Monk-mages & Shocking Grasp

[MarauderX]

Ok, so I am playing a monk/wizard, and have picked up shocking grasp as one of his first level spells.

Shocking grasp lasts until you hit with it, correct? Normally the spell discharges if you make a touch attack. However, as a monk he will be looking to tag someone while the spell is in effect and do the extra 1d8+1 (static) electricity damage in addition to his unarmed strike damage.

Now, my question is, if he misses with his attack, is there a chance the spell could discharge if that same attack roll would have hit with a touch attack?

Perhaps an example would be best. Opponent has an AC of 20, but a touch AC of 15. My PC drags his socked feet on a carpet and attacks, and I roll a 16 with all applicable bonuses. My PC's strike misses; does he still zap the opponent with the shocking grasp?

 

[AuraSeer]

Now, my question is, if he misses with his attack, is there a chance the spell could discharge if that same attack roll would have hit with a touch attack?

Nope, sorry. You need to choose whether you're just touching, or striking for damage; you can't do both at the same time.

When throwing a punch while holding a touch spell, on a hit you do punch+spell damage. On a miss, you miss entirely and the spell is not discharged.

 

[MarauderX]

Re: Re: Monk-mages & Shocking Grasp

Nope, sorry. You need to choose whether you're just touching, or striking for damage; you can't do both at the same time.

When throwing a punch while holding a touch spell, on a hit you do punch+spell damage. On a miss, you miss entirely and the spell is not discharged.

Cool. That is fine by me, as I would rather hit with both than waste the opportunity to attack with a hard-hitting 1d6 points of damage.

So that means my low level monk-mage could possibly do d6+d8+1 with a single attack. That's not bad to add onto the weak damage he is doing without the shocking grasp. Now all I have to do is take another level in wizard and he can tack on enlarge to add some strength & reach.

 

[Darklone]

Think about Eldritch Knight later. The Monk1/wiz combination rocks (spell progression still like a sorcerer) but you will get problems to hit anything.

 

[Skaros]

Think about Eldritch Knight later. The Monk1/wiz combination rocks (spell progression still like a sorcerer) but you will get problems to hit anything.

Even that would be a tough path. He would need a level of fighter, ranger, or paladin to pick up all martial weapons...plus once you move into fighting classes that don't enhance unarmed combat, you start making less than useful choices when you choose to do d6 or d8 damage with your fist instead of 2d6 + magic bonuses with an enchanted greatsword, or whatnot

 

[MarauderX]

Even that would be a tough path. He would need a level of fighter, ranger, or paladin to pick up all martial weapons...plus once you move into fighting classes that don't enhance unarmed combat, you start making less than useful choices when you choose to do d6 or d8 damage with your fist instead of 2d6 + magic bonuses with an enchanted greatsword, or whatnot

As it so happens, I did pick up 2 levels of fighter with this particular PC. That was followed by a level of wiz, then monk. I am aiming to get the feat Grappling Block for this PC so he can block or disarm his foes more easily. It is a low magic & low equipment world, so a monk/wiz would fit in perfectly to whip some @$$.

The problem he has is that he has a BAB=+2 at 4th level, and given the weaker progression of the monk, even in 3.5, he won't be a powerhouse fighter any time soon, so he needs to rely on some good feats and some backup spells to help out the party.