Monks & Weapons & Powers, oh my

[Mort_Q]

Polearms are a type of weapon that a monk should seriously consider gaining proficiency with. All those powers with ranges of "Melee Weapon" gain greater ranges when used with Reach weapons.

A quick look shows that there are only 4 Monk attack powers that are melee weapon.

Most are melee 1, melee touch, or close burst.

 

[Tarrl]

Mort Q is the man!!!

 

[mysticknight232]

Don't forget how huge the new feat Versatile Expertise is for a Monk. I'm playing a lvl 1 Githzerai Monk using a spear so i can take advantage of the Pointed Step Feat at lvl 2. Versatile Expertise basically allows me to get a +1 TH w/ my Spear and/or Ki Focus attacks since my Spear is my Ki Focus. The bonus +1 TH also comes positively impacts my MBA as well. This almost seems like a must have feat for any Monk w/ the release of the PHB3

 

[mneme]

I was amused that when designed in the Character Builder, my monk can use a Staff of the Traveler (an implement) as a quarterstaff (a weapon), which the monk class lets him use as an implement. So I can clearly use staff implements.

However, I am not considered proficient in staff implements for the purpose of the prerequisites for Superior Implement (Accurate Staff). Weird, eh?

And this...is why CB isn't a rules reference.

 

[RangerWickett]

And this...is why CB isn't a rules reference.

What I need to check next is to see if when I take a Psion multiclass feat which gives me proficiency in psion implements (including staff), whether I can take accurate staff proficiency and apply the +1 bonus to my attacks as a monk.

 

[DracoSuave]

Don't forget how huge the new feat Versatile Expertise is for a Monk. I'm playing a lvl 1 Githzerai Monk using a spear so i can take advantage of the Pointed Step Feat at lvl 2. Versatile Expertise basically allows me to get a +1 TH w/ my Spear and/or Ki Focus attacks since my Spear is my Ki Focus. The bonus +1 TH also comes positively impacts my MBA as well. This almost seems like a must have feat for any Monk w/ the release of the PHB3

Versatile Expertise is a must have for any character who'd take Expertise.

When you consider that light blade, heavy blade, and staff are both weapon groups and implement types, the added flexibility can be used to apply to any character.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Well, a weapon doesn't matter because the damage of a weapon, the traits of a weapon (versatile, high crit), and the proficiency bonus do not matter to a monk.

A magic weapon matters because you do get it's properties, critical hit bonus, and powers. These things can be used with implement powers (unless they specifically mention otherwise.)

A quick revisit on the weapon issue: what is the effect of a monk wielding a weapon with reach? He doesn't use the weapon's damage, but does he get to use the weapon's reach property to strike foes and deliver his monk power effects?

I ask because I'm trying a 4Ed build based on a 3.5 Monk who used a polearm.

 

[Mort_Q]

A quick revisit on the weapon issue: what is the effect of a monk wielding a weapon with reach? He doesn't use the weapon's damage, but does he get to use the weapon's reach property to strike foes and deliver his monk power effects?

As stated above, only the four powers that have a range of melee weapon are affected by the weapon's reach. Everything else has a range not determined by the weapon in hand, but by the power itself.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Then I may be better served building him as a Hybrid Battlemind/Avenger with the multiclass Monk feat...

The original was a PsyWar/Monk/Lucid Cenobite*/Kensai, dex built. VERY fun.


* A PrCl from Hyperconscious

 

[Mika]

As stated above, only the four powers that have a range of melee weapon are affected by the weapon's reach. Everything else has a range not determined by the weapon in hand, but by the power itself.

There is an interesting discrepancy here between the PHB3 book on the one hand and the Compendium and Character Builder on the other. The book may only have four powers with a range of Melee Weapon, but the other two sources have a lot more. Given the potential for abusing such powers that I found, the Compendium and Character Builder are probably in need of errata. Maybe they are relics of the earlier drafts where monks still had some weapon powers?