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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Vordimir" data-source="post: 4327107" data-attributes="member: 62634">The goal: Design a monk class as a "mobile striker" that preserved the flavor of the 3.x edition monk, while giving it appropriate relevance in 4th edition mechanics, in the terms of filling it's role appropriately without being ridiculously overpowered, but able to match up with its striker counterparts.[sblock=Some tools] I remembered reading somewhere that the Book of nine swords was a big step towards 4e from 3rd (reflected most in the creation of the Warlord class from the White Raven school of swordplay).  Some of the powers and abilities from there affected my decisions.  Daily abilities are the only ones that tend to have "save ends" effects, sustainable effects, or effects that last to the end of the encounter; and always have some effect (half damage) or possibility of effect (e.g. sustain).  Encounter abilities that have lasting effects tend to run until the end of your next turn, if they don't end sooner.  When a class has disting build options like the rogue's artful dodger or brutal scoundrel class abilities, or the fighter's weapon enhanced powers, these options only appear in encounter abilities.  This keeps the dailies, the most powerful attacks of a class, on a relatively equal scale for both build options without giving favor to either of them.  The abilities can be reflected in the daily abilities in the the form of using more that the primary attribute of the class, but neither build specifically gains advantages with the power.I did borrow from both the ranger and rogue classes while putting together my power list, for the sake of knowing they are already balanced for game play.  This is also because I figure basic abilities like the ranger's stance that grants +2 move are things that will probably get used more than once as more base classes are released in books.[/sblock]MonkClass TraitsRole: Striker. Using your control of your body, you maneuver among your enemies causing damage and confusion.Power Source: Ki. From your mastery of the forms and exercises of meditation you have gained control of the flow of energy through your own body.  Your powers are known as Forms.Armor Proficiencies: ClothWeapon Proficiencies: Monk weaponsBonus to Defense: +1 to Fortitude, +1 to Reflex, +1 to WillHit Points at 1st level: 12 + Constitution scoreHit Points per level gained: 5Healing Surges per Day: 6 + Constitution modifierTrained Skills: Insight; from the class skills listed below, choose 4 more trained skills at first level.Class Skills: Arcana, Athletics, Acrobatics, Diplomacy, Endurance, Heal, History, Insight, Perception, ReligionBuild Options: Punishing Monk, Acrobatic MonkClass Features: Flurry of Blows, Improved Unarmed Strike, Monk Defense, Creating a Monk:The Punishing Monk and the Acrobatic Monk are the two monk builds.  One of them relies on physical strength to improve his techniques, while the other uses agility to improve his mobility around the battlefield.  Wisdom, Strength, and Dexterity are a monk’s most important ability scores.Monk Class Features:Monk Training FocusDepending on the particular monastery or training regimen a monk is a part of there are different aspects of hand to hand combat that can be focused on.  Some train their bodies to be strong and reliable in order to overwhelm their enemies with their strength, while others train to be flexible and supple to better move around the battlefield.    Choose one of the following options.    Strong Monk: You gain a bonus to your Flurry of Blows attack rolls equal to your Strength modifier.    Fast Monk: At the beginning of each encounter, you may shift up to your Dexterity modifier in squares as a free action.Monk DefenseMonks add their wisdom modifier to their armor class if they are wearing no armor or cloth armor.  If they would be denied their dexterity modifier to their armor class, their wisdom modifier is also denied.Flurry of BlowsOnce per round, when fighting unarmed, with a monk weapon, or with a weapon with the off-hand characteristic, when a monk hits with a melee attack, they can make a Flurry of Blows attack immediately against the opponent.  