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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tzeentch" data-source="post: 4367118" data-attributes="member: 13222">I'm not a big fan of the monk as presented in D&D due to the never-successful attempt to make it the games unarmed pugilist. No matter how many supernatural and extraordinary abilities they tacked on to help make it competitive against classes that used real weapons they just seemed ... wimpy. The idea of using feat chains to make unarmed even somewhat competitive also doesn't strike me as being a great idea, especially in 4e.In any case I've been working on a monk-flavored class (here just called Monk because I couldn't think of a better name). It can use weapons (and unarmed are just weapons in 4e) and is heavily focused on melee attacks, with an emphasis on single target debuffs. It is based around elements since that seems to be pretty common in media presentations. Focus was also adapted from the old psionic and combat focus in 3.5 and streamlined. Here it's the "expend your buff to get some extra stuff" shtick.This is my first time messing with the classes in 4e, so I'm looking forward to any comments on the focus system and how well the class gels in regards to its abilities. Obviously, the abilities are not done - I don't want to do a lot of work just for people to find the concept is broken <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Design Goals- Striker class  * Close range only with debuff effects- Abilities based around elemental theme- Minor resource management with focus that can be gained/expended- Abilities fully applicable to a pugilist if a way appears to make unarmed damage competitive- Evocative of cinematic wire-fu filmsTo Do- New name- Create class feats (more bonuses while holding focus a la combat focus in PHBII or better bonuses when spending a focus on the same attuned element ability maybe).MonkCLASS TRAITSRole: StrikerPower Source: KiKey Abilities: Strength, Wisdom, DexterityArmor Proficiencies: Cloth, leatherWeapon Proficiencies: Simple meleeBonus to Defense: +1 Reflex, +1 WillHit Points at 1st Level: 12 + Constitution scoreHit Points per Level Gained: 5Healing Surges per Day: 6 + Constitution modifierTrained Skills: Religion. From the class skills list below, choose three more trained skills at 1st level.Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex), Diplomacy (Cha), Endurance (Con), Heal (Wis), Insight (Wis), Perception (Wis), Religion (Int)Build Options: Avenging monk, enlightened monkClass Features: Elemental Attunement, FocusBlah blah stuff about the class.Creating a MonkThe avenging monk and the enlightened monk are the two monk builds, one relying on fast attacks and finishing moves, and the other on punishing counters and evasion. All monks rely on Wisdom to guide their esoteric forms, and Strength to give them force. Dexterity is also valued as a means of avoiding danger and allowing the monk to get in striking range.Avenging MonkYou focus on melee powers that deal damage and incapacitate your foes. Your attacks rely on your preternatural abilities given force by your Strength, so that should be your highest ability score. Wisdom is also important, as it adds a bonus to many of your powers. Constitution should be your third choice as you will be exposed to many dangers at close-range. Choose powers that relate to your preference for close-in fighting.Avenging monks should choose earth or water as their elemental attunement (see “Class Features”).Suggested Feat: Elemental Affinity (Human feat: Toughness)Suggested Skills: Acrobatics, Endurance, Perception, ReligionSuggested At-Will Powers: indomitable strike, dragon strikeSuggested Encounter Power: strength of earthSuggested Daily Power: atemi strikeEnlightened MonkYou prefer to avoid needless bloodshed, incapacitating your foes or placing them in such dire circumstances that they are forced to concede. In place of damaging attacks you rely on powers that are Wisdom-based, do that should be your best ability score. Strength is important when you are forced to show your true capabilities, so make it your second-best score.Enlightened monks should choose air or fire as their elemental attunement (see “Class Features”).Suggested Feat: Improved Focus (Human feat: Combat Reflexes)Suggested Skills: Acrobatics, Diplomacy, Insight, Perception, ReligionSuggested At-Will Powers: dragon strike, swallow strikeSuggested Encounter Power: flickering flameSuggested Daily Power: kharmic strikeMonk Class FeaturesAll monks share these class features.Elemental AttunementThe superhuman abilities of the monk rely on their mastery of the elemental forces that flow through their body. You may choose a single element that you have mastered, and gain its advantages as long as you maintain your Focus (see below).Air: While you maintain your Focus you gain a +1 power bonus to speed.Earth: While you maintain your Focus you gain a +1 power bonus to your Fortitude defense.  Fire: While you maintain your Focus you gain a +1 power bonus to Acrobatics or Insight checks.Water: While you maintain your Focus you gain a +1 power bonus to attack rolls.  FocusYou can hone your senses to a preternatural degree, giving you an edge in any fight. You can use the focus power to obtain this clarity of mind.Monk PowersMonk powers are called kiho. Each power is associated with one of the four elements, but you aren’t limited to choosing powers associated with your elemental attunement.Air and Fire kiho use your Wisdom score. Earth and Water kiho use your Strength score.Class FeaturesThe monk’s focus class feature works like a power and is presented below.Focus        Monk FeatureYou push aside the distractions that plague you, allowing your mind and body to become one.At-Will ✦ Ki, StanceMove Action    PersonalEffect: You gain focus.Level 1 At-Will KihoSwallow Strike      Monk (Air) Attack 1Your limbs ride the natural currents of the air straight through a gap in your foes defense.At-Will ✦ Ki, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to use this power as a minor action.Attack: Wisdom  vs. ReflexHit: 1[W] damage.Increase damage to 2[W] at 21st level.Indomitable Strike      Monk (Water) Attack 1With a mighty yell you attack.At-Will ✦ Ki, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus on a successful attack to daze the target until the end of your next turn.Attack: Strength  vs. ACHit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage.Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier at 21st level.Dragon Strike      Monk (Fire) Attack 1You quickly exploit your advantage.At-Will ✦ Ki, WeaponStandard Action Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: After a successful attack you may shift 1 square. You may expend your focus to shift an additional square.Attack: Wisdom  vs. ACHit: 1[W] damage.Increase damage to 2[W] at 21st level.Level 1 Encounter KihoUnrelenting Storm      Monk (Air) Attack 1A swing of your weapon summons a massive gust of air.Encounter ✦ Ki, WeaponStandard Action    Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to add +Wisdom modifier to damage.Attack: Wisdom  vs. AC.Hit: 1[W] damage. Slide the target 1 square.Increase damage to 2[W] at 21st level.Flickering Flame      Monk (Fire) Attack 1Your unceasing movements carry you away from the enemy at a crucial moment.Encounter ✦ KiImmediate Reaction     PersonalTrigger: An enemy makes a melee or ranged attack against youSpecial: You must expend your focus to use this ability.Effect: You can shift a number of squares equal to your Wisdom modifier.Strength of Earth      Monk (Earth) Attack 1The power of the earth flows through you.Encounter ✦ Ki, Healing, Reliable, WeaponStandard Action    Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to add +Wisdom modifier to effect of the healing surge.Attack: Strength  vs. AC.Hit: 2[W] +Strength modifier damage. In addition, you can spend a healing surge.Increase damage to 2[W] at 21st level.Level 1 Daily KihoAtemi Strike      Monk (Earth) Attack 1A well placed strike causes horrible internal damage.Daily ✦ Ki, Necrotic, WeaponStandard Action    Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus on a successful attack to weaken the target until the end of your next turn.Attack: Strength vs. FortituteHit: 2[W] +Strength modifier necrotic damage, and ongoing 5 necrotic damage (save ends)Flurry of Blows      Monk (Water) Attack 1Your foe is faced with unceasing attacks from unpredictable angles.Daily ✦ Ki, WeaponStandard Action    Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to add Miss: Half damage.Attack: Strength  vs. ReflexHit: 2[W] +Strength modifier damage. Target grants combat advantage until the end of your next turn.Kharmic Strike      Monk (Fire) Attack 1Your strike does little apparent damage, but has subtle effects.Daily ✦ Ki, Psychic, WeaponStandard Action    Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to extend duration to end of your next turn (save ends).Attack: Wisdom vs. WillHit: 1[W] +Wisdom modifier damage and target is Weakened until end of turn.Level 2 Utility KihoCloudgrasp      Monk (Air) Utility 2Your feet barely touch the ground.Encounter ✦ KiMove Action    PersonalTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to use this power as a free action.Effect: You may ignore difficult terrainEarthgrasp      Monk (Earth) Utility 2The power of earth compels you.Daily ✦ KiImmediate Interrupt    PersonalTrigger: You are hit by an attack.Special: You must expend your focus to use this power.Effect: You gain temporary hit points equal to your healing surge value + Strength modifierFiregrasp      Monk (Fire) Utility 2Your inner fire flares up.Daily ✦ KiImmediate Reaction    PersonalTrigger: You are bloodiedSpecial: You must expend your focus to use this power.Effect: You can make a melee basic attack within melee weapon range.Watergrasp      Monk (Water) Utility 2Water stuff happens.Daily ✦ KiImmediate Interrupt    PersonalTrigger: You hit a targetSpecial: You must expend your focus to use this power.Effect: Spend a healing surge to add a +4 power enhancement modifier to the damage of the attack.Level 3 Encounter KihoEarthbind      Monk (Earth) Attack 3The very earth reaches up to impede your foes.Encounter ✦ KiStandard Action    Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to Slow target (save ends)Attack: Strength vs. ReflexHit: Target treats all terrain as difficult until the end of your next turn.Sustain Minor: The effect persists.Exploit Weakness       Monk (Air) Attack 3You quickly take advantage of your foes foolish mistake.Encounter ✦ Ki, WeaponImmediate Reaction    Melee weaponTrigger: After an enemy misses with a melee attackTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to deal 1d4 damageAttack: Strength vs. FortitudeHit: Slide target 1, and target is knocked prone.Snuff the Flame      Monk (Fire) Attack 3Your blow destroys the spirit of the foe.Encounter ✦ Ki, Psychic, WeaponStandard Action    Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to add +4 power modifier to damage.Attack: Wisdom vs. WillHit: 2[W] +Wisdom modifier psychic damage, and the target is Dazed until the end of your next turn.Unbalancing Blow      Monk (Water) Attack 3Your strike knocks the foe off-balance.Encounter ✦ Ki, WeaponStandard Action    Melee weaponTarget: One creatureSpecial: You may expend your focus to slide the target 1 square.Attack: Strength vs. ACHit: 1[W] +Strength modifier damage. The target takes a penalty to its attack rolls equal to your Strength modifier until the end of your next turn. Target grants combat advantage until the end of your next turn.Level 5 Daily KihoEmpowered Ki      Monk (Fire) Attack 5Your attacks are augmented by your manifested ki.Daily ✦ Ki, Force, WeaponMinor Action    PersonalSpecial: You may expend your focus to make the effect burst 2.Effect: The next melee attack you make before the end of the turn becomes a burst 1 centered on the target. Use your normal attack bonus for the basic attack. All damage is force.</blockquote>

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