Monk: Vows and Still Mind.


Rules Questions


Hello fellow gamers!

My group and I have some questions about the monk vows, it has been so much discussed about but I've seen answers at "both sides" and no a "last word".

To keep it short: My little brother's character died by the fate of 3 critical hit (yes, it's not a myth!). He wanted to play with something ranged this time and, from de thing we've seen that use to be recommended, he liked the Zen Archer. He have seen some vows that he like for his character (if needed he will role play them with no extra ki).

- Can a he take vows even if the archetype replaces "still mind"?

Reading some old threats I've seen that ninjas can take them too and they do not have it so, even if at first I thought I would not be possible now I'm not sure. But, if he cannot take them:

- Would it be unbalancing letting him take them? Maybe just one or two? (I don't know how many and which ones he like).

If I remember properly, a monk can take any vow at any level...

- What happen if a Monk (no archetype) get them after level 3? He still have "Still mind" or he lose it?

Thank you all for your time.

Silver Crusade

Nope, sorry. If they replace Still Mind and he doesn't have Still Mind to replace then he can't take them.

If a monk took a Vow after level 3 they would indeed lose Still Mind.


Monk Vows wrote:
The ability to take these vows replaces the still mind class feature, even if the monk abandons all his vows.

Strictest reading says no. It's fairly contradictory though, since it opens by saying "any ki users can select these" while none of those other classes have Still Mind. It's been FAQed but I don't think we have an answer.

Not in the slightest. They're a fairly minor benefit (if they're easy) or a brutal punishment far worse than the benefit (Vow of Poverty). Most are 1 every 5 or 6 levels. The base pool is 1/2 level + Wis. Even if you took half of the vows (which is a lot), it probably wouldn't even double your pool.

You cannot take the vows unless you give up Still Mind. Same quote at the top. You can choose a new vow at any time, but the ability to take a vow at all requires that you already gave up Still Mind. The ability to take vows replaces Still Mind, which means the choice has to be made before Still Mind is gained. Same as any archetype.

Sczarni

It's in the latest errata for Ultimate Magic: "The ability to take these vows replaces the still mind class feature, even if the monk abandons all his vows."

Prior to the 2nd printing, Monks with Vows "never gained" the Still Mind class feature, and people argued that meant a Zen Archer could take Vows.

The newer language makes Vows akin to an archetype. Since they replace the same feature as the Zen Archer, you may only choose one or the other.


Then is as I spected at first, before seeing/reading those ninja with vows.

Thank you all for your answers and help!

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