Paladin with Monk levels: Feasible Character?

[Sitara]

I know there is already a thread up o this, but I would like someone to basically give me a good way to combine the two, with a focus on paladin. I was thinking monk2/paladinX.

1)How shouldit be done so the character is not useless mechanically?

2)What kind of weapon should be used for flurry of blows? (a greatsword wont work right?)

3)Try to remain as close to core rules as possible.

4)No vow of poverty please.

5)What are the advantages to this build?

 

[Mistwell]

Ascetic Knight from Complete Adventurer would be a must-have feat I think.

 

[Hyperfist]

If you had more monk levels like say 7 to 9 then feats in Eberron that allow you to flurry with certain types of swords becomes a must. But since you are only going up to 2nd level monk, kind of pointless. What is the reasoning behind only advancing to 2nd level monk? Class ability based? Or is it story line based?

 

[Sitara]

Because the campaign starts at level 3. *sheepish grin*.

It would be hard from rplay to become a paladin during the game, so I need to start as one. And the silly monk multi-class rules disallow further progression (though I think I can convince to gm to overlook that. Its a pbp game btw).

Basically, I like the monks flurry of blows and the stunning fist attack. I want those. And deflect arrows. I also like their wisdom bonus to AC and fast movement. So I will be playing an unarmored pc. I could also takea level of sorc later and take mage armor for a good boost to AC. Good idea no?

Note: I have complete divine, so anything from that is also allowed. Can someone put up aecetic knight, or at least a brief desc if its useful?

 

[Hyperfist]

Ascetic Knight from Complete Adventurer would be a must-have feat I think.

This is a very good feat to have. It will allow you to multi-class freely between monk and paladin. At least I think this is the feat that will do it. Very cool stuff.

 

[Stormborn]

I think it is possible, but you will want some Eberron feats.

Let's assume a human, sense feats are one of your main issues (the other is Multiple Ability Dependence- a problem in both classes):

Paladin 1 (Knight Training [multiclass with paladin and one other class of your choice, ECS], Weapon Focus Longsword) - take first for Martial Weapons Proff, better HD, Better BAB
Monk 1 (Stunning Fist)
Monk 2 (Deflect Arrows, Whirling Steel Strike[ECS] treat longsword as monk weapon whcih only requires flurry and WF, and so can be taken at lower levels) - you need at least 1 level of Monk by this point to take WSS

From there the next time you get a feat take TWF and use a light monk weapon in your off hand, then take Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting (from Complete Adventurer) which lets you treat a one handed weapon weilded in your off hand as light. You can flurry with two longswords at that point. Although Fighter/Monk with Monastic Training from ECS gets you to that point faster.

Basically you are investing a lot for a concept (and an interesting one at that). I would think its perfectly playable.

 

[Sitara]

Ah, thanks. I do have the ECS but haven't cracked it open in a long, long time. I forgot about the feats Also, I don't think I need knight training, since the gm may allow me to bypass the ridiculous multilcass restrictions.

Now, what would you say to a greatsword flurry, rather than twf. Also, should I go for sorceror, since my pc will not be wearing armor (so he can flurry and get ++movement)

 

[Hyperfist]

Ah, thanks. I do have the ECS but haven't cracked it open in a long, long time. I forgot about the feats Also, I don't think I need knight training, since the gm may allow me to bypass the ridiculous multilcass restrictions.

Now, what would you say to a greatsword flurry, rather than twf. Also, should I go for sorceror, since my pc will not be wearing armor (so he can flurry and get ++movement)

The ascetic knight feat also allows you to stack levels when calculating monk striking damage. Plus I think it has something to do with the holy smite ability of the paladin. It is still a good feat. Regardless.

 

[Mistwell]

Ascetic Knight: "Your paladin and monk classes stack for the purpose of determining your unarmed strike damage. Your paladin and monk levels also stack when determining the extra damage dealt by your smite evil ability. In addition, you can multiclass freely between the paladin and monk classes. You must still remain lawful good in order to retain your paladin abilities and take paladin levels, and you must remain lawful in order to continue advancing as a monk. You still face the normal XP penalties for having multiple class more than one level apart."

It's the "I want to multiclass as a Monk and Paladin" feat

 

[Doug McCrae]

From a powergaming PoV it's a poor combo - monks don't wear armor, paladins wear heavy armor. Pallies need lots of cha, monks need every other stat.

These would be better -

Monk 1/Druid X - though a wild clasped monk's belt would do the same job. Get mage armor from a friendly arcane caster.
Monk 1/Sorc X with Ascetic Mage feat from Complete Adventurer.
Paladin 2/Sorc 4/Spellsword 1/Abjurant Champion 5