Polearm Monk?

Lets try to make a Sohei Monk that uses polearms.
You can use any Monk ‎Archetypes and build him out for damage,trip or anything else.
Lets keep to it to no more then 2 level dip into another class.

ready set go !

Polearms is a rather broad class. Anything in particular that you would like him to be able to do? Personally, if I was going to build one, I would skip wisdom and just wear armor and act like a normal fighter. You can punch and kick to get you through the first few levels, and then at 6th switch over to polearms full time. Really, getting flurry with a two handed weapon is your big trick, as extra attacks are amazing with THW and you don't need many feats.

Do you want to do maneuvers? Or actually do mounted combat? Need a little more info here to really have something to flesh out.

Monks can't flurry in armor you you won't want to drop the wisdom too low

Easy!

Maneuver Master/Cleric of Shelyn. Take Guided Hand, Power Attack, Combat Reflexes, and use bonus feats for Greater Trip/Improved Disarm/Etc. Maximize your Wisdom and Dexterity. You'll be pretty darned awesome against Medium sized opponents, though your abilities will drop dramatically against Large+ enemies and at higher levels (though a friendly wizard with Enlarge Person could help).

Your levels would probably end up Monk 19/Cleric 1, though if not for that two level dip requirement you would be better off with Cleric 19/Monk 1. But that is an issue for another time and place.

The problem with the sohei as i see it is that he doesn´t gain a mount like other classes using a mount.

The problem with the sohei as i see it is that he doesn´t gain a mount like other classes using a mount.

This is why we have the Leadership feat. It isn't ideal, but a well built cohort/mount can outdo a animal companion/mount, especially at mid to high levels.

Sohei is a disappointing archetype really, I was all excited for it before I read it, then it was poop. I was kinda hoping it would a be a light armored monk that could flurry with a pole arm and be an aoe master,

Im really not sure WHAT it does actually, the way it reads, it still confuses me.

Sohei is a disappointing archetype really, I was all excited for it before I read it, then it was poop. I was kinda hoping it would a be a light armored monk that could flurry with a pole arm and be an aoe master,

Im really not sure WHAT it does actually, the way it reads, it still confuses me.

They make really good archers.

yea Ive been trying to make one since the olden days (polearm was a monk weapon in 1E) in the new game system.

When sohei came out I was hoping that'd be my pole arm flurry aoe fight a ton of guys at once saturday morning kung fu theatre guy... but it seems to fall a bit short.

can you combine a sohei with zen archer or no?

can you combine a sohei with zen archer or no?

Even if you could you would not want to . The thing that makes Sohei archers so good is that you can combie Rapid shot and mult-shot with your flurry, Zen archers can't .

Not saying Sohei archers are better then zen , just different .

Why not be a regular monk with polearm proficiency (either from the feat or some dippiness)? Use the pole with combat reflexes to trip anyone who enters your threat zone, then lunge/flurry them with unarmed strikes (kicks) and 5' step back.

Why not be a regular monk with polearm proficiency (either from the feat or some dippiness)? Use the pole with combat reflexes to trip anyone who enters your threat zone, then lunge/flurry them with unarmed strikes (kicks) and 5' step back.

Hmm that is a idea .

I'm playing a polearm fighting sohei right now.
Just reached 2nd level, we're playng crypt of the everflame.

At first level I'm really satisfied with him. High stats do wonders in that aspect. Group dynamics help a lot too.

Human, rolled stats STR 18 DEX 16 CON 14 INT 12 wis 16 CHA 11
feats are combat reflexes quickdraw and nimble moves

I wield a guisarme, a kukri(I like the martial weapon proficiency) some darts and my unarmed strikes. I plan to get a composite longbow when possible.

Devoted guardian allows me to act early and dictate the pace of combat by positioning.

In dungeonlike environs I set up chokepoints when possible and become the group's tank with the help of a metal oracle. The summoner of the group provides the hammer to our anvil with his eidolon or summoned pets. A rogue dashes in & out flanking and my brother both in character and in real life plays a zen archer that provides us a huge advantage in open spaces without being a hindrace in cramped spaces(he uses fists when necessary).

