Monk Feats [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Monk Feats [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Xendria
03-07-08, 02:02 PM im looking for feats to increase a monk's damage at semi low lvl (10th or lower). I didn't know if PC's could take improved natural attack or not considering a monk fighting unarmed. Any ideas?
sakuradm
03-07-08, 02:19 PM First off, a monk doesn't have to JUST fight unarmed, they can use most, if not ALL martial arts weapons. (IE staffs, kunai,shuriken,escrima sticks, katanas, nunchaku, kamas, and such)

There is one feat I keep hearing a lot about on the threads... I'm not sure what it's called.... I'll post it when I find it.

Power attack,Improved unarmed strike
toucanbuzz
03-07-08, 02:22 PM I'm only looking at the core rules (and no, monks won't qualify for improved natural attack since they are not attacking with natural attacks).

You can take Power Attack, which trades off your attack bonus for damage.

At 12th level, you may wish to pick up Improved Critical (unarmed), to enhance your crit range and thereby improve your chances at more damage (requires +8 BAB).

Beyond that, core feats don't have a whole lot to actually increase damage. If you don't already have an Amulet of Mighty Fists for your monk, consider investing in one as they are tailored for your unarmed attacks.
Orenmir
03-07-08, 02:23 PM A Monk's unarmed strike is considered one natural weapon. So, they can take Improved Natural Attack. They can also take Superior Unarmed Strike. INA boosts damage by one size category; SUS boosts damage by 5 Monk levels (or is it 4 -- I'm mixing it up with the Monk's Belt).
malignor
03-07-08, 02:25 PM Honestly, Power Attack is your best bet.
You're +4 to hit prone opponents (Improved Trip + 4-point PA).
You're +4 to hit flanked opponents (Flank + 4-point PA).
You're +8 to hit flanked prone opponents (Flank + Trip + 8-point PA).

Also, ask your DM if he'll allow you to take Impr.Nat.Attk. Since it's really a DM call thing.
no-sides-sameeth
03-07-08, 03:48 PM Superior Unarmed Strike from ToB treats you as is your Monk level was 4 levels higher, ie a 10th level Monk would do damage as if she were a 14th level Monk. It is useful until very high levels, at which time I would retrain it. It also has an annoying intereaction when multiclassing, read the feat to see what I mean. But for singleclass Monks it is solid until the very high levels.

I would avoid Power Attack, but my dislike for that feat (unless you are a Raging/Pouncing Charging monstrosity) is conspicuous throughout my posts.

I think there is some disagreement about Improved Natural Attack. I think RAW it is legal for Monks, but that is my opinion.
vardock
03-07-08, 03:58 PM Just look at the suggested feats in PHB2. Improved natural attack is one of them.

you could also take touch of golden ice if your monk is good.
rjsilverthorn
03-07-08, 04:04 PM According to the FAQ at least, INA is legal for monks.

Can a monk take Improved Natural Attack (Monster
Manual, page 304) to improve his unarmed strike?

Yes. As stated on page 41 of the Player’s Handbook, a
monk’s unarmed strike “is treated as both a manufactured
weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and
effects that enhance or improve either” which includes feats
such as Improved Natural Attack.
Barring multiclassing, the earliest a monk could take this
feat would be at 6th level (due to the base attack bonus
prerequisite), at which point her unarmed strike damage would
improve from 1d8 to 2d6 (which represents an average increase
of +2.5 points of damage). The same monk at 20th level would
deal 4d8 points of damage with her unarmed strike.
Orenmir
03-07-08, 04:06 PM you could also take touch of golden ice if your monk is good.

I'm pretty sure that's an exalted feat! So, you need to be a little more than just good aligned.;)
Mindolin
03-07-08, 04:12 PM Superior Unarmed Strike for +4 to Monk levels, Monk's Belt for +5 to Monk levels, Improved Natural Attack for increasing it by one "size" catagory, which DOES work because it specifically says under the Monk's Unarmed Strike that it qualifies as a Natural attack for spells and effects, potions or Drow House Brooches of Enlarge Person, use activated items of Giant Size, and I think that's about it.
Fmu78
03-07-08, 04:58 PM Actually the only prereq for Touch of Golden Ice is Con 13.
rjsilverthorn
03-07-08, 05:16 PM Actually the only prereq for Touch of Golden Ice is Con 13.

