D&D 5E (2014) The Battle Master(-ish) Monk?

[DND_Reborn]

I've been thinking about a new subclass for Monk, using the Battle Master Maneuvers as a template. I would include some similar things like disarm, trip, etc. but also things like locks, chokes, and others.

I got the idea from the 1E Oriental Adventures section on designing a martial arts style and think sometime could be made (in a fashion anyway) for 5E.

Any interest? Would a Fighter (BM)/ Monk (???) work well enough?

 

[NotAYakk]

You learn X battlemaster maneuvers (maybe from a restricted list?). You use your martial arts die for the die size. You can spend 1 ki point to use one of your maneuvers.

Probably too strong?

 

[DND_Reborn]

Well, I have some other ideas in mind, but in general I was thinking along the lines of using Ki for the maneuvers, yes, but I am hesitant since many players already find the number of ki points limiting as it is.

A while ago I came up with a modified BM maneuver list that made them "at will" instead of using superiority dice and I am planning on trying that route first.

Either way, I want new maneuvers as I mentioned, like locks, chokes, and such. But I also don't want to invest a lot of free time if there isn't much interest.

 

[Fenris-77]

That should be pretty easy except for the chokes. Locks can be done via grappling somehow. Chokes though, i just don't know.

 

[DND_Reborn]

The question is: Is there a need for a more maneuver-focused monk martial artist?

Or do the current rules already support the concept well enough?

To me, it seems lacking unless you MC into Fighter (BM), but then your monk levels fall behind.

 

[Fenris-77]

You could just add some options to way of the open palm.

 

[NotAYakk]

Chokes could be modeled as a way to upgrade a grapple to restrained.

And while Ki points are limited, having access to 20d10 maneuver dice would be awesome.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Chokes could be modeled as a way to upgrade a grapple to restrained.

And while Ki points are limited, having access to 20d10 maneuver dice would be awesome.

That was the basic idea for chocks and locks in a way.

Yeah, it would be cool, huh? LOL!

And actually, the subclass would have better unarmed damage, maxing at d12s... yikes!!!

 

[DND_Reborn]

Is using the BM as a template too generic???

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Is using the BM as a template too generic???

I’d basically look at the monk as a half caster (using spell points, they work out about right), and then look at what spell levels are available when for a Paladin, and figure out the damage potential of those spells levels according to the DMG (section on inventing new spells, IIRC).

OR, make most of these maneuvers something you can do when you use Flurry of Blows, with some being available by spending 1 ki when making an attack.