D&D (2024) Monk Playtest

[UngeheuerLich]

Like, is there a worse first level experience than playing a monk? It doesn't exactly sell new players on the class.

1st level ranger or rogue?

I did like my 5e monk. AC 15 and 1d8+3 + 1d4 + 3 at will damage is actually very very high. A ranger has nothing substantial at level 1.

Edit: new twf rules already buff monk survivability. They can now dodge or dash as a bonus action and still have a off hand attack. A very substantial boost to survivability if they need it.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I would prefer ki activated some kind of supernatural fighting styles (to activate the state, you spend 1 ki point, and you do 1d8 fire damage in addition to the normal bludgeoning damage when you hit an unarmed strike for all strikes hit in the next minute; for every ki point you spend, the strikes do an additional 1d8 fire damage) instead of being "one and done." [As an aside that might be a good use for sorcery point for the sorcerer: spend a sorcery point, and you can use burning hands at will (at first level) for the next minute without using spell slots.]

 

[bedir than]

1 Ki Point to do Flurry of Blows is OK but does not scale very well. Make it 1 ki point to do a second Attack action. Then at 5th with Extra Attack, it will scale at least a little.

This means that your monk gets fewer blows until 11th level.

 

[W'rkncacnter]

This means that your monk gets fewer blows until 11th level.

...5th level, but yeah.

 

[bedir than]

...5th level, but yeah.

If as a bonus action you can spend a ki point to get an extra action you then get four attacks. Which is the same as the current use of the bonus action ki point flurry of blows which would mean you get two attacks plus two attacks.

The proposal is a nerf for levels 1-4 and stable for 5-10. That's a poor shift when most play is done at 12

 

[W'rkncacnter]

If as a bonus action you can spend a ki point to get an extra action you then get four attacks. Which is the same as the current use of the bonus action ki point flurry of blows which would mean you get two attacks plus two attacks.

yeah...at level 5. monks get extra attack at level 5 and then never again.

The proposal is a nerf for levels 1-4 and stable for 5-10.

well, 5+, but yeah.

That's a poor shift when most play is done at 12

i'm gonna admit, i had no idea what you meant by this for a solid 3 minutes.

 

[Clint_L]

IMO, they are supposed to be skirmishers and assassins. They get lots of movement buffs.

So running past the front line to punch the wizard in the back and get him to drop concentration, or getting in the archers face to give them disadvantage. Not standing still trading blows with a guy in armor and a great sword.

Could probably emphasize it a bit more at level 1.
Evasive footwork: "when you take the dash action, you do not provoke opportunity attacks until the end of your turn."

Now at level 2, you can spend a bonus action + ki, jump over the front line and kick an archer in the back.

Something no other class can do. (Except the occasional misty step).

Except a rogue, who can do basically the same thing without having to use the ki.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Except a rogue, who can do basically the same thing without having to use the ki.

You can't directly compare abilities directly. Tge question is, if the whole package is balanced.

 

[Bill Zebub]

You can't directly compare abilities directly. Tge question is, if the whole package is balanced.

While true, it also feels different when the ability in question is (more?) iconic for the class that pays a higher cost to use it.

 

[mellored]

Except a rogue, who can do basically the same thing without having to use the ki.

Rogue needs an ally for sneak attack, so they are usually hitting the front line. Monk has no issues running to the back.
And with +10 speed, that makes dash less needed, and more powerful when they do.
Still think monks could use a better bonus to opportunity attacks though.