DEX bonus for damage feat? [Archive] - Wizards Community

DEX bonus for damage feat? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Geogrere Ziacara
04-24-07, 05:39 PM Is there a feat that lets you use your DEX bonus for damage instead of STR similar in idea to weapon finese?

Thanks
Iarmeister
04-24-07, 05:41 PM Even better: Dex bonus to normal damage modifiers including Str...Shadow Blade feat from ToB.
Slimgauge
04-24-07, 05:42 PM See this thread

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=320889
Geogrere Ziacara
04-24-07, 05:51 PM Even better: Dex bonus to normal damage modifiers including Str...Shadow Blade feat from ToB.

Interesting although my goblin monk only has an 11 STR. What are the requirements?
Iarmeister
04-24-07, 06:01 PM Interesting although my goblin monk only has an 11 STR. What are the requirements?

One shadow hand discipline stance.
Tempest Stormwind
04-24-07, 06:03 PM I must quote this:See this thread

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=320889

You'd think that thread (which lists every known way of adding any stat to any other bonus) would be stickied here, or at least mentioned in the FAQ.
Geogrere Ziacara
04-24-07, 06:14 PM I must quote this:

You'd think that thread (which lists every known way of adding any stat to any other bonus) would be stickied here, or at least mentioned in the FAQ.

Yah, I've been going through it; good resource.
Geogrere Ziacara
04-24-07, 06:19 PM If I don't want to multiclass my monk are there any others feats?
Jandulh
04-24-07, 06:26 PM It would take 2 feats, 1 for the manuever/stance and one for the shadow blade...

I'm not sure what all weapons are on the list for shadow hand, I doubt it's unarmed strike.
Tempest Stormwind
04-24-07, 06:30 PM If I don't want to multiclass my monk are there any others feats?

You don't have to multiclass your monk to get Shadow Blade. It just takes three feats (Martial Study: Shadow Hand, Martial Stance: Shadow Hand, and Shadow Blade) if you're going for Shadow Blade. You need one Shadow Hand maneuver to take Martial Stance, so the Martial Study is needed. Shadow Blade applies whenever you're in a Shadow Hand stance, and applies only to Shadow Hand preferred weapons (which are the dagger, short sword, sai, siangham, spiked chain, and unarmed strike).

Depending on your level, those two earlier feats could give you a significant boost.

You're level 11 which means you're looking for a 12th level feat; at level 12 you have an initiator level of 6, meaning 3rd level maneuvers and stances are open:
For maneuvers, the best for a monk of up to that point tend to be:
Cloak of Deception: Greater Invisibility for your turn.
Drain Vitality: CON damage.
Shadow Jaunt: Small-scale shadow jump.
For stances, there's a few worth considering:
Assassin's Stance: +2d6 Sneak Attack.
Island of Blades: Any foe you and an ally threaten, regardless of the angle, is flanked.
Child of Shadow: 20% concealment as long as you move.
Dance of the Spider: Essentially Spider Climb.

Shadow Hand is the most mystical of all the nine disciplines, with only Desert Wind (the fire damage one) coming close. If it seems supernatural, it is -- the rest of the book isn't.

Incidentally, after Monk 11, there's virtually no reason to stay as a monk. Taking level 12 as your first level of swordsage opens up a ton of options, including all of the above plus more to choose from (your initiator level would still be six, so you can take any maneuver of up to 3rd level you met the prerequisites for). It also comes with Discipline Focus, which at level 1 would give you a free Weapon Focus in all the weapons I noted above, and Quick to Act, which is an initiative boost.

Of note, the swordsage has an unarmed variant (i.e. monk unarmed damage, which doesn't *explicitly* stack with monk levels but probably should since it's the same general ability, similar to turning in clerics/paladins) and is generally more versatile as a monk, while still being able to be built for other roles. It even includes Setting Sun, which is probably the only *good* implementation of a soft martial artist (i.e. trips, throws, reversals -- judo or aikido come to mind) EVER in this edition. Several are even based around fighting larger foes -- a goblin with low Strength can actually trip people based on his speed versus their clumsiness instead of through brute force, which actually, you know, reflects soft martial arts.

If you're playing in Eberron, you even have story reasons: Ever hear of the Shaarat'khesh (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20041213a)? They *are* mentioned in the ECS, if you didn't notice (just not by name; it's easy to overlook them), and the swordsage perfectly fits in with that tradition.
Iarmeister
04-24-07, 06:32 PM If I don't want to multiclass my monk are there any others feats?

Well, if you're talking about not wanting to take a level in a martial adept you have options...

you could spend a feat to take martial study (shadow hand maneuver) and another feat to take martial stance (shadow hand stance), that would certainly set you up for shadow blade feat, possibly by level 3. Remember also that your non-MA levels count as half. I.E. Monk 6 = 3rd level Martial Adept for determining Initiator Levels.

