A More Flexible Monk

[Viktyr Gehrig]

During my (admittedly over-complicated) reworking of the D&D class system, I ended up cutting the Ninja base class (from Complete Adventurer) and limiting the Monk's unarmed damage progression.

What I'd like to do is to make a more flexible Monk, using bonus feats, that allow the Monk class to replicate the Ninja's class abilities and to accomplish other fantasy martial arts feats. I'd also prefer for this system to allow Fighters to imitate a fair number of Monk tricks by devoting their feats to it.

I'm thinking a good starting place is the Stunning Fist feat-- it's Wisdom based, can be used a limited number of times per day, and scales with level. However, Stunning Fist is only one option that 1st level Monks may take.

If Stunning Fist were classified as a Ki feat, and all characters had Ki points equal to 1/4 their character level, then the Monk's extra usages could be considered a class feature-- they gain one extra Ki point per day equal to their Monk level.

Ghost Touch and Invisibility could be added as Ki abilities, with the appropriate prerequisites.

This is still in the formative stages, and I haven't hammered out any specific rules-- what do you think of the concept, and do you have any suggestions about how to implement it properly?

 

[Cheiromancer]

Have you seen CRGreathouse's Mystic class? It's a great approach to customizing the monk. Shouldn't be further back than page 2 or 3 of the House rules forum.

Yep. Page 3. Here's the link:

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=133371

The latest version is an attachment to post 41.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

That seems a little more freeform than even I am intending.

Got a rough draft here-- decided to hammer it out after I posted the first time.

I'd welcome any criticism or balance suggestions, or the suggestion of other good Monk abilities.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Okay, this is a little closer to finished.

The bare skeleton of the Monk class is mostly unchanged, except that I've removed the alignment and multiclass restrictions; the only prohibition is on Gestalting or multiclassing as a Barbarian, which forces the character to become and ex-Monk (and vice versa).

Since Monks are no longer required to be Lawful, I removed the 10th level Ki Strike; however, I made it one of the optional Monk abilities later.

This change also required changes to a number of feats-- particularly Stunning Fist, which I used as the basis for the Ki Point system. The first time a non-Monk character takes a feat which requires the use of Ki Points, they gain a number of Ki Points equal to 1/4 their class level plus their Wisdom modifier, if positive.

Monks have Ki Points equal to 1/2 their character level (rounded up) plus their Wisdom modifier (if positive). This is a reduction from their old number of Stunning Fist uses, but Ki Points can now be used for a number of more powerful effects.

Both Monks and non-Monks may select Extra Ki as a feat, granting them an additional 3 Ki Points per day.

Any mystical ability that's listed as being a feat may be taken as a Monk bonus feat-- allowing the Monk to ignore the feat prerequisites; they still have to meet the Monk Ability prerequisites, however. Monks may also take Extra Monk Ability as a feat, granting them an additional ability of any level up to the highest they're acheived. (I need to think up level names to simplify this.)

Instead of gaining unarmed damage progression, the Monk receives the following feats as bonus feats:
1st level: Weapon Focus (unarmed strike)
4th level: Improved Martial Arts (from d20 Modern)
6th level: Weapon Specialization (unarmed strike)
8th level: Advanced Martial Arts (from d20 Modern)
11th level: Greater Weapon Focus (unarmed strike)
16th level: Greater Weapon Specialization (unarmed strike)

At 16th level, this is roughly the equivalent of 1d12 damage (for Medium Monks), with a +2 attack bonus and two critical improvements. It's also wholly possible for the Fighter to do the exact same thing, which was one of my design criteria.

Monks do less damage (with their bare hands, at least) in this variant than in standard D&D, but Ki Strike (adamantine) is considerably more useful under my House Rules.

Remove the following class abilities from the Monk's list: Empty Mind (3rd), Wholeness of Body (7th), Ki Strike (lawful) (10th), Diamond Body (11th), Abundant Step (12th), Diamond Soul (13th), Quivering Palm (15th), Timeless Body (17th), Tongue of the Sun and Moon (17th), Empty Body (19th), and Perfect Self (20th).

