Rogue or Monk?

[Storminator]

I'm a skipping record today

I need a third option. Don't worry about what the party needs, play what you want. There are so many options in d20 that any area that is missing the other characters can use feats, skills, spells, items, etc to pick up the slack.

For me, I'll play anything. So filling out the party is a more important question for me. I'd choose rogue here.

PS

 

[Wombat]

Not only is the Rogue more iconic, but in most of my campaigns I ban Monks as breaking the "feel" of the game.

'Sides, Monks don't disarm traps too well...

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I classify Monks and Bards as "Nice to have" classes. Generally my players will only pick one if the 4 core classes in a party are filled (Brick, Healer, Rogue, Arcane Caster).

Monks in my opinion are "Mage Killers". They have great saving throws and fantastic movement. They don't wear armor, use weapons or have any item that can be turned against them (Heat Metal comes to mind). They can tumble and leap through the ranks of enemy mooks and Stunning Fist an enemy arcane caster to keep the party safe from hostile spells. On the flip side they don't have the Hit Points or AC to be a real "Tank" for the party (at least no more so than a Cleric). Unless you let your characters buy magic items or pay to have them made their AC will probably never be as good as a Fighter with non-magical Full Plate armor and a Large Steel Shield. Even if they can buy protective items a Fighter could then go get up to +5 enchantments on both his Armor and Shield.

Anyway, I voted for the Rogue.

 

[ShaggySpellsword]

I classify Monks and Bards as "Nice to have" classes. Even if they can buy protective items a Fighter could then go get up to +5 enchantments on both his armor and shield.

True, but he'd also want to spend money on a good weapon. The Monk can get away with JUST buying AC items (and both gloves of Dex and Periapt of Wisdom counts as one of those!)

But on to the question at hand...In a typical DnD game I think a party of just about any 4 PCs can work given the right playing style and tactics. That said, there is ONLY one class that can disarm magical traps. If you have a DM that will throw what he throws at you, with no regard to the party's strengths or weaknessess, then having a rogue is invaluable. If your DM just throws stuff that the party is fit to take care of, then a monk can be lots of fun, good for combat and really crazy athletic. (Jump-WOO!)

 

[Calico_Jack73]

BOOT TO THE HEAD!

Monks are useful but the classic D&D party is the Warrior, Priest, Mage, and Thief. Heck, they didn't even include the Monk in 2E and the closest thing to a Monk in BD&D was the Mystic.

 

[Voadam]

Rogue for traps and face encounters.

 

[Conrader]

Tried being a monk...prefer rogue

Having recently tried to play a monk, I discovered that deep down, I really am more of a climber-in-windows and a oooh-what-have-we-here-my-pretty? kind of player. Being a rogue allows me to be me. Which is all I ever really wanted anyways.