Advice on how to change character

[Guardianstreet]

Hm i would really need some advice on this topic. Maybe the whole thing is silly.

At the moment im playing in a new group of people, i am also fairly new to the rules and setting in a D20 game. My roleplaying experience comes from swedish roleplaying games altho i have had som experience from computer games like neverwinter nights and such. Iv been meeting the group two times and im playing a monk. The others play wizard, wizard/rogue, ranger. fighter. I dont really know if i like playing a monk. Im not very bad ass in combat and i cant really se the monks purpose. What can i do that the others cant do much, much better?

Perhaps a monk level two and two gatherings is to little time to judge if its fun to play monk or not. At the moment it feels like it would be better to play cleric or perhaps paladin. That way i would atleast have a defined role as healer and tank.

So what would you have done? Keep playing monk or stop playing monk?

 

[Crothian]

Talk to the DM and see if he would have a probelm if you switch characters and tell him why. He might be able to offer some ways for your character to be more enjoyable for you. Monks are a tough character to use and have fun with and depending on how he's running the campaign he could be unintentionally hampering the monk character as they don't shine in some traditional adventures. As long as he doesn't have a problem with switching I would make a cleric.

 

[Guillaume]

A monk can be a fun class to play. It's strength lies in its ability lies in its high CMB (for grapple/trip/disarm/etc.) and its mobility at mid to high levels. Also the flurry of blows can be useful. It does require the DM to give you a chance to use your abilities however. Also, alot of the classical magic items that are found in dungeons (magical weapons and armor) are of little use for the monk. It therefore requires the DM to cater to your specific needs once in a while and possibliy modify the adventures he runs (especially if he is using prepublished adventures).

Good luck.

 

[Guardianstreet]

Talk to the DM and see if he would have a probelm if you switch characters and tell him why. He might be able to offer some ways for your character to be more enjoyable for you.

Perhaps the easiest solution to the problem is to make something really stupid and die as a consequence. That way i dont need to take it up for a discussion.

A monk can be a fun class to play. It's strength lies in its ability lies in its high CMB (for grapple/trip/disarm/etc.) and its mobility at mid to high levels. Also the flurry of blows can be useful.

I havent really used any CMB, as iv never seen the point to graple someone when battling against kobolds and goblins. The best act (as i see it) is to simply kill them right away. Perhaps i will see the purpose for it later in the game.

The problem i have with the monk (in this group) is that the/my monk doesnt have anything he is "the best" in. The fighter deals more dmg and survives longer in close combat. When it comes to skills and out of combat abilities the monk doesnt shine. It would be nice to have a important role in the group. Right now it feels like i am the second best in everything i do.

Think i will play with the monk one more time. Perhaps iv just had alot of bad luck with the dice and stuff like that.

 

[IronWolf]

Perhaps the easiest solution to the problem is to make something really stupid and die as a consequence. That way i dont need to take it up for a discussion.

I think communication within a gaming group is a big portion of the game being successful. If you are not happy with your character I think it best to be up front with the DM and let him know. He may have advice on playing a monk or open up some options to your character if he knows you are frustrated.

If you still choose to switch characters the DM may better be able to assist with transitioning this one out and a new one in.

Communication is important which involves talking to the DM. It will lead to a better game in the long run.

 

[Dingo333]

It sounds like you guys are at a really low level, this is not the best place for a monk as their flurry seems pointless because most enemies drop with 1 hit and their unarmed strikes are weaker in damage then most of the weapons the party is carrying

I recommend trying to wait it out, at higher levels you will shine as you will become faster then a barbarian, doing more damage in a strike then a greatsword, and gain a number of useful abilities as you level up and you face stronger enemies

Trip is useful as it will help your rouge player get more sneak attacks, disarm is nice for trying to "take them alive" same as for grapple

 

[Mojo_Rat]

the combat maneuvers is really what the monk is best I'n. I recommend going for imp grapple ( you can get it with a normal feat since imp unarmed is it's prereq) and get imp trip at lvl 6. if your group is using the apt ask about a temple sword.

one thing to remember is it isn't a competition between players. if the fighter does more damage it doesn't really matter.

if you are finding it easier to just kill the goblins does it matter if the fighter does 2d6+9 and you do 1d6 +2 if the goblin dies?


you should find soon grappling an enemy spell aster can save the whole party. believe me doing a martial arts choke out on an enemy cleric that moments before had the whole party terrified is satisfying.

eventually you'll have the chance to fly across the field like something out of crouching tiger hidden dragon as spells fall off toy like you were Teflon.

 

[Guardianstreet]

Communication is important which involves talking to the DM. It will lead to a better game in the long run.

Thank you for posting. It was very valid points. If i decide to change character from an monk to a cleric i will talk to the DM and explain why i want to do so.

It sounds like you guys are at a really low level, this is not the best place for a monk as their flurry seems pointless because most enemies drop with 1 hit and their unarmed strikes are weaker in damage then most of the weapons the party is carryinge

Yes we are at level 2. Perhaps every class is "useless" in this level. Im going to pick improved graple. (i was thinking of deflect arrow before)

the combat maneuvers is really what the monk is best I'n. I recommend going for imp grapple ( you can get it with a normal feat since imp unarmed is it's prereq) and get imp trip at lvl 6. if your group is using the apt ask about a temple sword.

one thing to remember is it isn't a competition between players. if the fighter does more damage it doesn't really matter.

if you are finding it easier to just kill the goblins does it matter if the fighter does 2d6+9 and you do 1d6 +2 if the goblin dies?


you should find soon grappling an enemy spell aster can save the whole party. believe me doing a martial arts choke out on an enemy cleric that moments before had the whole party terrified is satisfying.

eventually you'll have the chance to fly across the field like something out of crouching tiger hidden dragon as spells fall off toy like you were Teflon.

I am playing an variant of the monk from advanced players guide. Dont remember its name but it specialise in melee weapons. (Weapon focus: temple sword)

Also just to be clear(er): I dont see it as a competition. I am just having it hard to see my "role" in the group. What is my "duty". Perhaps that is to support others in the way you describe. As i see it from my point of view: It is fun to have a clear purpose in conflicts as it gives the player/me/the character an moment where i/he can shine. Being in a state of awsomenes.

Thats why i was thinking of changing to a cleric as the cleric is "needed".

 

[Thanael]

Monk is a defensive class.

If you want more oomph in offense multiclass with Ftr.

You should flurry and/or use Combat Maneuvers a lot to make use of that special monk full bab rule.

Monk/cleric multiclass is another interesting option.

 

[concerro]

Hm i would really need some advice on this topic. Maybe the whole thing is silly.

At the moment im playing in a new group of people, i am also fairly new to the rules and setting in a D20 game. My roleplaying experience comes from swedish roleplaying games altho i have had som experience from computer games like neverwinter nights and such. Iv been meeting the group two times and im playing a monk. The others play wizard, wizard/rogue, ranger. fighter. I dont really know if i like playing a monk. Im not very bad ass in combat and i cant really se the monks purpose. What can i do that the others cant do much, much better?

Perhaps a monk level two and two gatherings is to little time to judge if its fun to play monk or not. At the moment it feels like it would be better to play cleric or perhaps paladin. That way i would atleast have a defined role as healer and tank.

So what would you have done? Keep playing monk or stop playing monk?

The monk is not really a good class, especially for someone that is new. I would just tell the GM I am not having fun, and ask to play something else. I think a cleric or paladin would be more fun. If you don't mind be more of a support guy I would say cleric, but if you want to mix it up in combat I would go with the paladin.