Multi-Classed Monk / Druid, Abilities While Wildshaped

[Ezh Darkstrider]

Can a Monk wildshaped into an animal use Flurry of Blows and the other benefits of the monk class?

[calagnar]

You keap the monk AC bouns. But natural attacks are not a fuction of BAB, or Two Weapon Fighting, or Flurry of Blows. You get one attack with each natural weapon that form hase.

[Name Violation]

Ezh Darkstrider wrote:

Can a Monk wildshaped into an animal use Flurry of Blows and the other benefits of the monk class?

yes

you can FOB if you deal size-appropriate monk damage rather than animals claw/bite routine

but yes, you keep wis to ac, the option of FOB, ki points, and everything else

[Devilkiller]

As folks are saying, you'd keep your Wis to AC bonus, and that's what makes this a great combo IMO. For flurry of blows you need to use unarmed strikes instead of the wildshaped form's natural attacks. This is tough to imagine with some forms, but it should be fairly easy for say an ape or an earth elemental. Stunning Fist is another ability which works only with unarmed strikes. Also worth noting is that the benefits of a Monk's Robe are always on, so they continue to work in wildshape.

[Ezh Darkstrider]

Thanks. Pretty much what I thought. It's just too bad about that whole "the monk uses his monk level instead of his BAB when using flurry of blows" clause; it certainly lessens the effectiveness of the level dip, and a multi-classed monk in general. Oh well, at least I still have awesome druid battlefield-control spells.

[StabbittyDoom]

Ezh Darkstrider wrote:

Thanks. Pretty much what I thought. It's just too bad about that whole "the monk uses his monk level instead of his BAB when using flurry of blows" clause; it certainly lessens the effectiveness of the level dip, and a multi-classed monk in general. Oh well, at least I still have awesome druid battlefield-control spells.

It's generally agreed (and AFAIK, RAW) that the only the BAB from monk levels changes with flurry of blows, with BAB from other classes adding normally.

Thus a Druid 10/Monk 10 would have a BAB of 17 when flurrying (and 14 otherwise).

[Ezh Darkstrider]

Ah. Well that does change things. I had not been aware of that. Thanks. So when considering a one-level monk dip, it actually does add 1 to over-all BAB when Flurrying. That's Great. Perhaps a bit on the cheesy side, but, hey, I like cheese.

[Devilkiller]

Yes, Druid/Monk is a fun and rewarding path IMO. Imagine all the buff spells you'll have for yourself. Take Craft Wondrous Items and you can even make Bracers of Armor and an Amulet of Mighty Fists. The toughest part is deciding whether or not to take the 2nd level of Monk for Evasion. It might not be worth it if you intend to do any summoning, but Evasion could be really nice in high Dex forms like Fire or Air Elemental.

Elemental forms seem nice for flurrying (especially at high levels). Animal or Plant forms can grant you nice abilities like Trip or Grab though. The +4 to grapple CMB from Grab will keep you even with or above a regular Monk in grappling ability while adding extra damage from rakes or constrict.