Fighter vs. Monk

[Mercule]

So, I've been pondering over the idea of a martial artist who doesn't have all the mystic tricks the Monk has -- he just beats people up. Is it possible to build an unarmed Fighter character who would actually be able to school the Monk?

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Ever see Hong's martial artist class? Would that be what you're looking for? Or do you want to stick with the fighter?

 

[Ravellion]

Not without some heavy house rules. I believe Hong has a home-brewed 20lvl "Martial Artist" class. He might ahve his website in his profile.

Rav

 

[JoeGKushner]

Beyond Monks, the Art of the Fight, is what you're looking for.

 

[ForceUser]

So, I've been pondering over the idea of a martial artist who doesn't have all the mystic tricks the Monk has -- he just beats people up. Is it possible to build an unarmed Fighter character who would actually be able to school the Monk?

1 Monk/14 Fighter/5 Reaping Mauler

Gains from Monk
Flurry of blows
Improved Unarmed Strike
Stunning Fist
1d6 damage on unarmed strikes
Evasion

Gains from Fighter
Weapon Focus (unarmed strike)
Weapon Specialization (unarmed strike)
Greater Weapon Focus (unarmed strike)
Greater Weapon Specialization (unarmed strike)
Power Attack
Earth's Embrace
Improved Sunder
Close Quarters Fighting

Gains from Reaping Mauler
Improved Grapple
Mobility
Adept Wrestling
Counter Grapple
Sleeper Lock
Devastating Grapple

Gains from levels
Improved Toughness
Cleave
Dodge
Combat Expertise
Karmic Strike
Spring Attack
Freezing the Lifeblood

 

[Jdvn1]

1 Monk/14 Fighter/5 Reaping Mauler

I'd agree with that, but I think Fighters school Monks anyway. As someone said in an older thread: Monks are designed to go past the front line and go toe-to-toe with the Wizards and Archers. They can't take Fighters head-to-head.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I'd agree with that, but I think Fighters school Monks anyway. As someone said in an older thread: Monks are designed to go past the front line and go toe-to-toe with the Wizards and Archers. They can't take Fighters head-to-head.

Mercule is talking about a martial artist, not a monk.

It can be done, but it won't be done in any WotC DnD product. You'll need to make your own, or find someone else to do it, like Hong.

The biggest issues with martial artists are (IMO) enhancement bonuses to attacks and unarmored AC. The latter is really hard to deal with in a game system where AC is determined more by magic items than by character ability, and the non-magical part of the AC (usually armor) can reach +8 at 1st to 3rd level.

The unarmed combat system in 3e basically sucks. You can make feats to boost damage, but you will always have trouble with enhancement bonuses to attack and damage rolls.

Greater magic fang can either enhance all your weapons at only +1 or one weapon at up to +5.... but a martial artist has at least 11 natural weapons I can count, and you can't force the druid to give up all his spell slots to support one character who can't pull his own weight.

The amulet of mighty fists is also too expensive. So, good luck. I suggest making the enhancement bonus a class ability (+1 at 4th-level, +2 at 8th-level, etc) up to +5 and making it apply to all natural attacks ... but perhaps only in increments per day.

 

[reveal]

I'd agree with that, but I think Fighters school Monks anyway. As someone said in an older thread: Monks are designed to go past the front line and go toe-to-toe with the Wizards and Archers. They can't take Fighters head-to-head.

At lower levels, I agree. At higher levels, I completely disagree. I've had a 26th level monk who would wipe the floor with ANY fighter thrown at him.

 

[TheEvil]

At lower levels, I agree. At higher levels, I completely disagree. I've had a 26th level monk who would wipe the floor with ANY fighter thrown at him.

ANY fighter?

 

[reveal]

ANY fighter?

Ok probably not ANY fighter.

But I think it's all about how you build it. A monk, especially at higher levels, can be very deadly given the right feats, equipment, etc. So can a fighter. I just don't like the notion that no monk could ever take a fighter head to head.