Race for a monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Race for a monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Traike
03-14-07, 05:19 PM I was wondering what a good race for a monk is.
Crimson_Concerto
03-14-07, 05:24 PM Hrm...

Human is always good for everything, so make sure you at least consider it.

Half-Orc isn't bad, I suppose. I mean, Monks don't really care about INT or CHA, and Monks are also pretty MAD, so any attribute boost to somethign you care about is great.

Dwarves are okay. It's just a shame that they get the slow movement since you don't plan on wearing armor anyways. Either way, Stability will help out in melee, and you do still get a CON bonus with only a hit to CHA.

On the flip side, if you're going Weapon Finesse and don't care about damage, then Gnomes and Halflings may not be bad ideas. You even get an AC boost from size, which is good.

If you don't mind high ECLs, I've always though Centaurs make pretty awesome Monks. :D
Traike
03-14-07, 05:38 PM well those are good but i was thinking more of something that gives a lot of dex bonus.
I think theres a cat like race in a book...
JarionSilverblades
03-14-07, 05:40 PM I was wondering what a good race for a monk is.

Halflings. Here's why.
Positive: With their +2 Dex and Small size, they already get a +2 to AC, halflings gain a +1 with thrown weapons and slings, which covers some of the monk's weapons ( dagger, javelin, sai, shuriken, and sling). As for the halfling's speed of 20ft, the monk's speed bonus takes care of that by level 3.
Negative: The only real disadvantage is the halfling's small size, it means they deal less damage with weapons and unarmed strike and are weak grapplers, but they do gain a +1 attack bonus because of their small size
WinterPsionic
03-14-07, 05:41 PM well those are good but i was thinking more of something that gives a lot of dex bonus.
I think theres a cat like race in a book...

Catfolk, LA +1, Races of the Wild I believe. Not really "alot" of Dex but I guess it's a rather relative term.
Kadasbrass
03-14-07, 07:22 PM Well catfolk do have +4 Dex and +1 Natural Armor. But would stick to a LA 0 race personally. Human is decent, at least your not getting a penalty to a score that monks will need a decent score in.
AZNsupermarket
03-14-07, 11:58 PM bonus to dex? (not that important to monks IMHO)

Umm wood elves from the monster manual - the only LA +0 race with a bonus to str and dex.
Return of the Flumph
03-15-07, 12:02 AM Elves get automatic proficiency with longsword and longbow, and a bonus to dex. That's right, your monk can use a longsword.
enygmatic_me
03-15-07, 12:22 AM Stongheart halfling. Swap the bonus to saves (which monks really don't need) for a bonus feat.
thorofasgard13
03-15-07, 03:11 AM Githzerai have a dex bonus of +6 and +2 wisdom plus their favored class is monk. but they do have a level adjustment of +2.
crimsonwolf
03-15-07, 03:18 AM but also get +4 to armor and get gate leve spells :D
Qube
03-15-07, 04:20 AM Githzerai have a dex bonus of +6 and +2 wisdom plus their favored class is monk. but they do have a level adjustment of +2.
you forgot that the MM githzerai has continous mage armor :D
Forgember
03-15-07, 08:07 AM Dwarves! Especially if your looking into Drunken Master.
Zumarai
03-15-07, 08:43 AM 18th level thri-kreen monk (2 monstrous humanoid HD) with Greater Multi-Weapon Fighting and a 10 Str:

Full Attack: Flurry of blows +13/+13/+13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and bite +10

15 attacks per round.

Note: You can make off-hand and natural attacks in addition to a flurry.
Finfreeze
03-15-07, 09:01 AM Water orc. As the normal orc, but with a swim speed, +2 constitution (making its mods +4 str, +2 con, -2 int/wis/cha), and minor water/fire modifiers. It's a very nice package, all things considered.
Platstud
03-15-07, 09:35 AM Goblin!!! I'm playing a goblin Ninja right now and it sure is sweet. All the benefits of being small, but no speed penalty! :P

Being serious for a second, it's really not a terrible race for Monk, but hardly the best.
Zumarai
03-15-07, 09:40 AM Ill-tempered Anthropomorphic Hedgehog!