All of these abilities can be taken as options, at or around the levels they would be granted normally.

Monks gain a Monk Ability at levels 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20. Unless otherwise noted, each of these abilities require the character spend a Ki point to activate. Because Monk abilities are always granted one level before the Monk would gain a feat (if the Monk were single-classed), abilities that have prerequisites of the same level can be taken with Extra Monk Ability the level following the acquisition of the prerequisite.

The abilities are as follows:

• Kiai Shout (Complete Warrior, feat) may be selected as a feat even if the Monk does not meet the prerequisites.
• Fists of Iron (Complete Warrior, feat) may be selected as a feat even if the Monk does not meet the prerequisites. May not be combined with the Weapon Channel ability.
• Weakening Touch (Complete Warrior, feat) may be selected as a feat even if the Monk does not meet the prerequisites. Prerequisite: Stunning Fist
• Great Leap (Complete Adventurer, Ninja 4) allows the Monk to make a single jump as if running with a +4 bonus.
• Still Mind (Player's Handbook, Monk 3) adds +2 bonus to saves vs. enchantment. Doesn't require Ki points.
• Improved Bull Rush (Player's Handbook, feat) may be selected even if the Monk does not meet the prerequisites. Doesn't require Ki points.
• Weapon Channel allows the Monk to use Ki abilities that enhance unarmed strikes with melee weapons from a single weapon group. This does not include Ki Strike, or abilities which require Ki Strike. Prerequisite: Weapon Focus in the selected group.
• Weapon Flurry allows the Monk to use his Flurry of Blows class feature with melee weapons from a single weapon group as a Monk of his class level -4. Does not require Ki points. Prerequisites: Weapon Focus in the selected group, Weapon Channel in the selected group.
• Purity of Body (Player's Handbook, Monk 5) makes the Monk immune to normal and magical disease. Doesn't require Ki points.
• Uncanny Dodge (Player's Handbook, Rogue 4) allows the Monk to retain his Dexterity bonus (including his Wisdom bonus) even when caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker.

Weapon Flurry is similar to a number of feats from the Eberron Campaign Setting, so I don't think it's particularly out of line, especially with the prerequisites. However, I think the weapons that it's applied to should be carefully watched and linked to the character's monastic order.

Of particular interest, Hobgoblin Monks should typically apply Weapon Channel and Weapon Flurry to the Flails & Chains group, while Githzerai Monks should typically apply them to Heavy Blades. I haven't worked out any specific monastic orders yet-- since I'm not currently running a campaign.

• Ghost Step (Complete Adventurer, Ninja 2) allows the character to become invisible for one round.
• Ki Dodge (Complete Adventurer, Ninja 6) grants 20% miss chance for 1 round.
• Ki Healing heals Monk 1d6 hit points per Ki point spent.
• Ghost Strike (Complete Adventurer, Ninja 8) allows next unarmed attack to strike ethereal creatures.
• Fist of Energy (Complete Arcane, Enlightened Fist 2) adds 1d6 energy (fire, cold, electricity, or acid, chosen when the power is selected) to the character's unarmed strikes for one round. Prerequisite: Caster or Manifester level 4th.
• Concentrated Push allows Monk to Bull Rush opponent further than five feet without moving with them. Unlike Improved Bull Rush, the Monk must pay 1 Ki point per use of this ability. Prerequisite: Improved Bull Rush.
• Kip-Up (Complete Adventurer, Thief-Acrobat 1) allows the Monk to stand up as a free action that doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity. Prerequisite: Tumble 8 ranks.
• Damage Reduction grants the Monk 1/- Damage Reduction from toughness. This ability may be taken more than once; its effects stack. Does not require Ki points.
• Any 5th level Monk ability.

Ki Healing is more powerful than Wholeness of Body, but I think that's compensated for by the fact that it uses a pool of resources shared with a number of other abilities.

