Monks in Pathfinder 2: Fighting Styles & Ki

In the latest Pathfinder 2nd Edition news, we get a look at the monk! This is quite a long entry, with details on class features, class feats, fighting styles, and ki.

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• Monks choose between Str or Dex for their key ability
• Start with expert proficiency in all saving throws, and begin trained in unarmed attacks
• Powerful Fist increases their unarmed damage die size
• No Wis bonus to AC
• Expert proficiency in unarmored defense at 1st level, master at 13th, legendary at 17th
• Flurry of Blows (1st level) makes two attacks with an unarmed attack action (second at -4)
• Incredible Movement (3rd level) increases speed by 10' (+5'/3 levels) when unarmored
• Magic Strikes (3rd level) makes unarmed attacks magical and increases proficiency to expert
• Metal Strikes (5th level) makes unarmed attacks act as cold iron and silver
• Path to Perfection (7th level) increases a save's proficiency to master, and at 11th level treat a successful save as a critical success, and at 15th level increase another save to master or the first save to legendary
• Fierce Flurry (9th level) increases flurry of blows damage dice when both attacks hit
• Adamantine Strikes (17th level) makes unarmed attacks act as adamantine
• Perfected Form (19th level) makes any unarmed attack which rolls less than 10 be treated as a 10
• Monk feats --
  • Monastic Weaponry (1st level) use unarmed attack proficiency with simple/martial monk weapons
  • Brawling Focus (4th level) critical specialisation effect for brawling weapon group (crits cause a condition)
  • Stunning Fist require a save or be flat-footed (or stupefied if critically failed)
  • Deflect Arrow (4th level) reaction gives +4 AC vs a ranged attack
  • Flying Kick uses two actions to jump and strike
  • Ghost Strike uses two actions to target Touch AC
  • Wall Run up vertical surfaces at full speed.
• Fighting styles --
  • Crane Stance (1st level) gives +1 AC and increased jumping, but only allows crane wing attacks which do 1d6 damage
  • Crane Flutter is a reaction which increases AC against a melee attack and allows an immediate counter attack at -4
  • Mastery of Many Styles (16th level) allows you to enter stances as a free action rather than an action
• Ki --
  • Ki powers are spells which use Spell Points (equal to Wis modifier)
  • Ki Strike is a verbal free action which give s+1 to an attack roll
  • Abundant Step is a teleport
  • Ki Blast is a cone of force
  • Quivering Palms (16th level) allows you to slay your victim if they critically fail a save, or stun them on a normal fail

 

[mellored]

One of the great improvements of 5E that you tend to forget about is doing away with useless third and fourth attacks.

I guess we need PF to remind us of exactly how great 5E is in actually fixing 3E's issues.

You wouldn't make useless 3rd and 4th attacks in PF2.

You'd use those other actions to do other things, like move.

 

[Aldarc]

You wouldn't make useless 3rd and 4th attacks in PF2.

You'd use those other actions to do other things, like move.

Shhhh... let the guy constantly complaining about balance problems in 5e talk about how great 5e is in fixing balance.

 

[rmcoen]

So the PF2 Monk's first round is going to be "Move in, Flurry 0 and Flurry -4, Move out", with increased speed. Opponent, assuming no ranged attack will have to "Move, Move, Attack" -- Monk moves 40, remember? Monk's second and subsequent rounds can be "Flurry 0 and Flurry -4, Strike -8, Move", or "Cool 2-action thing, Move". Opponent will have to keep double-moving to catch the faster monk, who will keep double-attacking....

However... I'd rather be making a single d12 greatsword attack at full bonus than a d6 attack at full and a d6 attack at -4, wouldn't you? Monkie is a hornet... stings a lot, but one good swipe, and the irritation is gone.

 

[Emerikol]

I have to admit that I've never seen a monk I've liked mechanically that I also thought had a good flavor. My group really doesn't play monks much. I did have one player. This monk though really sounds interesting. I could see it getting played.