I hate monks

[Klaus]

Last time this topic popped up, I posted a variant monk that change JUST the names of the powers, and renamed the class the Pankrationist. The fluff was that the human body was (in theory) molded and given life by the gods. So, by perfecting the body, one could ascend to divinity (i.e., outsider type at level 20).

As for capoeira, here's what I'd change:

Alignment: must be Non-lawful. Capoeira involves too much spontaneity for Lawful types.
Weapons: Basic weapons (as wizard) plus Machete (slashing short sword). Only the Machete is a capoeirist weapon (through the technique of maculelê).
Skills: Change Knowledge (arcana) for Knowledge (local). Add Bluff, Perform (dance, sing, percussion instruments).
AC bonus: Instead of Wisdom, a capoeirist adds his Charisma modifier as a dodge bonus to his AC, representing his ability to feint and bluff.
Bonus feats: Add Improved Feint.
Replace Flurry of Blows with Sudden Strike.
Replace Fast Movement with bonus to initiative and on Jump checks.
Replace Slow Fall with the ability to evade blows using Perform (dance) (a la Mounted Combat).
Add Inspire Competence, as a bard, using Perform (sing or percussion instruments).

Just off the top of my head.

 

[Psion]

As for capoeira, here's what I'd change:
(snip)

The Battle Dancer in Dragon Compendium seems inspired by capoeira.

 

[Dirigible]

May I recommend Midnight's Defender?

ALong with Design notes explaning its raison d'etra.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I haven't looked at the Defender in a while. Either I forgot some things, or it's been upgraded. Either way, I think it's now as good as the Martial Artist. The only thing I'd tweak might be the Precise Strike.

It's designed for a low magic setting, however. I have to wonder how well balanced it would be if you were to cover it in magic items. (It also doesn't do anything about enhancement bonuses to attack and damage, which are less important in a lower magic campaign.) It looks like a good model for a DnD unarmed fighting class, however.

 

[Afrodyte]

My vision of the monk is a peasant warrior. He doesn't have armor, so he has to dodge. He is't allowed to train with weapons, so he uses his body and his tools. (most of the special monk weapons are just fancied up farm tools with better stats. Kuri = sickle, nunchucks = grain flail.) To get this good at it takes inner focus, hence lawful allignment. Works fine for me without any monestaries popping up.

In most cases, the stats of monk weapons and their simple counterparts are virtually the same. Perhaps even worse (shuriken vs. darts, for instance).

 

[Elephant]

You know what this thread is really about? Eurocentrism.

Hey now, don't you go hatin' on my Eurocentrism. I prefer European stuff, I sneer at Oriental stuff, and I LIKE IT THAT WAY!!

 

[Klaus]

The Battle Dancer in Dragon Compendium seems inspired by capoeira.

Haven't seen that.

And in fact, I have a Battledancer PrClass, posted in the Fiery Dragon website. My version of a Bladesinger.

 

[Nyaricus]

Are there any good "handcrafted" monk alternatives out there?

Check out the Shadowfist by Raven Crowking - go into my sigs link to my tasty bits thread, and in the classes section there *should* be a link - if not, go to house rules forum and look it up; it was inroduced about october or november.

RC is a friggin genius. Period.

More on the main subject in a bit . . .

 

[Remathilis]

I dunno, right about the time you have the norse-viking dwarf, the cleric of Saint Cuthbert, the Tolkien halfling rogue and the celtic elf druid all fighting the greek medusa, the asian monk doesn't break vermissitude any more...

course, ymmv.

 

[Remathilis]

Do a Google Search for HONGS MARTIAL ARTIST class for a good alternative though...