…Or an Anthropomorphic Chicken (Cluck Fu?).
Tusalu
03-15-07, 09:43 AM Gitzerai, hafling, elf, dwarf
JarionSilverblades
03-15-07, 10:07 AM bonus to dex? (not that important to monks IMHO)

Umm wood elves from the monster manual - the only LA +0 race with a bonus to str and dex.

When did Wood elves get a bonus to Dex to? I thought the +2 Str, -2 Int, replaced the +2 Dex, -2 Con.
Zumarai
03-15-07, 11:23 AM When did Wood elves get a bonus to Dex to? I thought the +2 Str, -2 Int, replaced the +2 Dex, -2 Con.

Those are in addition to the normal elven bonuses.
enygmatic_me
03-15-07, 12:53 PM 18th level thri-kreen monk (2 monstrous humanoid HD) with Greater Multi-Weapon Fighting and a 10 Str:

Full Attack: Flurry of blows +13/+13/+13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and bite +10

15 attacks per round.

Note: You can make off-hand and natural attacks in addition to a flurry.

You'd actually need Multi-Attack, not Multi-weapon Fighting. Aside from that it is another great choice.

OP, If you are going into Drunken Master (or any PrC that doesn't advance Unarmed Damage Fully) you may want to pick up Superior Unarmed Fighting to offset some of the Unarmed Damage Loss.
fullmetal80110
03-15-07, 05:43 PM OMG

Nobody has suggested spikers?!?!?! Spikers have the thing that count for spiked armor (+1d6 Damage) and get a bonus to ac (Natural armor) and a dr/2 bludgeoning if I remember right.
Perseus_Stoned
03-15-07, 05:54 PM If you want a "semi-normal" character, be a human or halfling (with racial substitution levels, their skirmish ability is great in conjunction with everything else they get)- otherwise any sort of monster combination would be great.
The_Shaman
03-15-07, 06:17 PM Githzerai have 2 versions, I would recommend the psionic one (XPH). The mage armor is not continuous, but afaik it's auto-augmentable with your character level and can end up as a tremendous AC boost. The other powers are also quite nice. All in all a very solid monk race after the initial weakness from the LA... I think you can do quite well with it.
Adam Smite
03-15-07, 06:38 PM You'd actually need Multi-Attack, not Multi-weapon Fighting. Aside from that it is another great choice.

Pretty sure you're wrong there. He may want Multi-Attack so he can use his bite at lower penalties, but he'll need Multi-weapon Fighting to get more than one attack out of each limb. Monk Unarmed counts as a Weapon, the claws count as Natural weapons, but he's just bapping them anyways, not bothering for the rip and tear.
Danvac
03-15-07, 09:39 PM Buomann. It's their favored class.
darth_borehd
03-15-07, 11:37 PM Githzerai have favored class of monk too. I would reccommend them.

My second choice would be half-oge (savage species). Their great strength and 10' natural reach make for good monks.
AZNsupermarket
03-15-07, 11:43 PM Buomann. It's their favored class.

Dragonborn Buomann are better because RAW they lose their vow of silence. You can find Dragonborn in Races of the Dragon.
enygmatic_me
03-16-07, 12:30 AM Pretty sure you're wrong there. He may want Multi-Attack so he can use his bite at lower penalties, but he'll need Multi-weapon Fighting to get more than one attack out of each limb. Monk Unarmed counts as a Weapon, the claws count as Natural weapons, but he's just bapping them anyways, not bothering for the rip and tear.

It seems you are correct. After looking at both of them (and their improvements) as a Monk with Multiple Limbs I would grab them all. Can't complain about a bunch of secondary attacks without no penalties.
Lord_Zanhorn
04-08-07, 06:23 PM Poison dusk gets +2 dex and +2 con its small size and a movement of 30ft. its in mmIII
AMGriffin
04-08-07, 07:21 PM Humans are naturally good at everything.

