Out-monking a Monk in 20 levels.

[Dannyalcatraz]

FWIW, I love monks...

But what about 10 or so levels of PsyWar? Using the same 3 stats I'd usually emphasize with a Monk (Dex, Wis, and Str, in that order), and with the Cleric's BAB, d10HD, Bonus Feats & Powers (many of which affect "unarmed" combat), and so forth, you can make an impressive "unarmed" combatant.

By that point, he'll be able to boost his AC significantly with Force Screen and Inertial Armor, and should even make himself larger by 2 size classes, to reach out with significant force. Factor in powers like Dissipating Touch, etc. and he's pretty nasty. Spending a Feat to get a Psion/Wilder power like Energy ray or the like just increases his flexibility.

For additional fun, add 5 levels in Shou Disciple to FoB with any weapon (this PrCl has no "must be a monk" prereq) and up to 5 levels of Kensai for the weapon (here, Unarmed Strike) enchantments/enhancements and the Powerful Surge ability- that +8Str is very useful, and stacks with most other Str boosters in the game.

If you have room for it in your build, also consider a 1 level dip in the Shiba Defender PrCl- that would get you your Wis Bonus to your to hit & damage rolls. The only thing I can't remember at this point is if it is a PrCl that actually requires monk levels.

<edit> Just checked- Shiba Defender has no "Monk" prereq- just certain feats.

 

[Kat']

PsyWar has D8 hit die, but that's barely worth mentioning.

The point about PsyWar is the armor and the number of attacks. Sure, Force Screen and inertail Armor are nice, but 1/they don't apply to Touch AC 2/they take an action to activate 3/limited uses per day, given a PsyWar's low amount of power points. I believe the Psy War you described would be a bright flame burning quick, pretty much like comparing a psion to a wizard: more efficiency for a shorter time. The PrCs you describe are sub-optimal for a PsyWar because they don't advance manifesting.

 

[Slaved]

A Druid without the Wild Shaping who focuses on Unarmed Combat is possible! Take a look at the System Resource Document online and see the Class Variants!

http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/variantClasses.htm

With both Variants at once the Druid has Rage (Barbarian), Tireless Rage (Barbarian), Fast Movement (Barbarian), Fast Movement (Monk), Unarmed Armor Class (Monk), Favored Enemy (Ranger), Swift Tracker (Ranger), Bonus Track Feat (Ranger). No Animal Companion or Wild Shape and some Skill changes. With the Superior Unarmed Strike Feat from Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords or a Monks Belt you are set!


You could also take a few Levels of Monk, a couple Levels of Psychic Warrior, and then go into the Warmind Prestige Class. With the Tashlatora Feat you will have the Monk Abilities you care about plus Much More!

 

[blargney the second]

Nice Slaved! I didn't realize you could get both of the variants on the same character.

 

[Felix]

Fighter/Ranger/Barbarian.

Fighter for Weapon Focus, Weapon Spec, Imp Grapple.

Ranger for Favored Enemy damage and TWF

Barbarian for Rage, Fast movement, and d12 HD.

High Str, high Con.

Pick up Iron Will and you're set.

 

[pawsplay]

Honestly, with straight up fighter, you can usually beat the monk in damage ouput.

You'll want Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Power Critical, Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, and Improved Critical. Superior Unarmed Strike is actually just gravy.

With Combat Expertise, you can maintain AC parity. Power Attack, Powerful Charge, Flying Kick, are a few more ways to improve damage output.

At 12th level, a monk has +9/+9/+9/+4. A fighter has +12/+7. A monk does 2d6 (avg 7), whereas a fighter does 1d4+4 (avg 6.5) without SUS.

 

[Andor]

You could also go with a Binder. They have a vestige that basically eats the monk, and then you can stack 3 or 4 more vestiges on top of that.

The Knight of the Sacred seal PRC is a no brainer.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

PsyWar has D8 hit die

D'OH!

I make that mistake often...

The point about PsyWar is the armor and the number of attacks.

First, but for FoB, the PsyWar gets the same #Att as the Monk.

Second, unlike the Monk, the PsyWar can actually wear armor without impacting his abilities, and supplement it with his powers, or use a shield and do the same.

limited uses per day, given a PsyWar's low amount of power points.

If he prioritizes his stats like a typical monk, Wis will be high, giving him some bonus points, and since Inertial Armor has a long duration, he'd probably only need 2-4 PP for a typical day's exertions at lower levels. At higher levels, he'll have the PP to be able to boost the AC and duration.

Furthermore, since he can wear armor or use shields, he can hoard the PP (& time) he'd use on defensive capabilities if he doesn't think he needs them. Not every opponent requires the party (or members of it) "going nova."

The PrCs you describe are sub-optimal for a PsyWar because they don't advance manifesting.

We're not optimizing a PsyWar for manifesting, we're "optimizing" a quasi-monk for HTH combat. The reason to choose PsyWar (instead of merely going with Wild Talent to get the Psionic Weapon or Psionic Fist feat trees) is just a few powers- Expansion, Dissipating Touch or Weapon, Inertial Armor and Force Screen.

With Wis as one of the highest stats for the PC, Shiba Protector is going to be adding between +2-6 minimum to hit & damage- stacking with his Str or Wis bonuses- for the cost of a 1 level dip. That's nothing to sneeze at.

Neither should the Kensai's untyped +8Str boost and inherent enchanting abilities be lightly dismissed. I've seen them in play, and they're quite nasty.

Shou Disciple gets the PC FoB (increasing #Att/rd up to the same as a Monk's) with whatever weapons the PC chooses to focus on. If the PC goes for a reach weapon, this could be devastating. I've personally seen the damage a PC with a Greatspear can dish out with FoB...especially if he's also getting his AoOs in.

 

[Draz]

Psychic Warrior 11/Slayer 9 with Superior Unarmed Strike and Snap Kick really should give you all you are looking for.

(Or you can even skip the SUS feat if you can re-fluff Claws of the Beast to count as unarmed attacks.)

Be sure to get +1 Padded Armor with a phat load of special abilities added to it. It's not like you needed the actual AC from the item ... you have Inertial Armor.

Slayer is mostly in this build for the sake of a good Will save. And the eventual permanent Mind Blank. More skill points, and Listen/Spot/Sense Motive as class skills, doesn't hurt either.

 

[Drowbane]

Battle Dancer (Dragon Compendium vol 1... by Paizo). A chaotic martial artist that relies on Cha instead of Wis, uses alot of tumbling, and trades good BAB for Flurry of Misses.

Wilder (XPH) - Average BAB, weak HD, small power selection. Wild Surge + Vigor + Share Pain + Psi Crystal more than makes up for the small HD. Take improved unarmed strike and you have a "weak martial artist" who can unleash an unrivaled "Hadoken".

Psion (XPH) - poor BAB, d4 HD, plenty of powers. Again, Vigor is your answer to the HP issue. My favorite monk-style PC in 3x was a Psion... he won the occasional bar-fight without (obvious) Powers too.

Fighter - feats, feats, feats! Power attack is your ally.

Barbarian - improved unarmed strike + whirling frenzy (Rage variant from UA) + superior HD.

Swordsage - Everything the PHB Monk wishes it was...