Flavoring a Perfect Scholar Monk?


Advice


I have the chance to play on a 25 pt. buy game, so I wanted to test out the stat greedy Perfect Scholar archetype.

Any fun ideas on how to develop some flavor for a Monk with this archetype?


It seems like it would be a good candidate for the mechanically-subpar-but-thematically-interesting Kirin Style line, assuming you're using it on an Unchained Monk (which is mechanically good enough compared to base monk that it can take a nonoptimal style).

It could also be a good thematic candidate for the Perfect Style line, of which I think Unblinking Flame is the best option.

It also stacks with Monk of the Mantis if you wanted to go that direction and focus on Stunning Fists, which Learn From Failure can help you stick.

Too bad there isn't a Pathfinder version of the old 3.x "Kung Fu Genius" feat that let you swap Int for Wis for all relevant monk abilities.


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Where is this Perfect Scholar archetype described?


David knott 242 wrote:

Where is this Perfect Scholar archetype described?

Inner Sea Intrigue. Gives you all Knowledge skills as class skills, swaps out a ki power for basically Bardic Knowledge, and gives you a scaling bonus to hit after you miss a target.


Well, I got Kung Fu Genius approved, luckily.

My own concern was more about characterization though.


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How short my memory is. I just found the post where I spoiled that archetype in the Inner Sea Intrigue thread.

Still, since this archetype has all Knowledge skills as class skills and a half level bonus to those skills, it does not need a super high intelligence (just don't dump it completely).

You could consider VMC options such as Oracle (Lore mystery, Think On It as initial revelation) or Cleric (Knowledge domain).


Being Int focused lends itself well to something like Amateur Investigator.

The archetype basically reads as "ultimate nerd", so the characterization could be of someone super focused on certain fields of knowledge, as well as collector of knowledge in general. Maybe they're super bookish and have spent a lot of time in dusty libraries and are now seeking to explore the world.

Maybe they're that one guy who has a lot of useful information but no social skills and ends up annoying the party when he rambles on about all the obscure details of his favorite subject.

He could also be a Vulcan-like level of logical kind of person. Mathematical genius, doesn't handle emotion well. An interesting counterpoint to someone like a Barbarian in the party.


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Em both in Flavor and in Crunch Irori is your man. So your that guy who has hung out in a monastery all his life. There you do two things exercise physically and read. Be old (unless your GM insists that you take physical stat penalties) and tell the young ones how things go. They will come to accept your wisdom as a) your smarter b) your stronger. Also don't sleep (or at least less than others) and be found meditating in the morning. Lead by example and attempt to subtlety convert your fellow adventurerers to the way of the master of masters.

The master of masters...has arguably one of the best deific obediences. +4 to all knowledge skills. Paired with Bardic Knowledge all you need is 1 rank in each knowledge skill and a positive Int to boss those knowledge skills. All of them... dipping one level of Cleric for the memory domain and a channel pool (think bronze gong) is useful.

Stats STR 18 DEX 14 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 14 CHA 8 Dual Talent human is a possibility...


I think the class could work really well for having no knowledge skills, yet can perform all knowledge skills.

"Bardic knowledge"
Half-elf Reflexive Improvisation
Breadth of Experience
Irori's divine obedience.

this would give you a +8+1/2 level with no skill points invested on all knowledge checks.


I like the idea lots!


Untrained Knowedge Skills can't beat more than a DC 10 however.


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Alex Mack wrote:
Untrained Knowedge Skills can't beat more than a DC 10 however.

They can if you have Bardic Knowledge or an equivalent ability.

Still -- if you can get all Knowledge skills as class skills, getting a +4 bonus for only a single rank is worth it.


Perfect Scholar Monks have Bardic Knowledge.

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