Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 aidan_blackthorn Nov 06, 2009 1:35:25	In the recent podcast we learned three things: 1)The Ki focus will be an actual physical object. 2) Monks will use the ki focus (something which I suggested when the assassin came out0 3) There might be future classes from other power sources such as arcane and divine that use the ki focus.
#2 anubis_reynard Nov 06, 2009 2:52:34	"Ki isn't a powersource, it's a method of using a powersource" So can we expect a martial class with Ki Focus as an implement? :D A weaponmaster who can use any weapon... "One of the developement ideas for the assassin was being the first "dual powersorce" class, Martial/Arcane" So, if they're thinking about Dual Powersource classses already, I expect we know what's going to be filling out PH 4, 5 and 6, alongside Shadow and Elemental...
#3 Axiomatic_Badger Nov 06, 2009 6:18:29	Oh please let the Psionic Defender use this. Pleeeeeaase
#4 Dragon9 Nov 06, 2009 6:21:16	I'm not surprised at #1 since the devs had already stated that.  #2 makes sense since it was, originally, a Ki power class.  I wonder if their statement on #3 might be other Ki classes that were moved to other power sources?
#5 JohnLynch Nov 06, 2009 7:48:19	"Ki isn't a powersource, it's a method of using a powersource" So can we expect a martial class with Ki Focus as an implement? :D Monks should so much have been a martial class. I can't help but wonder if it isn't purely for marketing reasons (throwing Monk into D&D Insider would not have been a popular move. Especially as the first class to get this treatment. As such it had to be in a PHB and they may simply have lacked enough ideas to put in a second martial class in PHB3).
#6 LordArchaon Nov 06, 2009 7:54:29	It's sad that it's going to be a physical item. Really sad.
#7 LordArchaon Nov 06, 2009 7:58:23	"Ki isn't a powersource, it's a method of using a powersource" So can we expect a martial class with Ki Focus as an implement? :D A weaponmaster who can use any weapon... "One of the developement ideas for the assassin was being the first "dual powersorce" class, Martial/Arcane" So, if they're thinking about Dual Powersource classses already, I expect we know what's going to be filling out PH 4, 5 and 6, alongside Shadow and Elemental... I really wouldn't count on martials wth Ki Focus: they're not mystical enough, I'd say. Maybe through feats. Maybe a MC feat for Monk will simply give you Ki Focus, so "you want a martial monk??" get a rogue and stick a monk feat to it. About dueal power source classes, I had one in mind since 4e's beginning, now I just HAVE to do it (before the devs make it first).
#8 Dragoncat Nov 06, 2009 13:59:47	It's sad that it's going to be a physical item. Really sad. Actually, since they've already statted up things like Divine Boons and Grandmaster Training in the DMG2, it's quite possible that a handful of Ki Foci could take the form of intangible effects....learning the kata of Master Fu on the Mountain of Time, ritually scarring your skin in certain mandela patterns, or just learning a certain secret of enlightenment.  It's a long shot, but still possible.
#9 Marandahir Nov 06, 2009 14:15:57	They thought about Dual Power Sources, but I hope they avoid it, outside of PPaths and EDests.  Classes shouldn't get into that, I feel, or else every Weapon-damage using power class would be dual Martial.    We don't want to get back into Rangers who cast on the side.  That was silly, but it was a concept that they ran with, and developed into really cool elements, like the Whirling Barbarian and the Vengeful Seeker, who act like Rangers, but are more primal in their power.
#10 ZanderKreegan Nov 06, 2009 14:22:18	Dual powersource is silly on several levels. For example: Let's say I want a caster who has mastered nature in all forms, from the fey charm to the primal storm. I could take an arcane/primal class, or I could just run with not being stupid and become a Wizad|Druid. It really blurs the lines between powersources that are already strained. People wonder exactly how Elemental is going to sufficiently distinguish itself from Arcane, and classes that mix power sources really screw even more with this. The power sources are more "flavor" anyways; just classify it one way or another.
#11 anubis_reynard Nov 06, 2009 16:23:24	I really wouldn't count on martials wth Ki Focus: they're not mystical enough, I'd say. Maybe through feats. Maybe a MC feat for Monk will simply give you Ki Focus, so "you want a martial monk??" get a rogue and stick a monk feat to it. About dueal power source classes, I had one in mind since 4e's beginning, now I just HAVE to do it (before the devs make it first). I didn't say anything about a martial monk... :p But a weaponmaster who is proficent with every weapon, who can project an aura of menace that can make minions have a heart attack, perhaps even able to utilize the properties of weapons other than the one he's currently holding...
#12 Dragon9 Nov 06, 2009 21:44:42	It's sad that it's going to be a physical item. Really sad. Nah, it makes sense.  At least what the devs previously discussed makes sense.  It's an item such a manual or a scroll with a "technique."  By studying it (equipping it) you are able to do certain things with your Ki Focus.  Now whether they stuck with that theme or not we won't know until the article comes out.
#13 Janx_14 Nov 06, 2009 21:55:47	The non-physical implement opened up a bad can of worms for the monk, and would do so for the assassin, its why they both use the physical Ki Focus now.   For the monk it made it so that you couldn't get enchantments above your level unless you got them in town, and you would possibly be forever indebted to the party's ritual caster if you had one, even more so if the DM doesn't let there be 'magic shops' in town. There were many, many threads on how this was an issue.   For the assassin, if it wasn't physical, its usefullness would be likewise limited, because odds are your primary weapon would always have a higher enhancement bonus, unless you only relied on the focus, then your in the same boat as the monk.
#14 Tharag_Bocc Nov 06, 2009 23:43:23	The non-physical implement opened up a bad can of worms for the monk, and would do so for the assassin, its why they both use the physical Ki Focus now.  For the monk it made it so that you couldn't get enchantments above your level unless you got them in town, and you would possibly be forever indebted to the party's ritual caster if you had one, even more so if the DM doesn't let there be 'magic shops' in town. There were many, many threads on how this was an issue. Adventurer's Vault introduced guidelines on how the DM could empower PC equipment instead of dropping treasure.  DMG2 has similar concepts in the form boons and training, which function like magic items, but are distinctly non-physical.  Further more, these concepts are far from complex or revolutionary, and the important aspects could have been included in no more than half a page of text in PH3 (likely as part of the introductory paragraphs defining magic ki-focus in the items chapter.
#15 JohnLynch Nov 07, 2009 0:12:44	The non-physical implement opened up a bad can of worms for the monk, and would do so for the assassin, its why they both use the physical Ki Focus now. Tharag Brocc already addresses this. If the DM refuses to allow any work arounds, and still allows you to play a Monk, you have more issues then lacking a physical implement.