So I'm running a homebrew game in the next couple of month in which the flavor of the kung fu style monk doesn't really fit. Rather than just drop the class outright I was thinking of an archetype that would make the class more of a skirmisher type. I have a few ideas on the matter but wondered if anyone on the boards had come across anything similar or had interesting ideas about something of that sort.
I'd say drop Stunning Fist, extra unarmed damage, Wis to AC, slow fall. Game will top out at level 10 so I don't have to consider beyond that.
Proficient with light armor (medium as well?) and able to use Monk abilities in said armor (fast movement, flurry, Ki abilities). Stagger things out so it isn't just a dip to get Flurry? Add in some (or all) Fighter combat feats as bonus feat selections. Drop his speed bonus by half? To keep him still viable as a mobile fighter add in an option to spend a Ki point to flurry as a standard action?
We'll be playing with a 15 point buy which is rather low for a monk. The armor would allow him to drop his Dex down to lower levels than usual. I'd thought about altering things to tie Ki points to Con rather than Wis as well.
Worth doing? Could be fun to play? Forget the whole idea and stick with standard classes with no Monk at all? Input would be greatly appreciated.
To expand on the Sohei suggestion, a monk with the Sohei archetype can wear light armor without losing acess to any of their class features.
To expand on the Sohei suggestion, a monk with the Sohei archetype can wear light armor without losing acess to any of their class features.
i believe that was errata'd, the author posted on the boards that he intended the armor ability to be "an alternate option within the archetype", personally i would allow it though.
Well, the errata hasn't been updated yet, but I honestly agree with you. I can't think of a reason at least one monk fighting style wouldn't eschew armor, especially light armor.
I had looked at the Sohei, but the ability to Flurry with other weapons kicks in later than I'd wanted. It also throws extras in for a mount which I'd not wanted.
Other ideas?
You can flurry with simple or martial monk weapons, and other non monk weapons at lvl 6. I am running one now who uses a polearm and flurries with unarmed strikes when the enemy gets within reach.
Wearing armor allows me to put less emphasis on wis giving me better all around stats. 18 str and 16 dex lets me tank fairly well in light armor.