The lead in to the feats section does specify that you need DM permission to take any Exalted feats.
The_Shaman
03-07-08, 05:22 PM No, it's an exalted feat. Read the text: all exalted feats require good alignment and DM fiat and can be lost due to alignment reasons.
angryscrub
03-07-08, 08:00 PM weapon focus unarmed strike maybe? more hitting = higher damage. it doesn't matter if your strike damage is 40d4 if you can't actually land a blow.
runestar
03-07-08, 08:12 PM I am pretty sure PA is fairly suboptimal. You get only 1:1 exchange ratio, and the monk is already hampered by 3/4 bab progression. Unlike a fighter who will have excess bab due to the weapon spec tree, the monk hardly has any to spare.

Also, if your DM allows savage species, go for the amulet of natural attacks, rather than the DMG version (which is horribly overpriced since it was priced with the assumption that its wearer had 3 natural weapons). Conversely, the monk has just 1 natural weapon - his entire body, so the amulet of natural attacks will be much cheaper, and you can easily enchant your unarmed strikes with properties like holy cheaply.
blade265
03-07-08, 09:04 PM Axiomatic Strike [General](CWar p96)
Double Steel Strike [General](Eb p52)
Pole Fighting [General](DR331 p28)
Serpent Strike [General](Eb p60)
Sun School [Tactical](CWar p112)
Whirling Steel Strike [General](Eb p62)
Cunning Evasion [General](PH2 p78)
Fiery Fist [General, Fighter](PH2 p79)
Monastic Training [General](Eb p57)
Fiery Ki Defense [General, Fighter](PH2 p79)
Fists of Iron [General](CW p99)
Freezing the life blood [General](CW p99)
pigknight
03-08-08, 12:53 AM Monk's Belt+Bahamut Gauntlet Relic+Superior Unarmed Strike+Enlarge Person+Improved Natural Attack+1 level in monk = crazy unarmed strike damage.
dman11235
03-09-08, 12:16 AM Also: Fist of the Forest, Initiate of Draconic Mysteries, and a large number of other PrCs. Greater Mighty Whallop @high caster levels=larger size damage (doesn't stack with INA). Mostly, your options are PrCs, GMW, GMW (weapon and whallop), SUS (ToB), INA (which can either be made obsolete by GMWhallop or replaced by a Fanged Ring) and items. Check Lists of Stuff for more ideas on increasing unarmed damage. Just FYI, I got 32d8 base with the first two PrCs and GMWha @CL 16. CL 20 if my character was small. Required SUS, Monk's Belt, and Monk's Tattoo.
The_Shaman
03-09-08, 05:29 PM Monk's Belt+Bahamut Gauntlet Relic+Superior Unarmed Strike+Enlarge Person+Improved Natural Attack+1 level in monk = crazy unarmed strike damage.

