D&D 5E Mythic Odysseys of Theros Reviews

[SkidAce]

I just think monks in D&D are cool. They're fun to play, have neat abilities, and represent a cool archetype. I don't have a problem with their being adapted to a specific setting, if they do a good job. It would sadden me if they were pulled from the game.

We had "kung-fu" monks in our campaign. We also had "monastary" monks that walked into fights with stern fists (easier in earlier editions without special effect abilities), we even had "psychic" monks.

I agree they are easily adaptable to a setting.

 

[Haldrik]

Personally, I don't imagine the battle of Thermopylae being a test of Dexterity and Wisdom. The class is a poor fit for Spartans.

300 style Spartans are non-armored warriors who rely on Dexterity for their AC.

Spartans have high Wisdom in the sense of being fearless and resolute (will save).

Also, Spartans rely on Wisdom in the sense of perception to avoid being hit thus improve their naked AC.

The Monk class seems to work well enough.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

300 style Spartans are non-armored warriors who rely on Dexterity for their AC.

Spartans have high Wisdom in the sense of being fearless and resolute (will save).

Also, Spartans rely on Wisdom in the sense of perception to avoid being hit thus improve their naked AC.

The Monk class seems to work well enough.

In what way were the Spartans wise? Their social values seem rather arbitrary. Their wit was the butt of many Athenian jokes (see Aristophanes's Lysistrata).

Were they pathetic weaklings with 8-12 strength?

Could they run on water?

Could they deflect missiles with their hands?

Could they fall slowly?

Were they immune to poison and disease?

Did they stop aging?

Could they project astrally?

 

[Haldrik]

In what way were the Spartans wise?

In what way were the Spartans "wise"?

In the nonsensical sense of D&D jargon.

"Wisdom" means will save and perception checks.



I assume the Spartans tend to have high Strength as well, for the sake of Athletic checks which seem more plausible because they are armorless.



Did they stop aging? The Olympians are immortal, and sometimes explained by "ether", so "deification" and "ascension" imply agelessness.

Project astrally? The oracles might have outofbody visions.



It is moreso of a blend of disparate concepts, but each Monk feature on its own seems to parallel a Greek analogue.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

In what way were the Spartans "wise"?

In the nonsensical sense of D&D jargon.

"Wisdom" means will save and perception checks.

OK, whatever. If we can't agree that wisdom means wisdom, I don't think this conversion is going anywhere.

 

[Haldrik]

OK, whatever. If we can't agree that wisdom means wisdom, I don't think this conversion is going anywhere.

Heh. If I had my way. I would split "Wisdom" into Perception and Willpower. Give Perception to Intelligence, give Willpower to Charisma, and never see the word "Wisdom" in D&D again.

Heh when a deer and an eagle are "wiser" than a human, D&D "Wisdom" cannot mean wisdom.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Heh. If I had my way. I would split "Wisdom" into Perception and Willpower. Give Perception to Intelligence, give Willpower to Charisma, and never see the word "Wisdom" in D&D again.

That's one way to do it.

I would prefer 4 scores: Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity, and Willpower, but that's just me.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The Battle of Thermopylae is closer to (mythologised) history than the actual Myths that Theros is based on, so it's relevance is debatable.

But the D&D Fighter isn't really a good fit for a Spartan because of their dependence on armor, and D&D monks can't use shields, so barbarian is the best mechanical fit for a spartan warrior, despite the legendary discipline of one, and the legendary lack of of the other.

Could they run on water?
Could they fall slowly?
Were they immune to poison and disease?
Did they stop aging?
Could they project astrally?

This is a good list of things to drop from the core monk class in a hypothetical 6e.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

This is a good list of things to drop from the core monk class in a hypothetical 6e.

You want to drop the coolest, most unique monk abilities?

Running on water is much more interesting than flurry of blow (another attack, yawn).

 

[Paul Farquhar]

You want to drop the coolest, most unique monk abilities?

Running on water is much more interesting than flurry of blow (another attack, yawn).

No, moving the most obviously culturally wuxia inspired abilities to a subclass might be enough.