And here are two feats that seemed (at the time) a good idea.
MA
Improved Flurry
Prerequisite: BAB +10, Flurry of Blows class feature
Benefit: You make a second bonus attack when using flurry of blows at -5 to your highest base attack bonus. The normal penalties for flurry of blows also apply to this attack. In addition, you gain a +1 insight bonus on all attack and damage rolls made as part of a flurry of blows. This bonus does not apply to any additional attacks you make in the round, such as attacks of opportunity.
Ten-Foot Step
Prerequisite: 60-foot base speed, ki pool
Benefit: If you spend a point from your ki pool to gain an extra attack, a bonus to hit, or a bonus to damage as part of a flurry of blows, you may spend an additional point as part of the same swift action to move up to 10 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity and still perform a full-attack action. This replaces your normal 5-foot step for the round.
I think you are right. Nix that feat. What about the other?
MA
|
And here are two feats that seemed (at the time) a good idea.
MA
Improved Flurry
Prerequisite: BAB +10, Flurry of Blows class feature
Benefit: You make a second bonus attack when using flurry of blows at -5 to your highest base attack bonus. The normal penalties for flurry of blows also apply to this attack. In addition, you gain a +1 insight bonus on all attack and damage rolls made as part of a flurry of blows. This bonus does not apply to any additional attacks you make in the round, such as attacks of opportunity.Ten-Foot Step
Prerequisite: 60-foot base speed, ki pool
Benefit: If you spend a point from your ki pool to gain an extra attack, a bonus to hit, or a bonus to damage as part of a flurry of blows, you may spend an additional point as part of the same swift action to move up to 10 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity and still perform a full-attack action. This replaces your normal 5-foot step for the round.
As someone pointed out in another thread, mix this with spring attack and we enter broken city.
Also 10 foot step is something that could be problematic with synergies.
Not trying to be completely dismissive, because I like a lot of your ideas, but these drift toward creep a bit I think.
I always seem to have problems with balancing feats, lol. Ok, nix both of them. Someone earlier in the threat suggested something like this, and I thought I would put them here to get some opinions, which did happen. So the feats are no-go. Not a problem.
MA
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Ok, last night I had a doh! when thinking about catfall. It suddenly occurred to me that regardless of how far you fall, there is a cap on falling damage of 20d6. So that means . . .
Catfall (Su): At 4th level or higher, a monk can fall incredible distances without suffering damage. When falling, a monk always lands on his feet. In addition, he reduces the damage inflicted from a fall by 1d6 per monk level he possesses, to a maximum reduction of 20d6 at 20th level. Unlike magical spells (such as feather fall) with similar effects, a monk is not slowed during his descent, making this abiilty a favored method for higher level monks to rapidly descend great distances quickly.
The section I changed has been bolded.
With this change, it doesn't matter is the monk falls 200 feet or 20,000 feet; he simply reduces the damage from a fall by 1d6 per level.
Feedback on this idea would be greatly appreciated, because it might be too much.
Master Arminas
All this Jazz, and the Monk here still has 4 skill /level.
Meh.
All this Jazz, and the Monk here still has 4 skill /level.
Meh.
Which a human monk can get up to 6 per level with a 10 Intelligence, 7 per level with a 12, 8 per level with a 14, and 9 per level with a 16 (although the last ain't likely).
Trust me, he has enough skill points to make a good character, if you aren't putting a 7 or 8 in Intelligence.
Master Arminas
I've probably watched one too many martial arts movies, but I've always felt that monks should have d10 hit dice, good BAB, proficient in all martial weapons and alignment should not be limited to lawful (especially in the case of the drunken master)...Don't know what this would do for game balance, but I don't necessarily think all classes need to be balanced against each other. Just my two cents...
I've probably watched one too many martial arts movies, but I've always felt that monks should have d10 hit dice, good BAB, proficient in all martial weapons and alignment should not be limited to lawful (especially in the case of the drunken master)...Don't know what this would do for game balance, but I don't necessarily think all classes need to be balanced against each other. Just my two cents...
I too am a connoisseur of such movies, and I would agree. The problem comes when you want to give them a ton of nifty abilities to match witch demands a drop in BaB and/or HD. Personally I think a better match would be D10 Hit die, but drop flurry of blows! Have a simple Ki ability to grant an additional attack with a minus to hit. Then go into a choice of unarmed or armed combat focus similar to the rogue and their fighting styles. However all monks would have improved unarmed strike.
D'arandriel, the monk doesn't really need full BAB or a d10 hit die. For combat maneuvers, it effectively has full BAB. If you can trip an opponent, making it easier to hit them, you have made up for the lack of BAB. If you can disarm them, you've made up for the lower amount of HP compared to d10 and d12 classes. A monk is a thinking man's class, certainly not the easiest one to actually play, but one that can reward a person who uses all of his abilities to the fullest extent--in concert with other members of his party.
Captain Sir HI (Hi!), that is the problem. Uping the BAB or HD would mean losing something. I don't really think it would be wise to drop flurry, and as weak as speak with animals/plants is, I wouldn't stand for dropping them as justification for a BAB/Hit Point increase (nor did you suggest, but some of the folks here are certainly thinking it). It all comes down to how you want the monk to be played in your game, and if works for your campaign, that is all that matters.
Agreed, Ayronc. But giving the class those two abilities on top of everything else would have been way too much. Even though I wanted them (laughing sigh).
Master Arminas
D'arandriel, the monk doesn't really need full BAB or a d10 hit die. For combat maneuvers, it effectively has full BAB. If you can trip an opponent, making it easier to hit them, you have made up for the lack of BAB. If you can disarm them, you've made up for the lower amount of HP compared to d10 and d12 classes. A monk is a thinking man's class, certainly not the easiest one to actually play, but one that can reward a person who uses all of his abilities to the fullest extent--in concert with other members of his party.
Captain Sir HI (Hi!), that is the problem. Uping the BAB or HD would mean losing something. I don't really think it would be wise to drop flurry, and as weak as speak with animals/plants is, I wouldn't stand for dropping them as justification for a BAB/Hit Point increase (nor did you suggest, but some of the folks here are certainly thinking it). It all comes down to how you want the monk to be played in your game, and if works for your campaign, that is all that matters.
Agreed, Ayronc. But giving the class those two abilities on top of everything else would have been way too much. Even though I wanted them (laughing sigh).
Master Arminas
I never cared for work-arounds. If the monk is meant to have a full BAB for all practical purposes, then damn it, he should have a full BAB. Likewise, he should have the d10 HD to accompany the full BAB. I absolutely agree that Uncanny Dodge and Improved Uncanny Dodge make sense for a monk. I realize that quite a few people will think that what I propose will create an unbalanced class. So be it, I've already stated that I don't believe character classes need to be balanced (case in point - barbarians and wizards). Also, I realize you want to create Gary Gygax's vision of the monk. I'm just stating that IMO, GG's vision of the monk was extremely flawed to begin with (talking with animals, really???), since he seemed to base it on the Kung Fu TV series.
That is one of the problems with the monk: everyone has a different view of what it should do. I believe, from your statements, you like modern wuxia type movies, where monks pretty much lack supernatural abilities, but are kick-butt warriors. I like the old-school style of zen masters, who can hold their own in combat, but are focused on transcending to become a supernatural being.
Perhaps we need to split the monk into two classes: a spirtually-oriented medium BAB d8 monk with the supernatural and extraordinary abilities, and a warrior monk with fewer special abilities, full BAB, d10 HD, and uncanny dodge/improved uncanny dodge. I'll have to give this some thought.
Master Arminas
Ok, then. Here is an alternate monk for those who really, really want full BAB and a d10 HD. It is not intended to replace my Pathfinder Monk, Take 2, but to supplement it. Let me know what you think!
Master Arminas
Alignment: Any lawful.
BAB: High
Hit Die: d10.
High Saves: All
Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex); Climb (Str); Craft (Int); Escape Artist (Dex); Intimidate (Cha); Knowledge (History) (Int); Knowledge (Religion) (Int); Perception (Wis); Perform (Cha); Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex); Sense Motive (Wis); Stealth (Dex); and Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapons and Armor Proficiency: A high warrior monk is proficient with all simple weapons, with the exception of the heavy mace and morning star. High warrior monks are not proficient with any armor or shields. When wearing armor, using a shield, or carrying a medium or heavy load, a high warrior monk loses his AC bonus, as well as his fast movement and flurry of blows abilities.
AC Bonus (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the high warrior monk adds his Wisdom bonus (if any) to his AC and his CMD. In addition, a high warrior monk gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four high warrior monk levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the high warrior monk is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when he is immobilized or helpless, when he wears any armor, when he carries a shield, or when he carries a medium or heavy load.
Bonus Feat: At 1st level, 2nd level, and every 4 levels gained as a high warrior monk thereafter, a high warrior monk may select a bonus feat. These feats must be taken from the following list: Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Improved Grapple, Improved Sunder, and Weapon Focus.
At 6th level, the following feats are added to the list: Improved Bull Rush, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Ki Stand, Mobility, and Weapon Specialization.
At 10th level, the following feats are added to the list: Greater Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, Medusa’s Wrath, Snatch Arrows, and Spring Attack. A high warrior monk need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them.
Fast Movement (Ex): A high warrior monk’s land speed is faster than the norm for his race by +10 feet. This benefit only applies when he is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. This bonus stacks with any other bonuses to the high warrior monk’s land speed (such as the effects of an expeditious retreat spell, a haste spell, or any other effect that increases a high warrior monk’s speed).