Flurry of BlowsAt-will*Ki, WeaponSpecial: You can only use Flurry of Blows once per round.Immediate Reaction    Melee weaponTrigger: You hit with a melee attack.Effect: Make an attack.Attack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1[W] + Wisdom modifier damage.If using a one-handed non-monk weapon without the off-hand characteristic and no shield, a character with flurry of blows can still make the extra attack using an unarmed attackImproved Unarmed StrikeA monk’s unarmed damage increases to 1d6 during heroic tier, 2d6 during paragon tier, and 3d6 during epic tier.  When using an unarmed attack a monk has a +3 proficiency bonus.  A monk also gains a +1 bonus to attack at 4th level, 9th level, 14th level, 19th level, 24th level, and 29th level, for a total of a +6 bonus to attack at 29th level.  A monk’s unarmed attack is considered a weapon for anything that matters.If using a weapon that uses the monk’s unarmed damage or bonus to unarmed attacks, the benefit from this ability is that the monk has a +3 proficiency bonus, unarmed damage is raised to 1d6 during heroic tier, 1d8 during paragon tier, and 1d10 during epic tier.Great SpeedWhen wearing no armor or cloth armor, a monk gains a +1 to their move score.[sblock=Level 1 At-will Forms]Focus StrikeWith a moment of calm, you put your body into your strike.At-will*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1 [W] + Wisdom modifier + Strength modifier damageIncrease damage to 2[W] + Wisdom modifier + Strength modifier at 21st level.Mobile StrikeWith a quick step forward, you bring your enemy within range.At-will*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureSpecial: You may move up to your Dexterity modifier before the attack.Attack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1 [W] + Wisdom modifier damageIncrease damage to 2[W] + Wisdom modifierPushing StrikeAttacking from a strange angle puts your enemy in an awkward position and forces them to give ground.At-will*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1 [W] + Wisdom modifier damage, push the target 1 square.Increase damage to 2[W] + Wisdom modifierStepping AssaultDirecting your attacks at your enemy’s feet causes them to step more cautiously around you.At-will*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. WillHit: 1 [W] + Wisdom modifier damage, the target has -2 speed on its next turn.Increase damage to 2[W] + Wisdom modifier[/sblock][sblock=Level 1 Encounter Forms]Spinning KickA quick spin allows you to strike multiple enemies near to you.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Close burst 1Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1 [W] + Wisdom modifier damageDeflating StrikeStriking at the heart or stomach of your enemy, you take the oomph out of their attacks.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1[W] + Wisdom modifier damage, and the target is weakened until the end of your next turn.Basic ThrowA basic hip throw deposits your enemy at your feetEncounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee 1Target: One Creature your size or smallerAttack: Wisdom vs. ACFast Monk: You gain a bonus to your attack roll equal to your Dexterity modifier.Hit: 1d8 + Wisdom modifier, place the target prone in an unoccupied square adjacent to you.Setup StrikeYou draw the enemy’s attention with one attack to prepare for your real one.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1[W] + Wisdom modifier damage, and if you use your Flurry of Blows with this attack add your Flurry of Blows gains a +2 bonus to the attack roll.    Strong Monk: If you use your Flurry of Blows with this attack add your Strength modifier to your damage roll with Flurry of Blows.[/sblock][sblock=Level 1 Daily Forms]Ki ShotFocusing power in your hands, you send a disruptive blast through your enemies.Daily*Ki, Weapon, ForceStandard Action        Line 3Target: Each creature in area.Attack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit: 2d8 + Wisdom modifier force damage.Miss: half damageSimple ThrowStepping close to your opponent, you disrupt their balance and throw them.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee 1Target: One Creature your size or smallerAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 3d8 + Wisdom modifier damage, slide the target 3 squares and the target is prone.Miss: half damageJumping AttackYou run leap at your opponent, using your momentum to give your strike more power.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponSpecial: Must be used as part of a chargeTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACSpecial: Make an athletics check to make a long jump.  