This is a fork (and continuation of my post from another thread).
Introduction
I'd like to propose major class redesign, since current (3.5) version of Monk class lacks clear focus (niche) and fails to deliver with regard to current role (i.e. the lightly armored highly martial melee artist).
Proposed methodology (i.e. steps to be taken to redesign class)
1. Concept (class function within D20 system).
2. Sources of inspiration (general overview of Monks in current culture).
3. Basic class abilities (general fields of expertise).
4. Disposition against canonical four (general comparison of abilities - to avoid stepping on someone else's toes).
5. Class design (suggestions).
Lights! Camera! Action!
1. Concept.
Monks are jacks of all arts, i.e. depending on class feature assignment, they could be casters, combatants and skill experts or mixture of both.
Their strength comes at the cost of hyperspecialization, however, their area of expertise usually provides ample amount of counter measures - so even a martial expert can go toe to toe with arcane spellcaster.
While it is possible to build such character around the idea of mobile and effective Dispel Magic/Mobility Controller/Skill Disrupter, they can also wield weapons and provide mystical insight into nature of things.
2. Sources of inspiration.
- Hong Kong action movies: grand masters of martial arts, mystical mentors, sages, exorcists, champions of common folk
- Anime: priestly overseers of shrines, spirit mediums, spirit binders, keepers of harmony and balance between this and spirit world
3. Basic class abilities.
- abilities divided into Martial and Mystical Arts,
- Arts are further separated into Schools (basically 1-3 talent trees) - it's all about following path to perfection, so all talents are chained
- all talent trees containt between 1 and 3 talents, with 4 special talent requiring access to 3rd talent from another School or another talent tree (the 4th talent, the master's talent is available once character diversify)
- class gains one talent per level, character may choose any talent provided they meet talent requirements (usually talent one step lower or availability of a tutor from a school)
- 4th level talents may require additional prerequisites
- Martial Arts schools use only Strength (Martial attack and damage) and Dexterity (Martial defense and DC) abilities
- Mystical Arts schools use only Wisdom (Mystical defense and DC) and Charisma (Mystical attack and damage) abilities
- to provide incentive for dipping into another Art type, 4th level talents may require 3rd level talent from opposite Art
- self-sufficient - limited martial weapon proficiences, additional abilities to use with improvised weapons, limited self-healing
4. Disposition against canonical four.
- unless hyperspecialized, Monk should be a mix of various class abilities,
- Martial Arts specialist should offer damage output equal to Fighter, with lower Melee/Ranged defense, higher arcane/divine defense (saves)
(i.e. same damage, less staying power)
- Martial Arts specialist should offer combat advantages equal to Rogue (Spring attacks, Sneak attacks [not necessarily damage bonus, low ability penalties possibly], ability to avoid attacks of opportunity)
- Mystical Arts specialist should provide adequate countermeasures to disrupt any spellcasting activities (read Mass, Area and Lasting effects for disrupting Any spellcasting, Any use of supernatural abilities), healing roughly to 1/4 of cleric of the same level, offensive spellcasting abilities limited only to close range negative effects (paralysis, deafness, blindness, mute, weakness, fatuge, exhaustion, sickness, nausea, panic)
- Mystical Arts specialist should possess adequate abilities to communicate with, bind, imprison, restrict, keep at bay, pact or banish outsiders, elementals, plants and undead (as per Cleric and Wizard of similar level), though their abilities should not be limited by spell slots but rather by casting duration (i.e. banishment of outsider could be a ritual requring long time)
- Mystical Arts specialist should be able to damage all incorporeal and negate advantages of invisibility/etherealness of opponents (Mystic debuffer of sorts)
- Mystic Arts specialist should be able to build barriers against specific creature types or create walls
5. Class design.
- two good saves of player's choice
- medium BAB (as per Cleric/Rogue) with specific Martial Art schools granting attack and damage bonuses bringing it on the par with Fighter
- specific combat manoeuver bonuses (as per Martial Art school)
- medium (d8) hitpoints with specific Martial Art schools offering free Toughness feat
- no spellcasting - specific Schools offer abilities mimicking spells
- Monk abilities Martial attack and damage - by Strength (i.e. melee combat)
- Monk abilities Martial defense and DC - by Dexterity (i.e. DCs for special attacks which cause negative effects - deafness, stun)
- Monk abilities Mystical attack and damage - by Charisma (for those abilities which deal damage)
- Monk abilities Mystical defense and DC - by Wisdom (for abilities which require saving throws)
- 4 skill points per level
- class skills as per Cleric and Rogue
Some reasons for this post
As written, Monk class is severly restricted. Its lack of flexibility and narrowness tend to discourage people from playing it. Other severe problems:
- unbelievably ineffective - most monsters may safely ignore Monks, even more so than Fighters
- artificially restricted weapons - this is an idiotic relic from times long gone.
- artificially restricted items
- MAD (Multiple Ability Dependency)
- delivery of Monkish items to characters feels very forced
- grievous design errors - no class focus, severe irrational limitations, terrible lack of strength (feels like someone's revenge on this particular class)
The class is also very bland. Each Monk will play exactly the same. There is no potential for customization.
My redesign proposal:
- changes mandatory MAD to player's preference
- removes dependency on GM's fiat to provide weapons
- allows Monks to become exotic Fighters without ousting Fighters
- allows Monks to be customized
- allows Monks to have their own niche of disruptors/blockers/debuffers
- allows Monks to specialize or develop toward versaility
- allows Monks (by taking abilities as per previous class advancement scheme) to be compatible to certain degree
Regards,
Ruemere
