The Six Secret Styles of Ro-Anin [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Six Secret Styles of Ro-Anin [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Yeliv
08-15-07, 11:45 PM ((These are feats designed for Monks and Monks alone. I'm not sure why I decided to make these, I don't play a Monk, nor do I really even know much about them. I just wanted to make something for flavor and style. Maybe they're useful, maybe not. Enjoy. ))

The First Aspect: Crane Stance- The Crane Stance is the first and foremost of Ro-Anin's teachings. They allow the user to become a standing pillar of focus and physical force. Masters of this feat have been able to, in prime conditions, shatter a wall with a single kick.
Requirements: Monk Level 3
Benefits: If the Monk does not move this round he gains a bonus of +2 to both attack bonus and damage for every 3 Monk levels he has. Each round he remains in this stance without attacking deals him damage equal to the bonus he gets to attack.

The Guiding Strike: Hebi Strike- The Hebi (Snake) Strike allows the Monk to disable his enemy's ability to flee him, and allows him to unleash the full power of the Crane Stance.
Requirements: Monk Level 6, Crane Stance
Benefits: Once per two Monk levels, per day, the Monk can declare, before he rolls his attack roll, to make the attack a Hebi Strike. If the attack lands the enemy crumples to the ground, prone and stunned for 2 rounds. However he cannot be coup-de-grace'd. The target must roll a DC 17 Fortitude save or be affected.

The Following Attack: Saru Blow- After his foe is downed with the Hebi, the clever Monk unleashes the lethal Saru Blow, which has the potential to crush skulls of weaker foes.
Requirements: Monk Level 9, Crane Stance, Hebi Strike
Benefits: The Monk raises his foot and slams it down, full-forced, on the prone opponent. He deals extra damage equal to his Monk level/d6. If the target makes a DC 15 Fortitude save, despite being stunned, he takes half damage.

The Second Aspect: The Raven Stance- While it is called a stance, the Second Aspect is very rarely characterized by standing still. The Monk channels his chi all through his body to surround himself with a black haze, focusing the majority of his power in his legs, speeding up his movement.
Requirements: Monk Level 12, Crane Stance
Benefits: If the Monk chooses to take a full-round action he can move a total of 6 times his maximum movement speed. He does not provoke attacks of opportunity during this time, but cannot make attacks of opportunity himself.

Secret Style: Tiger's Blitz- This ability must be activated before the Raven Stance. It allows the user to strike as he flashes past his foes, possibly dealing dazing blows.
Requirements: Monk Level 15, Raven Stance
Benefits: If the Monk passes by a foe while he has used the Raven Stance's effect he can make an attack roll using his lowest attack bonus. If the strike hits he deals damage as if he had used a full attack action on the target. This does not interrupt the move of the Raven Stance.

Final Style: Ryu Flying Attack- The Monk learns Ro-Anin's final secret, the infamous Dragon Flying Attack.
Requirements: Monk Level 18, Tiger's Blitz, Toughness, Iron Will
Benefits: At the very end of the Monk's turn, if he has moved the maximum distance and has hit at least one foe with the Tiger's Blitz, he can unleash the Ryu Flying Attack. Taking all his gathered momentum and focused chi he picks a single target that can be no farther than 10 feet away. He makes attacks as if he made a full-attack. Any hits are counted as lethal. The target must make a DC 25 Fortitude save or die instantly. The Monk receives damage equal to the target's HD d10. This damage cannot kill the Monk, but reduces him to one damage at the minimum.

((What do you guys think?))
tarkin
08-16-07, 11:19 AM First, you routinely refer to Monk level X. I would trade out those words and replace them with the monk ability you gain at that level. For example Monk Level 15 should be replaced with "Quivering Plam ability".

Second, some of the feats are more like two or three feats.

For example, feats rarely if ever grant a bonus that improves with your level. You are instead supposed to take another feat to do that. Class/Prestige class abilities go up with level. Feats that improve with levels are significantly more powerfull than existing feats.

Third, you are I believe trying to duplicate powers shown in a video game.

Note what I said above about Prestige Classes. You don't create a Paladin by making up some new feats for a Fighter to take.

If you wish to duplicate a game character's ability you pretty much HAVE to make it a Prestige Class, not merely done with feats. They are too powerfull for a mere feat to duplicate.

Nevertheless, below I have stated out what I believe reasonable feats would look like that are at least similar to what you desire.

The First Aspect: Crane Stance-
Even a +4 bonus to attack and damage is HUGE, particularly for a monk whose main disadvantage is low BAB as compared to fighter types.

