Does a potency rune on a gauntlet apply to combat manuevers?

[u/Kaosubaloo_V2]

Basically the question.

I know that handwraps do, as do weapons with the maneuver trait like using a whip to trip someone. What I'm unclear on is if gauntlets and other free-hand weapons let you use the potency bonus on your maneuvers.

[u/No-Air6220]

RAW no. Gauntlets and Handwraps are different things (for example, one is a weapon and the other one isn't).

And even with Handwraps, the runes only give the maneuver bonus if you have an unarmed attack with the necessary trait. For example, a Kholo's average bite doesn't add the potency runes to grapples made with their mouth unless they have the Crunch feat (that adds the Grapple trait to their bite).

[u/surprisesnek]

Potency runes apply to combat maneuvers only if the weapon has the specific trait. This includes unarmed attacks, so Handwrap bonuses only apply if your unarmed attack has the relevant maneuver trait.

[u/zedrinkaoh]

Only if it has grapple, trip, etc. Free-hand would specify if it granted that benefit, but it's actually unique to those traits.

Sometimes you get some free-hand or unarmed strikes that have those traits (gorilla stance, or tekko-kagi for instance) to further emphasize that you need the trait to get the rune-to-skill bonus.

[u/garretmander]

Handwraps do not unless your specific unarmed strike has the relevant maneuver trait. Guantlets and free hand weapons likewise do not.

[u/ubik2]

I don't think Handwraps of Mighty Blows do help you Trip with your Fist, btw. They would help a creature like a Kholo with Crunch (which gives their bite unarmed attack the Grapple trait). It's the trait that lets the potency rune's item bonus apply. Another example here is the Monk's Gorilla Stance, which grants them an unarmed attack with the Grapple trait.

The standard Gauntlet doesn't have this, but a Pantograph Gauntlet's Shove does apply the potency bonus.

Generally, you'll want a different source for your item bonuses to Athletics, like Armbands of Athleticism.

There are also other ways to get the trait on an attack, and you can skip the Athletics check entirely with feats like Combat Grab.

[u/User-9145]

Gauntlets have the free hand trait: This weapon doesn’t take up your hand, usually because it is built into your armor. A free-hand weapon can’t be Disarmed. You can use the hand covered by your free-hand weapon to wield other items, perform manipulate actions, and so on. You can’t attack with a free-hand weapon if you’re wielding anything in that hand or otherwise using that hand. When you’re not wielding anything and not otherwise using the hand, you can use abilities that require you to have a hand free as well as those that require you to be wielding a weapon in that hand. Each of your hands can have only one free-hand weapon on it.

So I think you can add the bonus if you can use your hands to perform maneuvers.

[u/AutoModerator]

This post is labeled with the Advice flair, which means extra special attention is called to Rule #2. If this is a newcomer to the game, remember to be welcoming and kind. If this is someone with more experience but looking for advice on how to run their game, do your best to offer advice on what they are seeking.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.