Some ideas for a Monk Fix

[StreamOfTheSky]

Absolutely, full BAB should be given.

I think I suggested replacing Con with Wis a while ago, so of course I agree with that change. It's really crazy that they didn't try to reduce the monk's MAD.

Don't like the idea of tattoos, I'd rather just let the rules allow the monk to have his body enhanced as a weapon, I don't know why this is so controversial or so seldom considered.

I think going back to 3E body slot rules would also help the monk a lot, as he is MAD and putting all 3 physical stats in one slot is extremely punitive. Even if wis replaces con, I still don't like that change in general.

Monk should also be able to take Improved Natural Attack (unarmed strike). The erratta is just a tacky re-write and a straight up nerf from 3E.

Greater Disarm and Trip (and Feint I suppose) should either be added to the monk's bonus feat list at level 10, or there should be a rule added that if a monk selects Improved Disarm/Trip/Feint with a bonus feat, he only needs to meet the BAB pre-req of the greater version of that feat in order to take it in the future. As it stands now, monk just fails at those maneuvers compared to a Fighter by effectively not having access to the Greater versions.

Doesn't really affect monk's power, but Wholeness of Body is freaking terrible, just TRY comparing it to lay on hands. I think it should cost 1 ki point, heal more, and be used as a swift action. Or if not all 3 of those, pick 2.

 

[maeljw]

I think I suggested replacing Con with Wis a while ago, so of course I agree with that change. It's really crazy that they didn't try to reduce the monk's MAD.

You know, I looked back, and yes it was you who I got that from. Sorry I didn't remember at first. As for the tattoos, I've changed it to a prestige class, the tattooed spellcaster, which maybe I'll put up soon for some PEACHing.

 

[Glade Riven]

Anything can be enchanted under the Paizo rules - you don't have to have everything stacked on to one item type. That is just an example. Since this is for homebrew anyways, it isn't really much of an issue. So enchant some wrist wraps, bracers, monk's robes, whatever.

 

[Pezmerga]

I personally think Monks should have some sort of mobility advantage while maintaining the ability to flurry. What the hell is the point in fast movement if you can't utilize it while fighting? Maybe let them use a ki point to move and Flurry in same turn? Perhaps let them take 10 foot steps instead of 5 if they have a ki point in their pool? Not sure exactly how it should be done, but I think it would help them a lot in combat.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

In my ongoing attempt to fix monk in 3.5, one of the new class features I gave them was the ability to attach the bonus flurry attacks on any attack action at all (even charge, readied attacks, etc...) and an option to add them on AoOs (at the cost of additional AoOs for that round). It was actually my friend's idea (and he got it largely from the Snap Kick feat anyway), but I really like it, it'd be nice to see it in use some time, I really don't think it would be anywhere near overpowered.

 

[concerro]

In my ongoing attempt to fix monk in 3.5, one of the new class features I gave them was the ability to attach the bonus flurry attacks on any attack action at all (even charge, readied attacks, etc...) and an option to add them on AoOs (at the cost of additional AoOs for that round). It was actually my friend's idea (and he got it largely from the Snap Kick feat anyway), but I really like it, it'd be nice to see it in use some time, I really don't think it would be anywhere near overpowered.

If I am reading this correctly they always get full round attack if they flurry for that attack. Is that what you are saying?

 

[DumbPaladin]

Ki?

Has anyone mentioned in the past the possibility of tying some of the weapon and/or armor enhancements to the ki pool?

The monk already has the ability to have his unarmed strikes count as magical, lawful, or adamantine weapons for free, based on his level and simply by having 1 ki point in his pool. What if a monk could simulate a weapon or armor special ability throughout his entire body, in addition to magic/lawful/adamantine, as long as he possessed 1+X ki points in his pool, where X is the base price modifier, +1 through +5?

There would have to be limitations, of course: weapon modifiers would have to be melee-only, and rather than allowing the monk to simply choose special abilities on the fly, perhaps some sort of ritual would be required, allowing the monk to focus his ki to mimic the special ability.

The number of abilities a monk could emulate could be limited to 1 weapon and 1 armor modifier, or he could actually "know" 1 per every 5 levels of monk ... something to that effect.

If that's too game-unbalancing, perhaps the monk would have to spend the ki points to activate this ability instead ... but then I'd probably advocate giving the monk more ki points each level.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

If I am reading this correctly they always get full round attack if they flurry for that attack. Is that what you are saying?

No. They get to add their flurry attacks (and take the penalty, if appropriate, though I have it coming at level 7, so it's only a -1 and soon vanishes) on any sort of attack action. As in, one extra attack at full BAB, two when they reach Greater Flurry. Not their normal iteratives, they still only get those when actually full attacking. So a high level Monk with greater flurry could charge and flurry for 3 attacks at full BAB, for example.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

No. They get to add their flurry attacks (and take the penalty, if appropriate, though I have it coming at level 7, so it's only a -1 and soon vanishes) on any sort of attack action. As in, one extra attack at full BAB, two when they reach Greater Flurry. Not their normal iteratives, they still only get those when actually full attacking. So a high level Monk with greater flurry could charge and flurry for 3 attacks at full BAB, for example.

The current rules allow a Monk to spend a Ki point and get an extra attack at their maximum attack bonus on a full round attack.

I have found that it goes a very long way to improve the monk to allow them to spend that Ki point with ANY attack to add an additional.

Charge? Spend a point and attack twice. AOO? The same thing. This makes monks very dangerous at times but limits them as their Ki points are far from infinite.

 

[Mojo_Rat]

in the current rules the extra attack is o ly with a full attack while flurry. my lvl 9 monk with PA is something like 13 13 13 8 8 for attacks 1d8 +11 with temple sword. +23 or so to trip with the sword.

really its been a fun character I don't feel underpowered though dr irks me. my AC is 32 buffed how is this char weak?