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With the understanding that this will probably drift into a discussion of the relative merits of monks, I'd like to propose a new option for monks. Flurry of blows would still be allowed, of course, but I'd like to give them another option. One of the themes of pathfinder seems to be giving classes choices in how they are made, and the monk has none beyond the standard feat and skill choices.
Basically, I hate that monks are terrible in combat unless they are full attacking. That's not exactly a terrible thing to be good at, but combat consisting of moving next to an enemy if you aren't already and full attacking if you are isn't especially interesting, and it makes all the interesting speed and mobility powers of the monk a lot less useful.
I'd like to replace the TWF feats that FoB gives with the Vital Strike chain, but, quite frankly, that would be too good. TWF feats have +1/+6/+11 BAB prereqs, and VS feats have +6/+11/+16. So...that won't work. Vital Strike would be way too good at level 1. Vital Strike and Improved Vital Strike could be decent replacements for the ITWF and GTWF, but they still need something at first level, and probably a way to get greater vital strike at some point.
So, two questions.
1. What would be a decent level 1 FoB substitute for a monk that hits things HARD, not over and over? Power attack? The ability to treat unarmed strikes as two-handed attacks? A faster unarmed damage progression?
2. Would giving monks a full BAB for hitting without flurry and for qualifying for feats really be so bad? They don't get the to-hit increasing abilities of the other martial classes, and it's harder to get enhancement bonuses. They already get a lot of the benefits of a full BAB; I don't think they would be overpowered with the rest.
Commence heated discussion of the utility of monks in general, hopefully while answering my question.
Honestly, there's no need for this. I'm currently playing a strong monk instead of a fast one. I simply took weapon focus (unarmed), power attack, cleave and eventually vital strike (at 8th). If I don't move I can beat the hell out of things with full BAB flurry and power attack. If I move (up to 60' now. Its like a charge) I can whack someone with vital strike. If I can get next to more than one adjacent target, I cleave. If their AC sucks, I add power attacks to either of the 2nd 2 options. At this point I pretty much match the Barbarian in our party in damage output for a full attack, and hit less but hard when moving. It works exactly like you want and keeps the flurry option intact.
If we didn't get feats every odd level I could see this being a problem, but since we do, you just buy your monk the strong man stuff and then beat hell out of anyone stupid enough to think the unarmed guy will hit like a pansy.
With the understanding that this will probably drift into a discussion of the relative merits of monks, I'd like to propose a new option for monks. Flurry of blows would still be allowed, of course, but I'd like to give them another option. One of the themes of pathfinder seems to be giving classes choices in how they are made, and the monk has none beyond the standard feat and skill choices.
While there is a lot more customisability now, there are still fixed class abilities, stuff that is considered so crucial that every member of a certain class gets it: Barbarian rage, bardic knowledge, channel energy....
I'm not saying I don't like alternative class features for stuff that is considered standard - I'm just saying that stuff like that must be well-considered!
Basically, I hate that monks are terrible in combat unless they are full attacking. That's not exactly a terrible thing to be good at, but combat consisting of moving next to an enemy if you aren't already and full attacking if you are isn't especially interesting, and it makes all the interesting speed and mobility powers of the monk a lot less useful.
To be fair, they are also not terrible at combat when they do combat manoeuvres (though they seriously need Greater [Combat Manoeuvre] as bonus feats since they're supposed to be good at that stuff).
I'm playing a monk and when I have to move, I usually do a trip or grapple at the end of the movement - or use Scorpion Strike or one of its follow-up feats.
I'd like to replace the TWF feats that FoB gives with the Vital Strike chain, but, quite frankly, that would be too good. TWF feats have +1/+6/+11 BAB prereqs, and VS feats have +6/+11/+16. So...that won't work. Vital Strike would be way too good at level 1. Vital Strike and Improved Vital Strike could be decent replacements for the ITWF and GTWF, but they still need something at first level, and probably a way to get greater vital strike at some point.
Actually, I'm not sure whether they'd be that good. I think it needs more.
What about this: Instead of Flurry of Blows, they get something like "Pressure Point". My idea actually changes Unarmed Strike, too:
Unarmed Strike (The Monk Class Feature)
As before, except that the monk's unarmed strike deals a flat 1d6 damage (1d4 for small monks, 1d8 for large ones, etc.)
[b]Pressure Point:[b]
A monk can attack with an unarmed strike or a special monk weapon using the pressure point ability as a standard action. If he does so, his monk BAB is equal to his monk level (in other words: strong BAB for this action. He can also use this when dealing damage while grappling.
If he hits, the monk will do 1d6 extra damage. This damage increases by +1d6 at 3rd level and every level thereafter.
The monk always adds his full strength bonus to damage as well.
At 4th level, the monk can attempt to disarm or trip the foe in addition to dealing damage when making a pressure point attack. Note that the normal rules* for disarm and trip still apply.
At 8th level, the monk can attempt any combat manoeuvre against a foe in addition to dealing damage when making a pressure point attack. Note that the normal rules* for combat manoeuvres still apply.
At 12th level, the monk can use this pressure point together with any feat on the monk bonus feat list**. In addition, he now gets to add two "rider effects" to his attacks. Rider effects include combat manoeuvres and applying conditions via Feats like Gorgon's Fist.
At 16th level, a monks attacks of opportunity can be used with pressure point.
*The need for a combat manoeuvre check, and provoking AoOs unless you have the necessary feat to eliminate that.
** Make a Gorgon's Fist attack or Spring Attack and apply this ability's bonus.
Note that Medusa's Wrath is pretty flurry-of-blowish, so it whould be changed: Whenever attacking a dazed, flat-footed, paralyzed, staggered, stunned, or unconscious foe with an unarmed strike (or special monk weapon), your attack deals double damage.
2. Would giving monks a full BAB for hitting without flurry and for qualifying for feats really be so bad? They don't get the to-hit increasing abilities of the other martial classes, and it's harder to get enhancement bonuses. They already get a lot of the benefits of a full BAB; I don't think they would be overpowered with the rest.
I don't think so.
If he hits, the monk will do 1d6 extra damage. This damage increases by +1d6 at 3rd level and every level thereafter.
I'm hoping you mean every other level thereafter.