Dwarves, despite being slower then most medium races do have a CON bonus, and the stability bonus is useful.

If you're gonna use an elf, I'd say use a wild elf. They don't get a strength bonus like Wood elves, but don't have a CON penalty, and monks don't have especially high HP.

Also, I'd consider the half-ogre. They have a dexterity penalty...but they are large sized, and have pretty good strength and natural armor for their LA (+2)
malivain
04-08-07, 09:10 PM I would highly recommend looking into giving your character the Feral template as a monk. Fast healing, Pounce (with flurry of blows and natural claws can be really good), improved grab, rake, +4 Str/+2 Wis (nice despite the minus'), Natural Armor... All this for only a +1 LA. Makes monks crazy in my opinion.
concerro
04-09-07, 01:22 AM If you are playing eberron, or you have a laid back DM you should try a warforged monk
Phalo
04-17-07, 01:44 AM seems everyone is forgetting half giants you start with you unarmed attack one size category larger 1d8. you get -2 to dex but a +2 to str and con and are naturally psionic which means you can take psionic feats i suggest psionic fist that 2d6 one one attack so at first level you can do 1d8 + 2d6 + strmod = (3-20) + strmod

all this can be yours for the low price of ECL +1
Screams_of_the_Oak
04-17-07, 03:24 PM seems everyone is forgetting half giants you start with you unarmed attack one size category larger 1d8. you get -2 to dex but a +2 to str and con and are naturally psionic which means you can take psionic feats i suggest psionic fist that 2d6 one one attack so at first level you can do 1d8 + 2d6 + strmod = (3-20) + strmod

all this can be yours for the low price of ECL +1

Indeed, half-giants make great monks. You can use large size to make a great unarmed strike, all the while keeping your AC relatively high. Grappling bonuses, psionic abilities like a free stomp, and the immunity to charm and dominate aside, you get a nice bonus to strength for free. Make sure you get a nice WIS bonus, keep that dex above a 13, and you've got an awesome monk build.
The_Shaman
04-18-07, 05:04 PM Speaking of that, I think Duergar monks might be just as good. Immunity to poisons isn't that good, but nifty if you're going to multiclass. Augmentable expansion is practically the ultimate monk buff, and invisibility isn't bad either. The dwarven stability, on the other hand, is nice for tripping.
zook1shoe666
04-18-07, 05:27 PM the Dvanti (+1 LA) from the Dragon Compendium vol. 1 has two bodies... so therefore you get x2 grapple attempts and/or flurries per round. VoP gets scariER since you then don't have to buy x2 items.

half-ogres get some UBER grapple bonuses.

thanx for the Dragonborn Buomman idea..... nice.
Steely_Dan
04-19-07, 03:36 AM the Dvanti (+1 LA) from the Dragon Compendium vol. 1 has two bodies... so therefore you get x2 grapple attempts and/or flurries per round.

The Dvati share a Full Attack between them, they do not each get a Full Attack.

They can both take a move action in a round, but only one of them can take a standard action in a round.

It would be outrageous if it were otherwise for a LA +1 race.
edventure
04-19-07, 12:52 PM In the d20 Blackmoor setting there is a race called Beastman.

It gets +8 str, +2 dex, +4 con, -2 chr, and its extra long arms give it an unarmed 10' reach at medium size. Only a +2 LA.
zook1shoe666
04-22-07, 12:39 AM The Dvati share a Full Attack between them, they do not each get a Full Attack.

They can both take a move action in a round, but only one of them can take a standard action in a round.