Or, you could look at my PrC, the Budoken. It's here:

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=751039

Cheers.
Geogrere Ziacara
04-24-07, 06:49 PM You don't have to multiclass your monk to get Shadow Blade. It just takes three feats (Martial Study: Shadow Hand, Martial Stance: Shadow Hand, and Shadow Blade) if you're going for Shadow Blade. You need one Shadow Hand maneuver to take Martial Stance, so the Martial Study is needed. Shadow Blade applies whenever you're in a Shadow Hand stance, and applies only to Shadow Hand preferred weapons (which are the dagger, short sword, sai, siangham, spiked chain, and unarmed strike).

Depending on your level, those two earlier feats could give you a significant boost.

You're level 11 which means you're looking for a 12th level feat; at level 12 you have an initiator level of 6, meaning 3rd level maneuvers and stances are open:
For maneuvers, the best for a monk of up to that point tend to be:
Cloak of Deception: Greater Invisibility for your turn.
Drain Vitality: CON damage.
Shadow Jaunt: Small-scale shadow jump.
For stances, there's a few worth considering:
Assassin's Stance: +2d6 Sneak Attack.
Island of Blades: Any foe you and an ally threaten, regardless of the angle, is flanked.
Child of Shadow: 20% concealment as long as you move.
Dance of the Spider: Essentially Spider Climb.

Shadow Hand is the most mystical of all the nine disciplines, with only Desert Wind (the fire damage one) coming close. If it seems supernatural, it is -- the rest of the book isn't.

Incidentally, after Monk 11, there's virtually no reason to stay as a monk. Taking level 12 as your first level of swordsage opens up a ton of options, including all of the above plus more to choose from (your initiator level would still be six, so you can take any maneuver of up to 3rd level you met the prerequisites for). It also comes with Discipline Focus, which at level 1 would give you a free Weapon Focus in all the weapons I noted above, and Quick to Act, which is an initiative boost.

Of note, the swordsage has an unarmed variant (i.e. monk unarmed damage, which doesn't *explicitly* stack with monk levels but probably should since it's the same general ability, similar to turning in clerics/paladins) and is generally more versatile as a monk, while still being able to be built for other roles. It even includes Setting Sun, which is probably the only *good* implementation of a soft martial artist (i.e. trips, throws, reversals -- judo or aikido come to mind) EVER in this edition. Several are even based around fighting larger foes -- a goblin with low Strength can actually trip people based on his speed versus their clumsiness instead of through brute force, which actually, you know, reflects soft martial arts.

If you're playing in Eberron, you even have story reasons: Ever hear of the Shaarat'khesh (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20041213a)? They *are* mentioned in the ECS, if you didn't notice (just not by name; it's easy to overlook them), and the swordsage perfectly fits in with that tradition.

