Monk Sub-Class: Way of the First Avenger

[Caliban]

Going from memory (I don't have the book), I think so. SS Monk could exchange normal unarmed strikes for ranged radiant bolts that did unarmed strike damage, right?

Maybe something like:

Lvl 3: Use a shield and throw it at a single target, ki point to return it.
lvl 6: Bounce to secondary target, 1 ki point to return it. Plus, using reaction to defend ally.
lvl 11: Bounce to any number of additional targets, 1 ki per bounce (poor man's aoe), returning no longer costs a ki point.
lvl 17: increased ranged, lightning charge,

 

[Guest 6801328]

The concept is about more than just throwing a shield. If the level 3 ability needs to be buffed I'd rather create something totally new.

+2 AC is pretty big. Boost from AC 15 to 17 for a typical monk. But the downside is reduced DPR for a couple levels. 11 down from 13, assuming you'd be using a staff with both hands. So maybe it does need something additional at level 3...

Also, I liked the reference of "Way of the Avenger", too. How about "Way of the First Avenger"? That's even more...explicit.

 

[TwoSix]

The concept is about more than just throwing a shield. If the level 3 ability needs to be buffed I'd rather create something totally new.

+2 AC is pretty big. Boost from AC 15 to 17 for a typical monk. But the downside is reduced DPR for a couple levels. 11 down from 13, assuming you'd be using a staff with both hands. So maybe it does need something additional at level 3...

Also, I liked the reference of "Way of the Avenger", too. How about "Way of the First Avenger"? That's even more...explicit.

I agree, which is why I think you should just bake all the shield throwing goodness into level 3. Then the shield block can be at 6, lightning shield throw can be at 11, and something else can be at 17.

One of the fundamental rules for good homebrew is "Don't make the player wait around to play the character he envisions". A Captain America based monk should be able to do Captain America type things pretty quickly, and throwing the shield around is pretty darn iconic. Don't punish the player for wanting to throw the shield as much as possible.

 

[Caliban]

Maybe have the shield throw to one target (and the bounce back) be a bonus action that costs a ki point. Instead of 2 melee attacks as a bonus action for a ki point (flurry of blows), you get one ranged attack for a ki point (shield throw). Later you can throw it at multiple targets as an action.

(I love the idea of the shield bouncing off multiple targets. Just probably not at lvl 3.)

 

[Guest 6801328]

I agree, which is why I think you should just bake all the shield throwing goodness into level 3. Then the shield block can be at 6, lightning shield throw can be at 11, and something else can be at 17.

One of the fundamental rules for good homebrew is "Don't make the player wait around to play the character he envisions". A Captain America based monk should be able to do Captain America type things pretty quickly, and throwing the shield around is pretty darn iconic. Don't punish the player for wanting to throw the shield as much as possible.

Funny I think of simply whacking people with the shield as being the Captain America thing; that's the character I want to play that inspired this. Throwing it is a bonus, and is cool, but isn't the core idea. (Plus having the shield return is a little too over-the-top for low level, imo.)

 

[TwoSix]

Funny I think of simply whacking people with the shield as being the Captain America thing; that's the character I want to play that inspired this. Throwing it is a bonus, and is cool, but isn't the core idea. (Plus having the shield return is a little too over-the-top for low level, imo.)

Fair enough. Captain America was always my favorite character in MvC, I'm probably just used to the shield throw as a main part of his arsenal. I can always homebrew your homebrew for my needs.

 

[Caliban]

(Plus having the shield return is a little too over-the-top for low level, imo.)

More over the top than the Sun Soul monk doing a free laser every round? Or most of the things that the Four Elements monk can do (depending on which ki spell they pick).

It's over the top if you consider it a purely physical gimmick, but adding in a dose of magic (or ki) and it becomes just another ranged attack with a cool visual.

I mean, it's basically just a thrown weapon attack that costs Ki instead of ammo. At low levels it does less damage than a javelin or handaxe until the monk's hand to hand damage increases.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Funny I think of simply whacking people with the shield as being the Captain America thing; that's the character I want to play that inspired this. Throwing it is a bonus, and is cool, but isn't the core idea. (Plus having the shield return is a little too over-the-top for low level, imo.)

Its a Monk: its already inherently magical. Revel in it!
Just give shields used by the character a range attribute, so they can always be thrown, but have it cost Ki to bounce them for multiple targets and to return. That way the character always has the option of throwing their shield, but won't be doing it excessively because it costs them or loses them the shield's protection.

I'd suggest adding an ability or explicitly stating that monks on this path remove the readying requirement for a shield as well.

As to that actual post . . . what precisely are you trying to do? Are you trying to create a Monk archetype based around being able to use and throw a shield, or are you trying to replicate the capabilities of a specific superhero?

 

[Guest 6801328]

As to that actual post . . . what precisely are you trying to do? Are you trying to create a Monk archetype based around being able to use and throw a shield, or are you trying to replicate the capabilities of a specific superhero?

Trying to make people smile.

 

[Guest 6801328]

Ok, made some more changes based on suggestions. Enjoy!