Topic title. I thought I almost had a great build going, but then I realized my build needs to use armor or shields to work.
Can a Monk use a Haramaki and still Flurry of Blows?
Or is there any type of Monk that can do so?
Can Sohei pick Dodge as a bonus feat, or just Mounted Combat bonus feats?
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Why not just wear bracers of armor? Between the class AC bonus, Wisdom to AC bonus, and bracers of armor you should have a pretty decent AC.
Why not just wear bracers of armor? Between the class AC bonus, Wisdom to AC bonus, and bracers of armor you should have a pretty decent AC.
Topic was because Student of War only gives Int to AC if you wear armor or a shield.
I think it would work best with a Slayer, to be honest.
Topic was because Student of War only gives Int to AC if you wear armor or a shield.
You didn't actually say that in the thread till now, which is an important piece of information that changes the situation.
All you said was:
Topic title. I thought I almost had a great build going, but then I realized my build needs to use armor or shields to work.
Can a Monk use a Haramaki and still Flurry of Blows?
Or is there any type of Monk that can do so?
This reads more like you think your AC is too low, and needs armor or shields to stay alive. Which isn't the case for monks.
Otherwise, it's been the only monk option has been covered. Sohei can use armor and still flurry, but thats it.
It sounds as though student of war just isn't a good option for most monks.
Maneuver Master monk can also use Flurry of Maneuvers while wearing armor.
You still lose the monk AC bonus, and you need to get the armor proficiency elsewhere, but MM 1/Fighter 1 can flurry in full plate.
Why not just wear bracers of armor? Between the class AC bonus, Wisdom to AC bonus, and bracers of armor you should have a pretty decent AC.
Well, that decent AC should definitely be prefaced with the words 'eventually'. If you do not turn into a total turtle (all dex/wis, no room for str or not dumping the other mental stats), then it is painful. Armor gives easier AC at early levels, and lets you survive with a strength based build.
Admittedly, looking at the math, once you start getting equipment and such, an armored sohei would actually not end up with better than a well equipped unarmored monk. As you said, 2 stats, AC bonus, and something to get enhancement bonuses in make a difference (since buying a +2 WIS headband and a +2 DEX belt is cheaper than a +4 dex belt).
At the same time, I still prefer Sohei with armor since it allows for overwhelming offensive ability. Remember, armor is an item slot in itself. So that means that sohei can grab brawling armor for a +2 to attack and damage on unarmed strikes (if you are doing an unarmed build). And freeing up the hands slot by moving AC enhancement to the armor means that the sohei can grab gloves of dueling (since their weapon training appears to qualify). So that is another +2 to attack and damage, and it can be used with any kind of weapon build you would want the sohei for (although stacking it with brawling makes unarmed builds sweet).
The AC problem probably is not as much of an issue if you are taking a prestige class with AC though. Just saying- wait until after level 6 so you can grab weapon training and qualify for dueling gloves. Because a +3 total to attack and damage is worth a slight delay.
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Maneuver Master monk can also use Flurry of Maneuvers while wearing armor.
You still lose the monk AC bonus, and you need to get the armor proficiency elsewhere, but MM 1/Fighter 1 can flurry in full plate.
cannot flurry in armor and maneuver master looses flurry of blows all together unless using flurry of maneuvers.
At 1st level, as part of a full-attack action, a maneuver master can make one additional combat maneuver, regardless of whether the maneuver normally replaces a melee attack or requires a standard action. The maneuver master uses his monk level in place of his base attack bonus to determine his CMB for the bonus maneuvers, though all combat maneuver checks suffer a –2 penalty when using a flurry.
At 8th level, a maneuver master may attempt a second additional combat maneuver, with an additional –3 penalty on combat maneuver checks.
At 15th level, a maneuver master may attempt a third additional combat maneuver, with an additional –7 penalty on combat maneuver checks.
A maneuver master loses this ability when wearing armor, using a shield, or carrying a medium or heavy load.
This ability replaces flurry of blows.
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I bet those people in 2014 appreciate being informed of the errata that will occur in 2015.