Monks and DR

[Wraithdrit]

changes to monks in 3.5 is that they will gain ki strike +1 at 4th level instead of 10th

 

[Lord Rasputin]

Yes. Monks will gain ki strike DR/magic at 4th level, DR/lawful at 10th or 11th level, and DR/adamantite at 16th level. Not rumor, Dragon gave this as intended gospel a few issues back.

 

[LokiDR]

What is the price on that Savage Species necklace?

The necklace is always priced as a formula: (n^2 *2000) *X +600. N is the enhancement for all the weapons, X is the number of natural weapons. So +1 flamming should be 16,600 (2^2=4, 4x2000 = 8 000, 8 000x2[weapons] = 16 000, +600).

The fact you must increase all the weapons at the same time simplifies the stating of creatures who use it and prevents the enhancement from getting very high.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Thanks Loki.

That's a nerf for a thri-kreen, but in terms of "closer to core" rules that makes perfect sense.

 

[Sejs]

Necklace of Natural Weapons or a Bracer of Striking

+1 enhancement
Sure-Striking (+1)

DR? What?

 

[LokiDR]

Necklace of Natural Weapons or a Bracer of Striking

+1 enhancement
Sure-Striking (+1)

DR? What?

If you get a set of bracers of striking (surestriking +1) you hit as if you had +5 fists for purposes of DR only. This is a lot less useful in 3.5, with the DR changes. You would only have +1 to attack and damage though.

 

[Quasqueton]

In my opinion, it's a myth that monks do more damage unarmed than with weapons. Unless one travels with a Druid or a Ranger (or a Rogue with good UMD and the right wand/scroll(s)), getting the Fang spells can be a hassle, but an enchanted kama is almost as easy to acquire as an enchanted longsword, just far more rare on a random chart. This means that a +1 Kama will hit more often than an unarmed monk and do the same average damage as 1d8. Likewise, a +2 will do as much average damage as 1d10; a +3 as much as 1d12. Plus, hitting more often further increases the average damage.

Huh? I have a monk right now who uses a quarterstaff (nothing special, just a stick). Right now, both empty hand and quarterstaff do 1d6 damage with a 20/x2 crit threat.

At 4th level, the empty hand damage will be 1d8 vs. 1d6 for the staff. At 8th level the difference will be 1d10 vs. 1d6.

How is this a "myth"? Oh, because you're comparing empty hand to a magic weapon. I see. But even with the magic weapon, note that the 4th-level monk can do 1-8 with his empty hand and only 2-7 with the weapon. At 8th level, the difference is 1-10 vs. 2-7 (or 3-8 for a +2 weapon).

So the difference in damage is not a myth. The monk is by far better with his empty hands. If you want to compare using magic items, include the amulet of mighty fists with the magic weapon.

Quasqueton

 

[Staffan]

How is this a "myth"? Oh, because you're comparing empty hand to a magic weapon. I see. But even with the magic weapon, note that the 4th-level monk can do 1-8 with his empty hand and only 2-7 with the weapon. At 8th level, the difference is 1-10 vs. 2-7 (or 3-8 for a +2 weapon).

1d6+1 *is* equal to 1d8 when it comes to average damage. Sure, you won't get any hits for 8 points, but on the other hand you won't get any for 1 either. The same goes for 1d6+2 vs. 1d10.

And if you add in the Amulet of Mighty Fists (which is a non-core item), the balance starts swinging a bit toward unarmed again - but you can get a Ring of Protection and an Amulet of Natural Armor in addition to the magic kama/nunchaku/siangham if you get a magic weapon instead (since an AoMF costs three times as much as an equivalent magic weapon). Also, you can include special abilities on a magic weapon (e.g. flaming, Lawful, etc.) which you can't do on the AoMF.

 

[LokiDR]

The myth is the fact that magic enhances the weapon more than leveling.

If you deal 1d8 at 4th level with bare fist or 1d6+1 with a magic kama, the damage is same on average. The bonus to hit is not. The kama has 5% more to hit, translating to more damage over time.

 

[Zhure]

The amulet is a waste unless you have something 6 different weapons. A monk normally only takes 1 set of iterative attacks with an off-hand for the flurry. With the neclace of natural weapons that would be (n^2 *2000) *X +600. N is the enhancement for all the weapons, X is the number of natural weapons. So +1 flamming should be 16,600.

I also believe there will be an enchantment similar to Surestrikeing to get through all DR. Someone will publish it, anyway.

The formula I derived for the Amulet of Mighty Fists is the same as yours (not including the +600 gp, which I assume includes the cost of "masterworking" two "weapons") if the target creature has 3 natural attacks. Another way to look at it is it's 50% more than buying an enchanted double-weapon.

Greg