Advice in Constructing Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice in Constructing Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Derlwyn
03-05-04, 05:57 PM I've just started playing a monk recently and am looking for some advice on his potential progression.

I was thinking of either making him incrediblyhard to hit by taking the multitude of Defense and AC raising feats (Deflect Arrows, Snatch Arrows, Dodge, Mobility, etc.) or taking the more attack oriented route (Improved Init., Stunning Fits, Fists of Iron, etc.).

His origins allow him to either go any route so I'm not really looking for progression based on roleplaying, though I fully understand that these feats will come into play when roleplaying.

I just want to hear some opinions anyone has...so have at it!
PhaedrusXY
03-05-04, 06:13 PM Here man, go check out THIS (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48573) thread.
Derlwyn
03-05-04, 11:56 PM Yes, I've looked at that, but I was hoping for a little more of a discussion. I've read that a few times, and it's got some great ideas, but I'm more interested in what other people would do and their reasons for doing so.
PhaedrusXY
03-06-04, 01:43 AM Then if you want advice on how to make a good monk from a game mechanics point of view, I'd advise you to post on that board. You said you are basically not worried about roleplaying limitations, as you can basically incorporate anything into your character's background easily. That sounds like the perfect thing to post on the Character Optimization board.

You could probably get help coming up with a build that is good defensively as well as offensively on there. I would look at the archtypes mean_liar has laid out in that thread, and see which ones appeal to you. Then post a thread on there asking for help, and telling what books are available, what attribute generation method you'll be using, and whether you play with 3.0 or 3.5 rules. Any house rules your DM uses that would affect the build would be needed also.
Gingerbread Guy
03-06-04, 06:24 AM Hiho,

There are currently two monk concepts that I'm waiting to try - coincidentally, one is offensive while the other is defensive.

The defensive monk is essentially a pacifist. He avoids killing when possible, and choses to deal non-lethal damage. His feats are along the Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, route. For his Monk bonus feats, he has Stunning Fist and Deflect Arrows. Very frustrating to hit him!

The offensive monk is a Dwarven wrestler. I'm going with Improved Grapple, and will thus be helping the Rogue get a lot of free sneak attacks. lol Other feats include Clever Wrestling, Earth's Embrace [from Complete Warrior], and.. there was another, but I can't recall. lol

~Ginger
Derlwyn
03-06-04, 10:01 PM I think I'm going to go for an offensive monk. I've taken stunning fist, improved initiative, and extra stunning. My DM and I have decided on playing a hybrid monk, based on Szatany's Ultimate monk and other traits that we agreed on. (I'm starting at lvl. 4)

I plan to take Fists of Iron and Expert Tactian on my next available feats too. What other great offensive feats should I be thinking about??
SmiloDan
03-08-04, 10:41 AM I'm a big fan of Power Attack and Cleave. Combat Reflexes is really good for a monk. You stun a foe, he drops his weapon, he picks it up, and you AoO. Repeat. Also, you get Improved Trip or Improved Disarm at 6th level, and those actions also provoke AoOs when the foe either gets up or picks up his weapon.
Derlwyn
03-08-04, 03:11 PM Yes, I planned to take Improved Trip a little further down the road. Because I'm not playing the PHB Monk (see Szatany's Ultimate Monk in the Classes forum) I don't get Improved Trip without first taking Combat Expertise. Though, I haven't asked my DM about that directly yet, maybe I could persuade him...hmmm yes.

Is power attack really that effective for a monk? I'm not sure, Im away from my sources and I can't really remember what power attack does. I do remember looking at it and putting it under the maybe column fo my feats. Would it be worthwhile...especially at later levels?
Derlwyn
03-08-04, 11:49 PM Bizump!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Derlwyn 03-05-04, 05:57 PM	I've just started playing a monk recently and am looking for some advice on his potential progression. I was thinking of either making him incrediblyhard to hit by taking the multitude of Defense and AC raising feats (Deflect Arrows, Snatch Arrows, Dodge, Mobility, etc.) or taking the more attack oriented route (Improved Init., Stunning Fits, Fists of Iron, etc.). His origins allow him to either go any route so I'm not really looking for progression based on roleplaying, though I fully understand that these feats will come into play when roleplaying. I just want to hear some opinions anyone has...so have at it!
PhaedrusXY 03-05-04, 06:13 PM	Here man, go check out THIS (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48573) thread.
Derlwyn 03-05-04, 11:56 PM	Yes, I've looked at that, but I was hoping for a little more of a discussion. I've read that a few times, and it's got some great ideas, but I'm more interested in what other people would do and their reasons for doing so.
PhaedrusXY 03-06-04, 01:43 AM	Then if you want advice on how to make a good monk from a game mechanics point of view, I'd advise you to post on that board. You said you are basically not worried about roleplaying limitations, as you can basically incorporate anything into your character's background easily. That sounds like the perfect thing to post on the Character Optimization board. You could probably get help coming up with a build that is good defensively as well as offensively on there. I would look at the archtypes mean_liar has laid out in that thread, and see which ones appeal to you. Then post a thread on there asking for help, and telling what books are available, what attribute generation method you'll be using, and whether you play with 3.0 or 3.5 rules. Any house rules your DM uses that would affect the build would be needed also.
Gingerbread Guy 03-06-04, 06:24 AM	Hiho, There are currently two monk concepts that I'm waiting to try - coincidentally, one is offensive while the other is defensive. The defensive monk is essentially a pacifist. He avoids killing when possible, and choses to deal non-lethal damage. His feats are along the Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, route. For his Monk bonus feats, he has Stunning Fist and Deflect Arrows. Very frustrating to hit him! The offensive monk is a Dwarven wrestler. I'm going with Improved Grapple, and will thus be helping the Rogue get a lot of free sneak attacks. lol Other feats include Clever Wrestling, Earth's Embrace [from Complete Warrior], and.. there was another, but I can't recall. lol ~Ginger
Derlwyn 03-06-04, 10:01 PM	I think I'm going to go for an offensive monk. I've taken stunning fist, improved initiative, and extra stunning. My DM and I have decided on playing a hybrid monk, based on Szatany's Ultimate monk and other traits that we agreed on. (I'm starting at lvl. 4) I plan to take Fists of Iron and Expert Tactian on my next available feats too. What other great offensive feats should I be thinking about??
SmiloDan 03-08-04, 10:41 AM	I'm a big fan of Power Attack and Cleave. Combat Reflexes is really good for a monk. You stun a foe, he drops his weapon, he picks it up, and you AoO. Repeat. Also, you get Improved Trip or Improved Disarm at 6th level, and those actions also provoke AoOs when the foe either gets up or picks up his weapon.
Derlwyn 03-08-04, 03:11 PM	Yes, I planned to take Improved Trip a little further down the road. Because I'm not playing the PHB Monk (see Szatany's Ultimate Monk in the Classes forum) I don't get Improved Trip without first taking Combat Expertise. Though, I haven't asked my DM about that directly yet, maybe I could persuade him...hmmm yes. Is power attack really that effective for a monk? I'm not sure, Im away from my sources and I can't really remember what power attack does. I do remember looking at it and putting it under the maybe column fo my feats. Would it be worthwhile...especially at later levels?
Derlwyn 03-08-04, 11:49 PM	Bizump!