At 2nd level, and every two high warrior monk levels gained thereafter, the high warrior monk’s base land speed increases by an additional 5 feet, to a maximum of 60 feet at 8th level.
Unarmed Strike (Ex): At 1st level, a high warrior monk gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A high warrior monk’s attack may be with fist, elbows, knees, and feet. This means that a high warrior monk may make unarmed strikes with his hands full. There is no such thing as an off-hand attack for a high warrior monk striking unarmed. A high warrior monk may thus apply his full Strength bonus on damage rolls for all his unarmed strikes.
Usually a high warrior monk’s unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but he can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on his attack roll. He has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling.
A high warrior monk deals more damage with his unarmed strikes than normal; from 1st-3rd level the damage is 1d6. This increases to 2d4 at 4th level. At 8th level, and every 4 high warrior monk levels gained thereafter, the damage increases by an additional 1d4, to a maximum of 6d4 at 20th level. The unarmed damage is for all high warrior monks, regardless of size. The techniques a high warrior monk learns do not alter the base damage of the class due to being either smaller or larger, although both Strength bonuses and penalties apply as normal.
A high warrior monk’s unarmed strike cannot be enhanced by any form of magical augmentation, such as magic weapon, greater magic fang, or by other means (but see Ki strike, below).
Stunning Fist (Ex): At 1st level, the high warrior monk gains Stunning Fist as a bonus feat, even if he does meet the prerequisites. At 4th level, and every 4 levels gained as a high warrior monk thereafter, the high warrior monk gains the ability to apply a new condition to the target of his Stunning Fist. This condition replaces stunning the target for 1 round, and a successful saving throw still negates the effect.
A high warrior monks gains one use of this feat for every high warrior monk level he possesses, as described in the Stunning Fist feat.
[Note: the high warrior monk does not receive the additional special effects a normal monk does at higher levels].
Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level or higher, a high warrior monk can avoid damage from many area-effect attacks. If a high warrior monk makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if a high warrior monk is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. A helpless high warrior monk does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Flurry of Blows (Ex): At 3rd level, a high warrior monk gains the ability to make a flurry of blows. When using unarmed strikes, simple melee weapons, or darts a high warrior monk can make a flurry of blows attack. Flurry of blows can be added to either a standard attack or a full-attack; in either case, flurry of blows is not an action itself. When using this ability a high warrior monk may make one additional attack using any combination of unarmed strikes, simple melee weapons, or darts at his highest base attack bonus. However, this attack, as well as all others made by the high warrior monk in that round, suffers a penalty of -2 to hit.
At 8th level, the penalty on his attacks decreases to -1. At 15th level, the high warrior monk no longer suffers a penalty on attacks.
A high warrior monk applies his full Strength bonus to his damage rolls for all successful attacks made with flurry of blows, whether the attacks are made with an off-hand or with a weapon wielded in both hands. A high warrior monk may freely substitute disarm, sunder, and trip combat maneuvers for unarmed attacks as part of a flurry of blows. A high warrior monk with natural weapons cannot use such weapons as part of a flurry of blows, nor can he make natural attacks in addition to his flurry of blows attacks.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, a high warrior monk can react to danger before his senses would normally allow him to do so. He cannot be caught flat-footed, even if the attacker is invisible. He still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. A high warrior monk with this ability can still lose his Dexterity bonus to Ac if an opponent successfully uses the feint action against him.
If a high warrior monk already has uncanny dodge from a different class, he automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead.
Ki Pool (Su): At 4th level, a high warrior monk begins to slowly access his internal ki, a supernatural energy that he can use to accomplish amazing feats. The high warrior monk gains a pool of ki points, equal to one-half his high warrior monk level + his Wisdom modifier. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift, a high warrior monk can invoke any one of the following options: he can gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round; he can increase his speed by 20 feet for 1 round, he can gain one additional attack at his highest base attack bonus when making a flurry of blows attack; he can add his Wisdom modifier to his attack rolls (in addition to his Strength modifier); or he can add his Wisdom modifier to his damage rolls (in addition to his Strength modifier).
A high warrior monk gains additional powers that consume points from his ki pool as he latter gains levels. The ki pool is replenished each morning after 8 hours of rest or meditation; these hours do not need to be consecutive.
Ki Strike (Su): At 4th level, a high warrior monk can focus his ki into his unarmed strikes, making them the equivalent of enchanted weapons. When first gained, the high warrior monk gains a +1 enhancement bonus to hit and damage. At 8th level, and every 4 levels gained thereafter as a high warrior monk, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. This enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction just as normal magic weapons do. If the high warrior monk’s ki pool (see above) is ever exhausted (reaches 0), he loses the benefit of ki strike until his ki pool replenishes.
Catfall (Su): At 4th level or higher, a high warrior monk can fall incredible distances without suffering damage. When falling, a monk always lands on his feet. In addition, he reduces the damage inflicted from a fall by 1d6 for every 2 monk levels he possesses, to a maximum reduction of 10d6 at 20th level. Unlike magical spells (such as feather fall) with similar effects, a monk is not slowed during his descent, making this abiilty a favored method for higher level monks to rapidly descend great distances quickly.
Agility Training (Ex): At 5th level, a high warrior monk adds his level to all Acrobatics and Climb skill checks. In addition, he always counts as having a running start when making jump checks using Acrobatics. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action, a high warrior monk can gain an additional +20 bonus on Acrobatics checks made to jump for 1 round. Alternatively, a high warrior monk can spend 1 point from his ki pool to stand from prone as a swift action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Physical Training (Ex): At 6th level, a high warrior monk's training and inner reserves of ki allow him to comfortably exist in environments and conditions that would quickly sap the strength from others. He is considered to be under the influence of an endure elements spell at all times, ignoring the extremes of heat and cold. In addition, he may go for a number of days equal to one-half his high warrior monk level without eating or drinking before beginning to suffer adverse effects. He requires only four hours of sleep per night, provided that he also meditates for at least four hours as well. While meditating, a high warrior monk remains fully aware of his surroundings and may make Perception checks without penalty.
Martial Training (Ex): At 7th level, a high warrior monk gains proficiency with a single martial weapon of his choice. He may use this weapon while making a flurry of blows attack. At each consecutive high warrior monk level gained thereafter, the character gains one additional martial weapon proficiency. At 10th level, the high warrior monk may instead choose an exotic weapon instead a martial weapon for this ability.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): At 8th level, a high warrior monk can no longer be flanked.
This defense denies a rogue the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking him, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the high warrior monk’s level in this class.
If a character already has uncanny dodge from another class, the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
Improved Evasion (Ex): At 9th level, a high warrior monk’s evasion ability improves. He still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth he takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless high warrior monk does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Duty Never Tires (Ex): At 10th level, a high warrior monk gains Endurance as a bonus feat. Furthermore, by spending 1 ki point as a swift action, he can ignore the effects of fatigue for 10 minutes per high warrior monk level.
Fists of Iron (Ex): At 11th level, a high warrior monk gains +2 damage on all unarmed strikes. This stacks with the bonus granted by the feat Weapon Specialization if the character selects that feat.
Stone Body (Ex): At 12th level, a high warrior monk gains DR 2/adamantine. At 14th level, and every two levels gained thereafter as a high warrior monk, the damage reduction increases by 2 points, to a maximum of DR 10/adamantine at 20th level.
Knockback (Ex): At 13th level, a high warrior monk can choose to initiate a bull-rush attack on a successful melee attack (either armed or unarmed). The target suffers normal damage from the high warrior monk’s attack, after which the high warrior monk may (as a free action) make a CMB check against the target’s CMD. If successful, the target is pushed away from the high warrior monk as detailed under the description of the bull-rush combat maneuver. The high warrior monk does not move with his target.
Focused Strike (Ex): At 15th level, a high warrior monk’s unarmed strike are treated as adamantine weapons for the purposes of damage reduction and ignoring hardness. The high warrior monk must have at least 1 point of ki remaining in his ki pool to use this ability. If the high warrior monk's ki pool is exhausted (reduced to 0 points), he loses this special ability until the next time his ki pool refreshes.
Stalwart Soul (Ex): At 17th level, a high warrior monk no longer suffers any penalties for being fatigued (he still remains fatigued, however, for purposes of exhaustion). If the high warrior monk becomes exhausted, he may spend 2 ki points as a swift action to ignore the effects of exhaustion for 1 minute per high warrior monk level.
Living Weapon (Ex): A high warrior monk of at least 19th level can deliver his unarmed strike damage through any melee weapon he wields, provided that the high warrior monk is proficient with the chosen weapon. The weapon wielded gains the enhancement bonus of the high warrior monk’s ki strike, but the enhancement bonuses do not stack, use whichever bonus is higher. Special weapon properties possessed by the weapon take effect as normal.
Ex-High Warrior Monks: A high warrior monk who becomes nonlawful cannot gain new levels as a high warrior monk but retains all high warrior monk abilities.
Oops. [blush]
I didn't change that in my master copy, and forgot to do it here. It is now fixed. The high warrior monk can't fall as far as the normalmonk, but he can eventually ignore drops of up to 100 feet without suffering any adverse effects.
Like I said earlier, I dumped the majority of the supernatural powers, and concentrated on making this version a pure-infighter, ala Iron Monkey, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kill Bill and other wuxia-style films. He can't dimension door, turn ethereal, use quivering palm, speak with animals/plants/everything, heal himself, etc., etc.; but he is a really hell-on-wheels unarmed (and eventually armed) combatent.
