Monk Unarmed Combatant ability ?

[mysticknight232]

Since all of the Monk powers that were previewed in November '09 have the implement keyword and do not deal Weapon dmg, are we to assume that they just haven't spoiled any powers that are usable with an Unarmed Stike at this time (other than a melee basic attack)? I want to build an Unarmed Monk, but there doesn't appear to be a point at this time.

Also, i want to make sure that the dmg on the power is not interchangeable? For example, if i use the spoiled at-will power Dancing Cobra, will it always deal 1d10 + Dex dmg? I cannot for example say i'm using my Unarmed Class ability to have ti deal 1(W) + Dex dmg correct? this seems like a fundamental rule, but i want to be absolutely sure i'm understanding what's presented in the Monk preview...or rather what's NOT presented yet.

Thanks and happy hunting!

 

[Mirtek]

As it currently seems monks have been turned into an implement-powers only class and no longer have a distinct unarmed attack option.

The unarmed fighting style is simulated by describing your implement attacks as unarmed attacks and that's it.

 

[CovertOps]

Since all of the Monk powers that were previewed in November '09 have the implement keyword and do not deal Weapon dmg, are we to assume that they just haven't spoiled any powers that are usable with an Unarmed Stike at this time (other than a melee basic attack)? I want to build an Unarmed Monk, but there doesn't appear to be a point at this time.

Also, i want to make sure that the dmg on the power is not interchangeable? For example, if i use the spoiled at-will power Dancing Cobra, will it always deal 1d10 + Dex dmg? I cannot for example say i'm using my Unarmed Class ability to have ti deal 1(W) + Dex dmg correct? this seems like a fundamental rule, but i want to be absolutely sure i'm understanding what's presented in the Monk preview...or rather what's NOT presented yet.

Thanks and happy hunting!

Powers always do the damage listed. The effects of implement powers are balanced on the damage they do. If you swapped 1dx for 1[W], depending on the [W] you can unbalance the usefulness of the power itself.

Frankly this gets into the whole realm of what an awesome job they did on weapon powers such that your choice of weapon can increase the damage you do by spending some feats and since that was such a good system why they didn't so something similar for implement users. I could so have seen something like the following:

Staff: 1d8 +1 square of forced movement (for powers that cause forced movement)
Wand: 1d6 +1 to hit
Orb: 1d8 -1 on saves (for powers that have a "save ends" type effect)

 

[mysticknight232]

Back to the Unarmed part for a minute tho...we can assume that the full Monk roll out in March will contain powers that indicate Melee Weapon as opposed to the previewed powers taht are all Melee Touch can't we? Otherwise why would WotC go to the trouble of specifying the Unarmed Combatant Monk Class feature? For anybody unfamiliar with it, it says a Monk gains +3 proficiency when using the Unarmed Combatant Class feature and deals 1d8 dmg (i assume 1(W) = 1d8 dmg). It would just seem strange to me that they included this class feature if they only intended it to be used for MBA's only.

Thanks and happy hunting!

 

[CovertOps]

Back to the Unarmed part for a minute tho...we can assume that the full Monk roll out in March will contain powers that indicate Melee Weapon as opposed to the previewed powers taht are all Melee Touch can't we? Otherwise why would WotC go to the trouble of specifying the Unarmed Combatant Monk Class feature? For anybody unfamiliar with it, it says a Monk gains +3 proficiency when using the Unarmed Combatant Class feature and deals 1d8 dmg (i assume 1(W) = 1d8 dmg). It would just seem strange to me that they included this class feature if they only intended it to be used for MBA's only.

Thanks and happy hunting!

If I had to guess right now I'd say no. We won't see any Monk powers that do x[W]. We have 4 Monk at-wills right now and 2 are vs. Fort and the other 2 are vs. Reflex. That is what most classes get. Unarmed strike gives a Monk an attack vs. AC (MBA) so with the right selection you can have attacks vs. all but 1 defense. I think Melee Training is an excellent investment for a 1st level Monk.

 

[Neonchameleon]

I wonder whether the Monk Multiclass feat will allow you to use the Monk's unarmed combat.

 

[Mr. Teapot]

Back to the Unarmed part for a minute tho...we can assume that the full Monk roll out in March will contain powers that indicate Melee Weapon as opposed to the previewed powers taht are all Melee Touch can't we?

A lot of those powers were Weapon attacks initially and got changed. I wouldn't expect any powers with the Weapon keyword.

Otherwise why would WotC go to the trouble of specifying the Unarmed Combatant Monk Class feature?

Melee basic attacks, including Opportunity Attacks. Monks should thematically be able to punch someone effectively, and be a viable threat in melee if you try to move past them o whatever.

 

[Squizzle]

Psionic Power is supposed to have a new monk build that uses weapons. Whether that means fighter-like benefits depending on what you wield, or [W]-based damage codes has not, to my knowledge, been clarified.

 

[mysticknight232]

Not to keep harping on this as we'll know in less than a month. But the preview article also references the Stone Fist Flurry of Blows, implying a Stone Fist build. Seems to me that one would be Weapon based, not implement based. I do recall as was mentioned previously that they went away from weapon attacks and went to implement based attacks, so perhaps the PHB3 will have all implement attacks and the Psionic Powers book will finally introduce a viable Unarmed Monk class.

Thanks for the all the responses and happy hunting.

 

[Mr. Teapot]

Psionic Power is supposed to have a new monk build that uses weapons. Whether that means fighter-like benefits depending on what you wield, or [W]-based damage codes has not, to my knowledge, been clarified.

Well, we already saw a feat or two that gave you specific benefits if you had a certain weapon as your implement. (Using a spear gives you some sliding added to your powers.) So it might be more along those lines.

Then again, WotC has surprised everyone in the past.