Multiclass/PrC Monk Help - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Multiclass/PrC Monk Help

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Kerrus
Jan 30, 2009 21:47:04 I figured it was time to start a new thread, and put all the angst associated with my last one behind me. In any case I've accepted what limitations I have. Just need to figure out where to go from here.

The character:

Human Monk 6, Lawful Good.

Str: 14
Dex: 15
Con: 12
Int: 12
Wis: 18
Cha: 12

The feats (Some are really suboptimal, but I'd been on a five year hiatus from DnD when I made it, and had inflated ideas about what would make a good low level character:

IUS (Obviously)
Dodge (ugh)
Mobility (has actually been somewhat useful)
Stunning Fist
Combat Reflexes
Improved Trip
Wild Talent (Suboptimal, and very peculiar given that the GM both suggested it and doesn't have the XPH- and won't let me take feats from books he doesn't have. Paradox)
Up the Walls (for flavour, mainly, see above)

Now, ideally I'd like to go into a psionic class- take advantage of automatic damage, and the fact that in all honesty a straight monk is sub par except in exceedingly esoteric situations.

Now, that said, there are some limitations.

1. No Monastic Training/Tashalatora. The DM won't let me take it, on account of it being 'cheesy'- I've tried arguing with him, but it looks pretty grim. As such, any build suggestion for a psionic class should take this into account.

2. We're limited to the following books:

PHB, DMG, Complete Warrior, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Complete Psionic, and the Sword and Fist, yadda and yadda books (Yes, I know they're 3.0, but the DM is apparently operating on a 'mix'. He's anti powergaming, but doesn't seem to get why those books enable such cheese? *sigh*)

3. No, I can't take INA. No, the DM won't listen to reason. Yes, I have tried everything.

Other then that, go crazy.
#2
true_shinken
Jan 30, 2009 23:57:29 Warmind is probably your best bet. You could also try Fist of Zuoken. There's another Monk/Psionic class at Complete Psionic, also.
#3
emansdrawkcab
Jan 31, 2009 1:19:36 +1 for Warmind. Change to a Kalashtar, then Warmind.
#4
sled
Jan 31, 2009 3:20:06 Some DM's are weird about monks, I guess. One of the characters I played was a monk and I would often use trip attacks since my attack roll was so ****** I couldn't hit anything. .I had taken a really bad PrC killing my bab a bit, plus my stats were pretty average. Trip attacks actually connected once in a while since not much stuff has very high touch AC. My DM thought it was cheesy and overpowered as hell, though. He had no complaints about my half-dragon fighter with a greatsword power attacking for massive amounts, on the other hand.

Sometimes I really think I should just buy some 4e books because he seems to always become anxious when I use any ability other than straight up damage/healing stuff.
#5
Kerrus
Jan 31, 2009 9:32:51
+1 for Warmind. Change to a Kalashtar, then Warmind.

Can't change my race- the DM is very, very anti-character-retcon unfortunately, even though it'd be a great choice and I wouldn't really lose much. But Warmind looks like a great choice- full BAB progression, and nice powers.
#6
metagon
Jan 31, 2009 9:59:12 Unfortunately Warmind doesn't progress monk abilities without Talashatora, and Monk's Belt is pretty much your only option with the books you've got. Fist of Zuoken and Zerth Cenobite progress damage, but don't even progress flurry (WTF?), which makes them less good. On the other hand, they are easy to qualify for through Monk (Concentration 9 ranks means you could qualify for it ALREADY if you've been maxing that skill). As it is, since Knowledge (psionics) is cross-class you're not qualifying for Warmind until later. Although not really optimal, you could dip either of the monk psionic prestige classes (Fist of Zuoken or Zerth Cenobite) for access to Knowledge (psionics), then switch to Warmind when you qualify. In two levels you should qualify for Knowledge (psionics) 8 and Knowledge (history), the latter of which is cross-class.

You could pick up the Defensive Sweep feat, you're pretty much there.
#7
Kerrus
Jan 31, 2009 10:11:41 which book is Defensive Sweep in?

Other then that, yeah
#8
metagon
Jan 31, 2009 10:15:11 Whoops, I meant Defensive Throw. It's in Complete Warrior. If your Dodge target misses you, you get a free trip and they can't trip you back.
#9
Kerrus
Jan 31, 2009 11:07:12 Ah, nice. Had planned to take that anyways- it looks very useful. Especially if you can combine it with improved trip- which by RAW looks like it does.

My dodge target misses me, I trip him, I attack him while he's down. He tries to get up, I trip him, I attack him. So on and so forth.

