Building a Fake Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Building a Fake Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
IceFractal
10-31-04, 02:39 AM This idea was inspired by a thread by Snow Savant, a while ago, that was based on stealing all your opponent's stuff while they stood there and watched, simply by having +30 sleight of hand and Skill Mastery. Anyway, from this I got an idea: the fake monk.

This "monk" is actually a rogue. While he refers to himself as a simple wanderer, or an ascetic, or a seeker of the way, and will if asked about it "admit" to knowing some martial arts, the closest he actually gets is Improved Unarmed Strike. He pretends to be a simple mystic who disdains wordly goods, so that he can more easily take stuff without being suspected. And, to add to the irony, he lectures others about "the ills of worldy possessions" while secretly having stolen a fortune. He's not the "chaotic stupid" type of thief though, he's not going to steal his party member's stuff and then taunt them about it, his goal is subtlety.

Some specifics:
Alignment: Neutral. While he claims to be guarding the cosmic balance, he's actually just neutral because he just doesn't care about those alignment squabbles, after all, money is neutral.

Combat Tactics/Feats/Skills: He'll need Improved Unarmed Strike, and will use Sneak Attack to simulate nerve strikes. He'll also be using the "lightning-fast theft" trick, so he'll need at least 10 rogue levels (and will be going Rogue20 unless there's something that would fit better), and a +30 in Sleight of Hand as soon as possible. Bluff, Disguise, and Tumble are also important.

Equipment of Note: Item of Sleigh of Hand, Special Monk's Outfit with a bag of holding type storage space accessible through it, to quickly stow loot away. Possibly scrolls of Modify Memory in case somebody catches him in the act. A Ring of Invisibility would be nice.

Goals:
* Pretend to be a monk
* Steal stuff without getting caught
* Survive in combat (as a "martial artist" he can't stay in the back ranks all the time)