Hope that those who wanted a d10, full BAB monk are satisfied, because, now I am going back to my Miogi/Caine style monk.
LOL.
Master Arminas
Was reading Treantmonk's Guide the other day: how do you think would my version of the monk would be be rated by him?
Master Arminas
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All right, hopefully this one will be the one and I won't have to fix anything else. I have incorporated everything that we talked about and . . . I had an idea today (uh oh). Since no one is really happy with speak with animals and speak with plants, I added two new abilities at the same level my monk gets these: servant of law and champion of order. Basically, a monk (over the course of several levels) gains the axiomatic property on his unarmed strikes. And to add to the capstone of perfect self, I added additional bonus damage on a successful critical hit against a chaotic target.
All together, I am happy with this version--which means there must be something I haven't seen! Let me know what you think, my lords and ladies.
Master Arminas
Alignment: Any lawful.
Hit Die: d8.
BAB: Medium
Good Saves: Fort; Reflex; and Will
Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex); Climb (Str); Craft (Int); Diplomacy (Cha); Escape Artist (Dex); Knowledge (History) (Int); Knowledge (Religion) (Int); Perception (Wis); Perform (Cha); Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex); Sense Motive (Wis); Stealth (Dex); and Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapons and Armor Proficiency: A monk is proficient with all simple weapons, with the exception of the morning star and heavy mace. Monks are not proficient with any armor or shields. When wearing armor, using a shield, or carrying a medium or heavy load, a monk loses his AC bonus, as well as his fast movement and flurry of blows abilities.
AC Bonus (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the monk adds his Wisdom bonus (if any) to his AC and his CMD. In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four monk levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the monk is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when he is immobilized or helpless, when he wears any armor, when he carries a shield, or when he carries a medium or heavy load.
Bonus Feat: At 1st level, 2nd level, and every 4 levels gained as a monk thereafter, a monk may select a bonus feat. These feats must be taken from the following list: Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Improved Grapple, Improved Sunder, and Weapon Focus.
At 6th level, the following feats are added to the list: Improved Bull Rush, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Ki Stand, Mobility, and Weapon Specialization.
At 10th level, the following feats are added to the list: Great Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, Medusa’s Wrath, Snatch Arrows, and Spring Attack. A monk need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them.
Fast Movement (Ex): A monk’s land speed is faster than the norm for his race by +10 feet. This benefit only applies when he is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. This bonus stacks with any other bonuses to the monk’s land speed (such as the effects of an expeditious retreat spell, a haste spell, or any other effect that increases a monk’s speed).
At 2nd level, and every two monk levels gained thereafter, the monk’s base land speed increases by an additional 5 feet, to a maximum of 90 feet at 20th level.
Unarmed Strike (Ex): At 1st level, a monk gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A monk’s attack may be with fist, elbows, knees, and feet. This means that a monk may make unarmed strikes with his hands full. There is no such thing as an off-hand attack for a monk striking unarmed. A monk may thus apply his full Strength bonus on damage rolls for all his unarmed strikes.
Usually a monk’s unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but he can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on his attack roll. He has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling.
A monk deals more damage with his unarmed strikes than normal; from 1st-3rd level the damage is 1d6. This increases to 2d4 at 4th level. At 8th level, and every 4 monk levels gained thereafter, the damage increases by an additional 1d4, to a maximum of 6d4 at 20th level. The unarmed damage is for all monks, regardless of size. The techniques a monk learns do not alter the base damage of the class due to being either smaller or larger, although both Strength bonuses and penalties apply as normal.
A monk’s unarmed strike cannot be enhanced by any form of magical augmentation, such as magic weapon, greater magic fang, or by other means (but see ki strike, below).
Stunning Fist (Ex): At 1st level, the monk gains Stunning Fist as a bonus feat, even if he does meet the prerequisites. At 4th level, and every 4 levels gained as a monk thereafter, the monk gains the ability to apply a new condition to the target of his Stunning Fist. This condition replaces stunning the target for 1 round, and a successful saving throw still negates the effect.
At 4th level, he can choose to make the target fatigued. At 8th level, he can make the target sickened for 1 minute. At 12th level, he can make the target staggered for 1d6+1 rounds. At 16th level, he can permanently blind or deafen the target. At 20th level, he can paralyze the target for 1d6+1 rounds. The monk must choose which condition will apply before the attack roll is made. These effects do not stack with themselves (a creature sickened by Stunning Fist cannot become nauseated if by Stunning Fist again), but additional hits do increase the duration.
A monk gains one use of this feat for every monk level he possesses, as described in the Stunning Fist feat.
Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level or higher, a monk can avoid damage from many area-effect attacks. If a monk makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if a monk is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. A helpless monk does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Flurry of Blows (Ex): At 3rd level, a monk gains the ability to make a flurry of blows. When using unarmed strikes, simple melee weapons with which he is proficient, or darts a monk can make a flurry of blows attack. Flurry of blows can be added to either a standard attack or a full-attack; in either case, flurry of blows is not an action itself. When using this ability a monk may make one additional attack using any combination of unarmed strikes or weapons at his highest base attack bonus. However, this attack, as well as all others made by the monk in that round, suffers a penalty of -2 to hit.
At 8th level, the penalty on his attacks decreases to -1. At 13th level, the monk no longer suffers a penalty on attacks.
A monk applies his full Strength bonus to his damage rolls for all successful attacks made with flurry of blows, whether the attacks are made with an off-hand or with a weapon wielded in both hands. A monk may freely substitute disarm, sunder, and trip combat maneuvers for unarmed attacks as part of a flurry of blows. A monk with natural weapons cannot use such weapons as part of a flurry of blows, nor can he make natural attacks in addition to his flurry of blows attacks.
Maneuver Training (Ex): At 3rd level, a monk uses his monk level in place of his base attack bonus when calculating his Combat Maneuver Bonus and his Combat Maneuver Defense. Base attack bonuses granted from other classes are unaffected and are added normally.
Still Mind (Ex): A monk of 3rd level or higher gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells and effects. This bonus increases to +4 at 10th level and to +6 at 17th level.
Ki Pool (Su): At 4th level, a monk begins to slowly access his internal ki, a supernatural energy that he can use to accomplish amazing feats. The monk gains a pool of ki points, equal to his monk level + his Wisdom modifier. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift, a monk can invoke any one of the following options: he can gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round; he can increase his speed by 20 feet for 1 round, he can gain one additional attack at his highest base attack bonus when making a flurry of blows attack; he can gain a +4 insight bonus to his attacks for 1 round; or he can gain a +4 insight bonus to his damage for 1 round.
A monk gains additional powers that consume points from his ki pool as he latter gains levels. The ki pool is replenished each morning after 8 hours of rest or meditation; these hours do not need to be consecutive.
Ki Strike (Su): At 4th level, a monk can focus his ki into his unarmed strikes, making them the equivalent of enchanted weapons. When first gained, the monk gains a +1 enhancement bonus to hit and damage. At 8th level, and every 4 levels gained thereafter as a monk, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. This enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction just as normal magic weapons do. If the monk’s ki pool (see above) is ever exhausted (reaches 0), he loses the benefit of ki strike until his ki pool replenishes.
Catfall (Su): At 4th level or higher, a monk can fall incredible distances without suffering damage. When falling, a monk always lands on his feet. In addition, he reduces the damage inflicted from a fall by 1d6 per monk level he possesses, to a maximum reduction of 20d6 at 20th level. Unlike magical spells (such as feather fall) with similar effects, a monk is not slowed during his descent, making this ability a favored method for higher level monks to rapidly descend great distances quickly. A monk must have at least 1 point remaining in his ki pool to use this ability.
Agility Training (Ex): At 5th level, a monk adds his level to all Acrobatics and Climb skill checks. In addition, he always counts as having a running start when making jump checks using Acrobatics. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action, a monk can gain an additional +20 bonus on Acrobatics checks made to jump for 1 round.
Purity of Body (Ex): At 5th level, a monk gains immunity to all diseases, including supernatural and magical diseases (such as mummy rot).
Servant of Law (Su): At 6th level, a monk deals an additional 1d6 points of damage with his unarmed strikes against chaotic-aligned creatures. This additional damage is not multiplied on a critical hit. The monk must have at least 1 point of ki remaining in his ki pool to gain this bonus damage.
Speak with Animals (Ex): At 6th level, a monk can converse with any creature of the animal type, as per the spell speak with animals. Such conversations are limited by the animal’s intelligence (or lack thereof).
Wholeness of Body (Su): At 7th level or higher, a monk can heal his own wounds as a standard action. He can expend 1 point from his ki pool to heal a number of hit points of damage equal to his monk level + his Wisdom bonus (if any).
Spiritual Endurance (Ex): At 8th level, a monk's training and inner reserves of ki allow him to comfortably exist in environments and conditions that would quickly sap the strength from others. He is considered to be under the influence of an endure elements spell at all times, ignoring the extremes of heat and cold. In addition, he may go for a number of days equal to one-half his monk level without eating or drinking before beginning to suffer adverse effects. He requires only four hours of sleep per night, provided that he also meditates for at least four hours as well. While meditating, a monk remains fully aware of his surroundings and may make Perception checks without penalty. A monk must have at least 1 point remaining in his ki pool to use this ability.