At a simple +2, to attack and damage, this feat is better than Weapon Focus. With only applying if they don't move, and taking damage if they don't attack, this would be a fair feat without the per level increase.

The Guiding Strike: Hebi Strike-
This is basically an improved version of the stunning fist. It should hve stunning blow as a pre-req and also count as a stunning blow strike.

In addition one feat should upgrade it once not twice. I.E. one feat to make them prone when you stun, another feat to make the stun last two rounds. This is two feats, a Hebi Strike Prone and a Hebi Strike Double.

Once you make those changes, then there is no need to give the artificially low DC 17 you gave. (Which was abusive at early levels and worthless at higher levels)

The Following Attack: Saru Blow-
I assume you meant 1d6/monk level. Also this should clearly be a Full Round Action, doable on any person that is both prone and stunned for any reason (not just using the above feat). I would probably make this feat use another Stunning fist use as well, putting in a reasonable limit.

The Second Aspect: The Raven Stance-
I like this feat a lot. Very well done. You should make it clear that the movement does not have to all be in a straight line.

I would also put in a rule that the monk can only do this if she qualifies for her Wisdom bonus to AC (no wearing armor, no shield, no medium or heavy load.

Secret Style: Tiger's Blitz-

First. I dislike the words "lowest attack bonus". The monk could have levels in fighter, and a monk level 15, fighter level 4 should not have a better attack chance to hit than monk level 15, fighter level 5. Instead replace it with a penalty to hit.

Second, a full attack Attack action is a bad word to use. I would instead replace it with "If he hits at all, then it counts as a critical."

Merely getting ANY attack while moving 6x your normal speed is a pretty impressive ability, and a hit that auto-criticals is more than fair enough for a feat.

For this reason, it should only work on a single target.

Considering that I reduced the damage to only a critical, I think a penalty of -10 to hit is reasonable and fair here.

Final Style: Ryu Flying Attack-
Again, you seem to be making something very similar to an existing Monk ability: Quivering Palm.

I would not even bother to write this one up, no monk would use something that would damage him when he could just do a normal quivering palm and kill the creature.
Yeliv
08-16-07, 08:14 PM Well tarkin, thank you very much for actually reviewing my work PEACH'ing well. I think you are quite well versed in these matters, and I will heed your words well. Ok, let's begin!

The First Aspect: Crane Stance- ((as tarkin suggested)) This is the foundation of Ro-Anin's teaching, a stance that turns the monk into a pillar of strength.
Requirements: Still Mind
Benefits: If the Monk does not move this round he gains a bonus of +2 to both attack bonus and damage. The feat only applies if they don't move, and the Monk takes damage if they don't attack, this would be a fair feat without the per level increase.

The Guiding Strike: Hebi Strike- ((completely reworked)) Mastery of the Monk's chi begins here as he is able to increase his strength levels..
Requirements: Purity of Body
Benefits: Once per day the Monk can amplify his body's power, gaining a +4 bonus to Strength for two rounds. After the strength wears off he takes a total of 2 damage per monk level.

The Following Attack:Saru Blow- ((again, changed)) Once the Monk has strengthened himself with the Hebi Strike he can do a powerful strike against his target's kidney, winding them.
Requirements: Wholeness of Body
Benefits: Before the Monk makes an attack roll he must declare to use this ability if he desires, it can be done once per day. If he lands the attack, the target is treated as winded for 3 rounds.

The Second Aspect: Raven Stance- Small change, I like it the way it is, but to clear it up, the user does not need to move in a straight line, ((thank you tarkin)).

Secret Style: Tiger's Blitz- ((Reworked)) If the Monk is under the affect of the Raven Stance and moves behind a target he can unleash a ravaging attack.
Requirements: Improved Evasion
Benefits: If the Monk forgoes the remainder of his movement and stops behind a foe he can make a single attack at his highest attack bonus that counts as a critical, he cannot roll another critical. This can be used once per day.

Final Style: Ryu's Flying Attack- The User of the final style can unleash a hit that can throw a foe far away from the Monk, giving him room to breathe.
Requirements: Diamond Soul
Benefits: If the Monk is under the affect of the Raven Stance he can fire a single kick that, if it hits, sends the target flying back 1d6x5 feet. They go half the distance if they make a DC 19 Fortitude save.

((How about that? Improved?))
HuManBing
08-18-07, 08:05 AM Well tarkin, thank you very much for actually reviewing my work PEACH'ing well.