It would be outrageous if it were otherwise for a LA +1 race.

no.... that is only when casting a spell, one gets the leftover actions, as i recall.
Nghtpunisher
04-22-07, 12:41 AM look into a HUMAN WAREBEAR my friend made one i never saw a better race hands down take 2 lvls psionics

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Traike 03-14-07, 05:19 PM	I was wondering what a good race for a monk is.
Crimson_Concerto 03-14-07, 05:24 PM	Hrm... Human is always good for everything, so make sure you at least consider it. Half-Orc isn't bad, I suppose. I mean, Monks don't really care about INT or CHA, and Monks are also pretty MAD, so any attribute boost to somethign you care about is great. Dwarves are okay. It's just a shame that they get the slow movement since you don't plan on wearing armor anyways. Either way, Stability will help out in melee, and you do still get a CON bonus with only a hit to CHA. On the flip side, if you're going Weapon Finesse and don't care about damage, then Gnomes and Halflings may not be bad ideas. You even get an AC boost from size, which is good. If you don't mind high ECLs, I've always though Centaurs make pretty awesome Monks. :D
Traike 03-14-07, 05:38 PM	well those are good but i was thinking more of something that gives a lot of dex bonus. I think theres a cat like race in a book...
JarionSilverblades 03-14-07, 05:40 PM	I was wondering what a good race for a monk is. Halflings. Here's why. Positive: With their +2 Dex and Small size, they already get a +2 to AC, halflings gain a +1 with thrown weapons and slings, which covers some of the monk's weapons ( dagger, javelin, sai, shuriken, and sling). As for the halfling's speed of 20ft, the monk's speed bonus takes care of that by level 3. Negative: The only real disadvantage is the halfling's small size, it means they deal less damage with weapons and unarmed strike and are weak grapplers, but they do gain a +1 attack bonus because of their small size
WinterPsionic 03-14-07, 05:41 PM	well those are good but i was thinking more of something that gives a lot of dex bonus. I think theres a cat like race in a book... Catfolk, LA +1, Races of the Wild I believe. Not really "alot" of Dex but I guess it's a rather relative term.
Kadasbrass 03-14-07, 07:22 PM	Well catfolk do have +4 Dex and +1 Natural Armor. But would stick to a LA 0 race personally. Human is decent, at least your not getting a penalty to a score that monks will need a decent score in.
AZNsupermarket 03-14-07, 11:58 PM	bonus to dex? (not that important to monks IMHO) Umm wood elves from the monster manual - the only LA +0 race with a bonus to str and dex.
Return of the Flumph 03-15-07, 12:02 AM	Elves get automatic proficiency with longsword and longbow, and a bonus to dex. That's right, your monk can use a longsword.
enygmatic_me 03-15-07, 12:22 AM	Stongheart halfling. Swap the bonus to saves (which monks really don't need) for a bonus feat.
thorofasgard13 03-15-07, 03:11 AM	Githzerai have a dex bonus of +6 and +2 wisdom plus their favored class is monk. but they do have a level adjustment of +2.
crimsonwolf 03-15-07, 03:18 AM	but also get +4 to armor and get gate leve spells :D
Qube 03-15-07, 04:20 AM	Githzerai have a dex bonus of +6 and +2 wisdom plus their favored class is monk. but they do have a level adjustment of +2. you forgot that the MM githzerai has continous mage armor :D
Forgember 03-15-07, 08:07 AM	Dwarves! Especially if your looking into Drunken Master.
Zumarai 03-15-07, 08:43 AM	18th level thri-kreen monk (2 monstrous humanoid HD) with Greater Multi-Weapon Fighting and a 10 Str: Full Attack: Flurry of blows +13/+13/+13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and bite +10 15 attacks per round. Note: You can make off-hand and natural attacks in addition to a flurry.
Finfreeze 03-15-07, 09:01 AM	Water orc. As the normal orc, but with a swim speed, +2 constitution (making its mods +4 str, +2 con, -2 int/wis/cha), and minor water/fire modifiers. It's a very nice package, all things considered.
