digital insider: Monk in PH3, playtest in May

[balard]

I think the monk ki striker will be more for mystical/punching side. The grappler is more of a defender than a striker. Ki strikes, Damaging Touchs...

If anyone played the old Street Fighter RPG, the Hurricane Kick would be a Great daily for the monk. Close Burst 1, hit: |w| damage, effect: push 1, shift 1. repeat twice.

Another nice one is the last feature of the shinsei disicple from OA. Lock the target and the user of using anything but basic attacks. Nice utility in a elite/solo controller.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I'm wondering whether their striker damage will be from "iron fist" style ki-charged power punches (no doubt with flaming fists or something) or from "flurry of blows" style - lots of attacks with relatively small damage but which can add up.

It might be amusing if the monk at-will attacks included one which was a minor action 1d4+ability damage melee attack - that would give monks a lot of mobility and still get little stinging attacks off, or sacrifice their mobility (and take the risk of getting a big hit back) and flurry off a whole series of those little jabs. There would probably be damage granting synergies from warlords which would make that an unattractive rule, but it might fit the flavour of D&D and cinematic 'monks' nicely.

Cheers

 

[thundershot]

If I ever play a Monk, he'll be a master of Tai Kwon Leap...

 

[Pour]

It was suggested at NY Comicon in a passing comment by one of the R&D guys that the Monk could be a martial controller. I leave the greater implications of that for others.

 

[yesnomu]

It might be amusing if the monk at-will attacks included one which was a minor action 1d4+ability damage melee attack - that would give monks a lot of mobility and still get little stinging attacks off, or sacrifice their mobility (and take the risk of getting a big hit back) and flurry off a whole series of those little jabs. There would probably be damage granting synergies from warlords which would make that an unattractive rule, but it might fit the flavour of D&D and cinematic 'monks' nicely.

Cheers

As I recall, Ari's Advanced Player's Guide Martial Artist did just that-- although I think it was once-per-round limited.

 

[Nightson]

My guess, Ki Striker (obv)

Closed Fist Style: Straight up damage, strength as primary attribute.

Open Fist Style: More pushing, pulling, sliding, status conditions and ongoing damage, wisdom as primary attribute.

 

[Insight]

The really intersting question isn't the power source nor the role of the Monk. That will be Ki Striker.

The question is what kind of implement/weapon do they use to get their enhancement bonus to attack and damage?

That's a very good question.

I think it'd almost have to be an implement because going totally unarmed means no weapon to enhance and the 3rd ways they tended to use to give monks bonuses (gloves, amulets) in 4th ed are assigned to other things. Gloves I could maybe see, but definitely not amulets.

I could see some sort of "handwrap" implement or something along those lines.

Another option is to go with the staff monk and come out with a bunch of new staves tailored to monks.

 

[Insight]

I'm wondering whether their striker damage will be from "iron fist" style ki-charged power punches (no doubt with flaming fists or something) or from "flurry of blows" style - lots of attacks with relatively small damage but which can add up.

It might be amusing if the monk at-will attacks included one which was a minor action 1d4+ability damage melee attack - that would give monks a lot of mobility and still get little stinging attacks off, or sacrifice their mobility (and take the risk of getting a big hit back) and flurry off a whole series of those little jabs. There would probably be damage granting synergies from warlords which would make that an unattractive rule, but it might fit the flavour of D&D and cinematic 'monks' nicely.

Cheers

There are lots of ways to handle the bonus damage mechanic. I could see sacrificing the minor action to add a bonus die, stances, upping the base damage (although this is somewhat dangerous) or giving the monk multiple attacks would all accomplish this in different ways. What I don't want to see is a mark mechanic aka ranger or warlock.

 

[Cadfan]

You could also do something new, like a counter attack mechanic. Choose the enemy as your chosen opponent in some way, and whenever it attacks you, make a basic melee attack back against it. You'd have normal damage when monsters didn't attack you, but when they did, you'd exceed the power curve by a bit.

Kind of like an always-on riposte strike versus a chosen foe.

I don't think this will happen, though. Whatever it is will probably be labeled Flurry of Blows.

 

[TwinBahamut]

It was suggested at NY Comicon in a passing comment by one of the R&D guys that the Monk could be a martial controller. I leave the greater implications of that for others.

Really? Do you know what was specifically said? That would certainly make things a lot more interesting.

Honestly, I have little doubt that the Monk will at least lean towards being a Controller, even if it is a Striker. If nothing else, I imagine that the Monk would both have a "hard style" build that would deal damage and emphasize Striker elements, and a "soft style" build that used throws and such to move enemies around and emphasize Controller elements. If the latter build is named after the Setting Sun discipline, and included the Ballista Throw (one of my favorite moves from the Tome of Battle), then it would be all the better.