Variant Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Variant Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Laiqualasse
06-01-04, 11:41 AM One of my players wanted to try out a different style of monk, who had the same abilities as far as mobility and unarmored fighting style, but fought with regular melee weapons rather than monk weapons or simply unarmed (His inspiration for this was actually the new Prince of Persia game for those who have played it). However, I'm having a little trouble figuring out how to balance it. . .

Here's what the monk would lose:
1. Flurry of blows ability
2. Unarmed bonus damage
3. All Ki strikes
4. Quivering Palm

But I'm having a bit of trouble . . . okay a lot of trouble trying to determine what the monk should get back. A progression of bonus feats maybe? I'm really not sure. If anyone could help me out with this, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
SykeXero
06-01-04, 11:53 AM How about proficiency in a few more weapons such as rapier, scimitar and falchion? I think those fit into the Prince of Persia theme.

Seeing as all the abilities that you listed are offensive in nature I think the bonuses should be offensive as well.

One posibility is to try and mesh the monk and rogue classes together.
Laiqualasse
06-01-04, 06:48 PM Hmm, good call on the proficiencies . . . So perhaps give the new monk a choice of some martial weapon proficiencies, and bump the BAB up to full? What do you think?
Cathon
06-01-04, 07:49 PM The Prince seems more like a swashbuckler than a monk. I would probably suggest that class to the character, and if he took the dervish PrC he could use the scimitar as a light weapon.

Using core classes, a rogue going to duellist would seem the best fit. Though he could also go with Ranger or Fighter on a two-weapon fighting track. If he wants some of the acrobatic moves, you could create some feats to duplicate those. I don't have any of the books with the tomb raider or acrobat types, so I don't know how appropriate those would be.
Mad Miso
06-09-04, 08:52 PM While Rogue-based characters work too, the monk makes a fine agile warrior.

The Eberrron Campaign Setting Book has a number of Monk feats that allow the use of various weapons to flurry, including the longsword, longspear, and two-bladed sword. Pre-reqs are simple--weapon proff, and weapon focus.

So in other words, if you're wondering what using martial weapons is worth to a monk, apparently very-little. Just have him spend a feat. ;)

If you're trying to alter the flavor of the class, it gets a little trickier. There is an issue of Dragon with several monk variations that mix and match class abilities, so it makes a good guideline. The easiest substitution is to simply allow the ki damage reduction to work with normal weapons instead of unarmed strikes, and if you want, cap the unarmed damage at a d10 or so(a good swashbuckler should still be capable unarmed).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Laiqualasse 06-01-04, 11:41 AM	One of my players wanted to try out a different style of monk, who had the same abilities as far as mobility and unarmored fighting style, but fought with regular melee weapons rather than monk weapons or simply unarmed (His inspiration for this was actually the new Prince of Persia game for those who have played it). However, I'm having a little trouble figuring out how to balance it. . . Here's what the monk would lose: 1. Flurry of blows ability 2. Unarmed bonus damage 3. All Ki strikes 4. Quivering Palm But I'm having a bit of trouble . . . okay a lot of trouble trying to determine what the monk should get back. A progression of bonus feats maybe? I'm really not sure. If anyone could help me out with this, it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
SykeXero 06-01-04, 11:53 AM	How about proficiency in a few more weapons such as rapier, scimitar and falchion? I think those fit into the Prince of Persia theme. Seeing as all the abilities that you listed are offensive in nature I think the bonuses should be offensive as well. One posibility is to try and mesh the monk and rogue classes together.
Laiqualasse 06-01-04, 06:48 PM	Hmm, good call on the proficiencies . . . So perhaps give the new monk a choice of some martial weapon proficiencies, and bump the BAB up to full? What do you think?
Cathon 06-01-04, 07:49 PM	The Prince seems more like a swashbuckler than a monk. I would probably suggest that class to the character, and if he took the dervish PrC he could use the scimitar as a light weapon. Using core classes, a rogue going to duellist would seem the best fit. Though he could also go with Ranger or Fighter on a two-weapon fighting track. If he wants some of the acrobatic moves, you could create some feats to duplicate those. I don't have any of the books with the tomb raider or acrobat types, so I don't know how appropriate those would be.
Mad Miso 06-09-04, 08:52 PM	While Rogue-based characters work too, the monk makes a fine agile warrior. The Eberrron Campaign Setting Book has a number of Monk feats that allow the use of various weapons to flurry, including the longsword, longspear, and two-bladed sword. Pre-reqs are simple--weapon proff, and weapon focus. So in other words, if you're wondering what using martial weapons is worth to a monk, apparently very-little. Just have him spend a feat. ;) If you're trying to alter the flavor of the class, it gets a little trickier. There is an issue of Dragon with several monk variations that mix and match class abilities, so it makes a good guideline. The easiest substitution is to simply allow the ki damage reduction to work with normal weapons instead of unarmed strikes, and if you want, cap the unarmed damage at a d10 or so(a good swashbuckler should still be capable unarmed).