How is this for a circus strongman?

[Ganymede425]

I've been working on an innovative concept for a character of mine, and was hoping for some advice. The general idea is that the character is an orphan who was raised in a monastery but eventually ran away to join a circus. There, he maid his living as a strongman, wrestler, and acrobat until he moved on to adventuring. Overall, he has a flamboyant, almost professional wrestler vibe.

Levels

1 Monk - Here, the character takes deflect arrows, improved grapple, and intimidating prowess as his feats as they all fit his profile as a flamboyant strongman. He starts as lawful neutral at creation but is played as chaotic neutral.

2,3 Barbarian - Here, he picks up weapon focus in unarmed attacks and the intimidating glare rage power, further reinforcing his theme.

4,5 Barbarian - At this point, he takes Dazzling Display and the Surge of strength rage power. Surge of strength enhances his ability to grapple while dazzling display further improves his ability to intimidate.

6,7 Barbarian - Here, he takes Greater Grapple and the knockback rage power. Both of these continue the theme of being a wrestler. Knockback is not only enhanced by surge of strength, but it is also reminiscent of a special wrestling maneuver.

Let me know what you think of this theme. Especially let me know whether you think starting as a monk then transitioning into a barbarian is kosher. I figure that his background combined with the fact that it isn't very optimal means it should be ok.

[Devastation Bob]

Seems legal and you're sticking to your concept well. Maybe take the improvised weapon feat in case you ever find a folding chair...

[Lamontius]

I love it. Have him call everyone "Brother" and give him platinum blonde hair and a receding hairline.

The "Jawbreaker" and so on line of feats might be rad for this, too.

[Ganymede425]

Generally I try to stick to the core rulebook for character options, so Jawbreaker feat is out of my reach.

[MacGurcules]

If you're only going to take one level of Monk, might as well be Martial Artist. No alignment requirement necessary. I suppose it isn't CRB, but with just one level, the only difference is in alignment.

[DeathQuaker]

MacGurcules wrote:

If you're only going to take one level of Monk, might as well be Martial Artist. No alignment requirement necessary. I suppose it isn't CRB, but with just one level, the only difference is in alignment.

Which in fairness would ensure the build was "kosher."

I'd also for non-core consider the brutal pugilist archetype and performance feats.

Core however it will work fine as long as the GM allows the "alignment shift" of going from monk (Always L) to barb (always non-L). If the GM doesn't you could also build a convincing strongman out of monk-fighter.

As an aside I once in 3.x had a paladin character who began life as a circus sword swallower. I've always wanted to rebuild her in PF as it would be way easier to build up the concept, as I could toss in a rogue or bard level and the multiclassing would mesh a little better (because class skills remain always class skills, among other things).

[ossian666]

I'd also recommend the Martial Artist. That will at least help you synergize so you aren't left losing parts of either class.

[Ganymede425]

Well I don't really lose anything by transitioning into a barbarian. I can't progress further as a monk, but I only wanted the one level anyways.

The only benefit to being a martial artist is not needing to pull off alignment gymnastics at character creation.

[Ursine&Snake]

He needs to constantly refer to himself as "THE WHOLE DA** SHOW" and "THE HARDCORE KING OF EXTREME", but rule-wise you are spot-on. If you go outside the crb than use Martial Artist instead of Monk, otherwise this is fine.