D&D 5E 5th edition monks

Cap'n Kobold · Dec 14, 2019

Morlaf said:
I am respecting its individuality perfectly.... which is why I only complained about monks. Everything else works fine. I am usually the one laughing at ppl who say things like Ranger Beastmasters are under-powered. I don't mind possible imbalance issues. The entire "philosophy" of monks that do not need strength is for me silly.....

Bear in mind that if you want a pure martial artist, the Fighter is a better thematic representation than the Monk.

The Monk is a magical martial artist, and gets a pass for needing Strength, because they are using magic rather than pure technique and physicality the way a real-life martial artist does. 5e Monks don't need to be built like a Shaolin monk, Bruce Lee or an MMA contender or similar.

If you want a character based on a real-life martial artist, whether a Shaolin warrior, Maister of Defence, some Samurai etc, you could just use the Fighter class. A recent Unearthed Arcana has an Unarmed Fighting style that you could incorporate if you want your character to specialise in the unarmed martial arts.

Morlaf · Dec 14, 2019

Cap'n Kobold said:
Bear in mind that if you want a pure martial artist, the Fighter is a better thematic representation than the Monk.

The Monk is a magical martial artist, and gets a pass for needing Strength, because they are using magic rather than pure technique and physicality the way a real-life martial artist does. 5e Monks don't need to be built like a Shaolin monk, Bruce Lee or an MMA contender or similar.

If you want a character based on a real-life martial artist, whether a Shaolin warrior, Maister of Defence, some Samurai etc, you could just use the Fighter class. A recent Unearthed Arcana has an Unarmed Fighting style that you could incorporate if you want your character to specialise in the unarmed martial arts.

i will definitely have a look at that unearthed arcana thing you mentioned - thanks!
as for monks being "magical" that is the only way you get a "pass on strength".....
as do sorcerers, wizards, etc.....

plisnithus8 · Dec 14, 2019

Xeviat said:
This is where there is some issue with D&D ability scores. One of a few places. Dexterity is both hand-eye coordination and agility, but it's not associated with movement speed at all.

Actually Dexterity is associated with speed: (PHB p. 176) "A Dexterity check can model any attempt to move nimbly, quickly, or quietly, or to keep from falling on tricky footing."

Morlaf · Dec 14, 2019

plisnithus8 said:
Actually Dexterity is associated with speed: (PHB p. 176) "A Dexterity check can model any attempt to move nimbly, quickly, or quietly, or to keep from falling on tricky footing."

no1 is doubting that they have carefully chosen their descriptions to fit their models.... monk not needing str? silly.....

doctorbadwolf · Dec 15, 2019

In dnd 5e terms, gymnasts are strong because they train Athletics, and don't dump (negative mod) strength. But they aren’t Strong like heavy weapon users are, unless they use heavy weapons.

Because in dnd your stats aren’t nitty gritty, they’re about what is most prominent about you. It doesn’t matter how strong Bruce Lee was IRL, in dnd 5e his Dex is much higher.

Charlaquin · Dec 15, 2019

Morlaf said:
I am respecting its individuality perfectly.... which is why I only complained about monks. Everything else works fine. I am usually the one laughing at ppl who say things like Ranger Beastmasters are under-powered. I don't mind possible imbalance issues. The entire "philosophy" of monks that do not need strength is for me silly.....

Are you, though (evaluating 5e as it’s own game, that is)? Cause It’s sounding like what you’re picturing when you’re thinking of a monk is this:

And that’s not what the 5e monk is. The 5e monk looks like this:

That doesn’t look like a character who particularly needs strength to be realized.

doctorbadwolf · Dec 15, 2019

Charlaquin said:
Are you, though (evaluating 5e as it’s own game, that is)? Cause It’s sounding like what you’re picturing when you’re thinking of a monk is this:

And that’s not what the 5e monk is. The 5e monk looks like this:
View attachment 116800

That doesn’t look like a character who particularly needs strength to be realized.

Well, both are definitely good 5e monks.

Because any Acrobat with a high Dex will have very well defined musculature. 5e just doesn’t try to make you invest in strength just to model the musculature gained by training in gymnastics.

Charlaquin · Dec 15, 2019

doctorbadwolf said:
Well, both are definitely good 5e monks.

Because any Acrobat with a high Dex will have very well defined musculature. 5e just doesn’t try to make you invest in strength just to model the musculature gained by training in gymnastics.

Well, yes, but I don’t think that’s going to be the most convincing argument to Morlaf.

doctorbadwolf · Dec 15, 2019

Charlaquin said:
Well, yes, but I don’t think that’s going to be the most convincing argument to Morlaf.

I suppose you’re right.

Then again, I don’t really grok how it’s a problem to just...make your monk use strength more?

hawkeyefan · Dec 15, 2019

Is a monk’s ability about raw strength, or in how one’s strength is applied?

I think the complaint relies an an interpretation of the game’s stats that’s far too literal.

I mean, a huge lummox in a strong man competition, who can throw telephone poles and lift up cars is undoubtedly stronger than Bruce Lee was. But which is more likely to know how to throw a devastating punch?

D&D 5E 5th edition monks

Cap'n Kobold

Hero

Morlaf

Villager

plisnithus8

Adventurer

Morlaf

Villager

doctorbadwolf

Heretic of The Seventh Circle

Charlaquin

Goblin Queen (She/Her/Hers)

doctorbadwolf

Heretic of The Seventh Circle

Charlaquin

Goblin Queen (She/Her/Hers)

doctorbadwolf

Heretic of The Seventh Circle

hawkeyefan

Legend

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