On tabletop I play a Way of the Astral Self Monk with defensive duelist. I thought I’d try that in the game and switched Astarion to open hand Monk. I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong but it never seems to activate.

  • LordPassionFruit@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    I don’t have an answer for you, but would defensive duelist work with a monk? Doesn’t it require a weapon in the main hand and an empty off hand?

    • uid0gid0@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 month ago

      Defensive duelist only requirements are a finesse weapon with which you are proficient. No mention is made of an empty off-hand.

          • uid0gid0@lemmy.worldOP
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            1 month ago

            I don’t want to be a contrarian, but I can’t find anything in the PHB that says you can’t wield a weapon. Unarmed strikes don’t even need to be made with your hands. Is it a sage advice that I’m unaware of or something?

            • Björn Tantau@swg-empire.de
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              1 month ago

              They are talking about BG3. There you cannot make a regular unarmed strike while holding a weapon.

              There are many significant differences in the rules between BG3 and 5e.

              • uid0gid0@lemmy.worldOP
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                1 month ago

                I’m realizing this more as I play the game. Shield Master not allowing you to shove people prone is one that really annoyed me.

      • LordPassionFruit@lemm.ee
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        1 month ago

        I was aware monks can (at the very least I was aware of Kensei), I’d just never considered it as advantageous enough to go Defensive Duelist, I guess.

        In an MP save I’m in, I’m playing an open hand monk and am currently using that staff you can buy from Auntie Ethel in the grove because of the bonuses to unarmed damage.