I sport an AC of 16 unarmored. Fighting defensively or in total defense when needed.

My bonus feat at 2nd will be trick riding.
We're using the ranger's mounted combat style to set level requirements for each mounted feat.(no mounted skirmisher al level 2 for us)

I plan to pick combat training(polearms) and build towards mounted skirmisher at level 10. Second weapon group will be bows btw.

Will speak to the DM about taking leadership to get a reliable mount if monastic mount ends up being disappointing.

OP's restrictions are too harsh, there's not much point to staying in Sohei for that long.

I could certainly make a decent Qingong Sohei 8 / [something] 12 build. Notably, at least 6 of those 8 Sohei levels would be before any multiclassing (to fast track flurry w/ the weapon), and I'd probably pick up those last 2 Sohei levels shortly after dipping out, probably around character level 9-12 range. So until higher levels, such a build would *look* like it only had up to 2 levels elsewhere...

Sohei is a disappointing archetype really, I was all excited for it before I read it, then it was poop. I was kinda hoping it would a be a light armored monk that could flurry with a pole arm and be an aoe master,

Im really not sure WHAT it does actually, the way it reads, it still confuses me.

Light armored monk AoE master is what I'm aiming to.

Could you elaborate about your experience? Point out any pitfalls I don't see?

Those advising to multiclass; I'd listen to any suggestions offered.
The first level and stats are set in stone though.

The character concept is woodsy athlete. One trait was allowed and I picked one to get survival as a class skill.

Here is what I am playing in Shattered Star, I'll take any advice...

I am a human sohei monk. I am lvl 4 with no traits. My stats are:

Str: 18 (+2 from human)
Dex: 16 (+1 from lvl)
Con: 13
Int: 10
Wis: 14
Cha:10

My feats are:
Toughness, dodge, combat reflexes, power attack, and snake style.

My skills are:
Acrobatics (max), climb( 1/2), perception (max), sense motive (max), stealth (max), swim (1/2)

My combat equipment is:
+1 cold iron ranseur
+1 mithril rapier (plan on selling)
5 javelins
Mstwk chain shirt

I am the party primary tank/ front line melee/ scout. The rest of my part is a cleric (healbot) of Sarenrae, a finesse ninja, and a dervish inquisitor of Sarenrae.

Am I missing anything? Where should I go from here?

RAW / RAI, says you can flurry in armor, but it can only be with monk weapons you are proficient with... Unless you take some exotic monk weapon prof. I'll see if I can dig up the (albeit vague) interpretation.

What would be sick , though, is if sohei and MoMS stacked!

EDIT (found that thread): Ok, here is how I am reading it after finding a couple other threads about it. The sohei wrap/arm prof replaces vanilla monk, meaning you could flurry, fast move and slow fall.
However the sohei is not prof with all monk weapons, just the ones that are either simple or martial. So a sohei could flurry unarmed or with a simple or martial monk weapon. Nothing else till lvl 6.

The Ac bonuse is a different entry that says you cannot get it while in armor. So even though it was over written by the prof, it is needed here.

Mounted combat is added to the bonus feats, not the only feat you can chose.

At fourth lvl you get the monastic mount ability which means that fast movement in armor isn't even a factor anyway. And the ki weapon ability makes slow fall a moot point as well.

Finally at lvl 6 and so on, you may flurry with a non unarmed/ monk weapon that is simple or martial as long as it fits in one of the fighter weapon groups.

As far as that mount ability, you can spend a ki point to give IT your wis bonus to AC even if you ar wearing armor.

Be a monk and use the Double chained Kama. Always use it 2-handed as a reach weapon.
You can make all your FoB attacks this way and get 3:1 Power Attack.

I like Weapon Adept/Qinggong but use whatever archetypes you choose.

wow you guys raised dead on this thread ? LOL