So, as you can see, I don't have many specifics. What's the best way to actually build this character? Are there any items or feats that would fit really well? I'm looking for a build that's at least survivable at any level, and preferably effective the whole way through, as this character probably wouldn't start out at 20th.
PhaedrusXY
10-31-04, 04:26 AM The easiest way to do this is... to take at least one monk level. :D Or get a monk's belt. A few levels of Shou Disciple is always great for monk-like characters that aren't going all-out monk, also. I played a ninja character who passed himself off as either a monk or a rogue for hire, depending on which fit the circumstances better. A bunch of ranks in disguise and bluff helps, also.
Interested2
10-31-04, 08:27 AM Make sure he wears baggy robes. Hide a bracers of armor +8 of heavy fortification under them. Problem solved, you've got armor and it doesn't look like it.
carnivore
10-31-04, 03:12 PM he also could wear +1 mithral breastplate of nimbleness that is glamered....it would apear to be a simple tunic :D
MetalGemini
10-31-04, 03:29 PM Take a few levels of sorcerer and select a touch spell (touch of fatigue, shocking grasp, chill touch, etc) for a "special" monk attack instead of stunning fist. Forget the wizard levels, the spellbook might give you away. (Plus sorcerers kick *ss) Other stuff like shield & disguise self are nice too, even if they aren't exactly monk-ish
Khazra Reborn
10-31-04, 04:10 PM If you have acess to rokugan ninja it may be better, just because of the full BaB. Id also suggest rogue10/ninja of the crescent moon10....a bit of a monk like character.
Archades
10-31-04, 07:49 PM I like the idea of a few arcane spellcaster levels... have you considered arcane trickster at all? sneak attacking with those touch spells would be pretty nice... the spellcasting could just represent a few "tricks you picked up along the way..." though you'd kind of have to hide that too... in which case you might consider taking the spell thematics feat and gearing it toward monk techniques or something.
In any case, it seems like ranged ledgerdemain would be right up your alley (AT ability that lets you pick pockets, open locks, etc... at like 10 feet away. You wouldnt even have to be next to someone to rob them...!)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
IceFractal 10-31-04, 02:39 AM	This idea was inspired by a thread by Snow Savant, a while ago, that was based on stealing all your opponent's stuff while they stood there and watched, simply by having +30 sleight of hand and Skill Mastery. Anyway, from this I got an idea: the fake monk. This "monk" is actually a rogue. While he refers to himself as a simple wanderer, or an ascetic, or a seeker of the way, and will if asked about it "admit" to knowing some martial arts, the closest he actually gets is Improved Unarmed Strike. He pretends to be a simple mystic who disdains wordly goods, so that he can more easily take stuff without being suspected. And, to add to the irony, he lectures others about "the ills of worldy possessions" while secretly having stolen a fortune. He's not the "chaotic stupid" type of thief though, he's not going to steal his party member's stuff and then taunt them about it, his goal is subtlety. Some specifics: Alignment: Neutral. While he claims to be guarding the cosmic balance, he's actually just neutral because he just doesn't care about those alignment squabbles, after all, money is neutral. Combat Tactics/Feats/Skills: He'll need Improved Unarmed Strike, and will use Sneak Attack to simulate nerve strikes. He'll also be using the "lightning-fast theft" trick, so he'll need at least 10 rogue levels (and will be going Rogue20 unless there's something that would fit better), and a +30 in Sleight of Hand as soon as possible. Bluff, Disguise, and Tumble are also important. Equipment of Note: Item of Sleigh of Hand, Special Monk's Outfit with a bag of holding type storage space accessible through it, to quickly stow loot away. Possibly scrolls of Modify Memory in case somebody catches him in the act. A Ring of Invisibility would be nice. Goals: * Pretend to be a monk * Steal stuff without getting caught * Survive in combat (as a "martial artist" he can't stay in the back ranks all the time) So, as you can see, I don't have many specifics. What's the best way to actually build this character? Are there any items or feats that would fit really well? I'm looking for a build that's at least survivable at any level, and preferably effective the whole way through, as this character probably wouldn't start out at 20th.
PhaedrusXY 10-31-04, 04:26 AM	The easiest way to do this is... to take at least one monk level. :D Or get a monk's belt. A few levels of Shou Disciple is always great for monk-like characters that aren't going all-out monk, also. I played a ninja character who passed himself off as either a monk or a rogue for hire, depending on which fit the circumstances better. A bunch of ranks in disguise and bluff helps, also.
Interested2 10-31-04, 08:27 AM	Make sure he wears baggy robes. Hide a bracers of armor +8 of heavy fortification under them. Problem solved, you've got armor and it doesn't look like it.
carnivore 10-31-04, 03:12 PM	he also could wear +1 mithral breastplate of nimbleness that is glamered....it would apear to be a simple tunic :D
MetalGemini 10-31-04, 03:29 PM	Take a few levels of sorcerer and select a touch spell (touch of fatigue, shocking grasp, chill touch, etc) for a "special" monk attack instead of stunning fist. Forget the wizard levels, the spellbook might give you away. (Plus sorcerers kick *ss) Other stuff like shield & disguise self are nice too, even if they aren't exactly monk-ish
Khazra Reborn 10-31-04, 04:10 PM	If you have acess to rokugan ninja it may be better, just because of the full BaB. Id also suggest rogue10/ninja of the crescent moon10....a bit of a monk like character.
Archades 10-31-04, 07:49 PM	I like the idea of a few arcane spellcaster levels... have you considered arcane trickster at all? sneak attacking with those touch spells would be pretty nice... the spellcasting could just represent a few "tricks you picked up along the way..." though you'd kind of have to hide that too... in which case you might consider taking the spell thematics feat and gearing it toward monk techniques or something. In any case, it seems like ranged ledgerdemain would be right up your alley (AT ability that lets you pick pockets, open locks, etc... at like 10 feet away. You wouldnt even have to be next to someone to rob them...!)