Armor for monks

[Xeoble]

Since monks can't wear armor and retain all their cool abilities, is there an item (wondrous or otherwise) that can be enhanced with armor special abilities (such as fortification, etc.)?

 

[Darklone]

bracers?

 

[andargor]

Depending on your DM, magical clothes? There's a thread on that here.

Andargor

 

[Labrinnon]

I think there's a sidebar in the Arms & Equipment Guide about putting armor abilities on Bracers of Armor.

 

[LokiDR]

I don't recall monk very well at the moment, but what about a shield? Mithral buckler has not check penalty and is perfect for enchantment.

 

[dcollins]

No, it's been clarified many times that shields are armor, and monks lose their special abilities when they use them (regardless of armor check penalty).

 

[Artoomis]

By the core rules only, as written, you could use shields. Of course, the Sage says no, and so do most folks, so you'd really be in the minority. It will be interesting to see the new edition 3.5 language on this topic.

Other than that, by the core rules there is no way to do it - nor should there be, it's a balancing factor of being a monk.

 

[dcollins]

By the core rules only, as written, you could use shields.

Shields are listed as a type of armor everywhere in the core rules. (Possibly excepting the "shield bonus" glossary entry which has been disavowed as erroneous.)

 

[krunchyfrogg]

I'd like to see Monks be able to use shields, even if it meant multiclassing or burning a feat to use them.

You could get a butt-kicking Captain America type character this way!

ON EDIT: I really don't like the idea of "inventing" armor for the monks. You're trying to get around one of the basic restrictions of the Monk class.

 

[Taren Seeker]

I'd like to see Monks be able to use shields, even if it meant multiclassing or burning a feat to use them.

You could get a butt-kicking Captain America type character this way!

A better way is to make a ranger type for the skills, and to use the unarmed strike feat and greater 2 weapon fighting for the shield bashes. Or you could use The Fist from MoF. Hmmm, actually, wearing the shield doesn't disrupt your unarmed attack damage if you're a monk.

With a bashing throwing and returning shield you're all set. One of my PC's has this except for the unarmed strike feat. A friend of mine does something similar but uses the unarmed strike.

Besides, Cap wears chainmail