Level Up (A5E) Monk Buff Suggestion

[Snarf Zagyg]

If I was to make the Monk stronger (which I don't think needs to be done, but still), then I would do the following, in this exact order.

1. (Only use this in a game that has short rest problems) Give Monks 3x the ki, and make ki recharge on long rests. As a possible variant, give 4x ki.

2. Provide Monks with the Mobile feat free of charge as 4th level bonus. This caters to the monk's strengths (more speed, free disengage) without being too powerful.

3. If the above two aren't enough, remove MAD dependency. Base monk chassis has two areas for wisdom; in unarmored defense and ki saves. Change the defense to 11+Dex Mod+ Proficiency and the Ki save to dex-based. If you want, create an alternate monk that is entirely wisdom based.

Those changes are more than enough, in my opinion, to make the monk almost OP.

Things I would NOT do:

A. Change the hd of the Monk. The monk is not a front-line fighter. It is not a d10 or d12 class.

B. Change the martial arts die.

 

[DND_Reborn]

So the idea then is a dex/wis half-caster so that it more clearly fits into 5e's class dynamics? And to dump the old Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee flavor in exchange something more akin to a Naruto style basically-magic power system? Sure, that seems neat. I'm not sure its exactly a monk, but maybe that's for the best given how much of a mess monk is.

As much as I like some anime, this gets back into the debate about what a PC is: grounded in reality but with really cool stuff (Jackie Chan, Jet Li, etc.) or mystical, magical, and such (like anime often is).

I don't want to play anime style monks, etc. otherwise I would have stuck with the Street Fighter RPG back in the day. I'm totally onboard with that as a subclass that does that, but the core class should focus more on the broader idea of monk IMO.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I'd be ok with that......but I'd prefer it under the monk, I think.

I disagree. The monk has mystical trappings that an unarmed fighter doesn't need.

 

[Zaukrie]

I disagree. The monk has mystical trappings that an unarmed fighter doesn't need.

Well, that's not true of all monks......but we can disagree on that.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Even without grappling it turns your fists into a Versatile Weapon so that's pretty neat. And, unlike a Monk, you can still wear Chainmail and a Shield if you want. Take the Shield Master Feat and you're one throwable Shield away from Captain America

Combine it with Battlemaster and the Crusher Feat for some shenanigans... I think it'll be fun.

I dream of a Captain America fighter. I even invented a throwing shield for my home games!

 

[Micah Sweet]

Well, that's not true of all monks......but we can disagree on that.

All monks use ki... although I suppose you could call it something else.

 

[Zaukrie]

All monks use ki... although I suppose you could call it something else.

All monks in the current game do....that's kind of my point. They don't have to. The monk class is the best class for an unarmed fighter, one with "monks have mystical powers" and one with "monks are fighting machines, with their bodies" would be great. I realize not everyone agrees, and I'm ok with that.

 

[Minigiant]

I think there should be more base KI options and each monk should should 3 of them.

• Flurry of Blows
• Patient Defense
• Step in the Wind
• Stone Strike (add martial arts dice to damage)
• Zen Shot (Ranged attack with Wis modier)
• Some sort or grab and toss thing

Then subclasses would upgrade one of the base ki options or add more

 

[Zaukrie]

I agree there should be way more Ki options, and that monks need more jumping, wall climbing, and cool movement/attack combos. I'd like that to be their thing, moving and attacking a lot, in cool ways. Also, throwing, pushing, pulling opponents. A controller, if you will.....

 

[Phoebasss]

Then subclasses would upgrade one of the base ki options or add more

This would also fit well with some other classes subclass design. Like 1/3 caster rogue with its "If you do not already have mage hand, gain it and improve it in this roguey way." That's something that I think is a really good way of making something feel like a subclass with a real connection to its main class.