[Monk Archetype] Way of the Demon Arts

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#1

WanderingBard

Mar 23, 2015 12:36:53

This is a archetype i'm thinking of running by my DM when I switch off with him. This is mostly for the character I'm working on currently but I think it can be applied to evil monk monasteries as well. I.E Scarlet Brotherhood in the PHB (p81)

The concept centers around a more destructive and primal type of martial art, rather than the traditional controlled type of monk archetypes.

Way of the Demon Arts

"When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."

 

Monks of the demon arts practice long forbidden techniques that have them wrestle with the primal nature of ones body. In exchange for superhuman strength and beast-like reflexes, they trade their sanity and control over their most primal emotions. They value strength of self over any philosophical drivel, and strive to perfect ones destructive potential through the use of dark ki.

 

Demon Fist Technique

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can use 2 ki point to add your wisdom modifier on top of your dex modifier to your attack's damage roll for one attack, when you do this you can choose to knock an enemy back 10ft if they fail a strength save, however on a miss the enemy you attacked is granted an advantage on their attack rolls against you for one turn.

Primal Reflexes

Starting at 6th level you tap into your primal instincts and become able to punish missed attacks whenever you take the Patient Defense as an action on your turn. If an enemy misses an attack against you, you may choose to use your reaction against the target to retaliate. You can also enhance this attack,  with your wisdom modifier, and knockback potential following the ki usage outlined in the Demon Fist Technique.

Demonic Body

At 11th level, when reduced to 0 hp, roll a DC Con save of 10, increasing by 5 per success. IF you succeed you return back to 1 hp. You can utilize your ki to increase your roll modifier, i.e 1 Ki increases the roll count by 1. Furthermore you can use 5 ki points to temporarily gain resistance to all non-magical physical damage. When you use this feature you unconciously exude in a 20ft radius an terrifying aura, that requires everyone within it to become frightened of you if they fail a Wisdom saving throw. Futhermore for an hour after you use this feature, you gain a disadvantage on all persuasian checks but advantages on all intimidation checks.

Demon Ki Threshold

At 17th level you may expend 6 ki points to acheive a state of pure fighting spirit, For 1 minute you gain unlimited amount of ki points and your speed doubles, you gain 1 additional action, and advantage on all constitution saving throws. You must make a wisdom saving throw of 8+(2 per round). If you fail or remain in this state until time runs out, you are knocked unconcious and must make death saving throws. If you leave the state before this, you are hit by a wave of lethargy and cannot move or take actions until after your next turn.

The ki costs are loosely based on what I saw for the other monk archetypes. I tried to create a cost vs benefit spectrum for this class, as in raw power output but high ki cost and some drawbacks. I'm sure there is a lot of room for modification, and some strong parts, I suspect the 17th level and the 3rd level features are a bit strong, but im just assuming that I'm biased and made it stronger.

I want the theme to be raw power created by tapping into the dark primal ki within. So explosive power with drawbacks to the body when used to the extreme.

Any critique will be great. I want this to be relatively balanced, and in line with other classes.