Hear hear. Again it proves what a trove of knowledge Tarkin can be, once you get past his gruff exterior :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Yeliv 08-15-07, 11:45 PM	((These are feats designed for Monks and Monks alone. I'm not sure why I decided to make these, I don't play a Monk, nor do I really even know much about them. I just wanted to make something for flavor and style. Maybe they're useful, maybe not. Enjoy. )) The First Aspect: Crane Stance- The Crane Stance is the first and foremost of Ro-Anin's teachings. They allow the user to become a standing pillar of focus and physical force. Masters of this feat have been able to, in prime conditions, shatter a wall with a single kick. Requirements: Monk Level 3 Benefits: If the Monk does not move this round he gains a bonus of +2 to both attack bonus and damage for every 3 Monk levels he has. Each round he remains in this stance without attacking deals him damage equal to the bonus he gets to attack. The Guiding Strike: Hebi Strike- The Hebi (Snake) Strike allows the Monk to disable his enemy's ability to flee him, and allows him to unleash the full power of the Crane Stance. Requirements: Monk Level 6, Crane Stance Benefits: Once per two Monk levels, per day, the Monk can declare, before he rolls his attack roll, to make the attack a Hebi Strike. If the attack lands the enemy crumples to the ground, prone and stunned for 2 rounds. However he cannot be coup-de-grace'd. The target must roll a DC 17 Fortitude save or be affected. The Following Attack: Saru Blow- After his foe is downed with the Hebi, the clever Monk unleashes the lethal Saru Blow, which has the potential to crush skulls of weaker foes. Requirements: Monk Level 9, Crane Stance, Hebi Strike Benefits: The Monk raises his foot and slams it down, full-forced, on the prone opponent. He deals extra damage equal to his Monk level/d6. If the target makes a DC 15 Fortitude save, despite being stunned, he takes half damage. The Second Aspect: The Raven Stance- While it is called a stance, the Second Aspect is very rarely characterized by standing still. The Monk channels his chi all through his body to surround himself with a black haze, focusing the majority of his power in his legs, speeding up his movement. Requirements: Monk Level 12, Crane Stance Benefits: If the Monk chooses to take a full-round action he can move a total of 6 times his maximum movement speed. He does not provoke attacks of opportunity during this time, but cannot make attacks of opportunity himself. Secret Style: Tiger's Blitz- This ability must be activated before the Raven Stance. It allows the user to strike as he flashes past his foes, possibly dealing dazing blows. Requirements: Monk Level 15, Raven Stance Benefits: If the Monk passes by a foe while he has used the Raven Stance's effect he can make an attack roll using his lowest attack bonus. If the strike hits he deals damage as if he had used a full attack action on the target. This does not interrupt the move of the Raven Stance. Final Style: Ryu Flying Attack- The Monk learns Ro-Anin's final secret, the infamous Dragon Flying Attack. Requirements: Monk Level 18, Tiger's Blitz, Toughness, Iron Will Benefits: At the very end of the Monk's turn, if he has moved the maximum distance and has hit at least one foe with the Tiger's Blitz, he can unleash the Ryu Flying Attack. Taking all his gathered momentum and focused chi he picks a single target that can be no farther than 10 feet away. He makes attacks as if he made a full-attack. Any hits are counted as lethal. The target must make a DC 25 Fortitude save or die instantly. The Monk receives damage equal to the target's HD d10. This damage cannot kill the Monk, but reduces him to one damage at the minimum. ((What do you guys think?))
tarkin 08-16-07, 11:19 AM	First, you routinely refer to Monk level X. I would trade out those words and replace them with the monk ability you gain at that level. For example Monk Level 15 should be replaced with "Quivering Plam ability". Second, some of the feats are more like two or three feats. For example, feats rarely if ever grant a bonus that improves with your level. You are instead supposed to take another feat to do that. Class/Prestige class abilities go up with level. Feats that improve with levels are significantly more powerfull than existing feats. Third, you are I believe trying to duplicate powers shown in a video game. Note what I said above about Prestige Classes. You don't create a Paladin by making up some new feats for a Fighter to take. If you wish to duplicate a game character's ability you pretty much HAVE to make it a Prestige Class, not merely done with feats. They are too powerfull for a mere feat to duplicate. Nevertheless, below I have stated out what I believe reasonable feats would look like that are at least similar to what you desire. The First Aspect: Crane Stance- Even a +4 bonus to attack and damage is HUGE, particularly for a monk whose main disadvantage is low BAB as compared to fighter types. At a simple +2, to attack and damage, this feat is better than Weapon Focus. With only applying if they don't move, and taking damage if they don't attack, this would be a fair feat without the per level increase. The Guiding Strike: Hebi Strike- This is basically an improved version of the stunning fist. It should hve stunning blow as a pre-req and also count as a stunning blow strike. In addition one feat should upgrade it once not twice. I.E. one feat to make them prone when you stun, another feat to make the stun last two rounds. This is two feats, a Hebi Strike Prone and a Hebi Strike Double. Once you make those changes, then there is no need to give the artificially low DC 17 you gave. (Which was abusive at early levels and worthless at higher levels) The Following Attack: Saru Blow- I assume you meant 1d6/monk level. Also this should clearly be a Full Round Action, doable on any person that is both prone and stunned for any reason (not just using the above feat). I would probably make this feat use another Stunning fist use as well, putting in a reasonable limit. The Second Aspect: The Raven Stance- I like this feat a lot. Very well done. You should make it clear that the movement does not have to all be in a straight line. I would also put in a rule that the monk can only do this if she qualifies for her Wisdom bonus to AC (no wearing armor, no shield, no medium or heavy load. Secret Style: Tiger's Blitz- First. I dislike the words "lowest attack bonus". The monk could have levels in fighter, and a monk level 15, fighter level 4 should not have a better attack chance to hit than monk level 15, fighter level 5. Instead replace it with a penalty to hit. Second, a full attack Attack action is a bad word to use. I would instead replace it with "If he hits at all, then it counts as a critical." Merely getting ANY attack while moving 6x your normal speed is a pretty impressive ability, and a hit that auto-criticals is more than fair enough for a feat. For this reason, it should only work on a single target. Considering that I reduced the damage to only a critical, I think a penalty of -10 to hit is reasonable and fair here. Final Style: Ryu Flying Attack- Again, you seem to be making something very similar to an existing Monk ability: Quivering Palm. I would not even bother to write this one up, no monk would use something that would damage him when he could just do a normal quivering palm and kill the creature.
Yeliv 08-16-07, 08:14 PM	Well tarkin, thank you very much for actually reviewing my work PEACH'ing well. I think you are quite well versed in these matters, and I will heed your words well. Ok, let's begin! The First Aspect: Crane Stance- ((as tarkin suggested)) This is the foundation of Ro-Anin's teaching, a stance that turns the monk into a pillar of strength. Requirements: Still Mind Benefits: If the Monk does not move this round he gains a bonus of +2 to both attack bonus and damage. The feat only applies if they don't move, and the Monk takes damage if they don't attack, this would be a fair feat without the per level increase. The Guiding Strike: Hebi Strike- ((completely reworked)) Mastery of the Monk's chi begins here as he is able to increase his strength levels.. Requirements: Purity of Body Benefits: Once per day the Monk can amplify his body's power, gaining a +4 bonus to Strength for two rounds. After the strength wears off he takes a total of 2 damage per monk level. The Following Attack:Saru Blow- ((again, changed)) Once the Monk has strengthened himself with the Hebi Strike he can do a powerful strike against his target's kidney, winding them. Requirements: Wholeness of Body Benefits: Before the Monk makes an attack roll he must declare to use this ability if he desires, it can be done once per day. If he lands the attack, the target is treated as winded for 3 rounds. The Second Aspect: Raven Stance- Small change, I like it the way it is, but to clear it up, the user does not need to move in a straight line, ((thank you tarkin)). Secret Style: Tiger's Blitz- ((Reworked)) If the Monk is under the affect of the Raven Stance and moves behind a target he can unleash a ravaging attack. Requirements: Improved Evasion Benefits: If the Monk forgoes the remainder of his movement and stops behind a foe he can make a single attack at his highest attack bonus that counts as a critical, he cannot roll another critical. This can be used once per day. Final Style: Ryu's Flying Attack- The User of the final style can unleash a hit that can throw a foe far away from the Monk, giving him room to breathe. Requirements: Diamond Soul Benefits: If the Monk is under the affect of the Raven Stance he can fire a single kick that, if it hits, sends the target flying back 1d6x5 feet. They go half the distance if they make a DC 19 Fortitude save. ((How about that? Improved?))
HuManBing 08-18-07, 08:05 AM	Well tarkin, thank you very much for actually reviewing my work PEACH'ing well. Hear hear. Again it proves what a trove of knowledge Tarkin can be, once you get past his gruff exterior :)