Oh, fer Chrissake... just take 19 levels of psychic warrior and Tashalatora, would you :) DMan has the bases covered, more or less. BTW, wasn't GMWallop self only?
Sildatorak
03-09-08, 06:49 PM Bracers of striking out of Magic of Faerun are also a decent bet if your DM doesn't approve of the amulet of natural attacks from SS. They will let you enchant your fists as if they were a double weapon. Slightly more cost effective than a amulet of mighty fists, though in a less convenient slot (but easily made up for by having the party wizard cast an extended mage armor on you).
The_Shaman
03-09-08, 07:05 PM They can also hold other enhancement on top of the +x thing. Shock, speed, sweeping... Hey, a monk's unarmed attack can be a sweeping weapon, right?
dman11235
03-09-08, 10:35 PM Possibly, but I haven't looked at it in a while. I just remember insane-ness. If it is self-only, minor set back. I'm sure if you are determined enough, you will get it.
toucanbuzz
03-10-08, 11:06 AM Thanks for finding the FAQ on Monks and Improved Natural Attacks. I'm in a group right now with a monk, and I'm pretty sure he'd enjoy seeing the good news!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Xendria 03-07-08, 02:02 PM	im looking for feats to increase a monk's damage at semi low lvl (10th or lower). I didn't know if PC's could take improved natural attack or not considering a monk fighting unarmed. Any ideas?
sakuradm 03-07-08, 02:19 PM	First off, a monk doesn't have to JUST fight unarmed, they can use most, if not ALL martial arts weapons. (IE staffs, kunai,shuriken,escrima sticks, katanas, nunchaku, kamas, and such) There is one feat I keep hearing a lot about on the threads... I'm not sure what it's called.... I'll post it when I find it. Power attack,Improved unarmed strike
toucanbuzz 03-07-08, 02:22 PM	I'm only looking at the core rules (and no, monks won't qualify for improved natural attack since they are not attacking with natural attacks). You can take Power Attack, which trades off your attack bonus for damage. At 12th level, you may wish to pick up Improved Critical (unarmed), to enhance your crit range and thereby improve your chances at more damage (requires +8 BAB). Beyond that, core feats don't have a whole lot to actually increase damage. If you don't already have an Amulet of Mighty Fists for your monk, consider investing in one as they are tailored for your unarmed attacks.
Orenmir 03-07-08, 02:23 PM	A Monk's unarmed strike is considered one natural weapon. So, they can take Improved Natural Attack. They can also take Superior Unarmed Strike. INA boosts damage by one size category; SUS boosts damage by 5 Monk levels (or is it 4 -- I'm mixing it up with the Monk's Belt).
malignor 03-07-08, 02:25 PM	Honestly, Power Attack is your best bet. You're +4 to hit prone opponents (Improved Trip + 4-point PA). You're +4 to hit flanked opponents (Flank + 4-point PA). You're +8 to hit flanked prone opponents (Flank + Trip + 8-point PA). Also, ask your DM if he'll allow you to take Impr.Nat.Attk. Since it's really a DM call thing.
no-sides-sameeth 03-07-08, 03:48 PM	Superior Unarmed Strike from ToB treats you as is your Monk level was 4 levels higher, ie a 10th level Monk would do damage as if she were a 14th level Monk. It is useful until very high levels, at which time I would retrain it. It also has an annoying intereaction when multiclassing, read the feat to see what I mean. But for singleclass Monks it is solid until the very high levels. I would avoid Power Attack, but my dislike for that feat (unless you are a Raging/Pouncing Charging monstrosity) is conspicuous throughout my posts. I think there is some disagreement about Improved Natural Attack. I think RAW it is legal for Monks, but that is my opinion.
vardock 03-07-08, 03:58 PM	Just look at the suggested feats in PHB2. Improved natural attack is one of them. you could also take touch of golden ice if your monk is good.
rjsilverthorn 03-07-08, 04:04 PM	According to the FAQ at least, INA is legal for monks. Can a monk take Improved Natural Attack (Monster Manual, page 304) to improve his unarmed strike? Yes. As stated on page 41 of the Player’s Handbook, a monk’s unarmed strike “is treated as both a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve either” which includes feats such as Improved Natural Attack. Barring multiclassing, the earliest a monk could take this feat would be at 6th level (due to the base attack bonus prerequisite), at which point her unarmed strike damage would improve from 1d8 to 2d6 (which represents an average increase of +2.5 points of damage). The same monk at 20th level would deal 4d8 points of damage with her unarmed strike.
