[Monk] Fisticuff Optimization - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

[Monk] Fisticuff Optimization

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
realmarkp
Feb 11, 2010 23:39:47 I'm curious, could you suggest a progression for a Monk build to maximize unarmed damage? Both race, class, PrC, and feat progression would be nice. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.
#2
bruceleeroy
Feb 12, 2010 3:26:00 Well, i just whipped up a stunning focused build..
Lemme see here.

My group generally only plays at mid levels, so he's specced out to level 12.

Human Raging Monk 4/ Lion Totem Barbarian 2/ Psionic Warrior 3/ Fist of the Forest 3

Whirling Frenzy instead of Barbarian rage.

Flaws: Inattentive, Shaky
Feats : (Flaw)Pharoah's Fist, (Flaw)Power Attack, (L1)Great Fortitude, (Human)Imp. Natural Attack, (L3)Pain Touch, (Psywar)Ability Focus: Stunning Fist, (Psywayr)Pressure Point Strike, (L6)Weapon Focus: Unarmed Strike, (L9)Ring the Golden Bell, (L12)Superior Unarmed Strike.

With a Monk's Belt, Ki Straps, Panther Mask, Cobra Straps as the basic items, you can get:

Unarmed Strike damage up to 5d8, and a Stunning Fist DC of 28 with a Wis of 24 (+2 from level, +4 item).

The UAStrike damage is my interpretation of how Fist of the Forest, a Monk's belt, Imp. Nat. Attack and Sup. Unarmed Strike interact. There's a bit of wierdness in the wording and I've read discussions over SUS and Monk's Belt, but I figure them to work.

With Rage, Frenzy and Feral Trance all going, you net a +8 Str, +4 Dex, +4 Con, +2 to damage, -2 to attack and -2 to AC.

I think everything in this build is pretty kosher RAW, but we work with a lot of subtle houserules so if you see a conflict, point it out and I'll respond as to whether you found a mistake or if that's a houserule.
#3
carnivore
Feb 12, 2010 5:42:24 what is the starting level?

#4
phaedrusxy
Feb 12, 2010 12:27:52 From the handy links:

community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
#5
realmarkp
Feb 12, 2010 15:43:39 >> Human Raging Monk 4/ Lion Totem Barbarian 2/ Psionic Warrior 3/ Fist of the Forest 3

Raging Monk, where can I find this class? If it's just a monk that takes barbarian levels, I already see a problem. The monk is lawful and Barbarian is everything but lawful. Shifting alignments causes an XP penalty by our rules.

>> Flaws: Inattentive, Shaky

Cool, our DM has allowed one flaw.

>> Feats : (Flaw)Pharoah's Fist, (Flaw)Power Attack, (L1)Great Fortitude, (Human)Imp.
>> Natural Attack, (L3)Pain Touch, (Psywar)Ability Focus: Stunning Fist, (Psywayr)Pressure Point Strike.
>> (L6)Weapon Focus: Unarmed Strike, (L9)Ring the Golden Bell, (L12)Superior Unarmed Strike.

I also looked into Vow of Poverty for that extra boost. I don't think the campaign will go past level 15 so I think I'm good with regards to staying competitive. I know after level 15 VoP gets rather weak and it also lacks in Epic levels.

>> With a Monk's Belt, Ki Straps, Panther Mask, Cobra Straps as the basic items, you can get:

With VoP those don't apply. But I will weigh the options against VoP. The reason for VoP is that it gives me bonus exalted feats. Those will go a long way towards convincing my DM to bestow the Saint template onto me.
#6
bruceleeroy
Feb 13, 2010 5:43:36 Good luck with the Saint. That's some beautiful cheese right there. DM's rarely bestow it a second time, so enjoy it while you can.

Raging monk is a monk alternate class feature variant. Check www.crystalkeep.com for details.

EXP penalties for alignment change = horsecock. in a tiny hole.

Tough luck for you.

Without the items, the Stunning DC is -3. Much less special.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 realmarkp Feb 11, 2010 23:39:47	I'm curious, could you suggest a progression for a Monk build to maximize unarmed damage? Both race, class, PrC, and feat progression would be nice. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
#2 bruceleeroy Feb 12, 2010 3:26:00	Well, i just whipped up a stunning focused build.. Lemme see here. My group generally only plays at mid levels, so he's specced out to level 12. Human Raging Monk 4/ Lion Totem Barbarian 2/ Psionic Warrior 3/ Fist of the Forest 3 Whirling Frenzy instead of Barbarian rage. Flaws: Inattentive, Shaky Feats : (Flaw)Pharoah's Fist, (Flaw)Power Attack, (L1)Great Fortitude, (Human)Imp. Natural Attack, (L3)Pain Touch, (Psywar)Ability Focus: Stunning Fist, (Psywayr)Pressure Point Strike, (L6)Weapon Focus: Unarmed Strike, (L9)Ring the Golden Bell, (L12)Superior Unarmed Strike. With a Monk's Belt, Ki Straps, Panther Mask, Cobra Straps as the basic items, you can get: Unarmed Strike damage up to 5d8, and a Stunning Fist DC of 28 with a Wis of 24 (+2 from level, +4 item). The UAStrike damage is my interpretation of how Fist of the Forest, a Monk's belt, Imp. Nat. Attack and Sup. Unarmed Strike interact. There's a bit of wierdness in the wording and I've read discussions over SUS and Monk's Belt, but I figure them to work. With Rage, Frenzy and Feral Trance all going, you net a +8 Str, +4 Dex, +4 Con, +2 to damage, -2 to attack and -2 to AC. I think everything in this build is pretty kosher RAW, but we work with a lot of subtle houserules so if you see a conflict, point it out and I'll respond as to whether you found a mistake or if that's a houserule.
#3 carnivore Feb 12, 2010 5:42:24	what is the starting level?
#4 phaedrusxy Feb 12, 2010 12:27:52	From the handy links: community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
#5 realmarkp Feb 12, 2010 15:43:39	>> Human Raging Monk 4/ Lion Totem Barbarian 2/ Psionic Warrior 3/ Fist of the Forest 3 Raging Monk, where can I find this class? If it's just a monk that takes barbarian levels, I already see a problem. The monk is lawful and Barbarian is everything but lawful. Shifting alignments causes an XP penalty by our rules. >> Flaws: Inattentive, Shaky Cool, our DM has allowed one flaw. >> Feats : (Flaw)Pharoah's Fist, (Flaw)Power Attack, (L1)Great Fortitude, (Human)Imp. >> Natural Attack, (L3)Pain Touch, (Psywar)Ability Focus: Stunning Fist, (Psywayr)Pressure Point Strike. >> (L6)Weapon Focus: Unarmed Strike, (L9)Ring the Golden Bell, (L12)Superior Unarmed Strike. I also looked into Vow of Poverty for that extra boost. I don't think the campaign will go past level 15 so I think I'm good with regards to staying competitive. I know after level 15 VoP gets rather weak and it also lacks in Epic levels. >> With a Monk's Belt, Ki Straps, Panther Mask, Cobra Straps as the basic items, you can get: With VoP those don't apply. But I will weigh the options against VoP. The reason for VoP is that it gives me bonus exalted feats. Those will go a long way towards convincing my DM to bestow the Saint template onto me.
#6 bruceleeroy Feb 13, 2010 5:43:36	Good luck with the Saint. That's some beautiful cheese right there. DM's rarely bestow it a second time, so enjoy it while you can. Raging monk is a monk alternate class feature variant. Check www.crystalkeep.com for details. EXP penalties for alignment change = horsecock. in a tiny hole. Tough luck for you. Without the items, the Stunning DC is -3. Much less special.