Best 6th Level Monk Bonus Feat?


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Ok, assuming a 6th level Monk already has Improved Grapple and Deflect Arrows, what's left?

Catch Off-Guard, Scorpion Style, Gorgon's Fist and Throw Anything all suck. Improved Bull Rush, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip aren't the focus of this character, so they don't seem like great choices. Combat Reflexes and Mobility don't fit the character's combat style and Dodge doesn't really seem worth a feat.

Hamatulatsu seems to be the best choice, though it's only slightly better than a cestus when you crit.

Am I missing something?


I'm not sure if it's intentional on their part but Paizo never let you take any of the style feats from UC or indeed any new monk feats from the APG or UC.

You should ask your DM about allowing it though, doesn't seem like a monk should be restricted to scorpion style feats.

You could also ask for Elemental Fist to be counted as a bonus feat which IMO it should.

If all of the above fails, Dodge is ALWAYS worth a feat. 5% less chance to get hit may not seem that important but when you play someone incapable of wearing armour every little helps.


Dodge is always worth it, and the Improved Trip/Disarm/Bull Rush are always worth having in your arsenal even if you do not intend to use them thematically. Personally I would take Improved Trip - nothing aids a grapple faster than landing your foe on his backside.


Dodge is probably the strongest choice, sorry.

The only "good" acquisition on the entire monk bonus feat list is Medusa's Wrath at level 10, sadly.


I disagree, maneuvers can be very useful, if situational.


Combat Reflexes is very useful when fighting multiple opponents or when attacked from ambush.

Dodge is always a good choice, +1 to AC and CMD is good bonus feat if you can't find other more to your taste.

Improved Trip is also great. You already stated that it does not fit your fighting style, however.

Silver Crusade

If your focus was dodging and grappling, Qinggong Tetori monk is the (awesome and deadly) way to go.

Dark Archive

Combat Reflexes fits any style. It's not like you pass up attacks of opportunity, right?


Dodge and Combat Reflexes, in that order.

If you're a grappler then Gorgon's Fist is not sucktastic. Neither is Scorpion style. I'd check with the DM but being grappled is a pretty definitive form of having your speed reduced. And a staggered opponent will never vet away from you, and won't likely turn the tables on you either.


Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Improve Trip, and Mobility are all good choices for the 6th level feat. The first three can be taken at 1st and 2nd level as well.

Master Arminas


Combat Reflexes w/o a reach weapon or some trick to generate AoOs (Come and Get Me, Panther Style, etc...) is quite worthless.

Combat Maneuvers need the Greater feat to be good, something most monks will never have b/c they can't afford the int 13 and Combat Expertise, and even for classes better at them (like Fighter), they have a pretty poor success rate.

Get Dodge or Deflect Arrows, it's not sexy, but unlike the other choices it may actually help you once or twice.


Deflect Arrows is the best feat (in my opinion) on the entire list. Why? Because it can apply to any ranged weapon (other than seige or giant weapons) you want.

DM: The Arcane Archer is standing 200' away from you. He pulls back on the bowstring and lets fly with his Improved Vital Strike. [Dice roll] Natural 20. [Rolls again] Confirmed critical. Now for the damage . . .

MONK: Hold thy dice, noble dungeon master. I bat aside the arrow with my Deflect Arrows feat.

DM: Well, you have to roll a save, don't you?

MONK: Nay, good sir. Read it for yourself.

DM: . . . . that . . . just . . . blows.

FIGHTER: Yep, and remember, we've already paid the wizard back in town to enchant us those gloves of arrow snaring. They're a steal at 4,000 gp each and let each of us do that twice a day!

DM: You all bought a pair?!?

ROGUE: Yessir Bob. Those things are pure gold, like when you roll and get a critical hit you can't use. [Smiles]

DM: I see anti-magic fields coming into play real soon.

MONK [with a smirk]: Mine isn't magical. And I get to do it once a round, every round.

DM: . . . I really hate you guys some nights.

Dark Archive

Nobody likes Hamatulatsu, eh? :)


I personally do. I stack it with other dragon style/ferocity to make the enemy sickened and shaken when I crit. Stack it with sickening critical and you might be able to sicken/stagger/scare your opponent in a single crit. Your GM decides whether the sickened condition gets applied before or after hamatulatsu check.


I'd go with Improved Trip as a first choice with Dodge as a backup choice.

I don't know what the latest version of Hamatalatsu does, so I can't comment on it.

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