Gain a +1 bonus to the attack for every 5 feet the jump check would allow you to jump.Hit: 2[W] + Wisdom modifier damage + 1d6 damage for every 5 feet the jump check would allow you to jump Miss: half damageStunning BlowA blow to your enemy’s center disrupts their ki and leaves them disoriented.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit: 2[W] + Wisdom modifier damage, and the target is stunned (save ends).Miss: half damage, and the target is dazed until the end of your next turn[/sblock][sblock=Level 2 Utility Forms]Deflect ArrowsReading an arrow’s flight, you are able to snatch it from the air, or shift slightly to let it pass by you.Encounter*KiImmediate Interrupt    PersonalTrigger: You are hit with a martial ranged attackEffect: The triggering attack missesKip upBending your body like a bow you spring to your feet.At-will*KiMinor Action        PersonalEffect: Recover from prone.TumbleYou move among your enemies, calmly avoiding any chance of a lucky hit.Encounter*KiMove Action        PersonalEffect: Shift up to half your move.Hold your stanceYou bend, twist, and resist in attempt to hold your ground against oppressive force.Encounter*KiImmediate Reaction    PersonalTrigger: You are forced to move by a push, pull, or slide.Effect: Move up to 2 less when forced to move.[/sblock][sblock=Level 3 Encounter Forms]Far PunchUsing your body’s energy to manipulate the space around you, you land a punch from a distance.Encounter*Ki, Weapon, ForceStandard Action        Ranged 3Target: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit: 2d8 + Wisdom modifier force damageOne-Two PunchTwo attacks in rapid succession to try to get through your enemies defense.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. AC, two attacksHit: 1[W] damage with first hit, 1[W] + Wisdom modifier with second hit.  Special: If the first attack hits, the second attack gets +2 to the attack rollStrong Monk: If the first attack hits, the second attack instead gets + Strength modifier to the attack rollLow KickYou dash forward to strike at your opponents legs, hindering them.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One or two creaturesSpecial: You may move 2 squares before this attack.    Fast Monk: You may instead move your Dexterity Modifier before this attack.Attack: Wisdom vs. AC, one attack per targetHit: 1[W] + Wisdom modifier damageShifting StrikeYou slide in to attack unnoticed, and use the momentum from your strike to escape retribution.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureSpecial: You may shift 1 square before the attack.Attack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 2[W] + Wisdom modifier damage.  You may shift 1 square.[/sblock][sblock=Level 5 Daily Forms]One Strong PunchSometimes, all you need is one strong punch.Daily*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One CreatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 3[W] + Wisdom modifier damage.  Push the target 3 squares, and the target is knocked prone.  The target is dazed (save ends).Miss: Half damage.  Push the target 1 square.Aimed Throw“Point him thataway.”Daily*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee 1Target: One Creature your size or smallerAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 3d8 + Wisdom modifier damage. Slide the target 3 squares, the target is prone. You may make an additional attack against a creature adjacent to the target.    Attack: Wisdom vs. Reflex    Hit: 1d8 damage, target is knocked prone.    Ki BlastWith a fierce shout you expel ki from your hands, creating a concussive blast.Daily*Ki, Weapon, ForceStandard Action        Close blast 3Target: Each creature in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. FortitudeHit: 2d8 + Wisdom modifier damage. Miss: half damageSpinning Leg SweepA series of vicious leg sweeps drops enemies surrounding you to the ground.Daily*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Close burst 1Target: Each enemy in burstAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 2[W] + Wisdom modifier damage.  The target is knocked prone and slowed (save ends)Miss: half damage and the target is slowed until the end of your next turn.