Anyways, I'll see about having another talk with my DM over 'monk prestige classes'- see if I can't at least get some of the benefits of monk progression. It probably won't happen- he's very... stubborn, but it could be useful.
#10
hogarth
Jan 31, 2009 13:14:25 Fist of Zuoken is your best bet, I think. War Mind is better, but you can probably qualify for Fist of Zuoken right away.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Kerrus Jan 30, 2009 21:47:04	I figured it was time to start a new thread, and put all the angst associated with my last one behind me. In any case I've accepted what limitations I have. Just need to figure out where to go from here. The character: Human Monk 6, Lawful Good. Str: 14 Dex: 15 Con: 12 Int: 12 Wis: 18 Cha: 12 The feats (Some are really suboptimal, but I'd been on a five year hiatus from DnD when I made it, and had inflated ideas about what would make a good low level character: IUS (Obviously) Dodge (ugh) Mobility (has actually been somewhat useful) Stunning Fist Combat Reflexes Improved Trip Wild Talent (Suboptimal, and very peculiar given that the GM both suggested it and doesn't have the XPH- and won't let me take feats from books he doesn't have. Paradox) Up the Walls (for flavour, mainly, see above) Now, ideally I'd like to go into a psionic class- take advantage of automatic damage, and the fact that in all honesty a straight monk is sub par except in exceedingly esoteric situations. Now, that said, there are some limitations. 1. No Monastic Training/Tashalatora. The DM won't let me take it, on account of it being 'cheesy'- I've tried arguing with him, but it looks pretty grim. As such, any build suggestion for a psionic class should take this into account. 2. We're limited to the following books: PHB, DMG, Complete Warrior, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Complete Psionic, and the Sword and Fist, yadda and yadda books (Yes, I know they're 3.0, but the DM is apparently operating on a 'mix'. He's anti powergaming, but doesn't seem to get why those books enable such cheese? sigh) 3. No, I can't take INA. No, the DM won't listen to reason. Yes, I have tried everything. Other then that, go crazy.
#2 true_shinken Jan 30, 2009 23:57:29	Warmind is probably your best bet. You could also try Fist of Zuoken. There's another Monk/Psionic class at Complete Psionic, also.
#3 emansdrawkcab Jan 31, 2009 1:19:36	+1 for Warmind. Change to a Kalashtar, then Warmind.
#4 sled Jan 31, 2009 3:20:06	Some DM's are weird about monks, I guess. One of the characters I played was a monk and I would often use trip attacks since my attack roll was so ****** I couldn't hit anything. .I had taken a really bad PrC killing my bab a bit, plus my stats were pretty average. Trip attacks actually connected once in a while since not much stuff has very high touch AC. My DM thought it was cheesy and overpowered as hell, though. He had no complaints about my half-dragon fighter with a greatsword power attacking for massive amounts, on the other hand. Sometimes I really think I should just buy some 4e books because he seems to always become anxious when I use any ability other than straight up damage/healing stuff.
#5 Kerrus Jan 31, 2009 9:32:51	+1 for Warmind. Change to a Kalashtar, then Warmind. Can't change my race- the DM is very, very anti-character-retcon unfortunately, even though it'd be a great choice and I wouldn't really lose much. But Warmind looks like a great choice- full BAB progression, and nice powers.
#6 metagon Jan 31, 2009 9:59:12	Unfortunately Warmind doesn't progress monk abilities without Talashatora, and Monk's Belt is pretty much your only option with the books you've got. Fist of Zuoken and Zerth Cenobite progress damage, but don't even progress flurry (WTF?), which makes them less good. On the other hand, they are easy to qualify for through Monk (Concentration 9 ranks means you could qualify for it ALREADY if you've been maxing that skill). As it is, since Knowledge (psionics) is cross-class you're not qualifying for Warmind until later. Although not really optimal, you could dip either of the monk psionic prestige classes (Fist of Zuoken or Zerth Cenobite) for access to Knowledge (psionics), then switch to Warmind when you qualify. In two levels you should qualify for Knowledge (psionics) 8 and Knowledge (history), the latter of which is cross-class. You could pick up the Defensive Sweep feat, you're pretty much there.
#7 Kerrus Jan 31, 2009 10:11:41	which book is Defensive Sweep in? Other then that, yeah
#8 metagon Jan 31, 2009 10:15:11	Whoops, I meant Defensive Throw. It's in Complete Warrior. If your Dodge target misses you, you get a free trip and they can't trip you back.
#9 Kerrus Jan 31, 2009 11:07:12	Ah, nice. Had planned to take that anyways- it looks very useful. Especially if you can combine it with improved trip- which by RAW looks like it does. My dodge target misses me, I trip him, I attack him while he's down. He tries to get up, I trip him, I attack him. So on and so forth. Anyways, I'll see about having another talk with my DM over 'monk prestige classes'- see if I can't at least get some of the benefits of monk progression. It probably won't happen- he's very... stubborn, but it could be useful.
#10 hogarth Jan 31, 2009 13:14:25	Fist of Zuoken is your best bet, I think. War Mind is better, but you can probably qualify for Fist of Zuoken right away.