Help with the monk

[Kanachi]

I’ve a player interested in playing a kung-fu style archetype in my next E6 campaign and I am worried that they will find the actual character class “monk” disappointing. I’ve little experience with the class personally but i’ve heard it said a lot how its rather underpowered.

So my question is two fold:

A) Is there another class which can be re-themed well to match the kung-fu style archetype well. If so how would you build such a class and go about the re-theme?

B) Is there a simple adjustment you would make to the monk class in order to up its power level slightly (full bab?). My players are all pretty new so simply relying on them to power game their way out with overly complex optimisation is not the kind of answer i’m looking for.

Remember this is an E6 campaign so only the first few levels are of importance here.

Any help you can offer would be awesome!

 

[LiL KiNG]

The Swordsage (tome of battle) using the unarmed variant makes a great kung-fuey monk.

The maneuver options to pick from let you theme yourself out for a particular style as well.

 

[Grogg of the North]

Disclaimer: I've never played E6 but have a vague idea of what it entails.

1) You could do a Barbarian with unarmed strike. It would have more of an angry brawler feel to it than a kung-fu master though. If PrC's are allowed, definitely look at Fist of the Forest to turn your barbarian into a psuedo-monk.

Otherwise a fighter or rogue could do it too. Just say the rogue's sneak attack is the PC striking pressure points. Weapon focus/spec would be a sign of the fighter's training. Role-playing is your friend.

2) I've always allowed Ki (Magic) to allow the monk to hit incorporeal creatures. I know that many will state that RAW will not let them, but I always figured that was what was intended and no one has ever complained in my groups.

Just give your monk Stunning Fist and spare them the feat tax. Stunning Fist is bar far more useful than improved grapple and if your monk doesn't take it they probably never will get it while improved grapple can be taken whenever. Also there are so many things that you need stunning fist for, especially in books like Complete Warrior.

For Purity of Body, I've never made any distinction between magical and regular diseases. That's mostly because I'm lazy though. Again no one ever complained.

Finally, I would highly recommend you take a look at what pathfinder did for flurry of blows (monk level = bab for flurry) and their maneuver training (again monk level = bab for special attacks). Monk - Pathfinder_OGC

I hope that helps!

 

[Dandu]

There are absolutely no problems with the monk; it is the only other core class, aside from the barbarian, that has no dead levels. Players always have something to look forward to with the monk, which boasts the most colorful and unique special abilities of all the character classes.

 

[Wyvernhand]

The best monk builds are those with the fewest levels of monk in them.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

What source materials do you have to choose from?

2 levels Monk, 4 levels Psychic Warrior with the Tashalatora Feat would give you a few options, although at that few levels, I don't know how many.

I'd want to second @LiL KiNG about the Swordsage Unarmed Variant if you have access to the Tome of Battle.

What's "Kung Fu-esque"? Is it the Unarmed Strike? Is it the AC bonus? Speed progression? Not needing armor? Flurry of Blows?

What level are you starting from? Because the Fist of the Forest PrC can be entered at level 5, making a (Something full BAB)4/Fist of the Forest2 that deals 1d8 damage, gets CON to AC, +10 landspeed, Uncanny Dodge, and some unique non-monk abilities that make them fierce.

Fist of the Forest prereqs include Great Fortitude, Improved Unarmed Strike & Power Attack.

A Fighter base would help mitigate the feats, but I'd really recommend a Ranger variant Bear-Wrestling (Dragon Magazine 326 p.97) which get's Improved Unarmed Strike at level 2 or Ranger variant Strong-Arm (Dragon Magazine 326 p.97) which get's Power attack at level 2 to free up a feat. There Are A Number Of Ranger Spells that could aid a Monk flavor without seeming too much like a caster. An animal companion would just be a bonus. Ranger4/Fist of the Forest2 could be a nifty puncher.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

There are absolutely no problems with the monk; it is the only other core class, aside from the barbarian, that has no dead levels. Players always have something to look forward to with the monk, which boasts the most colorful and unique special abilities of all the character classes.

Dandu, that was hilarious, but I fear the OP may not catch the sarcasm.

To chime in, Unarmed variant Swordsage is the best solution, as others have said. Just be sure he takes Adaptive Style feat.