Improved Evasion (Ex): At 9th level, a monk’s evasion ability improves. He still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth he takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless monk does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Duty Never Tires (Ex): At 10th level, a monk gains Endurance as a bonus feat. Furthermore, by spending 1 ki point as a swift action, he can ignore the effects of fatigue for 10 minutes per monk level.
Diamond Body (Ex): At 11th level, a monk gains immunity to poisons of all kinds.
Abundant Step (Su): At 12th level or higher, a monk can slip magically between spaces, as if using the spell dimension door. Using this ability is a move action that consumes 2 points from his ki pool. His caster level for this effect is equal to his monk level. Unlike the normal use of dimension door, the monk may take any remaining actions in a round after using this ability. He may take up to one willing creature with him when he uses this ability.
Diamond Soul (Ex): At 13th level, a monk gains spell resistance equal to his current monk level +10. In order to affect the monk with a spell, a spellcaster must get a result on a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) that equals or exceeds the monk’s spell resistance.
Champion of Order (Su): At 14th level, a monk deals an additional 1d6 points of damage with his unarmed strikes against chaotic-aligned creatures. This stacks with the bonus damage granted by the servant of law ability, for a total of +2d6 bonus damage. This additional damage is not multiplied on a critical hit. The monk must have at least 1 point of ki remaining in his ki pool to gain this bonus damage.
Speak with Plants (Ex): At 14th level, a monk can converse with any creature of the plant type, as per the spell speak with plants. Such conversations are limited by the plant’s intelligence (or lack thereof).
Quivering Palm (Su): Starting at 15th level, a monk can set up vibrations within the body of another creature that can thereafter be fatal if the monk so desires. He can use this quivering palm attack once per day, and he must announce his intent before making his attack roll. Creatures immune to critical hits cannot be affected. Otherwise, if the monk strikes successfully and the target takes damage from the blow, the quivering palm attack succeeds. Thereafter, the monk can try to slay the victim at any later time, as long as the attempt is made within a number of days equal to his monk level. To make such an attempt, the monk merely wills the target to die (a free action), and unless the target makes a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + ½ the monk’s level + the monk’s Wisdom modifier) it dies. If the saving throw is successful, the target instead suffers 1d4 points of damage per monk level and the quivering palm attack ends; the target may still die if he suffers enough damage from this attack to reduce him to negative hit points equal to his Constitution score. A monk can have no more than 1 quivering palm in effect at one time. If a monk uses quivering palm while another is still in effect, the previous effect is negated.
Adamantine Touch (Su): At 16th level, a monk can spend 1 point from his ki pool to treat his unarmed strikes as adamantine weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction and bypassing hardness for 1 minute.
Timeless Body (Ex): At 17th level, a monk no longer takes penalties to his ability scores for aging and cannot be magically aged. Any such penalties that he has already taken, however, remain in place. Age bonuses still accrue, and the monk still dies of old age when his time is up.
Tongues (Ex): At 17th level, a monk can converse with any creature, as per the spell tongues. To communicate, a creature must be within 30 feet of the monk and both the monk and creature must have line-of-sight to each other.
Stalwart Soul (Ex): At 18th level, a monk no longer suffers any penalties for being fatigued (he still remains fatigued, however, for purposes of exhaustion). If the monk becomes exhausted, he may spend 2 ki points as a swift action to ignore the effects of exhaustion for 1 minute per monk level.
Empty Body (Su): At 19th level, a monk gains the ability to assume an ethereal state for 1 minute as though using the spell etherealness. Using this ability is a move action that consumes 3 points from his ki pool. This ability only affects the monk and cannot be used to make other creatures ethereal.
Perfect Self: At 20th level, a monk transcends his mortal limitations. He gains damage reduction 10/-, which allows him to ignore the first 10 points of damage from any attack. He gains blindsight in a 60-foot radius. He gains a +10 bonus on saves versus mind-affecting spells, spell-like abilities, and other effects (this replaces and does not stack with the still mind ability), as well as being the recipient of constant nondetection and undetectable alignment effects (as per the spells). Whenever a monk who has attained perfect self confirms a critical strike with an unarmed attack against a chaotic-aligned creature, he deals an additional 3d10 points of damage. The monk must have at least 1 point of ki remaining in his ki pool to gain this bonus damage.
The few monks who reach this level of achievement often retire from adventuring to explore what they are becoming. Only those with the strongest of ties to their companions and their homelands remain, but even these will eventually simply vanish one night, never to return.
Ex-Monks: A monk who becomes nonlawful cannot gain new levels as a monk but retains all monk abilities.
Dotting for later
No thoughts on the axiomatic addition to unarmed strike, fellas?
MA
Rare? Unless the developers changed the special property descriptions in the errata, the anarchic, axiomatic, holy, and unholy are triggered by alignment, not type or sub-type. And I think that after evil, chaotic is probably the most commonly encountered monster alignment, right? Sure, it won't be as useful to a typical adventuring party as holy/unholy, but being able to deal +1d6 or +2d6 bonus damage per hit against any chaotic creature is not shabby.
And it fits the monk concept better than holy/unholy, with his being a champion of law.
Master Arminas
Sure, it won't be as useful to a typical adventuring party as holy/unholy, but being able to deal +1d6 or +2d6 bonus damage per hit against any chaotic creature is not shabby.
And it fits the monk concept better than holy/unholy, with his being a champion of law.
Master Arminas
It does mirror the RaW Monk's ability to treat his strikes as lawful at any case, and indeed, the monk as a concept isn't so much polarised as good OR evil (I expect several to be neutral) so conceptually speaking, holy/unholy is particularly fitted.
I'd prefer the ability to be called 'Servant of Order', as 'Servant of Law' sounds too 'civil-code enforcer' to me.
'findel
I'd prefer the ability to be called 'Servant of Order', as 'Servant of Law' sounds too 'civil-code enforcer' to me.
Which might make for a better match (with semantics, at least) for the Champion of Order ability they get later, then. I can't edit it anymore, Laurefindel, but I will change that in my master copy.
Master Arminas
After UM and UC, I think the monk is fine. The original sucked but with all of the new feats and archetypes, you can build some really scary monks.
I'd prefer the ability to be called 'Servant of Order', as 'Servant of Law' sounds too 'civil-code enforcer' to me.Which might make for a better match (with semantics, at least) for the Champion of Order ability they get later, then. I can't edit it anymore, Laurefindel, but I will change that in my master copy.
Master Arminas
At this point we're nick-picking...
The class looks good. Particularly love the slow fall --> catfall re-write. I had already started going this way (calculating in terms of damage dice rather than 10 ft. increments) but you've beat me to it, and in better words.
I still think that a speed of 90 feet per round is insane, but that isn't anything new.
'findel
I got so hung up on trying to make slowfall/catfall work, and then suddenly one night the light bulb blinked to ON. Glad that you like that ability. And thanks for the kind words.
I did consider (seriously) reducing it to a maximum of 60 feet, but in the end decided (for tradition more than anything else) to keep it at 90 feet by the end of the class progression. But, if you don't like the ending speed, by all means change it:
Here is the current progression (for my Take 3 monk, above).
1st = 40'
2nd = 45'
4th = 50'
6th = 55'
8th = 60'
10th = 65'
12th = 70'
14th = 75'
16th = 80'
18th = 85'
20th = 90'
If you want to cap it at 60' try this progression:
1st = 35'
4th = 40'
8th = 45'
12th= 50'
16th = 55'
20th = 60'
That is twice as fast as most characters (but not twice as fast as the barbarian) and the rate of increase is slowed. You have to start with a 5' increase instead of a 10' increase, but it does make the class look a little less like a contender for the Triple Crown.
Master Arminas
I got so hung up on trying to make slowfall/catfall work, and then suddenly one night the light bulb blinked to ON. Glad that you like that ability. And thanks for the kind words.
I did consider (seriously) reducing it to a maximum of 60 feet, but finaly decided (for ease of having a consistently increasing bonus) to keep it at 90 by the end of the class progression. But, if you don't like the ending speed, by all means change it:
Personally, I'd find a speed of 60 feet per round (double that of a typical medium-sized humanoid) already quite impressive, although I wouldn't have any issue if that speed was reached before 20th level. Not everything needs to be capping at exactly level 20.
Part of where my suspension of disbelief crumbles is with overland movement; a 20th level monk makes in 1 day what a typical person takes 3 days to walk; without forcing the march, jogging, running or be the recipient of a spell that increases land speed (because the monk can still do so on top of its incredible speed). If the ability was reserved for tactical (localized) movement, available for short periods of time or and/or considered a speed enhancement (therefore non-stackable with spells) it wouldn't be so much of an issue for me.
'findel
Sigh. I thought I had totally fixed the problems with the monk's unarmed attacks not overcoming reduction, but because of the last few posts have suddenly realized they don't get alignment based reduction until 16th level--SIX levels after the monk should have already been able to bypass DR/law.
So . . . add the following:
Touch of Law (Su): At 10th level, a monk’s unarmed strikes are treated as lawful weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
The canon monk bypasses DR/adamantine at 16th level; while this class doesn't get that now until 20th level, he does already get adamantine touch at 16th level which lets him bypass damage and ignore hardness by spending a point of ki.
He gets the ability to bypass DR/magic at 4th level, so we don't have to fix that one either.
I just love finding all the little errors. Sigh.