Platstud 03-15-07, 09:35 AM	Goblin!!! I'm playing a goblin Ninja right now and it sure is sweet. All the benefits of being small, but no speed penalty! :P Being serious for a second, it's really not a terrible race for Monk, but hardly the best.
Zumarai 03-15-07, 09:40 AM	Ill-tempered Anthropomorphic Hedgehog! …Or an Anthropomorphic Chicken (Cluck Fu?).
Tusalu 03-15-07, 09:43 AM	Gitzerai, hafling, elf, dwarf
JarionSilverblades 03-15-07, 10:07 AM	bonus to dex? (not that important to monks IMHO) Umm wood elves from the monster manual - the only LA +0 race with a bonus to str and dex. When did Wood elves get a bonus to Dex to? I thought the +2 Str, -2 Int, replaced the +2 Dex, -2 Con.
Zumarai 03-15-07, 11:23 AM	When did Wood elves get a bonus to Dex to? I thought the +2 Str, -2 Int, replaced the +2 Dex, -2 Con. Those are in addition to the normal elven bonuses.
enygmatic_me 03-15-07, 12:53 PM	18th level thri-kreen monk (2 monstrous humanoid HD) with Greater Multi-Weapon Fighting and a 10 Str: Full Attack: Flurry of blows +13/+13/+13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 and bite +10 15 attacks per round. Note: You can make off-hand and natural attacks in addition to a flurry. You'd actually need Multi-Attack, not Multi-weapon Fighting. Aside from that it is another great choice. OP, If you are going into Drunken Master (or any PrC that doesn't advance Unarmed Damage Fully) you may want to pick up Superior Unarmed Fighting to offset some of the Unarmed Damage Loss.
fullmetal80110 03-15-07, 05:43 PM	OMG Nobody has suggested spikers?!?!?! Spikers have the thing that count for spiked armor (+1d6 Damage) and get a bonus to ac (Natural armor) and a dr/2 bludgeoning if I remember right.
Perseus_Stoned 03-15-07, 05:54 PM	If you want a "semi-normal" character, be a human or halfling (with racial substitution levels, their skirmish ability is great in conjunction with everything else they get)- otherwise any sort of monster combination would be great.
The_Shaman 03-15-07, 06:17 PM	Githzerai have 2 versions, I would recommend the psionic one (XPH). The mage armor is not continuous, but afaik it's auto-augmentable with your character level and can end up as a tremendous AC boost. The other powers are also quite nice. All in all a very solid monk race after the initial weakness from the LA... I think you can do quite well with it.
Adam Smite 03-15-07, 06:38 PM	You'd actually need Multi-Attack, not Multi-weapon Fighting. Aside from that it is another great choice. Pretty sure you're wrong there. He may want Multi-Attack so he can use his bite at lower penalties, but he'll need Multi-weapon Fighting to get more than one attack out of each limb. Monk Unarmed counts as a Weapon, the claws count as Natural weapons, but he's just bapping them anyways, not bothering for the rip and tear.
Danvac 03-15-07, 09:39 PM	Buomann. It's their favored class.
darth_borehd 03-15-07, 11:37 PM	Githzerai have favored class of monk too. I would reccommend them. My second choice would be half-oge (savage species). Their great strength and 10' natural reach make for good monks.
AZNsupermarket 03-15-07, 11:43 PM	Buomann. It's their favored class. Dragonborn Buomann are better because RAW they lose their vow of silence. You can find Dragonborn in Races of the Dragon.
enygmatic_me 03-16-07, 12:30 AM	Pretty sure you're wrong there. He may want Multi-Attack so he can use his bite at lower penalties, but he'll need Multi-weapon Fighting to get more than one attack out of each limb. Monk Unarmed counts as a Weapon, the claws count as Natural weapons, but he's just bapping them anyways, not bothering for the rip and tear. It seems you are correct. After looking at both of them (and their improvements) as a Monk with Multiple Limbs I would grab them all. Can't complain about a bunch of secondary attacks without no penalties.
Lord_Zanhorn 04-08-07, 06:23 PM	Poison dusk gets +2 dex and +2 con its small size and a movement of 30ft. its in mmIII
