richardbob1
First Post
how can i make a good dragon-born Monk characterEither point buy or rolling for stats and i am starting from level 1
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D&D 5E First character---need help
- Thread starter richardbob1
- Start date
BoldItalic
First Post
If this is your first character ever, I'd recommend that you use the array method for ability scores and follow the "Quick Build" guidelines for monks on p.77 of the Player's Handbook. Choose whichever monk equipment options you like the look of, but remember that you get equipment from your background too. Check with your DM if he has any special rules about what weapons are available to monks in his campaign. For your draconic ancestry, choose whichever seems most awesome (they are all equally powerful, so you can't really go wrong).
Choose a background and think up a plausible reason why a dragonborn from that background would become a monk and then want to go adventuring, then choose your personality traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to fit in with the story. Choose whatever feels believable to you. There's no wrong answer. Keep the details a little vague, so you can clarify them when you know more about the game world you are going to be joining.
If you know who the other players are going to be, and they are creating characters too, talk to them and work out a little story about how you all came to know each other. You might do that anyway at the beginning of your first game session, but you can get into the story quicker if you have thought about it beforehand.
Have fun
Choose a background and think up a plausible reason why a dragonborn from that background would become a monk and then want to go adventuring, then choose your personality traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to fit in with the story. Choose whatever feels believable to you. There's no wrong answer. Keep the details a little vague, so you can clarify them when you know more about the game world you are going to be joining.
If you know who the other players are going to be, and they are creating characters too, talk to them and work out a little story about how you all came to know each other. You might do that anyway at the beginning of your first game session, but you can get into the story quicker if you have thought about it beforehand.
Have fun
Imaculata
Hero
Yep, talk with your fellow players, and with your DM, and come to an agreement how your character fits into the story. Maybe your DM has some cool idea on how your character fits his narrative?
As for the stats, I think you should only use point buy if the whole group has agreed to do so. Its pretty common to have all players make their character in the same way. If however everyone is rolling for stats, then you should too. This is something to ask your DM.
As for the stats, I think you should only use point buy if the whole group has agreed to do so. Its pretty common to have all players make their character in the same way. If however everyone is rolling for stats, then you should too. This is something to ask your DM.
Miladoon
First Post
If this is your very first character I advise you to not make a level 1 dragon-born Monk. Instead, make:
Scales Kahn, of the mountain fortress monastery. The swirling red fist, the disciple of the pure self.
Then come up with whatever class works with that concept.
Sacrosanct
Legend
For your first PC (and every PC pretty much), before you even look at mechanical stuff, envision him or her in your mind. What do they look like? Act like? What motivates them (because that's what's going to motivate you when you play them). Then from there pick the race and class you think fits best, again before you start comparing mechanical bonuses and whatnot. Then you start the mechanical part: how to roll for stats, etc. Mechanics should support your theme, not dictate it. Unless of course that's the style of game that your table prefers--optimization.
But above all else, you should be working with your DM. They are there to help you and answer questions you may have. This is especially true for a first PC you're ever making.
But above all else, you should be working with your DM. They are there to help you and answer questions you may have. This is especially true for a first PC you're ever making.
One thing to be aware of is a Monk gets the most benefit from Dexterity and Wisdom while a Dragonborn gets bonus Strength and Charisma. This doesn't mean you shouldn't be a dragonborn, it just means be prepared to accept your character will be weaker in combat as a result.
You've already been recommended to start with the character concept before you delve into the mechanics, which is definitely the most important part of 5th edition. I often create my concept first, then see what races or classes it'll fit (I created a halfling lion tamer, who ended up being a Fighter that'll access the battle master archetype, named Aluri Thistlebank from the notion of "I really wanted to use a whip"). If you begin with "I really want to be a Dragonborn Monk" you may find that you're forcing yourself to fit a square peg into a round hole, and that you could benefit from being one or the other, or perhaps your concept would work better and be more enjoyable as something completely different.
I guess my response can be summed up as I dont think you can make a "good" dragonborn monk, because the numbers dont support it, but sure you can make an interesting one. So if you want interesting, great! If you want good, DnD is still a numbers-driven game when determining good, regardless of how much fun the roleplaying aspect can be.
You've already been recommended to start with the character concept before you delve into the mechanics, which is definitely the most important part of 5th edition. I often create my concept first, then see what races or classes it'll fit (I created a halfling lion tamer, who ended up being a Fighter that'll access the battle master archetype, named Aluri Thistlebank from the notion of "I really wanted to use a whip"). If you begin with "I really want to be a Dragonborn Monk" you may find that you're forcing yourself to fit a square peg into a round hole, and that you could benefit from being one or the other, or perhaps your concept would work better and be more enjoyable as something completely different.
I guess my response can be summed up as I dont think you can make a "good" dragonborn monk, because the numbers dont support it, but sure you can make an interesting one. So if you want interesting, great! If you want good, DnD is still a numbers-driven game when determining good, regardless of how much fun the roleplaying aspect can be.
Sacrosanct
Legend
Sorry, I gotta disagree with this, and think it's bad advice. A good PC is any PC that you're having fun playing. D&D has always been a game of roleplaying and imagination first and foremost. In fact, the official tagline for decades was "Products of Your Imagination". Not being optimized or near-optimized doesn't mean it's not a good PC.
If he or she wants to play a dragonborn monk, then play one. That simple. There's nothing about that combination of race/class that even remotely suggests that it can't be effective in any of the three pillars. Squeezing out an extra +1 or +2 modifier here and there won't even be noticeable, most likely.
Sorry, but it bugs me when I see people tell new players, "You say you want to play a dragonborn monk, but you'll be better playing this instead." It's like fingernails on a chalkboard, actually, because it goes against the spirit of the game.
empireofchaos
First Post
To piggyback on [MENTION=15700]Sacrosanct[/MENTION]'s comment:
What purpose is served by the above statement? Does it increase anyone's enjoyment of the game? Does it increase the number of gamers who want to play D&D specifically? I'm not exactly surprised by how many people voice this attitude, but it grates on my every time I hear it.
UngeheuerLich
Legend
Yeah, dragonborn is mechanically not the beset choice for a monk, that´s right. But a dragon breath is really cool.
Put your best scores in Dex, Wis and Con and you are easily in the expected range at level 1. A rogue is supposed t start with 14 AC as well. Next opportunity increase Dex and Con and you are OK.
Put your best scores in Dex, Wis and Con and you are easily in the expected range at level 1. A rogue is supposed t start with 14 AC as well. Next opportunity increase Dex and Con and you are OK.
I prefer boosting wis and dex. Con is always good too, but a lot of monk abilities are focused on wis and dex. Keep them high and you won't have to worry much about your health, because nothing will be able to touch you.
