Strategy:Fists

(v 0.9.9.3) Fists are the "default melee attack": all beings have it in some way or another. To this extent, most enemies have a modifier to their fists (sometimes to a ridiculous extent) while you're stuck at +0 unless you decide to invest in traits such as Brute or Son of a Bitch. Can't mod it, either (for obvious reasons): in addition, it's always melee damage, so it's not a very good means of attack against particularly armored opponents.

Fists have SOME uses but, in all honesty, you should use a better melee weapon when you can afford it. For AoMr and AoSh, they're the only melee weapon you're allowed. Fists are also required for the following achievements:

• Sunrise Iron Fist (only fists can be "equipped" when killing any enemy for the whole game)
• Strongman Platinum/Diamond, Demonic Diamond (like Sunrise except on HMP/UV/N!, respectively)

In these challenges it can seem pretty rough to be forced to use only fists, but there is a merciful caveat: while you must have nothing in your weapon slot when an enemy dies, you are free to do whatever you want as long as they aren't. This means you can perform some utility attacks like wall-busting and rocket-jumping so long as you're careful about it. By the same vein, nuking levels are acceptable as long as you aren't holding a weapon when the bomb detonates. (Nuclear weapons are fine, but since Trigun insta-nukes, that's a no-go.)

If you're feeling particularly risky, you CAN use "real" weapons to hurt enemies so long as the fists get the killing blow. However, since the source of the damage isn't checked but, rather, what you're holding when they die, even accidental deaths can ruin a fist-only run. Knockbacking an enemy into acid or lava, enemy crossfire, and barrel explosions could mess things up. In general, it's not recommended to hold weapons except for non-lethal purposes. (If you really want to try it out, I highly suggest getting Juggler so you can instantly swap back to fists, just in case.) For some really hard opponents (or even the lesser bosses), it's a good idea to keep the chainsaw at hand and just watch their HP to indicate when to swap back. Game Hunter 18:51, 2 August 2011 (CEST)