I need help with a dilemma.
Half the people I talk to say that monks in 3.5 are broken
Half the people say it is extremely weak. They appear broken to me, but are they really?
I guess I am just looking for other opinions of the class.
Trouble is Monk abilities do'nt synergize.
Now, look at the Barbarian:
Fast movement, Rage, Uncany Dodge, DR
They can all work together (Rage lowers AC but this is okay due to damage reduction). Fast movement helps him get to the enemy to attack (with Str boost from Rage).
Druid: Spells augment his fighting ability/Wild Shape. Or he can be summoner since he can spontaneously summon.
See it isn't just abilities but the synergy between them.
Monks get speed boost but they are forced not to move if they want to flurry. They can fall without damage but only if near a wall (they limitation makes ability mostly useless except for pit traps).
They get Improved unarm damage, but can't enhance it without speeding 3x price (getting +1 hit/dam is important). Sure, they get huge base damage, but it isn't base that matters but total bonus.
They get Wisdom to AC, but armor usually provides more.
They are also MAD (multiple ability Dependency):
Str = Damage/hit/grapple
Dex = AC/Init/Reflex (also hit if Weapon Finesse)
Con= hp, Fort checks
Int (skills, but not needed)
Wis = AC/Stunning Fist/will save
Cha = not needed.
So minimum 4 abiliies needed (Str, Dex, Con, Wis).
Even if dump Str and take Weapon Finesse that lowers damage (no other source to augment Unarmed damage).
1d20+1 is less than 2d6 +7 on average (by level 20, every Str based warrior should be having minimum 24 Str since magic items are assumed).
You could not boost Con (but then Hp suck).