The caster/manifester levels required for Fist of Energy were based on the fact that I took them from an arcanist/Monk patch PrC-- and because the manipulation of magical energy seems necessary to justify the ability. I don't think it's really a balance issue.

• Aligned Ki Strike makes the Monk's unarmed strikes count as alignment of player's choice for purposes of bypassing DR. Doesn't require Ki points.
• Censuring Strike adds 2d6 to damage against creatures with alignment opposite Aligned Ki Strike ability. Prerequisite: Aligned Ki Strike. (This is based on Axiomatic Strike from Complete Warrior.)
• Greater Kiai Shout (Complete Warrior, feat) may be selected even if the Monk does not meet the prerequisites. Prerequisite: Kiai Shout.
• Improved Ghost Step (Complete Adventurer, Ninja 10) allows Monk to become ethereal for one round. Prerequisite: Ghost Step.
• Leap of the Clouds adds +30 to a single Jump check and allows the Monk to jump as if running. Prerequisite: Great Leap.
• Blindsense (Complete Divine, Sacred Fist 6) grants the Monk Blindsense 10'. Doesn't require Ki points. This ability may be taken multiple times; its effects stack. Prerequisites: Blind-Fight.
• Diamond Body (Player's Handbook, Monk 11) makes the Monk immune to poisons. Doesn't require Ki points. Prerequisite: Purity of Body.
• Energy Resistance gives the Monk resistance to one energy type of the player's choice equal to the Monk's class level. Doesn't require Ki points.
• Improved Uncanny Dodge (Player's Handbook, Rogue 8) prevents the Monk from being flanked unless by Rogues with four more class levels than the Monk's.
• Any 5th or 8th level Monk ability.

This is where the abilities start to become increasingly, blatantly supernatural. The ability to go back and take lower-level abilities helps players who are trying to represent a more grounded, mundane monk/martial artist.

• Abundant Step (Player's Handbook, Monk 12) allows Monk to dimension door as a Sorceror of 1/2 the Monk's class level. Prerequisite: Ghost Step, Improved Ghost Step.
• Freezing the Lifeblood (Complete Warrior, feat) may be selected even if the Monk does not meet the prerequisites. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Stunning Fist, Weakening Touch.
• Bursting Fist (Complete Arcane, Enlightened Fist 6) deals extra energy damage on critical hits. Prerequisite: Fist of Energy, Caster or Manifester Level 7th.
• Diamond Soul (Player's Handbook, Monk 13) grants Spell Resistance equal to class level + 10. Doesn't require Ki points.
• One-Finger Push allows Monk to use Concentrated Push against any opponent within 30 feet, using Wisdom instead of Strength. Prerequisites: Improved Bull Rush, Concentrated Push.
• Improved Ki Healing allows the Monk to heal herself 2d6 + Wis bonus hit points per Ki point spent, or any creature touched for 1d6 + Wis bonus hit points per Ki point spent. Prerequisites: Ki Healing.
• Any 5th, 8th, or 11th level Monk ability.

• Quivering Palm (Player's Handbook, Monk 15) requires the Monk to spend an action point and a Ki point and take a full-round action. It does not have the 1/week limitation. Prerequisites: Stunning Fist, Weakening Touch, Freezing the Lifeblood.
• Touch the Wind allows the Monk to fly as the fly spell for 1 round/class level. Prerequisites: Great Leap, Leap of the Clouds.
• Danger Sense prevents the Monk from becoming flat-footed and allows the Monk the ability to act in the surprise round, even if unaware of her attackers. Doesn't require Ki points. Prerequisites: Blind-Fight, Uncanny Dodge, Improved Uncanny Dodge, Blindsense.
• Distant Strike allows the Monk to make an unarmed strike as a ranged attack against any opponent within 30 feet, using his Wisdom modifier for both the attack roll and the damage roll. Prerequisites: Improved Bull Rush, Concentrated Push, One-Finger Push.
• Improved Ki Dodge (Complete Adventurer, Ninja 18) improves the miss chance created by Ki Dodge to 50%. Prerequisites: Ki Dodge.
• Timeless Body (Player's Handbook, Monk 17) prevents the Monk from suffering penalties due to age. Doesn't require Ki points. Prerequisites: Purity of Body, Ki Healing, Diamond Body, Improved Ki Healing.
• Tongue of the Sun and Moon (Player's Handbook, Monk 17) allows the Monk to speak with any living creature. Doesn't require Ki points.
• Any 5th, 8th, 11th, or 14th level Monk ability.

