A Half-dragon Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Half-dragon Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
waverlyt
04-21-06, 03:07 PM The current game I'm in had a TPK near the end of the last session - and while it turned out that none of us were particularly enjoying our choices for characters to begin with anyway, this did leave us all in the position of rerolling new characters. We decided, for one reason or another, that for our new characters, we would pick a core class and stick with it for 20 levels - but we would also each pick a template for our new character. I went with a half-dragon (Radiant) monk.

What I'd like is suggestions on what to go with as far as feats and skills over the twenty levels. We've been restricted to WotC-published content, we have to take all twenty levels in the class we've picked, and we can't use the BoED. As a side note, our 'new' characters have acquired our old characters' cash, so I'll have ~175g or so to spend.

As far as character concept goes, I'm mostly going for in-and-out style combat. I think one of the other players is going to be a fighter or barbarian, so we'll have the meat-shield role covered.

Felix, Male Human Mnk1 (ECL 4): CR 3; Medium Dragon ; HD 1d8+4(Monk) ; hp 12; Init +2; Spd 30; AC:20 (Flatfooted:18 Touch:16); Atk +4 base melee, +2 base ranged; SA: Breath Weapon Type: 60 ft. Line of Force , Breath Weapon DC: 10 + 1/2 Racial HD + CON Mod ; SQ: Low-light Vision (Ex), Darkvision (Ex): 60 ft., Immunity: Paralysis (Ex), Immunity: Sleep Effects (Ex); AL LN; SV Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +6; STR 18, DEX 15, CON 18, INT 15, WIS 18, CHA 14.

Skills: 28 points

Feats: Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist. (2 more available)
PhoenixInferno
04-21-06, 08:05 PM Can you use another race? Something that's large, perhaps? And will your DM count the LA against your character even though everyone is using one?
Pinky's brain
04-21-06, 08:20 PM Half dragon monk ... unarmed strikes + secondary natural attacks + rapidstrike = lotsa attacks.
waverlyt
04-21-06, 08:21 PM Can you use another race? Something that's large, perhaps? And will your DM count the LA against your character even though everyone is using one?

I asked and, unfortunately, no, we can't be large. However, after talking with the DM a bit, he's agreed not to count the LA if we can all agree to make our characters all, effectively, the same level (~ECL 4). I don't think that'll be too much of a problem. So, basically, a Monk 20 build, but with all the fun that being a half-dragon entails thrown in.

After a bit of looking, I figure taking Dragon Breath (from RotD) would be a good idea, but I'm not sure where to go with the 'monk-ness' of the build. Is Flying Kick worth it? Improved Natural Attack seems like a no-brainer.

Thanks for the response, too :D

EDIT:

Half dragon monk ... unarmed strikes + secondary natural attacks + rapidstrike = lotsa attacks.

Also, TWF :D Actually, here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=622768) 's a thread where I asked specifically about natural attacks and monk attacks and the things that posters came up with were fun
Seeker of Undeath
04-22-06, 04:26 AM You might consider taking Dragon Wings as your first feat, since you need to wait until 6 HD before you can take Dragon Breath. BTW if you're Half-Dragon...what's your other half? Human? If that's the case you could try...

1st-Dragon Wings, Dragon Tail
3rd-Rapid Strike
6th-Improved Dragon Wings
9th-Flyby Attack
12th-Improved Rapid Strike
15th-Dragon Breath
18th-Improved Natural Attack (whatever, probably claws)

I do have to admit, however, that I'm slightly appalled. With a +8 to strength you ended up with an 18. Why toss a 10 in there? There's nothing wrong with the hit-and-run Monk who hits hard. :D

I did notice you let the dexterity slide a little bit. That natural armor will help some. For Monk bonus feats I'd suggest Improved Grapple IF you up your strength. Otherwise take that Stunning Fist. I generally prefer Combat Reflexes to Deflect Arrows. If you do take the tail, you might consider Improved Trip just for kicks.
waverlyt
04-22-06, 10:31 AM ...what's your other half? Human? ...you could try...

1st-Dragon Wings, Dragon Tail
3rd-Rapid Strike
6th-Improved Dragon Wings
9th-Flyby Attack
12th-Improved Rapid Strike
15th-Dragon Breath
18th-Improved Natural Attack (whatever, probably claws)

I do have to admit, however, that I'm slightly appalled. With a +8 to strength you ended up with an 18. Why toss a 10 in there? There's nothing wrong with the hit-and-run Monk who hits hard. :D

Thanks for the reply! :D Some answers for you: Yes, my other half is human:

Felix, Male Human Mnk1

As for the 18 strength, I have to admit that's a bit metagamey. Rolled stats were 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 18. I figured, for a monk, WIS would get the 18 since the +8 to STR would balance the STR out in the end. However, I see the point you're making. I guess my thoughts were that the bonus to AC would be more important in the early levels where I'd be squishy-er than a higher bonus to STR since I'd be getting a large number of attacks anyway.

