Monk Preview

[Pseudopsyche]

I don't think flurry of blows gets implement damage, as its static damage and magic only usually adds to damage rolls (similar to the warlord power).

Hmm, so what does the Implement keyword in Centered Flurry of Blows signify? It's true that this power phrases the damage in an unusual way, but I suspect that the monk still gets to add her enhancement bonus to damage.

 

[Keefe the Thief]

Have we made it 8 pages without anyone mentioning the return of Dragon's Tail Cut?

It doesn´t matter anymore.~admin: don't make fun of other peoples positions, thanks. ~

 

[Ruined]

I like the class writeup for the most part. The only thing that bugs me is the unwieldy keyword 'Full Discipline'. I've never had a problem with 4e's joined words like Feywild, but this one sounds particularly clunky. Maybe if the powers weren't called Disciplines themselves...

Have they used Focus as a keyword anywhere so far?

 

[vagabundo]

What if the monk's implement was a focus item like prayer beads or a talisman of some kind? Wouldn't this simplify the monk's unarmed enchantment issue as well as allowing for bonus magic item fun to be applied? It could allow for increased unarmed strike capability without having to dust the monk's knuckles with residium which can make for difficulty at the dinner table.

I really like this image.. I imagine he has a little pouch, like climbers chalk, and "dusts up" before every fight.

 

[deadsmurf]

Does it bother anyone else that Religion isn't on the monk's class skill list?
It really bothers me. Especially with a Paragon path that requires it in the article.
I mean not all monks are religious, but many are, and usually quite learned.

I'm also not a fan of the fact that the weapon enhancements on a monk's fists will almost always be lower than the rest of the party because you can't find magic fists as treasure, and have to spend the actual money to enchant them.

 

[Zaukrie]

I read the design article. I have no problem with ki disappearing. Psionics and Ki were always internally focused magic to me any way (except for the external gems and a few other things). I glanced at the playtest. It looks interesting.

I really don't like that some classes can buy AC (armor, and then take feats to increase damage or do other things) but that a class like this may need to take a feat to boost AC. I'm no "balance" expert, but it seems to me that this class could pale at higher levels partly because of this. This is also an advantage in finding magic weapons, as opposed to applying rituals to your body. I can imagine, however, how a monk could practice and internally focus his body/mind to recreate the effect of a magic item somehow. I'll have to think about this.

 

[AllisterH]

I like the class writeup for the most part. The only thing that bugs me is the unwieldy keyword 'Full Discipline'. I've never had a problem with 4e's joined words like Feywild, but this one sounds particularly clunky. Maybe if the powers weren't called Disciplines themselves...

Have they used Focus as a keyword anywhere so far?

My hunch is just like martial powers are known as "exploits", psionic powers are going to be known as disciplines.

 

[jasin]

It didn't have to have anything to do with grouping Asian classes together. It could have been the opposite of that: coming up with new classes to show that "ki" doesn't have to be exclusively Asian in flavor. Missed opportunity.

What class would be ki-powered, but not Asian in flavour?

 

[Plane Sailing]

I'm also not a fan of the fact that the weapon enhancements on a monk's fists will almost always be lower than the rest of the party because you can't find magic fists as treasure, and have to spend the actual money to enchant them.

I agree here - it means that a monks magic weapons will typically be up to five levels below that of other party members - that's quite a lot!

 

[Nymrohd]

I like disciplines for psionics. It has an AD&D feel to it (and I liked AD&D psionic flavor even if the rules were . . . challenged). I think the Full Discipline keyword has a good effect but is a poor keyword as far as the phrase is concerned, and the sidebar explaining it should be rewritten for greater clarity.