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The wording for Dancing Leaf is pretty spare, and the feat clearly interacts with other rules for Leap, Long Jump, High Jump, Falling, and Grab an Edge that all have varied potential interpretations themselves. (Not to mention Powerful Leap, Crane Stance, etc., etc.)

So, some questions for those who've GM'd for or played a Monk with Dancing Leaf...

1) How literally do you define "wall"? Does a cliff face, scaffolding, or a giant beanstalk count? (I'd say "yes".) What about a waterfall, tapestry, or cobwebs? (I'd say "no", unless you also have Water Step.) A long strand of imprisoned prince Rapunzelo's hair? Chimney smoke? (I'd say "nope".)

2) How do you handle vertical distance? Dancing Leaf gives an extra 5' "When you Leap or succeed at a High Jump or Long Jump". So I read that as an auto-success if you try to Leap 8' vertically plus 5' horizontally, or 3' vertically plus 10' horizontally, because unmodified Leap allows 3' vertically plus 5' horizontally. Or, in the same vein, I'd think it gives 10' vertically if you succeed at a DC 30 High Jump that would normally give 5'.

3) What about failed jumps? If Deckard fails a DC 20 check to Long Jump 25' (say he's a Level 3 monk with 35' speed and Dancing Leaf), does he still jump the 20' and get a chance to Grab an Edge and/or girder?

I'm a big fan of feats and abilities often dismissed as "situational", but I'm curious how those more experienced than I treat the many potential situations!

I'm new to playing a monk, and already acutely aware that I don't have much ranged ability. (I carry a sling at level 1, and just took some throwing knives off a dead guy, but that's it.)

I don't want to specialize in ranged attacks. I expect to regularly be in melee in Wolf Stance flanking with the rogue. But I would like a decent ranged *option*.

What experience do people have playing with both Monastic Archer Stance and a dexterity-focused melee stance? That seems "decent" since for one class feat you've got 30-50' flurry/stunning/magic/metal ranged attacks when needed.

I don't mind if this isn't the most powerful combination. (For this character Monastic Archer would most likely displace Stand Still.) But I wouldn't want to take a choice that I never use. Some possible pitfalls I can see with Monastic Archer are that switching stances could just be so slow it's never worth doing, and that at higher levels what is meant to be a sidelight has to compete for runes to remain a "decent" option.

What about other ranged options for monks? Wild Winds Stance looks neat at high levels. Shuriken are neat too but seem to be more for actual weapons monks. This character probably wouldn't multiclass for spellcasting but in general I suppose that gives lots of potential options.

I have no experience playing, playing with, or GM-ing a monk so thanks in advance for any advice!