Gakan

[Zaphling]

This is a race inspired by combining Native American culture and Shaolin monk ascetic culture. And since I have a character in my novel who is a Gakan that controls lightning and uses his fists and body to fight instead of holding a weapon. This race concept appeared first in my novel and I did some brainstorming so that I can use it in DND. I have the info in MSword, and it is in 3.5 format. Can be found below.
I posted it hear because I want to convert it to 4e. This is what I've got so far.
+2 Strength and Wisdom because I was hoping that monks will also utilize Strength as their primary stat (like Paladins with Str or Cha, Warlocks with Cha or Con, and Ranger with Str or Dex), and also it nicely fits with their physical looks and behaviour, since they are less talk observant type of folks.
Gave them resistance to psychic damage since they have strong minds, (I had this idea even before they published Shardmind. Now I don't no what to do with it. darn.)
Gakh Concentration is much like Human defense bonus, since they spend most of their time training their bodies and minds.
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Gakan
Average Height: 6’0” – 6’7”
Average Weight: 180 – 260 lb.

Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Wisdom
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light

Languages: Common, Gakh
Skill Bonuses: +2 Perception, +2 Insight
Mind Resistance: You have resistance to psychic damage equal to 5 + one-half your level.
Gakh Concentration: You gain a +1 bonus to your Fortitude, Reflex, and Will defense.




I have a few concerns, will it be possible that WotC will create a Strength type Monk instead of the usual Dex ones? because I don't want to change the Gakan's bonus to strength to dex so that monk will just fit.
A final note. Gakans live together with nature and spirits, since their tribe is mostly led by a shaman. I will discuss further about my thoughts and ideas for this race and background maybe tomorrow since my sister demands that I sleep right now.
I appreciate the help you'll be posting here.

 

[Zaphling]

Since they are combined from Native Americans and shaolin people, I'm having a hard time trying to revise their story to fit 4e and the new primal classes. Can anyone help me with this?
Obviously with their stat bonuses, they prefer being a Warden, Seeker and Monk (sad to say they made it to a dex based class.

)

In converting them to 4e, what passive or active racial powers will fit them? asides from the one i've already put?

 

[Keenberg]

I think they're pretty balanced as they are, if you add more racial powers they'd be pushing the line in to OP. As for your concern about monks relying on dex rather than str, remember that str is still important to monks of either build. You can always still use an array to give them 18 dex, and buff it from there as you level. It may not be the ABSOLUTE ROXXORIST MUNK BUILD.... but if you're going for flavor anyways, you'll be happier in the long run, right?

 

[Zaphling]

Changed the Gakh Concentration.
What is more sensible at the same time balanced? +1 to Will and Fort or Dex? Or +1 to Fort, Ref, or Will?

 

[Zaphling]

I'm sorry, what's OP?

by the way,
I've added the Empty Hands racial feature.

Empty Hands: Your unarmed attacks have a +3 bonus proficiency and deals 1d6 damage, instead of 1d4.

Comments on these?
At least, if they get unarmed, they are still as deadly even barehanded. Reflects on their monastic culture.

 

[circadianwolf]

OP = overpowered.

The race in your original post is actually a little underpowered, I would say. +Str, +Wis is pretty good for monks I think since those are their two secondaries, so I wouldn't worry about those. Defense bonuses are generally avoided on races beyond those needed to fix a race with bonuses to the same defense (e.g. Eladrin +Dex/+Int, both affect reflex, hence Eladrin Will), but without any other racial features it works okay.

Empty Hands should be a feat. Racial bonuses should ideally be used by any class, that feature is useless to any implement user (and actually any weapon user other than a monk or assassin, due to their being no way to enchant unarmed weapons, and useless to a monk b/c their Unarmed Combatant supersedes it).

 

[Keenberg]

"OP" means Overpowered. I think the Gahk Concentration you have listed in the first post is fine (it is the same as the human bonus.)

As for empty hands, I'd agree with circadian. Make it a feat, +1 to attack rolls, +2 at 11th level, and +3 at 21st. The damage is fine for first level, but have that scale too. 1d6 at 1st level, 2d6 at 11th level, and 3d6 at 21st.

 

[Zaphling]

Thanks. I agree with the feat thing. I'll change that. If you read the .doc file, what are your suggestions for racial features?