Seeing the "Let's make the rogue work" thread here got me thinking--lots of folks (myself included) feel the monk has issues as well. So, this thread is in a similar vein: to build a collection of builds that are competent in spite of some of the class' flaws.
a few guidelines:
-this is a monk build thread, so lets try to keep any builds posted in "mostly-if-not-pure monk" territory.
-tetori and zen archer are actually rather good within their niches (grappling and archery, respectively) for the most part. let's show some of the other archetypes (or even the core monk) some love.
-let's keep discussion less on the problems on the class, and more on how to address them (such as ways to shore up their to-hit, AC, etc.)
common complaints against the class (to my knowledge):
-lack of synergy in abilities (such as mobility on things and having to be stationary to hit things via flurry)
-issues hitting things (due to lack of attack bonus sources)
-issues bypassing DR
-low AC until high levels (when you can afford a decent set of bracers and your WIS/class bonus reaches respectable levels, since you cant wear armor without losing a lot of your class abilities)
-money issues (particularly involving the AoMF)
I'll start off with some random advicey things:
-the quick-runner's shirt is a great purchase for a monk at 1000g, since you can spend a swift action for an extra move action, allowing you to close for a flurry and then flurry in the same round (unfortunately only once per day), and can be worn with a monk's robe (since they're different slots).
-the cracked green prism ioun stone is also a steal at 4000g, for a +1 bonus (competence) to attack.
-for those interested, a dip in crusader cleric can net you a variety of boons (bonus feat--probably weapon focus, domain power, utility spells, channel energy, free UMD with cleric list items), including some rather nice weapons, the ability to get WIS to hit (with guided hand, which can help reduce MAD somewhat), and the ability to flurry with them (with crusader's flurry)--sir thugsalot (i think) brought up a build a while back of a cleric (crusader)/monk (hungry ghost/sacred mountain with vow of silence) who could flurry with a katana!
-the nature soul and animal ally feats (from faiths and philosophies) are great for a sohei--it lets you get an animal companion at your level-3 (which can be brought up via boon companion) to use with your monastic mount powers.
as well as a build idea:
LN Human Monk (sohei) 20
traits:
-???
-???
feats:
1 - Nature Soul, Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack*
2 - Spirited Charge*
3 - Power Attack
5 - Animal Ally
6 - Wheeling Charge*
7 - Boon Companion
9 - Trick Riding
10 - Combat Reflexes*
11 - Furious Focus
13 - Indomitable Mount (local)
14 - Mounted Skirmisher*
15 - ???
17 - ???
18 - ???*
19 - ???
until 5th level you just ride on a purchased horse (theres a trait for that, if you want one free).
For the mount go with the Bodyguard archetype, pick up Bodyguard and In Harm's Way for combat shenanigans (they aim for you, horse takes the attack from IHW, you then negate it with mounted combat), and Narrow Frame so you can actually take it places, and maybe Sure-Footed or Wind Stance later.
This is assuming the feats need to line up with their prereqs. since they're monk bonus feats they may not need to, which throws this order out the window--you could grab mounted skirmisher at level 10, just after your fancy new iterative, or even at level 6 if you wanted.
it still has to deal with hit accuracy and lack of armor, but the latter is helped out by the horse being able to help negate a hit aimed at you, and when you DO hit, your damage will be respectable thanks to the lance and spirited charge.
now i'm positive there are many more helpful things you all know, so post them here! we can get a nice archive of helpful things for the monk going, with any luck.
anybody? perhaps i should have had a different title for the topic.