Master Arminas
If the ability was reserved for tactical (localized) movement, available for short periods of time or and/or considered a speed enhancement
You know, I seriously did consider making fast movement into a combat only ability, but couldn't find a way to word it that wasn't . . . wonky. I'll work on it.
Master Arminas
If the ability was reserved for tactical (localized) movement, available for short periods of time or and/or considered a speed enhancementYou know, I seriously did consider making fast movement into a combat only ability, but couldn't find a way to word it that wasn't . . . wonky. I'll work on it.
Master Arminas
One way would be to base extra speed on ki-pool, which is 1) a finite resource and 2) would be considered a speed enhancement. That's what I ended-up doing with my version of the monk.
Mind you, my version goes deeper in 'houseruliness' and frees the ki for that type of use a bit more. If everything is based on ki and ki can only be used once per round as a swift action, then our monk can't do much after all...
'findel
Fast Movement (Ex/Su): A monk’s land speed is faster than the norm for his race by +10 feet. This benefit only applies when he is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. This bonus stacks with any other bonuses to the monk’s land speed (such as the effects of an expeditious retreat spell, a haste spell, or any other effect that increases a monk’s speed). This ability is extraordinary.
At 4th level, when a monk gains access to his ki pool (see below), the character can achieve literally superhuman bursts of speed for limited periods of time. As a free action, a monk can spend 1 point of ki to increase his speed by +20 feet. This speed increase lasts for 1 round per monk class level and is a supernatural ability. At 6th level, and again every two levels gained thereafter, the monk's speed when using this ability increases by an additional +5 feet, to a maximum increase of +50 feet at 16th level.
The bonus speed granted to a monk through the expenditure of ki is not increased by any spell or effect (such as haste), although the monk's base movement is increased, with the bonus speed from ki then added to the total. For example, an 11th monk (base speed of 40') is under the influence of a haste spell. His movement is now 80'. He spends 1 ki point as a free action and gains an additional bonus of + 35', for a total movement of 115' for the duration of both the spell and this ability.
Ok, I have highlighted the sections that I changed and added. If this works, I will also have to remove the '1 ki point for +20 feet of speed for 1 round' section in the ki pool, but that is for later.
This change keeps the monk and barbarian tied for fast movement. It requires the expenditure of ki to move superfast, but each expenditure lasts for a number of rounds equal the monk's level, meaning you might spend just 1 point for a single combat (maybe 2 points if the combat takes a while). It also prevents a monk from hiking faster than the Pony Express. And, incidentially, gives a monk some incentive to put points in his Ride class skill for overland movement!
Does it work, or is it still wonky?
Master Arminas
I like it and don't thinks it's particularly wonky.
My only worry is to have too many abilities triggered by ki. I'll have to check your other ki-triggered abilities in more details).
I wonder what the rest of the community will think of it. It is generally agreed that the monk is already too weak and people are resistant to nerf its abilities almost out of pity's sake.
'findel
Ok, here are all the abilities that either require you to spend ki or having at least 1 point in the pool to work. This monk design has a ki pool of monk level + Wisdom modifier and you don't get ki until 4th level (so 6-28+ points are available, depending on Wisdom and level; I would never play a monk with less than 14 Wisdom by 4th level). You can also take Extra Ki as a feat for +2 points, but that is kind of meh.
Fast movement: 1 ki (duration: 1 round/level; free action)
Ki Pool (dodge bonus): 1 ki (1 round)
Ki Pool (attack bonus): 1 ki (1 round)
Ki Pool (damage bonus): 1 ki (1 round)
Ki Pool (extra flurry attack): 1 ki (1 round)
Ki Strike: 0 ki; must have 1 point in ki pool to use
Catfall: 0 ki; must have 1 point in ki pool to use
Agility training (jump bonus): 1 ki (1 round)
Servant of Order: 0 ki; must have 1 point in ki pool to use
Wholeness of Body: 1 ki (instantaneous)
Spiritual Endurance: 0 ki; must have 1 point in ki pool to use
Duty Never Tires: 1 ki (10 minutes/level)
Abundant Step: 2 ki (instantaneous)
Champion of Order: 0 ki; must have 1 point in ki pool to use
Adamantine Touch: 1 ki (1 minute)
Stalwart Soul (ignore exhasution): 2 ki (1 minute/level)
Empty Body: 3 ki (1 minute)
Five abilities just require that you have a minimum of 1 point in your ki pool. Nine abilities cost 1 ki point, but some of them are very situational (how often do you really, really need a +20 on Jump checks?). Two cost 2 ki points (dimension door and ignore exhaustion), while the last one costs 3 ki points (etherealness).
I think we probably have enough of a cushion to go ahead and make the fast movement ki-based, as the post above.
Your thoughts?
Master Arminas
And now, I think I am completely done. Incorporated all the changes we talked about and cleaned up the text, added the fluff and the role and . . . I am ready to take a break. lol
Anyway, I do hope that you have in some ways enjoyed my work, and please let me know if the class does well in your games. We can continue discussing it, but I believe my work on it is now finished . . . unless there is a glaring error somewhere that I missed. Sigh. I need an editor.
Master Arminas
For the truly exemplary, martial skill transcends the battlefield—it is a lifestyle, a doctrine, a state of mind. These warrior-artists search out methods of battle beyond swords and shields, finding within themselves weapons that are just as capable of crippling or killing as any blade. These monks (so called since they adhere to strict martial disciplines and ancient philosophies passed down through the generations since the mythical War between Law and Chaos) elevate their bodies to become weapons of war. Monks tread the path of discipline and self-enlightenment, and those with the will to endure that path discover within themselves not what they are, but what they are meant to be.
Role: This version of the monk class is, first and foremost, a skirmisher. Sharing the same BAB as the cleric and rogue, a monk character relies upon his incredible feats of agility and combat movement to handily cross the battlefield to where he is most needed. He can set up flanks for the rogue with ease, rush to a dying comrade and (in the same round) dimension door the unlucky hero to the cleric for healing. But he is no slouch in the combat arena. Although no match for a dedicated fighter in terms of his attack bonus, he is able (under the right conditions) to get as many as five attacks at his highest base attack. He can even make the same of number of attacks (under ideal circumstances, once again) while moving. And when those attacks do connect, the monk can inflict some hefty damage, especially against foes that aligned with chaos.
But the monk can do still more, for he has a good selection of skills at his disposal, and his high Wisdom score allows him to serve as the party’s eyes and ears. Combined with Stealth, the monk makes for an excellent scout that can probe ahead of the party in the dark places of the world. His endurance and ability to sustain hardship is legendary, rivaled only by the toughest of barbarians and most skilled of rangers. The varied selection of skills and talents that the monk has at his disposal make a valued member of any adventuring party.
Alignment: Any lawful.
Hit Die: d8.
BAB: Medium
Good Saves: Fort; Reflex; and Will
Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex); Climb (Str); Craft (Int); Diplomacy (Cha); Escape Artist (Dex); Knowledge (History) (Int); Knowledge (Religion) (Int); Perception (Wis); Perform (Cha); Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex); Sense Motive (Wis); Stealth (Dex); and Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapons and Armor Proficiency: A monk is proficient with all simple weapons, with the exception of the morning star and heavy mace. Monks are not proficient with any armor or shields. When wearing armor, using a shield, or carrying a medium or heavy load, a monk loses his AC bonus, as well as his fast movement and flurry of blows abilities.
AC Bonus (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the monk adds his Wisdom bonus (if any) to his AC and his CMD. In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four monk levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the monk is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when he is immobilized or helpless, when he wears any armor, when he uses a shield, or when he carries a medium or heavy load.
Bonus Feat: At 1st level, 2nd level, and every 4 levels gained as a monk thereafter, a monk may select a bonus feat. These feats must be taken from the following list: Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Improved Grapple, Improved Sunder, and Weapon Focus.
At 6th level, the following feats are added to the list: Improved Bull Rush, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Ki Stand, Mobility, and Weapon Specialization.
At 10th level, the following feats are added to the list: Great Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, Medusa’s Wrath, Snatch Arrows, and Spring Attack. A monk need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them.
Fast Movement (Ex/Su): A monk’s land speed is faster than the norm for his race by +10 feet. This benefit only applies when he is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. This bonus stacks with any other bonuses to the monk’s land speed (such as the effects of an expeditious retreat spell, a haste spell, or any other effect that increases a monk’s speed). This ability is extraordinary.
At 4th level, when a monk gains access to his ki pool (see below), the character can achieve literally superhuman bursts of speed for limited periods of time. As a free action, a monk can spend 1 point of ki to increase his speed by +20 feet. This speed increase lasts for 1 round per monk class level and is a supernatural ability. At 6th level, and again every two levels gained thereafter, the monk's speed when using this ability increases by an additional +5 feet, to a maximum increase of +60 feet at 20th level.
The bonus speed granted to a monk through the use of this ability is a supernatural ability and is not considered to be an enhancement bonus. Therefore, spells (such as haste and expeditious retreat) and items (such as boots of striding and springing) that do provide an enhancement bonus to movement stack with this ability.
Unarmed Strike (Ex): At 1st level, a monk gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A monk’s unarmed attack may be made with his fists, elbows, knees, feet, or even his head. This means that a monk may make unarmed strikes with his hands full. There is no such thing as an off-hand attack for a monk striking unarmed. A monk may thus apply his full Strength bonus on damage rolls for all his unarmed strikes.
Usually a monk’s unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but he can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on his attack roll. He has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling.
