Ok, so my DM has waived the alignment restrictions for the classes as long as I do one, then the other straight through. I've already taken 3 levels of Barbarian with Brutal Pugilist (I'm specializing in bullrush and grapple) My question is: When should I switch to monk levels? I had thought level 6 would be appropriate. because then I will have gotten the full benefit of brutal pugilist archetype. The campaign we are running ends around 13 as I understand it. Advice?
i have it backwards with unarmed fighter/brutal pugalist I would go 5 levels of brutal pug then take tetori for monk.
Martial artist or Tetori, you say?
Martial artist makes a lot of sense. (especially the lack of alignment restrictions and the immunity to fatigue by level 5)
Tetori replaces flurry of blows (the signature ability of monks) with something I already get from brutal pugilist. I'd be giving it up for nothing.
So, what fighter feats should I look at then, since I get them instead of slow fall?
Lol. Imagine a MoMS/InvulRager/Ragechemist.
RAGEMUTAGENDRAGONBOAR!
Tetori replaces flurry of blows (the signature ability of monks)
with something I already get from brutal pugilist. I'd be giving it up for nothing.
Nothing...
and Grab, Constrict, Counter-Grapple, Break Free, Inescapable Grasp, Form Lock, and Iron Body.Yeah, there's some minor overlap in the stuff Graceful Grappler grants at low levels, but everything else is generally unattainable by Barbs. Grapple as AoO via Grab is huge, as well is being able to use Counter Grapple REGARDLESS OF YOUR OWN REACH vs. an high Reach opponent (the wording is a bit obtuse there, but that seems the intent there even if they don't spell it out that you threaten the attacker no matter your normal threat range).
BUT, since he started out as Barbarian (rather than starting Monk and switching into Barb, where most any Monk archetype is workable), Martial Artist would PROBABLY be the way to go, since you can't Rage if you are Lawful, which conflicts with non-Martial Artist Monks. You would still get other Class Abilities, including the ones from Brutal Pugilist which don't specify they only work while Raging, but for most people not being able to use Rage at all would be a deal breaker... That said, still having Full BAB, d12 HD, and Brutal Pugilist CMB bonuses, I don't think it's at all UNWORKABLE if it really matches your character concept the best.
I actually had a moment in game where we had just been talking about RAGELANCEPOUNCE.
The next combat, I rolled critical hit and near maximum with my heavy flail. while my rogue buddy flanked. I yelled out RAGEFLAILFLANK!!!
I am a grapple fiend every PC I make is basically a Luchador
you said you are going to grapple alot the tetori adds his level into grapple checks. so in essence it is like you have a high BAB for grapple checks. the grab ability is very useful so is the feats. yes some abilities overlap but the monk is a 3/4 bab so you will lose some power in attack if you go monk. For feats I would take combat expertise improved grapple, and such.
just MY opinion of course but i have been trying for ever to make a perfect character that can do This
and this