Monk: Half-orc or human?

[Shin Okada]

Think twice before you invest feats on grappling or tripping tricks. Those moves are moderately effective against medium-sized humanoids. But not that much effective against larger, stronger monsters. And there are critters you cannot grab or trip at all (or you don't like to try). Oozes, incorporeal undead, something burning, etc. Thus, those maneuvers are very situational. If your DM use a lot of humanoid foes, could be a good choice. If not, could be almost useless.

 

[Christian]

Think twice before you invest feats on grappling or tripping tricks. Those moves are moderately effective against medium-sized humanoids. But not that much effective against larger, stronger monsters. And there are critters you cannot grab or trip at all (or you don't like to try). Oozes, incorporeal undead, something burning, etc. Thus, those maneuvers are very situational. If your DM use a lot of humanoid foes, could be a good choice. If not, could be almost useless.

Well, whenever you're playing a monk, you're praying for foes compatible with your strengths ... Hordes of mooks to flurry at, slow-moving critters to spring attack, and most especially enemy spellcasters. That's your dream, playing a monk.

DM: " ... and behind the rows of snarling bugbears is an unarmored bugbear with only a gnarled staff for a weapon ..."

Monk's player: "Charge!!! Tumble!!! Save!!! Evade!!! Grapple!!! Bet you wish you took the Still Spell feat now, dontcha, buddy?"

Those opportunities never come as often as you like, you gotta be quick & grab 'em!

(Sigh. My first 3E character was a monk. Real exchange between me and the DM:

Me: "I move up, attack a wight with my staff, and move back behind the cleric."

DM: "That's it. I'm renaming that feat 'Wuss Attack'."

Those were the days!)

 

[Echelon]

Me: "I move up, attack a wight with my staff, and move back behind the cleric."

DM: "That's it. I'm renaming that feat 'Wuss Attack'."

Those were the days!)

Lol!

@melkorspawn: I just might

 

[moritheil]

So under that sect, does the barbarian aspect of the character continue to have the ability to rage? If he does, that seems chaotic enough a loss of control to lose the discipline a monk requires. They really do seem opposite sides of a coin to me. I personally wouldn't allow it unless he turned lawful and therefore could no longer rage. Then if he only took one level, he is just getting extra skills access (Handle animal, intimidate, ride and survival), fast movement, and the beefy 1st level h.p. Granted that's all useful, it just seems to me I'd rather just start down the path of the monk from the start if that's what I want, rather than make a character who's already had to diametrically shift alignment. Guess that's just me.

10' movement and skills alone could be worth 1 level in barb, depending on your build. But I'm interested in finding out the answer to the rage question too. I suspect it doesn't specify, in which case they can still rage unless you house rule it.

 

[Demoquin]

I dont think the Barb Fast movement stacks with the Monks speed at lvl 3.

Bard also has a non lawful alignment. So you could use Sorc or Hexblade to qualify for Dragon disciple. Doesnt DD get Enlarge at lvl 7? So grapple and trip will be extrauseful then.

With a hefty STR score those flurried claw attack can do some serious dmg, as well as the bite.

I would choose the Half Orc to become a Quarter Breed

 

[Christian]

I dont think the Barb Fast movement stacks with the Monks speed at lvl 3.

Why wouldn't it? Monk's speed is an enhancement bonus, Barb's is untyped. No reason that I can see that they wouldn't stack.

 

[Echelon]

About the Dragon Disciple - wouldn't I have to take 4 levels in sorcerer? And if so, would it be smartest to start out as a monk, multiclass to sorcerer at lvl 2 and switch back to monk at lvl 6 or simply start out as a sorcerer and multiclass to monk at lvl 5?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

All you need is 1 level of sorceror - and enough skill points to meet the prereqs.

 

[Echelon]

But do I not have to be able to cast 2nd. lvl spells? (source...)

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Oh - sorry. Ascetic Mage feat has different requirements. I thought you were just talking about Sorceror to Dragon Disciple.