So. I really should know this by now; but I'm having an issue reading the "stat block" for monks, when it comes to flurry of blows.
For example, at level 3, a monk gets a +3 BAB. In the Flurry of Blows section of the chart, it says +2/+2. We'll give the monk a base 10 for Strength and Dexterity, to make things simple. When I make a flurry of blows attack, what attack bonus am I looking at? +2/+2? Or +5/+5?
I think you looked at it wrong. It should be +1/+1, and pfsrd's chart shows that. If the monk has 10 to the stat he uses to hit (strength normally or dex with the feat weapon finesse), then he would have +1 only to both his attack rolls.
Also to clarify how it works: When you use Flurry, your BAB is treated as your monk level instead of what you'd normally have from monk. And then you get -2 on all attacks because it works like the feat Two Weapon Fighting. That is how a 3rd level monk using Flurry gets +1/+1.
So. I really should know this by now; but I'm having an issue reading the "stat block" for monks, when it comes to flurry of blows.
For example, at level 3, a monk gets a +3 BAB. In the Flurry of Blows section of the chart, it says +2/+2. We'll give the monk a base 10 for Strength and Dexterity, to make things simple. When I make a flurry of blows attack, what attack bonus am I looking at? +2/+2? Or +5/+5?
The confusion starts by the fact that this is not 3rd level, but 4th.
Monks get a BA +3/4 Levels, when they flurry they are treated as having a BA +1/1 Level.
When they flurry, it is treated as a special version of Two-Weapon Fighting. This gives them a -2 penalty on all attacks.
So a 4th level monk has a BA +3, but when they flurry they are treated as having a BA +4 but also at the same time take a -2 penalty so the end the result is a +2/+2 bonus on attacks.
I think you looked at it wrong. It should be +1/+1, and pfsrd's chart shows that. If the monk has 10 to the stat he uses to hit (strength normally or dex with the feat weapon finesse), then he would have +1 only to both his attack rolls.
Derp. You're absolutely right on that, I was looking at the wrong line while typing that. By that same set-up, if I had a +1 enchantment on my unarmed weapons somehow, it'd be a +2/+2, yeah?
The way I'm reading it, the flurry of blows adjustments factor in the -2/-2 like you were TWF, but they adjust for using monk level in place of BAB, leaving your flurry to-hit modifier 1 lower then a single non-flurry attack at your highest BAB.
Is this correct?
By that same set-up, if I had a +1 enchantment on my unarmed weapons somehow, it'd be a +2/+2, yeah?
Yes, if your unarmed strikes were somehow enchanted to work as +1 weapons, then you'd have +2 on both attacks. That would be higher though based on your stat you use to hit.
The way I'm reading it, the flurry of blows adjustments factor in the -2/-2 like you were TWF, but they adjust for using monk level in place of BAB, leaving your flurry to-hit modifier 1 lower then a single non-flurry attack at your highest BAB.
Is this correct?
Yeah, the change to your bab and the -2 from twf is taken into account on the chart, but notice that its not always going to be 1 lower than a single non-flurry attack like you said. Starting at 5th level your flurry bab is the same as your normal bab, and at 9th it surpasses it.
Your flurry bonus is equal to your Monk level -2 because you have a penalty as if you were Two-Weapon Fighting with the feat and a light weapon.
So a level 7 monk, has a Flurry bonus of 7/7/2 but you also include a -2 to each attack, for a total of 5/5/0, just as the chart shows. Add all your normal bonuses to the flurry bonus on the table as per normal. If you are a multi-class character, add the BAB from other classes to the flurry of blows bonus.
Thanks.
Thanks for the clarifications, everyone.
To semi-hijack my own post here, one more semi-related question... the magus must use a melee weapon to do their thing. Would an unarmed strike count? In theory, could you be a feasible monk/magus multiclass?
They are debating this in the kensai/sword sage advice thread right now I believe
To semi-hijack my own post here, one more semi-related question... the magus must use a melee weapon to do their thing. Would an unarmed strike count? In theory, could you be a feasible monk/magus multiclass?
There's a topic around here that was arguing semantics against it, that mostly boiled down to the wording that went something like a monk's unarmed strikes were treated as light weapons but actually not so they wouldn't qualify... or something so its kinda unclear. I doubt a reasonable DM would say no though.
Yeah, flurry as monk level for base attack bonus. 3rd level flurry counts as a +3, but since you are making multiple attacks your receive a -2/-2 as if you where fighting with two weapons, had the two-weapon fighting feat, and off hand was light. +1/+1, use the chart exactly as shown.