rudebones's page

All the codes that I was sent are showing as "That code is not recognized." To echo what the others have been saying, this is frustrating considering I went all in on the Kickstarter and received maybe 10 miniatures from the failed Ninja Division attempt and now this.

I wouldn't really count glamered on the list for anything, as it is an effect on armor to make it look like normal clothing. However, as an example, yes, that does work. My question is, should there be a duration (if any), and if so, for how long? 2+Wis modifier in rounds? Just plain Wisdom modifier? For example, if a monk spent the ki for "Light Fortification", is that a "day" duration? Number of hours equal to the character's monk level? Permanent subtraction if that is to remain a part of the character's repetoire? Perhaps a "recharge" time for the powers, to prevent overuse (assuming it was not permanently bought)?

I'm not so worried about abuse, currently. I can't think of many ways to abuse that idea just yet, *looks to fellow Paizonians* but I would like to think that there would be some sort of visible change for some of the magical abilities. Keen would be neat, save that it would require a feat to be viable, and Brilliant Energy? *thinks, tiny smirk* I'd call for a concentration/spellcraft/or Fort save to prevent dissolution of the monk that used it, provided his school didn't specialize in it -- even then, it might just be a bonus on that save... Perhaps limit the level of the ability the ki is used for to the character's level/4? So that way, any monk character won't be able to manifest the +5 effects until their last four levels?

*ponders the idea*

Glamered could have its applications but I see what you are saying with it. It just happens to be the first on the list for non-enhancement bonuses. What I was considering is just sticking with the equivalent of two spells that do something similar; Magic Weapon (1 min/lvl) and Mage Armor (1 hr/lvl), depending on the enchantment type you decide to go with. This keeps it uniform with already existing spells and gives a decent time duration for the abilities.

As for the abuse factor, the only real concern I have with it is people stacking it with items like the Amulet of Mighty Fists or Bracers of Armor. Good way around it is to simply add in a rule that limits it to not being used in conjunction with any other enchantment. Sure, it really discourages monks from picking up most of the little items but on the same token, it keeps them from having to rely on outside gear but rather the strength of the self.

In regards to the power limitations, I'll stick with what I had before: A monk cannot manifest an ability more than half their class level and cannot have a a total equivalent of enchantments equal to half their monk level. The way that breaks down, is a fourth level monk can manifest a total of a +2 enhancement, either divided between two +1 enchantments or one +2 enchantment. Further, a level 20 monk could manifest a total of a +10 enchantment bonus, distributed as they needed it.

Just to cover it while I am thinking about it, a monk should be able to manifest this power to give himself armor and melee bonuses but should have to use the power twice to do it.

You and I are on the same page Zer0. *grin* I was thinking the same thing, just perhaps not so expensive. Double the enchantment's bonus maybe, but how far should it deplete the Ki pool to manage that effect? Perhaps dividing the effects into external/internal effects, in that any effect that is external (with all of its subsequent effects) would cost more, since the monk is "forcing" energy outside of its normal limits? That said, any internal effect duplicating magic probably shouldn't get reduced to 1 Ki point, though.. *shrug* You're thinking what I'm thinking, but we need some funkier ones as well.

Heck, why not permanently reduce the Monk's Ki pool by the amount to "purchase" various enchantment effects for himself?

I wonder if there'll be a "collection" thread for all the sticky ideas that make a good deal of sense before the focus time is over?

Well, lets see if we can't just iron this out then. The main problem I see is what would constitute an internal versus external power. We could stick with the basic system for weapons and armor enchantments: times three for weapon and times two for armor enhancements. While on the subject of cost, I took into account after the original post the non-bonus equivalent enchantments for armor (spell resistance, shadow, etc.). Best way I can figure it is find the nearest bonus cost, rounded up. For example, Glamered is listed at 2,700 so we go for a +2 enhancement bonus.

I had an idea about a monk using the ki pool to cast greater magic weapon on their unarmed strike. The details are under the spoiler below. On thinking about it, though, I think I like this version of the same general idea better:

As long as the monk has 1 ki point remaining (so as to keep the current 'reserve point' model), her unarmed strike is considered a magical weapon with an enhancement bonus of +1 per 4 monk levels.

1. This helps satisfy those who would like the monk to be a better combatant without bumping BAB.

2. This helps monks compensate for their fists not being a golf bag full of weapons. At 12th level, they beat silver/cold iron DR. At 16th adamantine. At 20th aligned DR.

3. You could certainly keep "ki pool (lawful)" as a 10th level ability if you like. It makes sense. You get to beat DR/lawful at 10th, and then DR/good/evil/chaotic at 20th.

4. This change would make the notation of "ki pool (adamantine)" kinda superfluous at 16th level, since a +4 weapon is already treated as adamantine for beating DR, but if you are more into monks breaking stuff you could keep in something like this class ability if you liked:

Adamant fist (Su): At 16th level, a monk's unarmed strike is considered an adamantine weapon for bypassing hardness.

What do you think?

For some more thoughts on using the GMW model (I hid it cuz it got too long):

[spoiler]I do like the concept of a power being "on" when the monk has a reserve of ki points. It's kind of a neat thought. The thing is, in realistic terms it basically means it is a power that costs 1 ki point to use (i.e., your LAST ki point). If there were multiple 'reserve' powers then they could all be used for the power of that same ki point.

Anyway, thought is really this. Given the following:

A. A monk gets his ki pool at 4th level; and,
B. A monk can have his unarmed strike count as magic for the net cost of 1 ki point; and,
C. The greater magic weapon spell grants a +1 enhancement...

With this in regard, I actually just posted something similar that would make use of their ki pool on this thread.

