more monk questions: staffs, clubs

[evilbob]

1. It is my interpretation that the Character Builder functions correctly in that a monk can use a staff as an implement because it is a quarterstaff and they are able to use a quarterstaff as an implement, HOWEVER because monks do not have "staff implement" as one of their possible implements, they cannot take the feat "superior implement".

If you're looking at the Compendium you won't find a prereq, but in the PHB3 the prereq for the feat is that the implement "must be of a type you are already able to use". Monks can't use staff implements; they can only use staffs as quarterstaff implements. Therefore, they simultaneously do not qualify for the feat but can still use staffs as implements.

Confused? So is everyone. My question is: does this seem right? I have posted in a couple of other threads but I thought I'd direct comments here.


2. Monks can use staffs as implements because they are quarterstaves. I think there is consensus on this. (They cannot, for example, use orbs or wands, however.) Because of this, one of their most powerful weapons automatically becomes a Staff of Ruin.

Enter the Crashing Tempest Style feat. Which says while you are wielding a club, you do +2 damage on a Flurry.

This means that for pure damage output, your best combination is to carry a non-magical (1g) club in your main hand, and also a Staff of Ruin in your off-hand, and use the staff as your conduit for all implement powers.

This is really, really dumb. However, can anyone find fault with that logic?

(Repeat this question for carrying a spear and the Pointed Step Style feat.)


3. Full discipline powers are also confusing. I understand that you can only use "one per round, unless you spend an action point" - but can you use the same one multiple times? For example, the movement part of Dancing Cobra is that you can move your move +2. Can you use the movement part of Dancing Cobra twice in one round to move your movement x2 +4?

It says "you can use the techniques of an at-will full discipline power as many times during a round as you like, provided you have enough of the required actions." Does that mean you can use the movement part twice?


Edit:
4. Regarding the Pointed Step Style feat, does that work with "a spear" meaning "exactly one weapon and that is the 1-handed weapon called spear" or does that work with any "spear"-type weapon, including longspear, greatspear, etc.?

 

[abyssaldeath]

3. Full discipline powers are also confusing. I understand that you can only use "one per round, unless you spend an action point" - but can you use the same one multiple times? For example, the movement part of Dancing Cobra is that you can move your move +2. Can you use the movement part of Dancing Cobra twice in one round to move your movement x2 +4?

It says "you can use the techniques of an at-will full discipline power as many times during a round as you like, provided you have enough of the required actions." Does that mean you can use the movement part twice?

If it as an at-will Full discipline power then yes you can use the move portion twice. If it is a encounter or daily FD then no.

 

[evilbob]

Expanding on 1:

A monk's class describes their implement proficiencies as "ki focus, weapons with which you are proficient". Staffs are neither. Because of this, they are unable to take a "superior implement" feat, because no superior implement (currently, anyway) is an implement that they can already use. ("The implement must be of a type you are already able to use.")

However.

Because monks are proficient with quarterstaves, they CAN use quarterstaves as implements. And staffs are quarterstaves. So using a staff AS a quarterstaff, they can use the staff as an implement. So a Staff of Ruin is a legal choice for monk powers.

 

[evilbob]

If it as an at-will Full discipline power then yes you can use the move portion twice. If it is a encounter or daily FD then no.

So you can use the same one more than once in a round without using an action point?

 

[abyssaldeath]

So you can use the same one more than once in a round without using an action point?

As many times as you like in a round as long as you have the actions for it. The answer is in your post.

It says "you can use the techniques of an at-will full discipline power as many times during a round as you like, provided you have enough of the required actions."

The standard action and movement action of a Full Discipline power are called techniques and that quote says you can use the techniques of an at-will FD power as many times as you like in a round. Provided you have the actions to spend.

 

[Mort_Q]

The rule regarding the action point is the exception to rule that says you can only use actions from one full discipline in a round.

You can use any action within a single full discipline provided that you have the actions available to do so.

 

[evilbob]

Posted another question (4) in the original post.

 

[Mort_Q]

Posted another question (4) in the original post.

Any weapon with the spear keyword, i.e. in the spear group.

 

[abyssaldeath]

Given that it is a Monk feat I would say that Pointed Step Style should work for just the spear weapon not the entire group. Especially since Crashing Tempest Style only works for one weapon.



Edit: Mort is correct by RAW, but I believe my answer is RAI.

 

[mysticknight232]

not to thread-jack this...but what does RAW and RAI mean? i see it a lot and assume it's a common accronym, but can't figure it out. thanks.