Monk / Sorceror build. Critique? Advice?

[Enkindu594]

So I am playing in a Pathfinder steam punk game set in 1890's Europe. We are playing with "guns everywhere", no traits, no hero points. All races are allowed but everyone is skinned into being a human.

I want to play a monk/sorcerer multiclass, specifically I want to use the Empyreal bloodline for Sorcerer so that my casting stat is Wisdom instead of Charisma. I am basing my charcter off of Castiel from supernatural. The first session is Thursday and I was hoping to clean up the build a little bit before then.

We are starting at level 5, with a 15 point buy. 10,500 gp worth of magical items.

Monk 3(Monk of four winds)/Sorcerer 2 (Wildblooded:Empyreal)

Abilities
Str: 14
Dex: 14
Con: 12
Int: 8
Wis: 20
Cha: 8

Monk Bonus feats Combat reflexes, deflect arrows

Spells known: 1st Vanish, Shield, 0: Detect magic, jolt, light, mage hand, prestigidation

Feats: Arcane strike, dodge, crane style

+1 temple sword,+6 (+5/+5 flurry) 1d8+4

Amulet of natural armor +1
Bracers of armor +1
Headband wis +2

I plan on having my next two levels be monk, then the next 2 sorc, and then monk for awhile

I know I should have enlarge person, but I want to wait untill I level up my sorc a bit before picking that up. I kind of want to use my next couple of feats on improved trip, and improved disarm, then start using a sai, and/or some sort of trip weapon and open combat that way. That being said the very next feat I will take will be the second crane wing feat.

Anyways, thoughts? Ideas? am I condemming myself to a life of weakness and frustration?

[Grimmy]

Make sure the DM allows flurry with Temple Sword, apparently some don't.

[sunbeam]

If you are going for maneuvers you probably want enlarge person.

Monks don't multiclass too well.

You are taking a class that has bab issues and making it worse. And if you want to do maneuvers that isn't a good monk archetype for it.

You'll have a bab of 3 at 5th level, which is par for a straight monk. But you will find it being a real problem as you level, particularly since your monk features like flurry will also lag.

Just don't think this is a good idea for a multiclass.

[Rycaut]

Don't forget the level 4 stat boost and I think level 2 sorcerer adds to your spells known

Also if you are a human you should have another feat (human bonus feat)

If your dm allows look at the human alt favored class bonuses especially for sorcerer.

Or consider being a half elf for the skill focus. (sense motive?)

[FiddlersGreen]

I'm building a monk/sorc for PFS too, so I'm happy to bounce ideas with you.

I recommend you consider a sensei (use WIS for attack bonus instead of STR, so you can reduce STR to 10 for higher dex/wis/con, but you lose flurry) or a master of many styles for early crane riposte. With MoMS, you could start with crane riposte, and choose another style to blend it with. You lose flurry too, but you get the attack back with crane riposte anyway.

Can I ask why you chose monk of the 4 winds?

Also, consider a page of spell knowledge for mage armor instead of the bracers. It'll cost spells per day, but you get 3 more AC.

[Enkindu594]

FiddlersGreen wrote:

I'm building a monk/sorc for PFS too, so I'm happy to bounce ideas with you.

I recommend you consider a sensei (use WIS for attack bonus instead of STR, so you can reduce STR to 10 for higher dex/wis/con, but you lose flurry) or a master of many styles for early crane riposte. With MoMS, you could start with crane riposte, and choose another style to blend it with. You lose flurry too, but you get the attack back with crane riposte anyway.

Can I ask why you chose monk of the 4 winds?

Also, consider a page of spell knowledge for mage armor instead of the bracers. It'll cost spells per day, but you get 3 more AC.

I have definitely considered sensei, although I wouldn't want to lower the strength just for damage and carrying capacity consideration.

Master of Many styles is also really good, but I didn't think felt the concept I was going for.

I really like the flavor of the four winds, and it gives me some added damage output that is very needed for Monks in general. Do you think that four winds gives up to much without getting enough back?

[Kydeem de'Morcaine]

I don't know that I recommend it, but I have seen it done 'ok' before.

The one I saw took true strike to gaurantee a hit against almost anything when really needed.

If you are doing monk/sorc anyway you might consider the dragon disciple prestige class.

[LazarX]

Enkindu594 wrote:

So I am playing in a Pathfinder steam punk game set in 1890's Europe. We are playing with "guns everywhere", no traits, no hero points. All races are allowed but everyone is skinned into being a human.

Than what's the point of having those races? To see who can munchkin race traits better?

[FiddlersGreen]

Enkindu594 wrote:

FiddlersGreen wrote:

I'm building a monk/sorc for PFS too, so I'm happy to bounce ideas with you.

I recommend you consider a sensei (use WIS for attack bonus instead of STR, so you can reduce STR to 10 for higher dex/wis/con, but you lose flurry) or a master of many styles for early crane riposte. With MoMS, you could start with crane riposte, and choose another style to blend it with. You lose flurry too, but you get the attack back with crane riposte anyway.

Can I ask why you chose monk of the 4 winds?

Also, consider a page of spell knowledge for mage armor instead of the bracers. It'll cost spells per day, but you get 3 more AC.

I have definitely considered sensei, although I wouldn't want to lower the strength just for damage and carrying capacity consideration.

Master of Many styles is also really good, but I didn't think felt the concept I was going for.

I really like the flavor of the four winds, and it gives me some added damage output that is very needed for Monks in general. Do you think that four winds gives up to much without getting enough back?

There's nothing wrong with a monk of the 4 winds. However, as a monk/sorc, you already possess a number of ways to add elemental damage to your fists. At first level, you can cast and hold the charge on chill touch (with a chance of doing STR damage), and second level spells gets you elemental touch.

[Discomancer]

Depending on your DM's interpretation of the rules regarding Cross-blooded and Wild-blooded, I would second Kydeem's suggestion of going the way of Dragon Disciple by taking both the Empyreal and Draconic bloodlines. This will give you fairly good spell progression and keep your BAB up a bit.

Still, I would caution you in overextending yourself. The Emp Sorc/Monk is a fun idea in theory, but on paper it seems a little to spread out (especially with only a 15 point buy system). I think you may want to take a moment and think out precisely what your role will be in and out of combat. In fact, to help us better assist you, can you tell us what you want your character to be best at, good at, and okay at doing? Might help us better tailor our advice to your needs.

[Terronus]

The low INT strikes me as not very Castiel-like. I don't know how important that flavor is to you, but I would second sensei to have an INT of at least 10 if it is.

Also, I think the dimensional dervish chain would be cool, to replicate the times he pops up and stabs someone (if and when you reach that level)!