D&D 5E Monk and Mystic

[doctorbadwolf]

So, I'm thinking about making one or more Monk subclasses that dip into the Mystic.

There are a few ways this could go, and I'm torn between them.

1. The subclass can choose 1 Mystic Discipline and 1 Talent, at level 3. 1 more Discipline at each subclass level, 1 more Talent at level 11 and 17. lvl6 you get a slightly modified Telepathy, in adition to another Discipline. You use Ki in place of psi points. This feels in line with shadow monk. It's better than 4 elements, but so is Shadow and Open Palm.

2. The subclass gets the 1st level Benefits of 1 Mystic Order at monk level 3, including choosing disciplines, if the Order calls for it. Level 6 you get a talent and/or a discipline, or just keep getting the Order's stuff, one tier step behind? Either way, this one is "You get a Mystic Order" Ki in place of psi points, as above.

3. Some combination of the above.

4. A monk subclass for each Order, with restricted discipline and Talent access.

also, I'm letting the poll have two choices, for a yes or no question. Should we replace the 4 Elements stuff with Wu Jen Disciplines.

QUestions a poll can't answer: Do the point costs need to change? I know the Monk will be limited in how powerfully they can use to disiciplines, and some uses of each one will be just entirely out of reach. I thought about giving the subclass extra KI, but felt that would require scaling the other things it gets WAY down.

General thoughts?

 

[Xeviat]

I'm going a step further and rewriting the entire Monk to be the half-Mystic. I'm also having Mystic PP be short rest and changing their progression up to work out to 2 per level, but I'll wait to see the final version to figure out what to do about the 6th through 9th level effects. Monks don't have to worry about that.

My point is that the Paladin doesn't spend their "subclass points" on extra spells known; those are basically free. Extra options to spend Ki on, especially if they don't come with a cost reduction (like shadow spells) or an action reduction (like the sun soul's burning hands), a psychic monk should get class abilities beyond just getting disciplines.


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[Xeviat]

Monk ki to pp works fine. The monk has about as much Ki as a paladin would have SP if you divided it by 3 (for two short rests per long rest).


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[doctorbadwolf]

Interesting. I do generally think the Monk needs more ki, and more things to use it on. I'd be down to add some of the simpler disciplines to the main list, and some unique Monk stuff that feels more paionic, like punching at a distance, throwing somone, etc Jedi telekenisis stuff.

 

[cbwjm]

I haven't looked at adding any of the other mystic subclasses to monk, but I have revised the 4 elements as follows.

Way of the 4 elements update.
At 3rd, 6th, 11th, and 17th level. A way of the 4 elements monk gains access to a psionic discipline chosen from the following list:
• Mastery of Air
• Mastery of Fire
• Mastery of Ice
• Mastery of Water
• Mastery of Wood and Earth

They must spend ki to activate the powers and the cost in ki is made at a 1:1 ratio with Psi Points. The maximum ki that can be spent on a single use of a discipline power is as follows:

Level: Psi Point Limit
3: 2
5: 3
9: 5
13: 6
17: 7

I think this makes for a more interesting monk with their ki working on short rest they are almost like a psionic version of the warlock. I did think originally giving them a pool of psi points as well, but I think using ki makes it simpler. They will also still have to decide between using a discipline or a monk ability.

 

[Xeviat]

Give them some elemental cantrips and they'd be super.


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[cbwjm]

Give them some elemental cantrips and they'd be super.


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I didn't mention it in my update to the 4 elements monk, but I still give them their elemental attunement ability lets them do some minor elemental themed effects.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I haven't looked at adding any of the other mystic subclasses to monk, but I have revised the 4 elements as follows.

Way of the 4 elements update.
At 3rd, 6th, 11th, and 17th level. A way of the 4 elements monk gains access to a psionic discipline chosen from the following list:
• Mastery of Air
• Mastery of Fire
• Mastery of Ice
• Mastery of Water
• Mastery of Wood and Earth

They must spend ki to activate the powers and the cost in ki is made at a 1:1 ratio with Psi Points. The maximum ki that can be spent on a single use of a discipline power is as follows:

Level: Psi Point Limit
3: 2
5: 3
9: 5
13: 6
17: 7

I think this makes for a more interesting monk with their ki working on short rest they are almost like a psionic version of the warlock. I did think originally giving them a pool of psi points as well, but I think using ki makes it simpler. They will also still have to decide between using a discipline or a monk ability.

Interesting. I don't know for sure if I'd give up on two elemental disciplines for 1 wu jen mastery, but probably. You say later that you still give them Elemental Attunement, which is good. I'd still give them 1 of the EE elemental control cantrips, associated with the element of the discipline they choose, I think.
I assume they can focus like a mystic, to benefit from the Physic Focus benefit of a given discipline?

 

[cbwjm]

Interesting. I don't know for sure if I'd give up on two elemental disciplines for 1 wu jen mastery, but probably. You say later that you still give them Elemental Attunement, which is good. I'd still give them 1 of the EE elemental control cantrips, associated with the element of the discipline they choose, I think.
I assume they can focus like a mystic, to benefit from the Physic Focus benefit of a given discipline?

They can use psychic focus. When using a discipline, they are treated in all ways as a mystic so that means they are able to choose to use the focus from any of their disciplines.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I wonder if the Soulknife would be balanced as a monk subclass.