A monk deals more damage with his unarmed strikes than normal; from 1st-3rd level the damage is 1d6. This increases to 2d4 at 4th level. At 8th level, and every 4 monk levels gained thereafter, the damage increases by an additional 1d4, to a maximum of 6d4 at 20th level. The unarmed damage is for all monks, regardless of size. The techniques a monk learns do not alter the base damage of the class due to being either smaller or larger, although both Strength bonuses and penalties apply as normal.
A monk’s unarmed strike cannot be enhanced by any form of magical augmentation, such as magic weapon, greater magic fang, or by other means (but see ki strike, below).
Stunning Fist (Ex): At 1st level, the monk gains Stunning Fist as a bonus feat, even if he does meet the prerequisites. At 4th level, and every 4 levels gained as a monk thereafter, the monk gains the ability to apply a new condition to the target of his Stunning Fist. This condition replaces stunning the target for 1 round, and a successful saving throw still negates the effect.
At 4th level, he can choose to make the target fatigued. At 8th level, he can make the target sickened for 1 minute. At 12th level, he can make the target staggered for 1d6+1 rounds. At 16th level, he can permanently blind or deafen the target. At 20th level, he can paralyze the target for 1d6+1 rounds. The monk must choose which condition will apply before the attack roll is made. These effects do not stack with themselves (a creature sickened by Stunning Fist cannot become nauseated if hit by Stunning Fist again), but additional hits do increase the duration.
A monk gains one use of this feat for every monk level he possesses, as described in the Stunning Fist feat.
Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level or higher, a monk can avoid damage from many area-effect attacks. If a monk makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if a monk is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. A helpless monk does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Flurry of Blows (Ex): At 3rd level, a monk gains the ability to make a flurry of blows. When using unarmed strikes, simple melee weapons with which he is proficient, or darts a monk can make a flurry of blows attack. Flurry of blows can be added to either a standard attack or a full-attack; in either case, flurry of blows is not an action itself. When using this ability a monk may make one additional attack using any combination of unarmed strikes or weapons at his highest base attack bonus. However, this attack, as well as all others made by the monk in that round, suffers a penalty of -2 to hit.
At 8th level, the penalty on his attacks decreases to -1. At 13th level, the monk no longer suffers a penalty on attacks.
A monk applies his full Strength bonus to his damage rolls for all successful attacks made with a flurry of blows, whether the attacks are made with an off-hand or with a weapon wielded in both hands. A monk may freely substitute disarm, sunder, and trip combat maneuvers for unarmed attacks as part of a flurry of blows. A monk with natural weapons cannot use such weapons as part of a flurry of blows, nor can he make natural attacks in addition to his flurry of blows attacks.
Maneuver Training (Ex): At 3rd level, a monk uses his monk level in place of his base attack bonus when calculating his Combat Maneuver Bonus and his Combat Maneuver Defense. Base attack bonuses granted from other classes are unaffected and are added normally.
Still Mind (Ex): A monk of 3rd level or higher gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells and effects. This bonus increases to +4 at 10th level and to +6 at 17th level.
Ki Pool (Su): At 4th level, a monk begins to slowly access his internal ki, a supernatural energy that he can use to accomplish amazing feats. The monk gains a pool of ki points, equal to his monk level + his Wisdom modifier. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift, a monk can invoke any one of the following options: he can gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round; he can increase his speed by 20 feet for 1 round, he can gain one additional attack at his highest base attack bonus when making a flurry of blows attack; he can gain a +4 insight bonus to his attacks for 1 round; or he can gain a +4 insight bonus to his damage for 1 round.
A monk gains additional powers that consume points from his ki pool as he latter gains levels. The ki pool is replenished each morning after 8 hours of rest or meditation; these hours do not need to be consecutive.
Ki Strike (Su): At 4th level, a monk can focus his ki into his unarmed strikes, making them the equivalent of enchanted weapons. When first gained, the monk gains a +1 enhancement bonus to hit and damage. At 8th level, and every 4 levels gained thereafter as a monk, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. This enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction just as normal magic weapons do. If the monk’s ki pool (see above) is ever exhausted (reaches 0), he loses the benefit of ki strike until his ki pool replenishes.
Catfall (Su): At 4th level or higher, a monk can fall incredible distances without suffering damage. When falling, a monk always lands on his feet. In addition, he reduces the damage inflicted from a fall by 1d6 per monk level he possesses, to a maximum reduction of 20d6 at 20th level. Unlike magical spells (such as feather fall) with similar effects, a monk is not slowed during his descent, making this ability a favored method for higher level monks to rapidly descend great distances quickly.
Agility Training (Ex): At 5th level, a monk adds his level to all Acrobatics and Climb skill checks. In addition, he always counts as having a running start when making jump checks using Acrobatics. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action, a monk can gain an additional +20 bonus on Acrobatics checks made to jump for 1 round.
Purity of Body (Ex): At 5th level, a monk gains immunity to all diseases, including supernatural and magical diseases (such as lycanthropy and mummy rot).
Servant of Order (Su): At 6th level, a monk deals an additional 1d6 points of damage with his unarmed strikes against chaotic-aligned creatures. This additional damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.
Speak with Animals (Ex): At 6th level, a monk can converse with any creature of the animal type, as per the spell speak with animals. Such conversations are limited by the animal’s intelligence (or lack thereof).
Wholeness of Body (Su): At 7th level or higher, a monk can heal his own wounds as a standard action. He can expend 1 point from his ki pool to heal a number of hit points of damage equal to his monk level + his Wisdom bonus (if any).
Spiritual Endurance (Ex): At 8th level, a monk's training and inner reserves of ki allow him to comfortably exist in environments and conditions that would quickly sap the strength from others. He is considered to be under the influence of an endure elements spell at all times, ignoring the extremes of heat and cold. In addition, he may go for a number of days equal to one-half his monk level without eating or drinking before beginning to suffer adverse effects. He requires only four hours of sleep per night, provided that he also meditates for at least four hours as well. While meditating, a monk remains fully aware of his surroundings and may make Perception checks without penalty.
Improved Evasion (Ex): At 9th level, a monk’s evasion ability improves. He still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth he takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless monk does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Duty Never Tires (Ex): At 10th level, a monk gains Endurance as a bonus feat. Furthermore, by spending 1 ki point as a swift action, he can ignore the effects of fatigue for 10 minutes per monk level.
Touch of Law (Su): At 10th level, a monk’s unarmed strikes are treated as lawful weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Diamond Body (Ex): At 11th level, a monk gains immunity to poisons of all kinds.
Abundant Step (Su): At 12th level or higher, a monk can slip magically between spaces, as if using the spell dimension door. Using this ability is a move action that consumes 2 points from his ki pool. His caster level for this effect is equal to his monk level. Unlike the normal use of dimension door, the monk may take any remaining actions in a round after using this ability. He may take up to one willing creature with him when he uses this ability.
Diamond Soul (Ex): At 13th level, a monk gains spell resistance equal to his current monk level +10. In order to affect the monk with a spell, a spellcaster must get a result on a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) that equals or exceeds the monk’s spell resistance.
Champion of Order (Su): At 14th level, a monk deals an additional 1d6 points of damage with his unarmed strikes against chaotic-aligned creatures. This stacks with the bonus damage granted by the servant of order ability, for a total of +2d6 bonus damage. This additional damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.
Speak with Plants (Ex): At 14th level, a monk can converse with any creature of the plant type, as per the spell speak with plants. Such conversations are limited by the plant’s intelligence (or lack thereof).
Quivering Palm (Su): Starting at 15th level, a monk can set up vibrations within the body of another creature that can thereafter be fatal if the monk so desires. He can use this quivering palm attack once per day, and he must announce his intent before making his attack roll. Creatures immune to critical hits cannot be affected. Otherwise, if the monk strikes successfully and the target takes damage from the blow, the quivering palm attack succeeds. Thereafter, the monk can try to slay the victim at any later time, as long as the attempt is made within a number of days equal to his monk level. To make such an attempt, the monk merely wills the target to die (a free action), and unless the target makes a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + ½ the monk’s level + the monk’s Wisdom modifier) it dies. If the saving throw is successful, the target instead suffers 1d4 points of damage per monk level and the quivering palm attack ends; the target may still die if he suffers enough damage from this attack to reduce him to negative hit points equal to his Constitution score. A monk can have no more than one quivering palm in effect at one time. If a monk uses quivering palm while another is still in effect, the previous effect is negated. This ability is a death effect.
Adamantine Touch (Su): At 16th level, a monk can spend 1 point from his ki pool to treat his unarmed strikes as adamantine weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction and bypassing hardness for 1 minute.
Timeless Body (Ex): At 17th level, a monk no longer takes penalties to his ability scores to his physical ability scores for aging and cannot be magically aged. Any such penalties that he has already taken, however, remain in place. The initial roll made by the DM for the character’s maximum age (according to race) is discarded, and a new maximum age calculated. The random dice are maximized. For example, a human monk who reaches 17th level will live to a ripe old age of 110 years, while an elf monk could see 750 years. Age bonuses to the monk’s mental ability scores still accrue, and the monk still dies of old age when his time is up. This ability is not the same as immortality, and the monk can always die before his time due to violence.
Tongues (Ex): At 17th level, a monk can converse with any creature, as per the spell tongues. To communicate, a creature must be within 30 feet of the monk and both the monk and creature must have line-of-sight to each other.
