Opinions requested: What would it take to "fix" the monk class?

[apsuman]

I was reading another thread about if the monk class sucks or not, and it brought me to a question.

If you think the monk is less than effecitive character class, what would be the fewest number of changes to the class that would "fix" it for you.

I hope this is not a house rules question, because I don't want to implement any of the changes, I am only curious to discover what people would think it would take the to make the monk class workable. And in the process, I hope to find out what they think is wrong with the class as well.

g!

 

[apsuman]

I will start.

The ability to hit DR monsters MUCH sooner than level 10.

Make the Quarterstaff a monk weapon.

Count the monk's unarmed attack as at least medium sized (maybe even large) for purposes of disarm

g!

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

The first one is already being covered in 3.5e, by the way.

apart from that, I don't think the monk class is wrong...

 

[kilamanjaro]

I would get rid of the unarmed BAB, flurry of blows, and the "monk attacks with his whole body". Let the monk take the TWF feat chain like everyone else and let his BAB stack with other classes.

 

[Gizzard]

The ability to hit DR monsters MUCH sooner than level 10.

Which is one of the big changes in 3.5E, moving Ki Strike to level 4, right? I'm hoping that the 3.5E Monk will fix up a lot of the existing problems.

-edit-
I would like to move some of his mobility abilites forward also. At low levels, the Monk is either outclassed by or just equal to the Barbarian. I dont have much sense of how this would affect playbalance, but I'd like to expand the Leap the Clouds ability to make it more mystical and useful. (Pushing the D-Door ability forward is probably too much.) Anyway, if I could do something like Fly for 1 round per 2 levels that would capture the feeling of the Chinese martial arts movies while hopefully not overpowering the Monk. One round per 3 levels maybe? Maybe a once a day limit?

I'm struggling to keep the Monk playbalanced and still add flavor. Hopefully the 3.5E designers gave this issue a lot of thought.

 

[Ranger REG]

Update the monk class to the Oriental Adventures version, with expanded starting weapon proficiencies, and expanded list of special monk weapons (or at least designate which weapon can use the monk's most favorable unarmed attack bonus).

On a personal note: Do we really need UAB? In the two years since 3e have debuted, I've seen so many questions from confusing gamers regarding the monk's use of BAB and UAB. Either clarify this in 3.5e or remove UAB entirely.

 

[Ferret]

I get rid of the "Zen perfection" not everyone gets to be perfect, I'd leave alot of that to epic. Then give them, instead of single die damage things like 2d8 et cetera.

 

[am181d]

Multi-classing.

Rules to stack unarmed AB with other classes' AB.

More choice in special abilities, ala OA.

I'd personally like Monks to become a little more flexible so that they could also model barroom brawlers and gentleman boxers.

Of course, if I'm just talking about personal preference, I'd like rules for using random items as improvised weapons ala Jackie Chan and running up walls ala Crouching Tiger that don't force me to multi-class into Psychic Warrior.

 

[Witness]

Flexibility*: As is, most Monk's of any given level have the same powers. I think it should be more like the Rogue's high level special abilities: At certain levels they should pick and choose from a number of special abilities and bonus feats. Of course for such a system to be balanced, They would need to recieve fewer total special abilities, but I would happily trade off fewer feats and special powers for added flexibility.


*I think this is really the most signifigant problem with a number of Core classes. Lack of flexibility is the reason so many people house rule out the Druid's limited weapon profs, or give the Ranger archery feats instead of TWF. But that whole argument is abit beyond the scope of this particular discussion so I won't go anymore into it here.

 

[randomninja]

Well, I love the monk class myself( The first character I ever

played was a First Edition Monk) But the class could use a little bit
of work.

First off, updating the monk with the Oriental Adventures version is a must. It would be nice if they would increase the number of powers that could be swapped out without overpowering the class.

The DR issue is being dealt with so no comment there.

The most importatnt thing they should do is this: Replace the current UBAB with full Bab progression and keep the irr. attacks at -5. They still have flurry after all

This would fix the single most glaring problem with the Monk, becoming the enlightened master of misses, and give them something usefull to do besides pounding enemy mages in the crotch until a spell fizzles.


At the same time it would be tough to abuse because they're only accurate with weak weapons or their own hard to enchant fists so they still won't be massive damage dealers. They would be capable of slapping people around with nunchuks Bruce Lee style but won't do jack with a greataxe.

Last but not least, It would clear up the current UBAB multiclassing mess. Bab stacks cleanly depending on the weapon.
A monk 4/Sor4 would have a BAB of +6 with fists or +5 using a spear. clean and simple. I really hope we see something like this in 3.5