And lastly - if I were to forego the wings, what feats would take their place for levels 1, 6, and 9?
Surreal
04-22-06, 12:52 PM Would being a half-fang dragon increase your damage dice by one step?
waverlyt
04-22-06, 03:22 PM Would being a half-fang dragon increase your damage dice by one step?

I don't have any of my books on me atm, so I'm not sure. However, I'd prefer to stick with the radiant dragon.
waverlyt
04-22-06, 03:41 PM 1st-Dragon Wings, Dragon Tail
3rd-Rapid Strike
6th-Improved Dragon Wings
9th-Flyby Attack
12th-Improved Rapid Strike
15th-Dragon Breath
18th-Improved Natural Attack (whatever, probably claws)

Also, Rapidstrike has a prerequisite of +10 BAB, which I don't have by 3rd level.

Does someone have the wording of the Dragon Tail feat available? Again, I don't have RotD on me.

EDIT: So far I'm thinking:

1st: Dragon Tail, Dodge (Human), Stunning Fist (Monk)
2nd: Combat Reflexes (Monk)
3rd: Power Attack
6th: Dragon Breath, Improved Trip (Monk)
9th: Improved Natural Attack (Unarmed Strike)
12th: Flying Kick
15th: Tail Sweep Knockdown
18th:
Nerf_Samurai
04-22-06, 06:14 PM 1. No, half-fangs don't get the damage increase, but thier "breath weapon" is useable more often.
2. The draconomicon has more than a few feats useable by a half-dragon, like Improved Speed, Endure Blows, and Multiattack(unfortunately, no metabreath feats for half-dragons).
3. also, check in CW for feats to improve your monkly powers.
waverlyt
04-22-06, 10:06 PM 1. No, half-fangs don't get the damage increase, but thier "breath weapon" is useable more often.
And so is every other half-dragon's with Dragon Breath from Races of the Dragon! :D
2. The draconomicon has more than a few feats useable by a half-dragon, like Improved Speed, Endure Blows, and Multiattack(unfortunately, no metabreath feats for half-dragons).
Again, the feat Dragon Breath makes it so that the time between uses of a half-dragon's breath is measured in rounds; voila - metabreath feats for half-dragons.
3. also, check in CW for feats to improve your monkly powers.
Any specific suggestions?