Stalwart Soul (Ex): At 18th level, a monk no longer suffers any penalties for being fatigued (he still remains fatigued, however, for purposes of exhaustion). If the monk becomes exhausted, he may spend 2 ki points as a swift action to ignore the effects of exhaustion for 1 minute per monk level.
Empty Body (Su): At 19th level, a monk gains the ability to assume an ethereal state for 1 minute as though using the spell etherealness. Using this ability is a move action that consumes 3 points from his ki pool. This ability only affects the monk and cannot be used to make other creatures ethereal.
Perfect Self: At 20th level, a monk transcends his mortal limitations. He gains damage reduction 10/-, which allows him to ignore the first 10 points of damage from any attack. He gains blindsight in a 60-foot radius. He gains a +10 bonus on saves versus mind-affecting spells, spell-like abilities, and other effects (this replaces and does not stack with the still mind ability), as well as being the recipient of constant nondetection and undetectable alignment effects (as per the spells). Whenever a monk who has attained perfect self confirms a critical strike with an unarmed attack against a chaotic-aligned creature, he deals an additional 3d10 points of damage. The few monks who reach this level of achievement often retire from adventuring to explore what they are becoming. Only those with the strongest of ties to their companions and their homelands remain, but even these will eventually simply vanish one night, never to return.
Ex-Monks: A monk who becomes nonlawful cannot gain new levels as a monk but retains all monk abilities.
Kudos on a great mix of combat enhancements, as well as some thematic perks (speak with animals/plants).
:)
--PC
Thank you, Paulcynic. Glad that you enjoyed the class; a lot of time went revising it again and again. Although, if you liked the speak with animals/speak with plants, I think you are the first one to actually say so! lol
Master Arminas
Well, the final cut wasn’t quite the final cut. I devoutly hope that this is the absolute last revision I have to make on this class—but people keep pointing out things and I find myself agreeing with them. I added the heavy crossbow, long spear, and spear to the morning star and heavy mace as simple weapon with which the monk is not proficient (I wasn’t concerned about the reach, but I forgot the spears were 1d8 weapons, and the monk doesn’t really need the heavy crossbow anyway!).
I’ve also tweaked a few abilities to clean things up a bit, toning down a couple of abilities and removing a few restrictions from others. The biggest change is that so many people wanted flurry the way that Pathfinder has it: so I have changed it back, sort of. I don’t use the hybrid BAB structure, but I did allow more attacks as per TWF, ITWF, and GTWF. Like the 3.5 monk, I reduce the penalties on flurry over time until they vanish at 15th level. I did make a change in flurry allowing for a monk to gain one additional attack on a standard attack action or a charge—but you might want to read that part to make sure it works.
I have very appreciated everyone's comments, advice, and suggestions, so thank you all once again. Perhaps this one will be the last.
Master Arminas
For the truly exemplary, martial skill transcends the battlefield—it is a lifestyle, a doctrine, a state of mind. These warrior-artists search out methods of battle beyond swords and shields, finding within themselves weapons that are just as capable of crippling or killing as any blade. These monks (so called since they adhere to strict martial disciplines and ancient philosophies passed down through the generations since the mythical War between Law and Chaos) elevate their bodies to become weapons of war. Monks tread the path of discipline and self-enlightenment, and those with the will to endure that path discover within themselves not what they are, but what they are meant to be.
Role: This version of the monk class is, first and foremost, a skirmisher. Sharing the same BAB as the cleric and rogue, a monk character relies upon his incredible feats of agility and combat movement to handily cross the battlefield to where he is most needed. He can set up flanks for the rogue with ease, rush to a dying comrade and (in the same round) dimension door the unlucky hero to the cleric for healing. But he is no slouch in the combat arena. Although no match for a dedicated fighter in terms of his attack bonus, he is able (under the right conditions) to get as many as ten attacks--five at his highest base attack bonus! He can even make up to those same five attacks (again, under ideal conditions) while moving. And when those attacks do connect, the monk can inflict some hefty damage, especially against foes that aligned with chaos.
But the monk can do still more, for he has a good selection of skills at his disposal, and his high Wisdom score allows him to serve as the party’s eyes and ears. Combined with Stealth, the monk makes for an excellent scout that can probe ahead of the party in the dark places of the world. His endurance and ability to sustain hardship is legendary, rivaled only by the toughest of barbarians and most skilled of rangers. The varied selection of skills and talents that the monk has at his disposal make a valued member of any adventuring party.
Alignment: Any lawful.
Hit Die: d8.
BAB: Medium
Good Saves: Fort; Reflex; and Will
Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex); Climb (Str); Craft (Int); Diplomacy (Cha); Escape Artist (Dex); Knowledge (History) (Int); Knowledge (Religion) (Int); Perception (Wis); Perform (Cha); Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex); Sense Motive (Wis); Stealth (Dex); and Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapons and Armor Proficiency: A monk is proficient with all simple weapons, with the exception of the heavy crossbow, heavy mace, long spear, morning star, and spear. Monks are not proficient with any armor or shields. When wearing armor, using a shield, or carrying a medium or heavy load, a monk loses his AC bonus, as well as his fast movement and flurry of blows abilities.
AC Bonus (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the monk adds his Wisdom bonus (if any) to his AC and his CMD. In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four monk levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the monk is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when he is immobilized or helpless, when he wears any armor, when he uses a shield, or when he carries a medium or heavy load.
Bonus Feat: At 1st level, 2nd level, and every 4 levels gained as a monk thereafter, a monk may select a bonus feat. These feats must be taken from the following list: Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Improved Grapple, Improved Sunder, and Weapon Focus.
At 6th level, the following feats are added to the list: Improved Bull Rush, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Ki Stand, Mobility, and Weapon Specialization.
At 10th level, the following feats are added to the list: Greater Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, Medusa’s Wrath, Snatch Arrows, and Spring Attack. A monk need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them.
Fast Movement (Ex/Su): A monk’s land speed is faster than the norm for his race by +10 feet. This benefit only applies when he is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. This bonus stacks with any other bonuses to the monk’s land speed (such as the effects of an expeditious retreat spell, a haste spell, or any other effect that increases a monk’s speed). This ability is extraordinary.
At 4th level, when a monk gains access to his ki pool (see below), the character can achieve literally superhuman bursts of speed for limited periods of time. As a free action, a monk can spend 1 point of ki to increase his speed by +20 feet. This speed increase lasts for 1 round per monk class level and is a supernatural ability. At 6th level, and again every two levels gained thereafter, the monk's speed when using this ability increases by an additional +5 feet, to a maximum increase of +60 feet at 20th level.
The bonus speed granted to a monk through the use of this ability is a supernatural ability and is not considered to be an enhancement bonus.
Unarmed Strike (Ex): A monk gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A monk’s unarmed attack may be made with his fists, elbows, knees, feet, or even his head. This means that a monk may make unarmed strikes with his hands full. There is no such thing as an off-hand attack for a monk striking unarmed. A monk may thus apply his full Strength bonus on damage rolls for all his unarmed strikes.
Usually a monk’s unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but he can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on his attack roll. He has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling.
A monk deals more damage with his unarmed strikes than normal; from 1st-3rd level the damage is 1d6. This increases to 2d4 at 4th level. At 8th level, and every 4 monk levels gained thereafter, the damage increases by an additional 1d4, to a maximum of 6d4 at 20th level. The unarmed damage is for all monks, regardless of size. The techniques a monk learns do not alter the base damage of the class due to being either smaller or larger, although both Strength bonuses and penalties apply as normal.
Stunning Fist (Ex): The monk gains Stunning Fist as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. At 4th level, and every 4 levels gained as a monk thereafter, the monk gains the ability to apply a new condition to the target of his Stunning Fist. This condition replaces stunning the target for 1 round, and a successful saving throw still negates the effect.
At 4th level, he can choose to make the target fatigued. At 8th level, he can make the target sickened for 1 minute. At 12th level, he can make the target staggered for 1d6+1 rounds. At 16th level, he can permanently blind or deafen the target. At 20th level, he can paralyze the target for 1d6+1 rounds. The monk must choose which condition will apply before the attack roll is made. These effects do not stack with themselves (a creature sickened by Stunning Fist cannot become nauseated if hit by Stunning Fist again), but additional hits do increase the duration.
A monk gains one use of this feat for every monk level he possesses, as described in the Stunning Fist feat.
Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level or higher, a monk can avoid damage from many area-effect attacks. If a monk makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if a monk is wearing no armor and is not carrying a medium or heavy load. A helpless monk does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Flurry of Blows (Ex): At 3rd level, a monk gains the ability to make a flurry of blows as part of a full-attack action. When using unarmed strikes, simple melee weapons with which he is proficient, or darts a monk can make a flurry of blows attack. When this ability is first gained, the monk can make one additional attack at his highest base attack bonus, as if using the Two-Weapon Fighting feat (even if the monk does not meet the prerequisites of the feat).
At 8th level, the monk can make two additional attacks when using flurry of blows, as if using the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat (even if the monk does not meet the prerequisites of the feat). The penalty on the monk’s attacks decreases to -1.
At 15th level, the monk can make three additional attacks when using flurry of blows, as if using the Greater Two-Weapon Fighting feat (even if the monk does not meet the prerequisites of the feat). The monk no longer suffers a penalty on his attack rolls while using flurry of blows.
Starting at 8th level, the monk may use flurry of blows when he takes the attack action or when he makes a charge. This follows all of the normal rules for a flurry of blows, but the monk is limited to just one additional attack (two if he spends a point of ki, see ki pool below).
