D&D General Rebuilding a new monk (+)

[DND_Reborn]

@DND_Reborn

If I understand you correctly, you recommend one Monk subclass uses Martial Maneuvers (namely Superiority Dice like Battle Master). Then this subclass uses the Superiority Dice for effects relating to stances and weapons.

Ki could replace the Superiority Dice, with the dice size being equal to the Martial Arts die (which I proposed upthread should be increased by one die size).

Also. Because the base class ki points are scarce, if a subclass has features that use ki points, the subclass needs to add ki points, in order to use these features, without taking away from the base usage.

I don't find ki scarce TBH, others have said that. I understand others wanting a bit more ki, such as adding Wisdom modifier as extra ki points.

Since ki is recovered on a short rest, even using it as such, I don't see it as a problem but extra ki equal to Wisdom modifier would not be too much.

Certain features could be regulated to once per turn, such as stunning strike and diamond soul, which would help with ki costs.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Are you ok with a base class that is strictly martial, but with a Monk subclass archetype that is magic?

I guess I'd rather see a Brawler sub-class of Fighter, if a non-mystical unarmed archetype is needed.

 

[Bill Zebub]

I don't find ki scarce TBH, others have said that. I understand others wanting a bit more ki, such as adding Wisdom modifier as extra ki points.

...and subclass abilities should get one free use before costing Ki.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Hold up, Would ninja be a possible archetype for monk? Isn’t that kind of what the current shadows monk currently is meant to be?(I don’t actually know much of what shadows monk does/gets/is meant to do)

I’m adding it to the poll, please recast your votes if you think it’s valid

I know Stealth is already on the poll but I think ninja is a different vibe, it’s more a specific subclass rather than a generic capability and there’s a fair bit of overlap between martial prowess, hyper manueverability of running up walls and such,

 

[Yaarel]

Hold up, Would ninja be a possible archetype for monk? Isn’t that kind of what the current shadows monk currently is meant to be? (I don’t actually know much of what shadows monk does/gets/is meant to do)

There are two kinds of ninjas: a historically accurate ninja and a mythologically accurate ninja.

The nonmagic 5e Rogue is excellent to represent a historically accurate ninja.

A magic Monk subclass archetype can cover the more mythological ninja accomplishments.

My design preferences want character options to be able to build a character concept, such as a ninja, with a high degree of reallife cultural accuracy. On the other hand, each option itself is suitable for other cultures as well, along with fantasy cultures generally.

 

[Malmuria]

Monk always seemed to me to be a good place to make a psionic class. I mean, what is "ki," really?

 

[James Gasik]

Monk always seemed to me to be a good place to make a psionic class. I mean, what is "ki," really?

This is what 4e sort of did, though in reality, despite having the Psionic power source, 4e Monks didn't have any psionic abilities. The Full Discipline mechanic was kind of neat, if it took a little bit to wrap your head around.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Monk always seemed to me to be a good place to make a psionic class. I mean, what is "ki," really?

While both ki and psionics come from the self rather than any sort of magic I personally feel there’s a huge difference between their specific nuances of flavour:
Ki comes from the physical, where the user has honed and refined themselves and attained perfect self-control of their own body down to the energy flowing inside it,
Whereas psionics,
Psionics come from the intangible mind, powered with thoughts, will and emotions, the body is typically weak but boosted by their mental capabilities, it has a tendency to be wild and uncontrolled (at least in my understanding of it) it has strong thematic ties to psychic powers

I can definitely see a psi-monk subclass or two brains and brawn in tandem but not as part of the core build of the monk.

Still added psionics to the poll though, see if it gets any traction

 

[Malmuria]

While both ki and psionics come from the self rather than any sort of magic I personally feel there’s a huge difference between their specific nuances of flavour:
Ki comes from the physical, where the user has honed and refined themselves and attained perfect self-control of their own body down to the energy flowing inside it,
Whereas psionics,
Psionics come from the intangible mind, powered with thoughts, will and emotions, the body is typically weak but boosted by their mental capabilities, it has a tendency to be wild and uncontrolled (at least in my understanding of it) it has strong thematic ties to psychic powers

I can definitely see a psi-monk subclass or two brains and brawn in tandem but not as part of the core build of the monk.

Hmm, maybe for me it's just coming from 2e, where psionics were both mental and physical. From the 2e psionics handbook:

The psionicist strives to unite every aspect of his self into a single, powerful whole. He looks inward to the essence of his own being, and gains control of his subconscious. Through extraordinary discipline, contemplation, and self-awareness, he unlocks the full potential of his mind.

Prime Requisites: The pursuit of psionics requires strict mental and physical discipline, so the psionicist has two prime requisites: Wisdom and Constitution.

Wisdom - the measure of enlightenment and willpower - is the psionicist's primary mental characteristic, not intelligence. Reasoning and memory (two hallmarks of intelligence) are indeed crucial to this class. However, the essence of psionic ability is the understanding and mastery of the inner self.

Although psionic powers are centered in the mind, acquiring and controlling those powers demands physical fitness. Meditative study places tremendous physical strain on the psionicist, not to mention the sheer drain of projecting psychic energy out of one's body. The psionicist need not be muscular, or even exceptionally strong, but he must maintain his health and fitness at a high level to fully exercise his powers. That's why Constitution is also a prime requisite for psionicists.

 

[Mind of tempest]

While both ki and psionics come from the self rather than any sort of magic I personally feel there’s a huge difference between their specific nuances of flavour:
Ki comes from the physical, where the user has honed and refined themselves and attained perfect self-control of their own body down to the energy flowing inside it,
Whereas psionics,
Psionics come from the intangible mind, powered with thoughts, will and emotions, the body is typically weak but boosted by their mental capabilities, it has a tendency to be wild and uncontrolled (at least in my understanding of it) it has strong thematic ties to psychic powers

I can definitely see a psi-monk subclass or two brains and brawn in tandem but not as part of the core build of the monk.

Still added psionics to the poll though, see if it gets any traction

look I am no expert on mystical human energies from the east but I think it is way more blurry than that and both have stuff that gets really soul related it is difficult without texts that are translated with the relevant context