an effective build. Understanding these nuances allows players to make informed character building choices and adhere to the established rules of the game.