Unarmed Handmaiden build viability?

[Mellowtron11 180]

Has anyone ever run Handmaiden with only unarmed attacks? Usually I let her use her staff and then give her a saberstaff once she becomes a Guardian. But while she has the first couple of two weapon fighting feats, she also has unarmed feats. I'm sure it can be done since TSL is a little easy, but does anyone have any thoughts or experiences?

[Malkior 476]

Has anyone ever run Handmaiden with only unarmed attacks? Usually I let her use her staff and then give her a saberstaff once she becomes a Guardian. But while she has the first couple of two weapon fighting feats, she also has unarmed feats. I'm sure it can be done since TSL is a little easy, but does anyone have any thoughts or experiences?

There are a couple of Unarmed feats that can make her quite effective without the staff. I tend to use her without it just for the variety it brings to combat. Her staff obviously has many bonuses that give it a distinct advantage in damage, of course..

 

In fact, Atton is particularly useful using Ranged behavior instead of Aggressive because of how good he is at unarmed combat (Coming from the Echani training, I believe)

[onderduiker 15]

If Handmaiden becomes a Jedi at level 6, then at level 20 her unarmed damage is 7-28 (17.5 average, from Unarmed Specialist IV (4-16) at Jedi level 14 and Echani Strike III (3-12) from level 17 onwards), adding 1-4 every four levels until she's granted US VIII at level 36 (Jedi level 30) for 11-44 (27.5 average).

 

A Lightsaber inflicts at least 2-20 (11 average) energy damage, and a Double-Bladed Lightsaber 2-24 (13 average), with an extra attack. Obviously, lightsabers can also be upgraded and benefit from Weapon Focus and Specialization (+1 Attack and +2 Damage), higher Strength modifiers and critical threat ranges, but there are some gloves which also grant bonuses to unarmed combat (for example, Lightning Gloves with Damage Bonus: +2-12 Electrical and Attack Modifier: +1 when unarmed).

 

While unarmed you receive Attack and Damage bonuses equal to your Strength modifier, and you can benefit from the Dueling, Power Attack, Flurry and Critical Strike feats, as well as Battle Meditation, Inspire Followers and Speed Force powers. I'm pretty sure using lightsabers would still be better, but it seems as though unarmed combat is perfectly viable (particularly at higher levels).