Orenmir 03-07-08, 04:06 PM	you could also take touch of golden ice if your monk is good. I'm pretty sure that's an exalted feat! So, you need to be a little more than just good aligned.;)
Mindolin 03-07-08, 04:12 PM	Superior Unarmed Strike for +4 to Monk levels, Monk's Belt for +5 to Monk levels, Improved Natural Attack for increasing it by one "size" catagory, which DOES work because it specifically says under the Monk's Unarmed Strike that it qualifies as a Natural attack for spells and effects, potions or Drow House Brooches of Enlarge Person, use activated items of Giant Size, and I think that's about it.
Fmu78 03-07-08, 04:58 PM	Actually the only prereq for Touch of Golden Ice is Con 13.
rjsilverthorn 03-07-08, 05:16 PM	Actually the only prereq for Touch of Golden Ice is Con 13. The lead in to the feats section does specify that you need DM permission to take any Exalted feats.
The_Shaman 03-07-08, 05:22 PM	No, it's an exalted feat. Read the text: all exalted feats require good alignment and DM fiat and can be lost due to alignment reasons.
angryscrub 03-07-08, 08:00 PM	weapon focus unarmed strike maybe? more hitting = higher damage. it doesn't matter if your strike damage is 40d4 if you can't actually land a blow.
runestar 03-07-08, 08:12 PM	I am pretty sure PA is fairly suboptimal. You get only 1:1 exchange ratio, and the monk is already hampered by 3/4 bab progression. Unlike a fighter who will have excess bab due to the weapon spec tree, the monk hardly has any to spare. Also, if your DM allows savage species, go for the amulet of natural attacks, rather than the DMG version (which is horribly overpriced since it was priced with the assumption that its wearer had 3 natural weapons). Conversely, the monk has just 1 natural weapon - his entire body, so the amulet of natural attacks will be much cheaper, and you can easily enchant your unarmed strikes with properties like holy cheaply.
blade265 03-07-08, 09:04 PM	Axiomatic Strike [General](CWar p96) Double Steel Strike [General](Eb p52) Pole Fighting [General](DR331 p28) Serpent Strike [General](Eb p60) Sun School [Tactical](CWar p112) Whirling Steel Strike [General](Eb p62) Cunning Evasion [General](PH2 p78) Fiery Fist [General, Fighter](PH2 p79) Monastic Training [General](Eb p57) Fiery Ki Defense [General, Fighter](PH2 p79) Fists of Iron [General](CW p99) Freezing the life blood [General](CW p99)
pigknight 03-08-08, 12:53 AM	Monk's Belt+Bahamut Gauntlet Relic+Superior Unarmed Strike+Enlarge Person+Improved Natural Attack+1 level in monk = crazy unarmed strike damage.
dman11235 03-09-08, 12:16 AM	Also: Fist of the Forest, Initiate of Draconic Mysteries, and a large number of other PrCs. Greater Mighty Whallop @high caster levels=larger size damage (doesn't stack with INA). Mostly, your options are PrCs, GMW, GMW (weapon and whallop), SUS (ToB), INA (which can either be made obsolete by GMWhallop or replaced by a Fanged Ring) and items. Check Lists of Stuff for more ideas on increasing unarmed damage. Just FYI, I got 32d8 base with the first two PrCs and GMWha @CL 16. CL 20 if my character was small. Required SUS, Monk's Belt, and Monk's Tattoo.
The_Shaman 03-09-08, 05:29 PM	Monk's Belt+Bahamut Gauntlet Relic+Superior Unarmed Strike+Enlarge Person+Improved Natural Attack+1 level in monk = crazy unarmed strike damage. Oh, fer Chrissake... just take 19 levels of psychic warrior and Tashalatora, would you :) DMan has the bases covered, more or less. BTW, wasn't GMWallop self only?
Sildatorak 03-09-08, 06:49 PM	Bracers of striking out of Magic of Faerun are also a decent bet if your DM doesn't approve of the amulet of natural attacks from SS. They will let you enchant your fists as if they were a double weapon. Slightly more cost effective than a amulet of mighty fists, though in a less convenient slot (but easily made up for by having the party wizard cast an extended mage armor on you).
The_Shaman 03-09-08, 07:05 PM	They can also hold other enhancement on top of the +x thing. Shock, speed, sweeping... Hey, a monk's unarmed attack can be a sweeping weapon, right?
dman11235 03-09-08, 10:35 PM	Possibly, but I haven't looked at it in a while. I just remember insane-ness. If it is self-only, minor set back. I'm sure if you are determined enough, you will get it.
toucanbuzz 03-10-08, 11:06 AM	Thanks for finding the FAQ on Monks and Improved Natural Attacks. I'm in a group right now with a monk, and I'm pretty sure he'd enjoy seeing the good news!