Well I am curious I know Flowing Monk has a level 15 ability which allows him to reflect a spell back at the foe if its fails to overcome Spell Resistance.
But why don't we have an archetype that focuses more on fighting spell casters?
Because the only thing that beats spellcasting is more spellcasting.
An archetype that can server as a magical lightning rod that uses its superior touch AC and saves to soak in magic attacks that would otherwise be screwing over allies would be pretty cool, though.
Tetori is pretty much as Anti-Mage as it gets without being a mage yourself.
Tetori is pretty much as Anti-Mage as it gets without being a mage yourself.
The grappling Archetype?
I agree only spellcasting can truely take out a mage but Monks are billed as being mobile fighter and good for make killing due to high will saves.
Tetori grapple, and can prevent those in their grasp from using Freedom of Movement or teleports to escape. That makes it very difficult for casters to cheat out of grappling, which makes casting hard by default. Plus there are assorted feats like Jawbreaker which make things even tougher.
It would be easier to team up with a caster or get a magic item that casts silence on you however, and get into the caster's space with Step Up.
In general monks have good saves, evasion, and good touch AC, so they can use their mobility to get to a caster (though there's no solution for flight without aid, but that's something almost all martials suffer) and mages (at least the arcane ones) are ideal targets for stunning fist. It depends on the mage, but you can even steal their spell component pouch (and backup pouch), made easier by stunning them.
What do you want from an Anti-Mage though?
Flying Pincushion Games is going to release a book with archetypes including the Monk. I have already got an amti-magic monk drafted in my head for that book!
Hmm good question
Well I would like a class that was capable of getting to a mage before they can flee or cast their powerful damaging spell.
As far as flying I was thinking maybe have monks who can throw shurikens and use Stunning Fist so when a mage takes flight the monk can take them down with a well placed skillful throw.
Maybe even the ability akin to the Swashbucklers parry and riposting ability allowing her to parry and redirect a magic spell back to that mage, or to the mages buddies.
Problem is, shuriken have a very short range increment. You'll have pretty poor odds of hitting a flying mage, if they're even in your max range.
To channel stunning fist through a weapon, it needs to be Ki Focus. That's a +1 enchantment that only goes on melee weapons, but there are melee weapons that can be thrown, such as the shortspear. I think that should work.
Splintering Weapon is a potentially nifty feat, if you can secure a pouch of obsidian shuriken, you can inflict bleed which forces a concentration check (fairly low DC, but it can still help occasionally).
Lots of magic that gets sent at you an area of effect spell, like glitterdust or create pit. Should you be able to redirect these spells as well, or just spells that target you specifically?
From a design perspective, it should also be considered whether it is satisfying/fair to both parties. Having your spell resisted sucks at early levels, because you don't have too many. Having it turned hurts a lot. On the other hand, if there's no magic being cast at the monk for him to turn, it's a completely null ability. Swashbucklers can usually count on getting attacked, but magic is often used to summon allies, cast AoEs (which you probably wouldn't be able to turn), buff allies, and so on. It seems like turning spells would be most punishing to what is commonly considered the worst style of magic.
Oh, you want to use stunning fist at range? Allow me to present you with the greatest ki power.
In PFS it's Oread only but otherwise you can use it to Toph Bei Fong your way through many a pesky flying creature.
Which is why I said mobile spells. Get in quick and deal with the mage before he can cast his AoE spells and so forth.
Yes direct damage spells are considered the weakest spells in the game in use of powers but its still commonly used by DMs as a way to attack players from a range.
Also no one is saying you could not be used as a bounce point with this style of magic deflection and redirection.
A sorcerer on your team throws a fireball at you. You roll your parry and riposte of the spell to launch the spell into the opponent mage if the sorcerer has no direct line of sight.
I like the Monk of the Four Winds because of Slow time giving you a few Standard Actions to spend which could really hurt a mage should you get to them.
It seems like turning spells would be most punishing to what is commonly considered the worst style of magic.
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I don't buy debuffs being considered the worst kind of magic. Turning an enervation would be great. Charm person. Dominate. Irresistible dance. I know it is no fun for the caster but no worse than another caster can do and further the monk needs the love! I would give him an additional stunning fist power to give 40% spell failure.
There are unlisted Qinggong powers!? Damnit, now I'm gonna need to find and catalog the rest.
Mighty Fist of the Earth is the only one I'm aware of. Found it on accident looking for spells for my Winter Oracle and immediately applied it to my Sensei Monk.
I searched "qinggong" in Spells on the pfsrd, and interestingly Mighty Fist doesn't even come up, but Stone Shield does.
Perhaps I am thinking something more like the Ki Blast feat from 3.5 a ranged attack that deals some good damage.
Oh, you want to use stunning fist at range? Allow me to present you with the greatest ki power.
In PFS it's Oread only but otherwise you can use it to Toph Bei Fong your way through many a pesky flying creature.
Ka-me-ha-me-ROCK!!! Seriously though, that's awesome. It looks pretty neat for Sacred Fist Warpriests too.
Ka-me-ha-me-ROCK!!! Seriously though, that's awesome. It looks pretty neat for Sacred Fist Warpriests too.Oh, you want to use stunning fist at range? Allow me to present you with the greatest ki power.
In PFS it's Oread only but otherwise you can use it to Toph Bei Fong your way through many a pesky flying creature.
That is would
Also check out Ring of the Golden Bell feat a ranged Unarmed strike at a range of 5+5ft per Wis bonus point. Sweet all around.
http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Ring_the_Golden_Bell
I also believe it was made my Paizo back in the day