Unarmed fighting is an ADOM weapon skill referring to the act of fighting in melee using parts of the PC's body, instead of using a melee weapon. Bare hands are the most reliable choice of weapon since they cannot be destroyed or disarmed, but for most PCs the higher base damage and other benefits of weapons outweigh the risks.
The DV bonus from the unarmed fighting weapon skill is only received if the PC has either both hands free or is wearing a shield and has one hand free, i.e. if (s)he is equipped to perform an unarmed melee attack.
Kicking both trains the unarmed weapon class and benefits from its to-hit and damage bonuses (but not the energy cost discount).
Unarmed fighting normally has a base damage of 1d3, kicking 1d4. The Thorns corruption changes the former to 3d3. Strength bonus is added normally.
There are two classes particularly skilled in unarmed fighting: Monks and Beastfighters. Both get damage bonuses separate from the Unarmed fighting skill and do not use a 1d3 die. Monks also have much improved kicking abilities. For monks, these benefits are dependent on the burden status. Beastfighters get heavy penalties in any form of melee combat except unarmed fighting.
Training in unarmed fighting is also particularly useful for Necromancers, whose level 25 class power allows them to steal HP from monsters.
Unarmed fighting is incompatible with true berserking.
UNARMED FIGHTING 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 To-Hit Modifier 0 +1 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +4 +6 +6 +9 +10 +10 +10 +12 +12 To-Damage Modifier 0 0 0 +1 +1 +2 +2 +3 +3 +4 +6 +6 +8 +10 +10 +12 DV Modifier 0 0 0 0 +1 +1 +2 +2 +3 +3 +4 +5 +6 +8 +10 +12