I'd really like to have some prerequisites for Tongue of the Sun and Moon, but it seems to be so random-- it's not really connected to any of the other Monk abilities. I'm also not entirely certain it needs to be this high a level.

• Ghost Walk (Complete Adventurer, Ninja 20) allows the Monk to spend 2 Ki points to become ethereal as ethereal jaunt spell for 1 round per Monk level. Prerequisite: Ghost Step, Improved Ghost Step.
• Shun the Earth's Embrace allows the Monk to fly at her land speed with perfect maneuverability for 1 minute per level. Prerequisite: Great Leap, Leap of the Clouds, Touch the Wind.
• Perfect Self (Player's Handbook, Monk 20) transforms the Monk into an Outsider and gives the Monk damage reduction 10/magic. Doesn't require Ki points. Prerequisites: Purity of Body, Ki Healing, Diamond Body, Improved Ki Healing, Timeless Body.
• Elemental Form allows the Monk to spend 2 Ki points to assume the form (as a wild shaping Druid) of an elemental appropriate to her Fist of Energy and Energy Resistance for 1 round per class level. Her unarmed strikes and natural attacks are treated as energy burst weapons for the duration of her elemental form. Prerequisites: Fist of Energy, Energy Resistance, and Bursting Fist (in matching energy types).
• Deny the Attack allows the Monk to spend an action point and a Ki point, once per round, to completely disregard the damage and any special effects caused by a single attack. The Monk must decide whether or not to do this before damage is rolled, but after the attack roll (and confirmation roll, if applicable) are made. Prerequisites: Ki Dodge, Improved Ki Dodge, Damage Reduction.
• Any 5th, 8th, 11th, 14th, or 17th level Monk ability.

I tried to have a good variety of powers here, and to make Perfect Self entirely optional, since in the opinion of a few people, it's far more of a hindrance than a benefit.

Does anyone feel this is particularly unbalanced (in either direction)?

Also, does anyone have any good ideas for additional special abilities that could be added?

As soon as I figure out how to explain this more concisely, I'm going to be adding it to my main House Rules document. I think I've got it close to right.

 

[Doctor Shaft]

That's some cool stuff you got going there. I like the flexibility. I'm no expert on these things, and I"m tired right now so I'm not going to go into the details and list my thoughts and show you the parts had problems with, but I do have a short thing to say or two.

1.) It's great that you create the flexibility in there... however, some of the "bonus feat" selections you have in there don't really provide an incentive for taking them. For instance. Monks usually got Tongue of the Sun and Moon at 17th level for free. That's essentially the only reason anyone ever had that kind of thing. When I hit level 15 or whatever the bonus section it's in... why would I ever want to take that over, say, Quivering Palm that uses ki points instead of 1/week prohibition rules.

2.) Again, it's great that you provide the bonus feat levels. It allows a monk to truly customize. However, again, I think if you're going to be flexible, that you should maybe mix some of the feats up into different categories. For instance, Perfect Self is a level 20 feat normally. Granted, that's supposed to be a really "supernatural" feat, in and of itself. And yet, I found myself perplexed as to why, if given the choice, i would ever take 10/magic damage resistance at level 20 over, say, the ability to fly or negate an entire hit.

Again, I know, roleplaying etc., is a factor here. But even if I'm truly concerned with RP, having Perfect Self as a choice at level 20 doesn't seem to have much value or incentive for me, from either a roleplay or "rollplay" perspective. By level 20, everyone and their grandmother has a magic weapon of some kind. And some of your other "bonus feats" provide 1/- damage reduction at lower levels. I'd say that at level 20, i'd rather have that one point rather than 10/magic. Maybe I'm overreacting.