AMGriffin 04-08-07, 07:21 PM	Humans are naturally good at everything. Dwarves, despite being slower then most medium races do have a CON bonus, and the stability bonus is useful. If you're gonna use an elf, I'd say use a wild elf. They don't get a strength bonus like Wood elves, but don't have a CON penalty, and monks don't have especially high HP. Also, I'd consider the half-ogre. They have a dexterity penalty...but they are large sized, and have pretty good strength and natural armor for their LA (+2)
malivain 04-08-07, 09:10 PM	I would highly recommend looking into giving your character the Feral template as a monk. Fast healing, Pounce (with flurry of blows and natural claws can be really good), improved grab, rake, +4 Str/+2 Wis (nice despite the minus'), Natural Armor... All this for only a +1 LA. Makes monks crazy in my opinion.
concerro 04-09-07, 01:22 AM	If you are playing eberron, or you have a laid back DM you should try a warforged monk
Phalo 04-17-07, 01:44 AM	seems everyone is forgetting half giants you start with you unarmed attack one size category larger 1d8. you get -2 to dex but a +2 to str and con and are naturally psionic which means you can take psionic feats i suggest psionic fist that 2d6 one one attack so at first level you can do 1d8 + 2d6 + strmod = (3-20) + strmod all this can be yours for the low price of ECL +1
Screams_of_the_Oak 04-17-07, 03:24 PM	seems everyone is forgetting half giants you start with you unarmed attack one size category larger 1d8. you get -2 to dex but a +2 to str and con and are naturally psionic which means you can take psionic feats i suggest psionic fist that 2d6 one one attack so at first level you can do 1d8 + 2d6 + strmod = (3-20) + strmod all this can be yours for the low price of ECL +1 Indeed, half-giants make great monks. You can use large size to make a great unarmed strike, all the while keeping your AC relatively high. Grappling bonuses, psionic abilities like a free stomp, and the immunity to charm and dominate aside, you get a nice bonus to strength for free. Make sure you get a nice WIS bonus, keep that dex above a 13, and you've got an awesome monk build.
The_Shaman 04-18-07, 05:04 PM	Speaking of that, I think Duergar monks might be just as good. Immunity to poisons isn't that good, but nifty if you're going to multiclass. Augmentable expansion is practically the ultimate monk buff, and invisibility isn't bad either. The dwarven stability, on the other hand, is nice for tripping.
zook1shoe666 04-18-07, 05:27 PM	the Dvanti (+1 LA) from the Dragon Compendium vol. 1 has two bodies... so therefore you get x2 grapple attempts and/or flurries per round. VoP gets scariER since you then don't have to buy x2 items. half-ogres get some UBER grapple bonuses. thanx for the Dragonborn Buomman idea..... nice.
Steely_Dan 04-19-07, 03:36 AM	the Dvanti (+1 LA) from the Dragon Compendium vol. 1 has two bodies... so therefore you get x2 grapple attempts and/or flurries per round. The Dvati share a Full Attack between them, they do not each get a Full Attack. They can both take a move action in a round, but only one of them can take a standard action in a round. It would be outrageous if it were otherwise for a LA +1 race.
edventure 04-19-07, 12:52 PM	In the d20 Blackmoor setting there is a race called Beastman. It gets +8 str, +2 dex, +4 con, -2 chr, and its extra long arms give it an unarmed 10' reach at medium size. Only a +2 LA.
zook1shoe666 04-22-07, 12:39 AM	The Dvati share a Full Attack between them, they do not each get a Full Attack. They can both take a move action in a round, but only one of them can take a standard action in a round. It would be outrageous if it were otherwise for a LA +1 race. no.... that is only when casting a spell, one gets the leftover actions, as i recall.
Nghtpunisher 04-22-07, 12:41 AM	look into a HUMAN WAREBEAR my friend made one i never saw a better race hands down take 2 lvls psionics