Intimidating Monk

[Atalius]

Alright, Tiger just didn't work for me. If you were to build an Intimidating Dragon style Monk one who has Charisma in order to dragon roar, what race would you go and what would a starting stat array look like?

[Siro]

Note, this is from a newbie when it comes to Monks, with this being only a quick look at the idea to get the ball rolling. Take with more then a grain of salt and the knowledge someone more antiquated with the class will be more helpful.

Ancestry= Twilight Halfling <for Low Light Vision>

Starting Stats=

Str-8 // Dex-18 // Con-12 // Int-10 // Wis-14 // Cha-16

-I know low Strength looks bad given the Dragon Tail attack does not have 'Finesse' but you are not forced to use that attack while in the stance. Basically it would be used for the Stride advantage and is needed for Dragon Roar/ other stats are needed more {Sadly, you can't also have the 'Mountain Stance' along with it}. You could possibly take 2 points off Con for Str if you do not want to have a negative modifier.

-Highest Dex for both attack bonus and more importantly, AC to keep you alive in the earlier levels. Wis for the Will saves and Perception.

-Highest Cha possible because that's the stat your going to be using for Dragon Roar/ other Intimidation stuff.

-Halfling because the stats are good {assuming your ok with dumping Str a bit} Plus 'Halfling Luck' and its line of feats are pretty good. Mostly though, just to picture a 2-foot nothing man roaring at a Ancient Dragon and the Dragon getting scared.

-Other possibilities: Multiclassing into Sorcerer <Divine> for some buff/Heal spells. You can both effectively attack with Flurry of Blows and cast a spell on the same turn. Its also never a bad idea to have the ability to be your own back up healer, especially when your one the front line fighters. Draconic Bloodline instead could also be considered for Claw attacks, and flavor.

[Timeshadow]

I really like the idea of a lizard man dragon style monk, so how about:

Ancestry: Lizardfolk: Frilled(for threatening approach)

Starting stats: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14

Highest Str for hit/Dam to really make use of that taill strike

14 Cha is a good starting point without loosing out on AC

Tail whip Ancestral just fits too well and the natural claws give a slashing option on your flurry.

I'd consider multi into Barb dragon instinct or maby Sorcerer primal for funzies. Your high str also qualifys you for intimidating presence feat once you get expert intimidate and you don't need intimidating glair due to your "frills"

[Kyrone]

Any ancestry with Str, Dex or Cha boost and no flaws in these 3 stats either.

So Human, Elf, Lizardfolk or Goblin

Str 18, Dex 16, Cha 14
or
Str 18, Dex 14, Cha 16

One will have better AC another will have better Dragon Roar, up to you to decide the pros and cons of both.

I personally like the first better, because Dragon Roar will usually be something that you will use once or twice per turn and interesting enough you will have a better Intimidation DC for most lvls than spellcaster have Spell DC because of how skills scales (lvl 3, 7, 15 compared to the 7,15,19 of spellcasters.).

Then that is it, the rest is preference, could get Ki strike or parkour feats.

[Queaux]

Atalius wrote:

Alright, Tiger just didn't work for me. If you were to build an Intimidating Dragon style Monk one who has Charisma in order to dragon roar, what race would you go and what would a starting stat array look like?

If you're going to do this, go hard into dragon intimidation:

https://2e.aonprd.com/Heritages.aspx?ID=50

Frilled Lizardfolk let's you demoralize for Frightened 2 to set up your flurry of blows.

Lizardfolk dumps Int, the least important stat for you. For a stat array, I'd look at:

18 14 12 8 12 14

I'd get trained in performance and be a wrestling heel.

[Atalius]

Kyrone wrote:

Any ancestry with Str, Dex or Cha boost and no flaws in these 3 stats either.

So Human, Elf, Lizardfolk or Goblin

Str 18, Dex 16, Cha 14
or
Str 18, Dex 14, Cha 16

One will have better AC another will have better Dragon Roar, up to you to decide the pros and cons of both.

I personally like the first better, because Dragon Roar will usually be something that you will use once or twice per turn and interesting enough you will have a better Intimidation DC for most lvls than spellcaster have Spell DC because of how skills scales (lvl 3, 7, 15 compared to the 7,15,19 of spellcasters.).

Then that is it, the rest is preference, could get Ki strike or parkour feats.

Sweet, with the first one Would my Con be 12 and Int and WIS be 10? Could I take that option flaw thingy to further enhance/dump something? My next question would be if i could what would be best to pump up and dump :P Thanks!

[Lightning Raven]

Timeshadow wrote:

I really like the idea of a lizard man dragon style monk, so how about:

Ancestry: Lizardfolk: Frilled(for threatening approach)

Starting stats: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14

Highest Str for hit/Dam to really make use of that taill strike

14 Cha is a good starting point without loosing out on AC

Tail whip Ancestral just fits too well and the natural claws give a slashing option on your flurry.

I'd consider multi into Barb dragon instinct or maby Sorcerer primal for funzies. Your high str also qualifys you for intimidating presence feat once you get expert intimidate and you don't need intimidating glair due to your "frills"

Every enemy says: Are you approaching me? Instead of running away you're actually approaching me?

[Siro]

Barbarian MC could be good for a Str build. Just make sure you pick up ‘Raging Intimidation’ if you are planing to Demoralize while raging.

I had thought about ‘Intimidating Prowess’ when I originally was trying for a Str build, it would work with the Coerce and Demoralize stuff, but not ‘Dragon Roar’ itself. (Dragon Roar works off Intimidation DC, not Coerce or Demoralize.) Still for a Strength Intimidation build, you could do a lot worse, and would not find anything better.

[rainzax]

INT 10, WIS 10, CHA 14.

Then build a functional Monk.

Resist the urge to Overbork?

[OrochiFuror]

Lizard monk is good, Dragon kick for blunt, razor claws for slash and peirce, athletics to target fort or reflex and roar to target will. 16 dex for ac, 18 str for damage and a 12 cha and accept you can't max your intimidate dc. Sadly mine just died at level 6, can't frighten zombies, until then it was great fun.

[lemeres]

OrochiFuror wrote:

Lizard monk is good, Dragon kick for blunt, razor claws for slash and peirce, athletics to target fort or reflex and roar to target will. 16 dex for ac, 18 str for damage and a 12 cha and accept you can't max your intimidate dc. Sadly mine just died at level 6, can't frighten zombies, until then it was great fun.

You can also grab feint to target perception. Not that it is necessarily a great idea to make the investment, but it is funny to have the option to hit pretty much every number on the monster's stat sheet.