D&D 4E (Speculation) 4e Monks Will be Defenders, Methinks

[Kel]

Ok, I know it is very late in the game to be speculating, given that the playtest version of the 4e monk comes out tomorrow. However, I noticed something over the weekend -- in the 9th issue of the Scales of War adventure path, there is an 11th-level NPC monk named "Gallia." If you take a close look at her stats, I'd say monks are going to be defenders, not strikers...

The chief reason I say this is that she is listed as "soldier," not a "skirmisher." In the DMG, all strikers become "skirmishers" when translated into NPC form. Meanwhile, all defenders become "soldiers." Sorry if someone else already picked up on this, but it seems to me to be a fairly big clue regarding the role that monks will play.

The NPC's other stats are telling as well. She has an at-will power that allows her to shift to stay adjacent to any enemy that tries to shift away from her. Sounds kind of like the converse of the fighter's "sticky" power -- instead of making them stay near you, you make yourself stay near them. Plus, it factors in the monk's trademark mobility, but in a way that is less strikery and more defendery.

Plus, the NPC's damage output is fairly moderate -- 2d8 at-will unarmed strike.

The more I think about it, the more it seems to fit. I guess we'll find out if I'm right fairly soon...

 

[Piratecat]

I wrote that adventure, and made up the stats myself. Sorry to disappoint you! But they're completely, totally unrelated to whatever is coming out from WotC.

 

[Mort_Q]

I'm hoping for controller myself.

 

[Runestar]

I am leaning towards controller (emphasis on repositioning foes and debuffing/disabling them)/striker (emphasis on mobility) myself.

 

[Kel]

I wrote that adventure, and made up the stats myself. Sorry to disappoint you! But they're completely, totally unrelated to whatever is coming out from WotC.

Doh! [shakes fist at the sky]

Well, for what it's worth, I thought it was a good concept, Piratecat.

I'm hoping for controller myself.

I am too. I think it fits much more than striker. However, after thinking so much about monks-as-defenders over the weekend, I was really thinking they'd work well as defenders too.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Striker with controllery (but only close targets) aspects. Soon find out

There is a similar thread on general as well, BTW.

 

[malcolm_n]

Psionic Striker (controller at close range = one build).

Can't really reveal much more of the playtest without the brass knuckles knocking down my door .

 

[Victim]

I would hope for defender too. There's sort of glut of strikers.

And martial arts characters, while usually acrobatic, also tend towards facing their enemies in a straightforward fashion. They dodge and parry all kinds of stuff.

I think we should could use some interesting defender stuff too. Fighters seem to clearly dominate that niche, IME.

 

[Eldorian]

I have to say, it's pretty freaking sweet. Still reading.

 

[Mithreinmaethor]

I would hope for defender too. There's sort of glut of strikers.

And martial arts characters, while usually acrobatic, also tend towards facing their enemies in a straightforward fashion. They dodge and parry all kinds of stuff.

I think we should could use some interesting defender stuff too. Fighters seem to clearly dominate that niche, IME.

The Playtest is out. The Monk is a Psionic Striker. The build in the Playtest is meant for Dex/Wisdom builds but there will be Dex/Str build in the PHB3 as well.