Interesting stuff. I will have to pick up the book and check it out. Thanks everyone for the help.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Geogrere Ziacara 04-24-07, 05:39 PM	Is there a feat that lets you use your DEX bonus for damage instead of STR similar in idea to weapon finese? Thanks
Iarmeister 04-24-07, 05:41 PM	Even better: Dex bonus to normal damage modifiers including Str...Shadow Blade feat from ToB.
Slimgauge 04-24-07, 05:42 PM	See this thread http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=320889
Geogrere Ziacara 04-24-07, 05:51 PM	Even better: Dex bonus to normal damage modifiers including Str...Shadow Blade feat from ToB. Interesting although my goblin monk only has an 11 STR. What are the requirements?
Iarmeister 04-24-07, 06:01 PM	Interesting although my goblin monk only has an 11 STR. What are the requirements? One shadow hand discipline stance.
Tempest Stormwind 04-24-07, 06:03 PM	I must quote this:See this thread http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=320889 You'd think that thread (which lists every known way of adding any stat to any other bonus) would be stickied here, or at least mentioned in the FAQ.
Geogrere Ziacara 04-24-07, 06:14 PM	I must quote this: You'd think that thread (which lists every known way of adding any stat to any other bonus) would be stickied here, or at least mentioned in the FAQ. Yah, I've been going through it; good resource.
Geogrere Ziacara 04-24-07, 06:19 PM	If I don't want to multiclass my monk are there any others feats?
Jandulh 04-24-07, 06:26 PM	It would take 2 feats, 1 for the manuever/stance and one for the shadow blade... I'm not sure what all weapons are on the list for shadow hand, I doubt it's unarmed strike.
Tempest Stormwind 04-24-07, 06:30 PM	If I don't want to multiclass my monk are there any others feats? You don't have to multiclass your monk to get Shadow Blade. It just takes three feats (Martial Study: Shadow Hand, Martial Stance: Shadow Hand, and Shadow Blade) if you're going for Shadow Blade. You need one Shadow Hand maneuver to take Martial Stance, so the Martial Study is needed. Shadow Blade applies whenever you're in a Shadow Hand stance, and applies only to Shadow Hand preferred weapons (which are the dagger, short sword, sai, siangham, spiked chain, and unarmed strike). Depending on your level, those two earlier feats could give you a significant boost. You're level 11 which means you're looking for a 12th level feat; at level 12 you have an initiator level of 6, meaning 3rd level maneuvers and stances are open: For maneuvers, the best for a monk of up to that point tend to be: Cloak of Deception: Greater Invisibility for your turn. Drain Vitality: CON damage. Shadow Jaunt: Small-scale shadow jump. For stances, there's a few worth considering: Assassin's Stance: +2d6 Sneak Attack. Island of Blades: Any foe you and an ally threaten, regardless of the angle, is flanked. Child of Shadow: 20% concealment as long as you move. Dance of the Spider: Essentially Spider Climb. Shadow Hand is the most mystical of all the nine disciplines, with only Desert Wind (the fire damage one) coming close. If it seems supernatural, it is -- the rest of the book isn't. Incidentally, after Monk 11, there's virtually no reason to stay as a monk. Taking level 12 as your first level of swordsage opens up a ton of options, including all of the above plus more to choose from (your initiator level would still be six, so you can take any maneuver of up to 3rd level you met the prerequisites for). It also comes with Discipline Focus, which at level 1 would give you a free Weapon Focus in all the weapons I noted above, and Quick to Act, which is an initiative boost. Of note, the swordsage has an unarmed variant (i.e. monk unarmed damage, which doesn't explicitly stack with monk levels but probably should since it's the same general ability, similar to turning in clerics/paladins) and is generally more versatile as a monk, while still being able to be built for other roles. It even includes Setting Sun, which is probably the only good implementation of a soft martial artist (i.e. trips, throws, reversals -- judo or aikido come to mind) EVER in this edition. Several are even based around fighting larger foes -- a goblin with low Strength can actually trip people based on his speed versus their clumsiness instead of through brute force, which actually, you know, reflects soft martial arts. If you're playing in Eberron, you even have story reasons: Ever hear of the Shaarat'khesh (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20041213a)? They are mentioned in the ECS, if you didn't notice (just not by name; it's easy to overlook them), and the swordsage perfectly fits in with that tradition.
Iarmeister 04-24-07, 06:32 PM	If I don't want to multiclass my monk are there any others feats? Well, if you're talking about not wanting to take a level in a martial adept you have options... you could spend a feat to take martial study (shadow hand maneuver) and another feat to take martial stance (shadow hand stance), that would certainly set you up for shadow blade feat, possibly by level 3. Remember also that your non-MA levels count as half. I.E. Monk 6 = 3rd level Martial Adept for determining Initiator Levels. Or, you could look at my PrC, the Budoken. It's here: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=751039 Cheers.
Geogrere Ziacara 04-24-07, 06:49 PM	You don't have to multiclass your monk to get Shadow Blade. It just takes three feats (Martial Study: Shadow Hand, Martial Stance: Shadow Hand, and Shadow Blade) if you're going for Shadow Blade. You need one Shadow Hand maneuver to take Martial Stance, so the Martial Study is needed. Shadow Blade applies whenever you're in a Shadow Hand stance, and applies only to Shadow Hand preferred weapons (which are the dagger, short sword, sai, siangham, spiked chain, and unarmed strike). Depending on your level, those two earlier feats could give you a significant boost. You're level 11 which means you're looking for a 12th level feat; at level 12 you have an initiator level of 6, meaning 3rd level maneuvers and stances are open: For maneuvers, the best for a monk of up to that point tend to be: Cloak of Deception: Greater Invisibility for your turn. Drain Vitality: CON damage. Shadow Jaunt: Small-scale shadow jump. For stances, there's a few worth considering: Assassin's Stance: +2d6 Sneak Attack. Island of Blades: Any foe you and an ally threaten, regardless of the angle, is flanked. Child of Shadow: 20% concealment as long as you move. Dance of the Spider: Essentially Spider Climb. Shadow Hand is the most mystical of all the nine disciplines, with only Desert Wind (the fire damage one) coming close. If it seems supernatural, it is -- the rest of the book isn't. Incidentally, after Monk 11, there's virtually no reason to stay as a monk. Taking level 12 as your first level of swordsage opens up a ton of options, including all of the above plus more to choose from (your initiator level would still be six, so you can take any maneuver of up to 3rd level you met the prerequisites for). It also comes with Discipline Focus, which at level 1 would give you a free Weapon Focus in all the weapons I noted above, and Quick to Act, which is an initiative boost. Of note, the swordsage has an unarmed variant (i.e. monk unarmed damage, which doesn't explicitly stack with monk levels but probably should since it's the same general ability, similar to turning in clerics/paladins) and is generally more versatile as a monk, while still being able to be built for other roles. It even includes Setting Sun, which is probably the only good implementation of a soft martial artist (i.e. trips, throws, reversals -- judo or aikido come to mind) EVER in this edition. Several are even based around fighting larger foes -- a goblin with low Strength can actually trip people based on his speed versus their clumsiness instead of through brute force, which actually, you know, reflects soft martial arts. If you're playing in Eberron, you even have story reasons: Ever hear of the Shaarat'khesh (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20041213a)? They are mentioned in the ECS, if you didn't notice (just not by name; it's easy to overlook them), and the swordsage perfectly fits in with that tradition. Interesting stuff. I will have to pick up the book and check it out. Thanks everyone for the help.