So I'm building a Monk NPC for an upcoming battle in my homebrew and I was wondering, can someone with Stunning Fist (which is usually just Monks) full-attack and make a Stunning Fist attempt as 1 of their attacks? The reason I ask is because the Stunning Fist description doesn't really say what action it takes to use Stunning Fist and it also says "you may attempt a stunning attack once per day for every four levels you have attained (but see Special), and no more than once per round." So I'm not sure if it says that for AoO purposes or because you can make a full-attack with a Stunning Fist thrown in. It seems a little powerful but it also seems like a really good tactic and something I'd only do maybe once or twice to a PC (just to make a battle against 1 NPC last longer than 2 rounds). Anyway, thanks in advanced.
Based on the description, I'd say a Stunning Fist attempt can be used as a normal melee attack, and so it'd fit in as one attack in a flurry of blows. Since you have to declare you're using it before making an attack roll, I could even see it being used as an AoO.
Yes, it's a good tactic. But you have to hit first, which monks aren't always good at, then they need to fail their save. Since it's Wisdom that the ability is based on, the save will likely be decent but not necessarily great due to a monk often needing multiple ability scores to be high in order to function.
Based on the description, I'd say a Stunning Fist attempt can be used as a normal melee attack, and so it'd fit in as one attack in a flurry of blows. Since you have to declare you're using it before making an attack roll, I could even see it being used as an AoO.
Yes, it's a good tactic. But you have to hit first, which monks aren't always good at, then they need to fail their save. Since it's Wisdom that the ability is based on, the save will likely be decent but not necessarily great due to a monk often needing multiple ability scores to be high in order to function.
O he'll be fine with ability scores *thinks to myself "stupid PCs with their high rolls" followed by an evil laugh*
Disallowing Stunning Fist as part of a full attack would really diminish its usefulness. Our monk (who has reasonably good ability scores) only gets a successful stun maybe once every other gaming session, so it certainly wouldn't be useful (for her, at least) to forgo Flurry to try a Stun.
Ya I was thinking forgoing attacks to stun someone for a round wasn't the greatest thing in the world.
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The language usable "no more than once per round" reaffirms its use as a bonus to any 1 unarmed attack in the round.
Ran a campaign with a monk, and it was frustrating enough with this ability when she had 3 attacks and applied the fist to the first attack (it misses but the second and third hit), or when she'd hit but they'd make the save.
Still, any hit that causes you to take no actions and drop everything in your hands is pretty powerful. I'd expect no less.
I usually apply the stunning fist to the second flurry hit. (it has the same bonus as the first, and the enemy usually "dodges" better on the first hit...
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Currently running a monk in my friends Second Darkness campaign, and Stunning Fist rocks! Especially when combined with Ability Focus (Stunning Fist) [its in the bestiary] for a +2 to the DC of the save. My monk has a pretty good Wisdom and at 12th level the DC for his stunning fist is 23 (yikes)! Against a bunch of low CON elves its pretty devestating.
Currently running a monk in my friends Second Darkness campaign, and Stunning Fist rocks! Especially when combined with Ability Focus (Stunning Fist) [its in the bestiary] for a +2 to the DC of the save. My monk has a pretty good Wisdom and at 12th level the DC for his stunning fist is 23 (yikes)! Against a bunch of low CON elves its pretty devestating.
I may have to give this Monk Ability Focus (Stunning Fist) then to stun the fighter, who is the person I'm worried about ending the combat faster than I'd like :P
I usually apply the stunning fist to the second flurry hit. (it has the same bonus as the first, and the enemy usually "dodges" better on the first hit...If you hit on the first, your second will have an effective +2. Statistically, I can't see any reason to delay the stun.
Possibly even more since they are denied their dex bonust to AC as well.