3.) You put a variety of extra stunning fist type feats in there, which is cool. I would suggest trying some of the other "Oriental Adventures" feats as well, to put into the mix. They have feats that allow the monk to make unarmed strikes and then immediately attempt trips or grapples, along with other cool moves like Unbalancing strike, which is essentially like a stunning fist that uses the Reflex save instead of a Fort. There's other cool options that are "martial artist" in nature.

Those are my opinions. The selection is a nice feature of your monk, i just think the timing and the list you provide could probably use a little stirring up. It seems that while you provide "choice," you left the order or timing of which you gain these powers in the standard, mundane order. My main criticism is that some of the higher level powers, when I'm giving a choice among other, more unique feats, are just utterly... useless. Or if not useless, it just seems silly to choose one power in a list over a majority of the others. Why get energy resistance when I can have diamond body?

That's my only criticsm though. If the list included having to take certain chains to gain access to certain abilities, then it would be better. You did this for feats like "Freeze the Lifeblood." But unfortunately, some of those feat choices just render other feats completely obsolete, or are so markedly superior that it would be difficult, even if I were playing a "mundane monk" to take the other feats.


EDIT: And then I read through your list again, and noted that indeed, you did give most of your feats "pre-req" paths. Now I will hang my head in shame.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

For instance. Monks usually got Tongue of the Sun and Moon at 17th level for free. That's essentially the only reason anyone ever had that kind of thing. When I hit level 15 or whatever the bonus section it's in... why would I ever want to take that over, say, Quivering Palm that uses ki points instead of 1/week prohibition rules.

Really, I only left Tongue of the Sun and Moon in there for people who specifically wanted it. I cannot imagine how this ability works, and I don't care for the flavor of it, but I didn't want to cut it out entirely since some people might choose it.

As far as Quivering Palm... I'm not sure why anyone would take it. At the earliest you can get the ability, the Fortitude Save is trivial against any creature that's worth using it on. I also included the limitation that it requires the use of an Action Point plus a Ki Point, to represent how rare and special it is.

I'm trying to figure out how to make Quivering Palm better.

For instance, Perfect Self is a level 20 feat normally. Granted, that's supposed to be a really "supernatural" feat, in and of itself. And yet, I found myself perplexed as to why, if given the choice, i would ever take 10/magic damage resistance at level 20 over, say, the ability to fly or negate an entire hit.

Perfect Self also makes you immune to a considerable number of spell effects that only target humanoids or monstrous humanoids. I agree that it probably needs some kind of improvement-- it's another ability I left in as a legacy of the original Monk class.

I'm also concerned that Denying the Attack is too powerful, when compared to similar abilities like Ki Dodge or the Rogue's Defensive Roll.

I'd say that at level 20, i'd rather have that one point rather than 10/magic. Maybe I'm overreacting.

Not at all. I always thought Perfect Self was rather laughable.

3.) You put a variety of extra stunning fist type feats in there, which is cool. I would suggest trying some of the other "Oriental Adventures" feats as well, to put into the mix.

It's my turn to hang my head in shame. That's so obvious, and I do indeed have a copy of Oriental Adventures, that I am forced to wonder why it did not already occur to me.

Or if not useless, it just seems silly to choose one power in a list over a majority of the others. Why get energy resistance when I can have diamond body?

Diamond Body doesn't protect against all energy attacks-- Energy Orb doesn't allow Spell Resistance, and neither Diamond Body nor Evasion will protect you from environmental heat or cold.

Energy Resistance is also a prerequisite to one of the cooler, less useless higher-level abilities, the ability to wild shape into an Elemental.

Since you caught yourself on the ability prerequisites issue, I won't mention it myself. Your critique has proved useful, and I'll probably present a more-refined version of this alt.Monk soon, after I've had the chance to look over Oriental Adventures and include some of the material.

I'll also probably include some of the OA Monk-PrC abilities that weren't covered in 3.5 sources, and possibly some Sohei abilities.