D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] Monk Bonus Feats

[Rashak Mani]

1st lvl -> Impr Grapple OR Stunning Fist

2nd lvl -> Combt Reflexes OR Deflect Arrows

6th lv -> Impr Disarm OR Impr Trip

What is the logic behind these new choices for feats ? Grapple and Disarm are still a bit similar... but Combt Reflexes ? So its not a "new style". Well giving more choices is always good anyway.

Now what irks me is that in 2nd lvl I cant choose the other 1st lvl feat I didnt chose. Or can I ?

So can I get Impr. Grapple in 1st and Stunning Fist in 2nd ? (disregarding CR and DA totally)

In general what do people think of these new Monk Feat choices ?

 

[Crothian]

I like it, but in 3.0 I was using basically the same thing from the optional rules presented in OA.

 

[orbitalfreak]

By the rules, you cannot choose a feat for one of those bonus feats except for what is specifically mentioned in the class description.

[house rule]
However, I don't think that choosing a "lower level" feat for a "higher level" feat slot is anywhere near game-breaking. For instance, you could go: Imp. Grapple, then Stunning Fist, and Improved Trip.

I would allow the same with the Ranger's Combat Paths, but you can't choose a feat without having already selected the lower one on the feat chain. For instance, you could go: Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Rapid Shot. You couldn't go: Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Manyshot; you would have to have Rapid Shot (even as a regular feat) before you could pick up Manyshot.
[/house rule]

 

[Rashak Mani]

Especially because the 2nd lvl feats are relatively ty compared to the others... or at least I thought so.

 

[Legildur]

And if you are using the optional rules from Oriental Adventures, then the bonus Deflect Arrows or Combat Reflexes feat choice suddenly becomes problematic when looking to qualify for some OA martial art feats or martial art styles.

And have you seen an Enlarge(d) Person monk with Combat Reflexes and the Great Throw feat? Very funny.

Or even without the input from OA, Cbt Reflexes and Improved Trip can now be a devastating combo to humanoids in 3.5E.

Edit: Spelling

 

[CrimsonTemplar]

Monks from Dragon 310

I liked some of the altrernate monk builds from Dragon 310. Basicall ti replaces the bonus feats, requires max rankis in a skill by 6th and grants a special ability. I'm playing a Monk of the Undying Way in a home campaign right now. I'm gonna get Expertise @ 3rd or 6th so I can get the 2/- DR when I fight using it or defensively after 6th level. I'll prolly get Stunning Fist later as a regular feat.

 

[Legildur]

I'm looking forward to Dragon #310 (Australia is a little slow in getting it).

But I would find it tough to give up Stunning Fist as the bonus 1st level feat. Sure it takes a successful strike on your part and a failed saved on their part to bring it off, but it can make a real difference when it does. Aside from the bonuses to hit, and the loss of your opponent's action, the auto disarm (stunned creatures drop whatever they are holding) is great.

 

[Lord Rasputin]

I'm looking forward to Dragon #310 (Australia is a little slow in getting it).

But I would find it tough to give up Stunning Fist as the bonus 1st level feat. Sure it takes a successful strike on your part and a failed saved on their part to bring it off, but it can make a real difference when it does. Aside from the bonuses to hit, and the loss of your opponent's action, the auto disarm (stunned creatures drop whatever they are holding) is great.

Of course, that's the almost automatic choice for me -- of course I gave up Stunning Fist. Improved Grapple works much nicer.

Oddly enough, it's the 2nd level feats that give me the most pause. I'd want both of them.

 

[Legildur]

<sigh> Yeah, Improved Grapple is sweet. My 1st level dwarven monk wrestler is making good use of it. Thing is, you can pick that feat up at any usual feat level, but Stunning Fist is a lot harder to qualify for lunti much later.

And I understand your 2nd level bonus feat dilemma, they are both nice (and Deflect Arrows is a prerequisite for so many things in OA). However, I'll be taking Combat Reflexes given that my friendly Wizard has memorised Enlarge Person for my use.

 

[The Souljourner]

I definitely think 1st level is a nobrainer. Imrpoved grapple is so much more handy than stunning fist. I think I've seen stunning fist work all of once since 3.0 began. +4 to grapple checks is WAY more useful, especially for monks who can do full damage in a grapple, and like Legildur said, enlarge person is da bomb... yeah, I'll add another +4 to my grapple check, thankyouverymuch. And that just makes combat reflexes so much better too.

I do still think deflect arrows is good, and I have a character who is going to take combat reflexes as his bonus feat and deflect arrows as a normal feat. He's going Ninja of the Crescent Moon, so needs deflect arrows, and combat reflexes is too good to ignore. Of course, I've seen how good deflect arrows is too... how to automatically strip the ranged attacker of his best attack... heh, our party archer hates all the monks we've been fighting.

-The Souljourner