Need help powering up a character idea (based on an illustration)

[Quasqueton]

I'm trying to make a kick-ass character (1st level) based on this image:

His race can be any of the standard PHB races, or a planetouched (tiefling, aasimar, genasi). He can be classed in the PHB classes and/or PsiHB classes. Point buy = 40 points.

Monks can multiclass with fighter, cleric, psychic warrior, and psion.

I really like the look of this character, and can come up with stats to match it. But I'm not that great at powergaming, so what I come up with really isn't all that great. I like to have a character that really stands out in at least one area.

I'm hoping to get some ideas here on how to make him maximum bad ass.

My initial thoughts are an earth genasi monk or monk/psychic warrior. But that may not be a good idea. Monks don't really stand out as best in a particular area.

What can you suggest?

Quasqueton

 

[Cespinar]

Oriental Adventures allowed?

He is so a Tatooed Monk as my first choice. If not Monk 20 is a great way to go if you do the stats right. I would still fight for Feat swapping even if OA isnt allowed just because he looks more STR based then DEX

 

[Angcuru]

Human Monk/Psion with particularly high scores in constitution and charisma. He looks like he can take a hit and stare you down while doing so, right before kicking your teeth in and making you think missing teeth make you look purty.

 

[Zhure]

I liked the pic. I'm stealing it.



Personally, I'd go with Dwarf monk, the tattoos are an affectation and not necessarily part of the power-up aspect of the character. Another option is PsyWar.

Greg

 

[Quasqueton]

Is there a difference between the PHB monk and the OA monk? Does OA have good feats for monks?

Quasqueton

 

[Voadam]

OA monks have an option to switch out some monk abilities for a martial arts feat.

I don't remember which powers or what feats off the top of my head though.

 

[Caliber]

OA has excellent feats for Monks. More over, it adds several new Monk weapons as well the ability for a Monk to switch out Monk abilities for bonus feats.

Defintely an improvement (and likely at least something along the lines of what a Monk will look like in 3.5)

 

[Destil]

Multiclassed Psi-Warrior / Monk or Psion / Monk.

Dwarf, Human or Earth Gensi.

 

[Rel]

I don't really have any better suggestions than those already offered for how the character can be mechanically built. I do have a thought about a major feature of his personality.

I propose that he have a near-pathological aversion to adventuring in particularly cold areas:

Party Grizzled Dwarf: "...and so we brave the icy winds of the Snowmist Mountains, cross the Frigid Plain and there we'll confront Blizzardcrix the White Dragon, defeat him and liberate the Ice Blade of the Northern Kingdoms! What say ye?!"

Quasqueton's Monk/Psion/Cleric/Fighter: "Yeah, I'm thinking not so much with all that. How about we become Pirates of the Southern Seas instead?"

Party Grizzled Dwarf: "Why? Are you scared of Blizzardcrix?"

Quasqueton's Monk/Psion/Cleric/Fighter: "No. But I've got no hair, a bare chest and open-toed shoes. It's farkin' cold up in those mountains!"

 

[WattsHumphrey]

As for race, I'd prolly go human, but that's not too much of a difference.

As for class, it might be interesting to go monk/cleric or monk/wizard. I'd probably favor a god of unarmed strking, such as Ilmater (Faerun). You could take items to beef your unarmed striking, or even to give you Improved Unarmed Strike if you chose not to pick any levels of Monk.

This combination should give you decent AC, what with the monk and clerical wis modifier or the wizard spells. You should also have some firepower.

If you want the tatoos, either take Monk's Tatoos (Magic of Faerun) or some levels in Red Wizard (it's going into the DMG, isn't it?).