I've thought it'd be cool to play this archetype because of Eyes Stitched Shut, which gives you blindsight to anything within 30 feet. It doesn't change any abilities, so I think it'd be compatible with just about anything, including a blended monk build. Has anyone played this kind of scarred monk? Also, is it at all compatible with the unchained monk?
J
Scarred Monk is not compatible with unMonk, and that's what pretty much kills the archetype. The archetype isn't bad, and is actually well written, but it doesn't really fix the cMonk's problems.
Of course, cMonk isn't as bad as it used to be - Pummeling Charge offers desperately needed move-and-full-attack capabilities, and Handwraps remove the traditional AoMF tax (especially important since we can't use the Barkskin Qinggong power and thus need the AoNA).
It doesn't change any abilities, so I think it'd be compatible with just about anything
"Mortifications alter the ki pool and replace high jump, wholeness of body, abundant step, and empty body." This kills most archetype combinations, and the inability to use ki abilities makes some that would work pointless. You'll still want Qinggong, if only to grab Ki Leech at 11th level, plus maybe Ki Stand at 4th.
There are some very interesting combinations, however, notable ones are Invested Regent, Master of Many Styles, Perfect Scholar, and Weapon Adept. Invested Regent especially can grant Air Walk (among other things), at the cost of severe MADness, and even stacks with Perfect Scholar or Weapon Adapt. Scaled Fist would also work for those who really like Doll Face or Pain Binding.I've thought it'd be cool to play this archetype because of Eyes Stitched Shut, which gives you blindsight to anything within 30 feet.
If only it did. The blindsight only works against living creatures, and only those who have been damaged. The blindsense works against everything but still leaves the enemies with total concealment. Against enemies not affected by your blindsight you lose your dex bonus to AC and take an additional -2 penalty. Since you don't have full blindsight, you need to make a DC 10 acrobatics check (with a -4 penalty) to move more than half speed, failure means you fall prone. Overall, Blind-Fight is probably a must-have-feat when using that Mortifications, unless your team is very blast-happy.
The best Mortifications in my opinion is actually Tongueless Master, because you can use it multiple times per turn, making it a beast against enemy casters. Share Pain is also interesting, especially if you didn't take Invested Regent, because it triggers Medusa's Wrath.
Overall, unMonk is just better, though.
Alright, that's what I was wondering. Ah well, I'm fine with not playing him, thanks for the insight Derklord.
Blindsense is lovely though: It lets you find your Invisible opponents.
Sure, extra senses is one of the things Monk usually lacks, with the only thing in that direction being the pretty weak Glimpse of Truth Qinggong ki power (10th level). But losing your vision is a very high price to pay, even with Blind-Fight:
• Every attack against an undamaged or non-living enemy you make has a 25% miss chance before making the actual attack roll, and you can't make AoOs against them.
• Enemy archers will turn you into a pincushion.
• You can't charge anything, which removes your only feasible way of full attacking after moving.
Alright, that's what I was wondering.
Per what Unchained said, cMonk archetypers don't work for unMonk by default, so only archetypes where the respective book says they work with unMonk, or that reference unMonk in what gets replaces, work. AoN's has the complete list of unMonk archetypes.
You can always ask your GM, of course. Because of the build-in limitations (no ki use on anything else, including the bonus attack), Scarred unMonk should be balanced enough, I'd allow it as a GM. The simplest way would be to have the mortifications selectible as ki powers (thus the archetype replacing nothing, only altering the ki pool and ki powers).
Losing your vision is an enormous pain out of combat too.
Still, the concept is and always has been weirdly popular.
Remember Eyes Stitched Shut isn't permanent. All the monk needs to do is unstitch his eyes and he has normal vision again. Blindsense is nice, blindsight is even better, and you get them both. Walking around a city, eyes open--entering a dungeon or crypt, eyes closed. Don't like your eyes shut? Just takes a full-round action to open them again. I'm not saying it's the best thing ever but it would have been nice to try it, you're basically Daredevil.
J