Thanks for the response! :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
waverlyt 04-21-06, 03:07 PM	The current game I'm in had a TPK near the end of the last session - and while it turned out that none of us were particularly enjoying our choices for characters to begin with anyway, this did leave us all in the position of rerolling new characters. We decided, for one reason or another, that for our new characters, we would pick a core class and stick with it for 20 levels - but we would also each pick a template for our new character. I went with a half-dragon (Radiant) monk. What I'd like is suggestions on what to go with as far as feats and skills over the twenty levels. We've been restricted to WotC-published content, we have to take all twenty levels in the class we've picked, and we can't use the BoED. As a side note, our 'new' characters have acquired our old characters' cash, so I'll have ~175g or so to spend. As far as character concept goes, I'm mostly going for in-and-out style combat. I think one of the other players is going to be a fighter or barbarian, so we'll have the meat-shield role covered. Felix, Male Human Mnk1 (ECL 4): CR 3; Medium Dragon ; HD 1d8+4(Monk) ; hp 12; Init +2; Spd 30; AC:20 (Flatfooted:18 Touch:16); Atk +4 base melee, +2 base ranged; SA: Breath Weapon Type: 60 ft. Line of Force , Breath Weapon DC: 10 + 1/2 Racial HD + CON Mod ; SQ: Low-light Vision (Ex), Darkvision (Ex): 60 ft., Immunity: Paralysis (Ex), Immunity: Sleep Effects (Ex); AL LN; SV Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +6; STR 18, DEX 15, CON 18, INT 15, WIS 18, CHA 14. Skills: 28 points Feats: Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist. (2 more available)
PhoenixInferno 04-21-06, 08:05 PM	Can you use another race? Something that's large, perhaps? And will your DM count the LA against your character even though everyone is using one?
Pinky's brain 04-21-06, 08:20 PM	Half dragon monk ... unarmed strikes + secondary natural attacks + rapidstrike = lotsa attacks.
waverlyt 04-21-06, 08:21 PM	Can you use another race? Something that's large, perhaps? And will your DM count the LA against your character even though everyone is using one? I asked and, unfortunately, no, we can't be large. However, after talking with the DM a bit, he's agreed not to count the LA if we can all agree to make our characters all, effectively, the same level (~ECL 4). I don't think that'll be too much of a problem. So, basically, a Monk 20 build, but with all the fun that being a half-dragon entails thrown in. After a bit of looking, I figure taking Dragon Breath (from RotD) would be a good idea, but I'm not sure where to go with the 'monk-ness' of the build. Is Flying Kick worth it? Improved Natural Attack seems like a no-brainer. Thanks for the response, too :D EDIT: Half dragon monk ... unarmed strikes + secondary natural attacks + rapidstrike = lotsa attacks. Also, TWF :D Actually, here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=622768) 's a thread where I asked specifically about natural attacks and monk attacks and the things that posters came up with were fun
Seeker of Undeath 04-22-06, 04:26 AM	You might consider taking Dragon Wings as your first feat, since you need to wait until 6 HD before you can take Dragon Breath. BTW if you're Half-Dragon...what's your other half? Human? If that's the case you could try... 1st-Dragon Wings, Dragon Tail 3rd-Rapid Strike 6th-Improved Dragon Wings 9th-Flyby Attack 12th-Improved Rapid Strike 15th-Dragon Breath 18th-Improved Natural Attack (whatever, probably claws) I do have to admit, however, that I'm slightly appalled. With a +8 to strength you ended up with an 18. Why toss a 10 in there? There's nothing wrong with the hit-and-run Monk who hits hard. :D I did notice you let the dexterity slide a little bit. That natural armor will help some. For Monk bonus feats I'd suggest Improved Grapple IF you up your strength. Otherwise take that Stunning Fist. I generally prefer Combat Reflexes to Deflect Arrows. If you do take the tail, you might consider Improved Trip just for kicks.
waverlyt 04-22-06, 10:31 AM	...what's your other half? Human? ...you could try... 1st-Dragon Wings, Dragon Tail 3rd-Rapid Strike 6th-Improved Dragon Wings 9th-Flyby Attack 12th-Improved Rapid Strike 15th-Dragon Breath 18th-Improved Natural Attack (whatever, probably claws) I do have to admit, however, that I'm slightly appalled. With a +8 to strength you ended up with an 18. Why toss a 10 in there? There's nothing wrong with the hit-and-run Monk who hits hard. :D Thanks for the reply! :D Some answers for you: Yes, my other half is human: Felix, Male Human Mnk1 As for the 18 strength, I have to admit that's a bit metagamey. Rolled stats were 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 18. I figured, for a monk, WIS would get the 18 since the +8 to STR would balance the STR out in the end. However, I see the point you're making. I guess my thoughts were that the bonus to AC would be more important in the early levels where I'd be squishy-er than a higher bonus to STR since I'd be getting a large number of attacks anyway. And lastly - if I were to forego the wings, what feats would take their place for levels 1, 6, and 9?
Surreal 04-22-06, 12:52 PM	Would being a half-fang dragon increase your damage dice by one step?
waverlyt 04-22-06, 03:22 PM	Would being a half-fang dragon increase your damage dice by one step? I don't have any of my books on me atm, so I'm not sure. However, I'd prefer to stick with the radiant dragon.
waverlyt 04-22-06, 03:41 PM	1st-Dragon Wings, Dragon Tail 3rd-Rapid Strike 6th-Improved Dragon Wings 9th-Flyby Attack 12th-Improved Rapid Strike 15th-Dragon Breath 18th-Improved Natural Attack (whatever, probably claws) Also, Rapidstrike has a prerequisite of +10 BAB, which I don't have by 3rd level. Does someone have the wording of the Dragon Tail feat available? Again, I don't have RotD on me. EDIT: So far I'm thinking: 1st: Dragon Tail, Dodge (Human), Stunning Fist (Monk) 2nd: Combat Reflexes (Monk) 3rd: Power Attack 6th: Dragon Breath, Improved Trip (Monk) 9th: Improved Natural Attack (Unarmed Strike) 12th: Flying Kick 15th: Tail Sweep Knockdown 18th:
Nerf_Samurai 04-22-06, 06:14 PM	1. No, half-fangs don't get the damage increase, but thier "breath weapon" is useable more often. 2. The draconomicon has more than a few feats useable by a half-dragon, like Improved Speed, Endure Blows, and Multiattack(unfortunately, no metabreath feats for half-dragons). 3. also, check in CW for feats to improve your monkly powers.
waverlyt 04-22-06, 10:06 PM	1. No, half-fangs don't get the damage increase, but thier "breath weapon" is useable more often. And so is every other half-dragon's with Dragon Breath from Races of the Dragon! :D 2. The draconomicon has more than a few feats useable by a half-dragon, like Improved Speed, Endure Blows, and Multiattack(unfortunately, no metabreath feats for half-dragons). Again, the feat Dragon Breath makes it so that the time between uses of a half-dragon's breath is measured in rounds; voila - metabreath feats for half-dragons. 3. also, check in CW for feats to improve your monkly powers. Any specific suggestions? Thanks for the response! :D