Yeah, I think the ki pool does in fact need more abilities to choose from. One of the ideas I have been contemplating is allowing them to burn a number of ki points equal to three times the equivalent value of a weapon enchantment (+1 = 3 points, +2 = 6 points, etc.) to increase either attack power or even add a special ability to the monk. When dealing with already existing enchanted weapons, just follow the existing rules; adding a +1 onto a +1 costs the value of a +2. Of course assign a time limit, something like a number of rounds equal to their wisdom modifier of something to that effect. Additionally to regulate it so they can't just burn all their points to get the equivalent of a +5 weapon at 4th level, limit the increase to 1/2 their monk level. So a 4th level monk (chosen since thats then they get the ki pool anyway) would only be able to get a +2, and a 20th level monk would be able to get that awesome +10 total. While I'm on using it for weapon enchantments, the same could be done for armor enchantments since the monk really never utilizes armor. That way they can get those little bonuses our meat tanks and stealthy types enjoy so much.

Now, adding in new abilities for the monk would have to include a bump in the number of points they receive when leveling. Put it more on pace with the barbarian, maybe half of what they receive (2 + Wisdom modifier at 4th level, 1 + Wisdom modifier each level thereafter). Alternatively, stick with the existing formula but make it twice their level instead.

I've proposed the following in other threads:

"Monks are proficient with all simple weapons, with unarmed strikes, and with shuriken."

Add an addendum to the sickle description: "this class of weapons includes the eastern kama."

Add an addendum to the light flail description: "nunchaku are an example of a light flail."

Eliminate the siangham, because monks could now use short spears.

"A monk can flurry with any simple melee weapon. Flurrying with other weapons requires the Temple Weapon feat [allows the monk to pick one martial or exotic weapon, with which he gains proficiency and the ability to flurry]."

Give monks a damage bonus equal to 1/2 class level when using weapons with which they are proficient.

This eliminates confusion, breaks the bland "all monks fight unarmed because it's better" stereotype, and allows sects of monks that flurry with glaives or spiked chains or whatever... and has the added benefit of eliminating three lines and a footnote from the weapon table, and three paragraphs' worth of text thereafter.

First off, I completely agree that the monk's weapon proficiency list needs to be expanded, one to add more versatility, and second, to better cover the different regions that a monk can potentially be from.

With that said, I can't quite get on board with allowing them to flurry with any simple weapon, but I do think they should have a larger list of special monk weapons to utilize.

As or the bonus damage, I have been toying with linking the monk's ki pool in with the weapon proficiencies. As long as the monk has at least one point in their ki pool, they gain a bonus equal to their wisdom modifier to damage with any weapon that is considered to be a favored weapon. That way, it covers the monk's relative lack of enchantments with weapons when compared to other melee combatants and adds another use for their ki pool.

A character with low dexterity and high ranks in sleight of hand could be a master pick pocket, even if his Dex score would indicate he's a klutz. And anyway, being a master pickpocket really comes from confusing the people you're pickpocketing which means it should be Charisma-based to me.

Its not a bad point but being able to pick pocket does involve mostly dexterity. A good example of this is a friend of mine recently was in Panama and passed through a crowd. Even though he had his hand covering his wallet and passport, he still had both lifted and his cigarette case out of his cargo pocket.

Now, its not to say that you couldn't utilize a Deception check with Sleight of Hand in order to distract a target, frankly it would make sense for it to work. Just set a DC and if they hit it give them a synergy bonus or the such.

Given the increase in power options with the current alpha (feats, skills, etc.) a +2 actually isn't that out of place. Every other race ends up with a +2 total, after adjustments as opposed to a +0 like the human. Essentially, the +2 just keeps a human character on par with everyone else. The feat just gives them that leg up over the rest of it. The feat bonus the human gets does give the racea bit more power when it comes down to it, but like I said, everyone else has gotten a bump so its still not to bad when it comes down to it.

I'm going to have to disagree with the Theft skill being a rogue exlusive class ability, simply because its a skill that measures ones ability to perform a certain task. Sure, I can see how Trapfinding could be considered in the same light, but it makes sense for the rogue (and scout if you are using them in your games) as they are taught what to look for and how to deal with them as part of their background. Anyone can learn how to pick a lock or even disable a watch (my example for a device), but not everyone is going to know exactly what to look for when it comes to triggers and mechanisms designed to take you out by surprise.

While talking about the Theft skill, I don't agree with it either. My solution, and this is how I am running it for my group, is combining Open Lock and Disable Device into one skill as the basic function for them makes sense and keeping Sleight of Hand as a separate skill. After all, it does cover more than just picking pockets and can be useful for any character to have.

Installment 1: Character Creation and Modification
So Sunday night is always game night for us. When I started prepping for tonights session I hopped on paizo.com to see what there was to help get my head in the right place and low and behold I found the alpha for the Pathfinder RPG. Immediately I downloaded it and commenced scanning through it to see what new and wonderful things there were for my group and I. After a couple hours of covering the changes with them, converting the already existing characters, and making on new one, we were unanimous in our support of the changes so far and looking forward to what was to come. So this first post is going to cover just the basic tweaks thus far, as I haven't had the opportunity to test the combat or magic quite yet. Oh, the thoughts are hidden to save some space...

Player 1 - Elven Scout

Player 2 - Human Cleric

Player 3 - Halfling Rogue

Player 4 - Human Rogue

Player 5 - Human Fighter

Player 6 - Human Bard/Rogue

GM (Zer0)-

While we're on the subject of the minis, I am already ahead of the production date for the minis with my campaign. So the question is, what are the chances of the minis getting released the same time as the new books or maybe even a little ahead of time?