Initiate of the Draconic Mysteries - Is it Really any Good for Monks?

[MadMaxim]

I've been reading through Draconomicon and the Initiate of the Draconic Mysteries prestige class is obviously meant to be used by monks, but I have trouble figuring out how the Claws of the Dragon and Increased Unarmed Damage class abilities work together with the Monk's usual unarmed strike damage. Unlike later monk-oriented prestige classes this one doesn't state that your unarmed damage increases, so I was wondering how I'm supposed to interpret the class... Can anyone out there help me, perhaps point me towards some errata or similar official answers?

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Only thing I can think is that the Improved Unarmed Damage does just that, boosting a monk's damage to the next step on the monk progression. Claws of the Dragon just lets you do slashing damage with your unarmed attacks, right? It's obvious enough how that'd interact with unarmed attacks.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Nope.

A monk's best use for it is to take it after hitting 20th level and maxing out your unarmed damage dice. IDM would get you more damage on their unarmed attacks (which don't go up after 20 effective levels of monk).

Otherwise...take a fighter, stick him through Shou Disciple, and then into IDM, that'll get you...4d6/x3 points on an unarmed strike at 20th level. You'll have slightly better attacks, but the monk'll have better AC and saves.

I liked it when it first came out, but I've cooled on it since.

Brad

 

[MadMaxim]

I think you're right, John. Thanks for the quick reply.