A monk applies his full Strength bonus to his damage rolls for all successful attacks made with a flurry of blows, whether the attacks are made with an off-hand or with a weapon wielded in both hands. A monk may freely substitute disarm, sunder, and trip combat maneuvers for unarmed attacks as part of a flurry of blows. A monk with natural weapons cannot use such weapons as part of a flurry of blows, nor can he make natural attacks in addition to his flurry of blows attacks.
A monk cannot take and apply the Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, or Greater Two-Weapon Fighting feats in addition to his flurry of blows. A monk of 2nd level or higher does qualify to take the Two-Weapon Defense feat, however, and using this feat does not count as using a shield.
Maneuver Training (Ex): At 3rd level, a monk uses his monk level in place of his base attack bonus when calculating his Combat Maneuver Bonus and his Combat Maneuver Defense. Base attack bonuses granted from other classes are unaffected and are added normally.
Still Mind (Ex): A monk of 3rd level or higher gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells and effects. This bonus increases to +4 at 10th level and to +6 at 17th level.
Ki Pool (Su): At 4th level, a monk begins to slowly access his internal ki, a supernatural energy that he can use to accomplish amazing feats. The monk gains a pool of ki points, equal to his monk level + his Wisdom modifier. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action, a monk can invoke any one of the following options: he can gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round; he can gain a +4 insight bonus to his attacks for 1 round; he can gain a +4 insight bonus to his damage for 1 round; or he can gain one additional attack at his highest base attack bonus when he uses his flurry of blows ability (see above).
A monk gains additional powers that consume points from his ki pool as he gains levels. The ki pool is replenished each morning after 8 hours of rest or meditation; these hours do not need to be consecutive.
Ki Strike (Su): At 4th level, a monk can focus his ki into his unarmed strikes, making them the equivalent of enchanted weapons. When first gained, the monk gains a +1 enhancement bonus to hit and damage. At 8th level, and every 4 levels gained thereafter as a monk, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. A monk’s unarmed strikes are considered magic weapons for the purpose of attacking incorporeal creatures and for overcoming damage reduction.
At 12th level, a monk’s unarmed strikes count as alchemical silver and cold iron weapons for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction.
At 16th level, a monk’s unarmed strikes count as adamantine for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction.
At 20th level, a monk’s unarmed strikes overcoming any alignment based damage reduction.
Catfall (Su): At 4th level or higher, a monk can fall incredible distances without suffering damage. When falling, a monk always lands on his feet. In addition, he reduces the damage inflicted from a fall by 1d6 per monk level he possesses, to a maximum reduction of 20d6 at 20th level. Unlike magical spells (such as feather fall) with similar effects, a monk is not slowed during his descent, making this ability a favored method for higher level monks to rapidly descend great distances quickly.
Agility Training (Ex): At 5th level, a monk adds one-half his level (round down) to all Acrobatics and Climb skill checks. In addition, he always counts as having a running start when making jump checks using Acrobatics. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action, a monk can gain an additional +20 bonus on Acrobatics checks made to jump for 1 round.
Purity of Body (Ex): At 5th level, a monk gains immunity to all diseases, including supernatural and magical diseases (such as lycanthropy and mummy rot).
Servant of Order (Su): At 6th level, a monk deals an additional 1d6 points of damage with his unarmed strikes against chaotic-aligned creatures. This additional damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.
Speak with Animals (Ex): At 6th level, a monk can converse with any creature of the animal type, as per the spell speak with animals. Such conversations are limited by the animal’s intelligence (or lack thereof).
Wholeness of Body (Su): At 7th level or higher, a monk can heal his own wounds as a standard action. He can expend 1 point from his ki pool to heal a number of hit points of damage equal to his monk level + his Wisdom bonus (if any).
Spiritual Endurance (Ex): At 8th level, a monk's training and inner reserves of ki allow him to comfortably exist in environments and conditions that would quickly sap the strength from others. He is considered to be under the influence of an endure elements spell at all times, ignoring the extremes of heat and cold. In addition, he may go for a number of days equal to one-half his monk level without eating or drinking before beginning to suffer adverse effects. He requires only four hours of sleep per night, provided that he also meditates for at least four hours as well. While meditating, a monk remains fully aware of his surroundings and may make Perception checks without penalty.
Improved Evasion (Ex): At 9th level, a monk’s evasion ability improves. He still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth he takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless monk does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Duty Never Tires (Ex): At 10th level, a monk gains Endurance as a bonus feat. Furthermore, by spending 1 ki point as a swift action, he can ignore the effects of fatigue for 10 minutes per monk level.
Touch of Law (Su): At 10th level, a monk’s unarmed strikes are treated as lawful weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Diamond Body (Ex): At 11th level, a monk gains immunity to poisons of all kinds.
Abundant Step (Su): At 12th level or higher, a monk can slip magically between spaces, as if using the spell dimension door. Using this ability is a move action that consumes 2 points from his ki pool. His caster level for this effect is equal to his monk level. Unlike the normal use of dimension door, the monk may take any remaining actions in a round after using this ability. He may take up to one willing creature with him when he uses this ability.
Unfettered Speech (Ex): At 12th level, a monk can converse with any creature of the plant type, as per the spell speak with plants. Such conversations are limited by the plant’s intelligence (or lack thereof). A monk can also converse with any creature of the magical beast type (for the purpose of this ability, treat magical beasts as though they are animals and refer to the spell speak with animals).
Diamond Soul (Ex): At 13th level, a monk gains spell resistance equal to his current monk level +10. In order to affect the monk with a spell, a spellcaster must get a result on a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) that equals or exceeds the monk’s spell resistance.
Champion of Order (Su): At 14th level, a monk deals an additional 1d6 points of damage with his unarmed strikes against chaotic-aligned creatures. This stacks with the bonus damage granted by the servant of order ability, for a total of +2d6 bonus damage. This additional damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.
Quivering Palm (Su): Starting at 15th level, a monk can set up vibrations within the body of another creature that can thereafter be fatal if the monk so desires. He can use this quivering palm attack once per day, and he must announce his intent before making his attack roll. Creatures immune to critical hits cannot be affected. Otherwise, if the monk strikes successfully and the target takes damage from the blow, the quivering palm attack succeeds. Thereafter, the monk can try to slay the victim at any later time, as long as the attempt is made within a number of days equal to his monk level. To make such an attempt, the monk merely wills the target to die (a free action), and unless the target makes a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + ½ the monk’s level + the monk’s Wisdom modifier) it dies. If the saving throw is successful, the target instead suffers 1d4 points of damage per monk level and the quivering palm attack ends; the target may still die if he suffers enough damage from this attack to reduce him to negative hit points equal to his Constitution score. A monk can have no more than one quivering palm in effect at one time. If a monk uses quivering palm while another is still in effect, the previous effect is negated. This ability is a death effect.
Adamantine Touch (Su): At 16th level, a monk’s unarmed strikes are treated as adamantine weapons for bypassing hardness.
Timeless Body (Ex): At 17th level, a monk no longer takes penalties to his ability scores to his physical ability scores for aging and cannot be magically aged. Any such penalties that he has already taken, however, remain in place. The initial roll made by the DM for the character’s maximum age (according to race) is discarded, and a new maximum age calculated. The random dice are maximized. For example, a human monk who reaches 17th level will live to a ripe old age of 110 years, while an elf monk could see 750 years. Age bonuses to the monk’s mental ability scores still accrue, and the monk still dies of old age when his time is up. This ability is not the same as immortality, and the monk can always die before his time due to violence.
Tongues (Ex): At 17th level, a monk can converse with any creature, as per the spell tongues. To communicate, a creature must be within 30 feet of the monk and both the monk and creature must have line-of-sight to each other.
Stalwart Soul (Ex): At 18th level, a monk no longer suffers any penalties for being fatigued (he still remains fatigued, however, for purposes of exhaustion). If the monk becomes exhausted, he may spend 2 ki points as a swift action to ignore the effects of exhaustion for 1 minute per monk level.
Empty Body (Su): At 19th level, a monk gains the ability to assume an ethereal state for 1 minute as though using the spell etherealness. Using this ability is a move action that consumes 3 points from his ki pool. This ability only affects the monk and cannot be used to make other creatures ethereal.
Perfect Self: At 20th level, a monk transcends his mortal limitations. He gains blindsight in a 30-foot radius. He gains immunity versus mind-affecting spells, spell-like abilities, and other effects (this replaces and does not stack with the still mind ability), as well as being the recipient of constant nondetection and undetectable alignment effects (as per the spells). Additionally, the monk gains damage reduction 10/chaotic, which allows him to ignore the first 10 points of damage from any attack made by a nonchaotic weapon or by any natural attack made by a creature that doesn’t have similar damage reduction. Whenever a monk who has attained perfect self confirms a critical strike with an unarmed attack against a chaotic-aligned creature, he deals an additional 1d10 points of damage.
The few monks who reach this level of achievement often retire from adventuring to explore what they are becoming. Only those with the strongest of ties to their companions and their homelands remain, but even these will eventually simply vanish one night, never to return.
Ex-Monks: A monk who becomes nonlawful cannot gain new levels as a monk but retains all monk abilities.
Does this happen often, when the boards say there is a new post, but it doesn't show up?
Master Arminas
Still not showing up. Hmph.
MA
And waiting.
MA