[/sblock][sblock=Level 6 Utility Forms]Weight Vest TrainingBy training with a heavy vest on, you increase your jumping ability.At-will*KiImmediate Interrupt    PersonalTrigger: You make an athletics check to jump.Effect: You get a +10 to the jump check.Cheetah’s SpeedShifting to the balls of your feet, you are ready to spring at a moment’s notice.Daily*Ki, StanceMinor Action        PersonalEffect: You gain +2 move.Purity of BodyA moment of meditation puts you in tune with your body.Daily*KiMove Action        PersonalEffect: You make a save against an ongoing effect a save can endShadowing StepAs an opponent attempts to withdraw, you follow in the blink of an eye.Encounter*KiImmediate Reaction    PersonalEffect: When an opponent adjacent to you shifts, you may move into the square, or one of the squares they just occupied.[/sblock][sblock=Level 7 Encounter Forms]Vicious ThrowYou move quickly up to your opponent and use your momentum to throw them.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee 1Target: One creature your size or smallerSpecial: You may move 3 squares before your attack.Attack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 2d8 + Wisdom modifier damage, knock the target prone, and slide the target 3 squares.Improved TripAfter knocking your opponent prone, you follow up with a finishing blow.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1[W] + Wisdom modifier damage and the opponent is knocked prone.  Make a secondary attack.  Attack: Wisdom +2 vs. AC    Hit: 2[W] + Wisdom Modifier damage.Fast Monk: You may shift up to your Dexterity modifier after you are done attacking.Three-hit ComboThree hits, each harder to block than the last.Encounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Wisdom vs. AC, three attacksSpecial: Each attack that hits gives a +2 bonus to attack to each attack in the combo after it.Strong Monk: Instead, for each attack that hits you gain your Strength modifier as a bonus to each attack in the combo after it.Hit: 1[W] damageHit: 1[W] damage Hit: 1[W] + Wisdom modifier damage.[/sblock][sblock=Level 9 Daily Forms]Flying Axe KickLeaping into the air, you deliver a resounding blow on your enemy, causing the earth around him to tremble.Daily*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 4[W] + Wisdom modifier damage and the opponent is immobilized (save ends).Miss: half damage and the opponent is slowed until the end of your next turn.Effect: Enemies adjacent to the target are slowed until the end of your next turn. Dazzling FormYou calmly slide from enemy to enemy striking where you will.Daily*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One, two, or three creaturesAttack: Wisdom vs. AC, one attack per targetSpecial: You may shift 1 before each attackHit: 2[W] + Wisdom modifier damage and the opponent is dazed (save ends).Miss: half damage and opponent is not dazedTenacious AssaultYou rain blows on your opponent, striking through his defenses with the sheer fury of your assaultDaily*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee WeaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Wisdom -2 vs. AC, five attacksHit: 1[W] + Wisdom modifier damage.Miss: half damage[/sblock][sblock=Level 10 Utility Forms]Iron ShirtBreathing techniques allow you to shrug off some damage.Daily*KiImmediate InterruptTrigger: You are hit by an attack.Effect: gain resist 10/all against the attackZen Quick StepAlmost in a trance, you dash forward to where you need to be.Encounter*KiMinor Action        PersonalEffect: Move half your speedFlowing StanceAs you dodge your enemies’ blows, you step your way through the battlefield.Daily*Ki, StanceMinor Action        PersonalEffect: Whenever an enemy misses you with an attack, you can shift 1 square.[/sblock][sblock=Level 13 Encounter Forms]Flame BlastExciting the energy in the air, you cause flame to erupt.Encounter*Ki, Weapon, FireStandard Action        Close blast 4Targets: Each creature in blast.Attack: Wisdom vs. ReflexHit: 3d8 + Wisdom modifier fire damageStunning FistA quick jab to the nose sends your enemy reeling for a momentEncounter*Ki, WeaponStandard Action        Melee weaponTarget: One creatureAttack: Wisdom vs. ACHit: 1 [W] + Wisdom modifier damage and the target is stunned until the end of your next turn.Reactive PummelDodging a blow, you counter with one of your own.Encounter*Ki, WeaponImmediate Reaction    Melee weaponTrigger: You are missed by a melee attackEffect: Make an attackAttack: Wisdom vs. ACStrong Monk: You gain a bonus to the attack roll equal to your Strength modifier.Hit: 2[W] + Wisdom modifier damage Fast Monk: You may shift up to your Dexterity modifier.[/sblock]</blockquote>

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