I'm having trouble understanding how monk attacks are supposed to work; I hope someone can break this down for me.
Let's assume a 2nd level monk. He has a BAB+1 and Flurry of Blows bonus+0/+0.
So, he can do 1 unarmed attack against a single target, with his BAB+1. Or, he can do FoB for two strikes also against a single target at (+1+0)/(+1+0).
At 3rd level his bonuses increase to BAB+2 and FoB+1/+1, so again two strike against a single target at (+2+1=+3)/(+2+1=+3). Which would mean it makes absolutely no sense to not use FoB every single time he attacks: double the number of attacks, with an extra +1 to each.
Same thing up the 5th level: BAB+3 and FoB+3/+3.
I have to assume I'm misunderstanding something here, because using FoB for every attack you ever do gets you two strikes instead of one, with an extra +3 to hit for each. It would make zero sense to ever NOT use FoB.
My next question shows up at 8th level when the to hit bonuses become BAB+6/+1 and FoB+6/+6/+1/+1.
So he can not strike two different targets once each at +6 and +1 respectively. Or he can use FoB to hit a single target four times at +12/+12/+2/+2?
Or does each of the attacks from his BAB generate it's own FoB strike? Which would give him one FoB at +12/+12/+7/+7 and a second at +7/+7/+2/+2.
That can't possibly be right. That's 8d10 potential damage per round.
A 15th level monk gets three attacks per round and FoB of six attacks per round. Is this guy throwing 18 punches per round at 2d6 damage each?
Third question: What if he's using Haste? It gives one additional attack per round. Does that give an extra attack on the FoB streak? Or does that generate an entirely new FoB streak? Or would he just do a regular attack without using FoB and gain 1 extra attack from the spell? If so, what's the benefit to a monk of using Haste?
1. FoB already adds BaB so at level 1 it's only +0/+0
2. BaB only adds an extra attack not an extra FoB so the first option
3. Haste gives an extra attack on a FoB
FoB is basically just a special full attack that limits your weapons and adds extra attacks. It doesn't make sense to get two full attacks a turn.
I'm having trouble understanding how monk attacks are supposed to work; I hope someone can break this down for me.
First things first: Look at the Unachined Monk. It's a much better class, and the Flurry works much easier to understand. It's more fun to play in combat, it allows more well-rounded characters that aren't useless out of combat, and it produces more balanced parties (which makes GMing easier). Any GM not allowing unchained classes is either an idiot or a jerk (or both).
Let's assume a 2nd level monk. He has a BAB+1 and Flurry of Blows bonus+0/+0.
The respectiver row in the Monk's class table is already the finished caluclation. FoB replaces your BAB (from Monk levels) with your Monk level, you never add both on the same roll.
using FoB for every attack you ever do gets you two strikes instead of one
I honestly don't understand where this idea even comes from, but that's not at all how FoB works. FoB adds attacks to your total number of attacks you can make as a full attack. Each attack is still done seperately, and thus can be done against a different target. Haste is one bonus attack with or without Flurry.
Here's how the FoB of a single classed CRB Monk is done: You start the full attack of a full BAB class (e.g. Fighter), which means you get a bonus attack each at 6th level (with a -5 on the attack roll), 11th level (with -10), and 16th level (with -15). If you have Haste or something similar, you get one more attack. Next, you add the attacks from Flurry - that's one bonus attack at 1st level, a second bonus attack (with -5) at 8th level, and a third bonus attack (with -10) at 15th level. That's it. You don't multiply anything. Each attack adds your level (plus strength, Weapon Focus, etc.) on attack rolls (in place of your listed BAB), with the mentioned penalty on the attack roll. Each attack also has an additional (stacking) -2 penalty.
For stuff like Power Attack, your BAB is equal to your level, and that's the case for every attack.
I'm having trouble understanding how monk attacks are supposed to work; I hope someone can break this down for me.
Let's assume a 2nd level monk. He has a BAB+1 and Flurry of Blows bonus+0/+0.
So, he can do 1 unarmed attack against a single target, with his BAB+1. Or, he can do FoB for two strikes also against a single target at (+1+0)/(+1+0).
At 3rd level his bonuses increase to BAB+2 and FoB+1/+1, so again two strike against a single target at (+2+1=+3)/(+2+1=+3). Which would mean it makes absolutely no sense to not use FoB every single time he attacks: double the number of attacks, with an extra +1 to each.
Same thing up the 5th level: BAB+3 and FoB+3/+3.
I have to assume I'm misunderstanding something here, because using FoB for every attack you ever do gets you two strikes instead of one, with an extra +3 to hit for each. It would make zero sense to ever NOT use FoB.
My next question shows up at 8th level when the to hit bonuses become BAB+6/+1 and FoB+6/+6/+1/+1.
So he can not strike two different targets once each at +6 and +1 respectively. Or he can use FoB to hit a single target four times at +12/+12/+2/+2?
Or does each of the attacks from his BAB generate it's own FoB strike? Which would give him one FoB at +12/+12/+7/+7 and a second at +7/+7/+2/+2.
That can't possibly be right. That's 8d10 potential damage per round.
A 15th level monk gets three attacks per round and FoB of six attacks per round. Is this guy throwing 18 punches per round at 2d6 damage each?
Third question: What if he's using Haste? It gives one additional attack per round. Does that give an extra attack on the FoB streak? Or does that generate an entirely new FoB streak? Or would he just do a regular attack without using FoB and gain 1 extra attack from the spell? If so, what's the benefit to a monk of using Haste?
Yeah....you're whole basic understanding is incorrect.
There's a chart that indicates the number of attacks and base attack bonus you get at each level for the core monk.
Essentially, Core Monk Flurry of Blows is two weapon fighting progression without having the feats and some other limitations and bonuses built into it. But don't try to compare or extrapolate how it functions, just replace the normal attacks BAB with the Flurry one.
For example, at level 6 instead of having +4 BAB attack(s) when Flurrying the monk has +4/+4/-1. You add your strength (or dex) and any other modifiers to the attack roll as appropriate.
Haste will provide you one additional attack when you make a full attack at your highest BAB bonus, keeping in mind that if your flurry I believe it will effectively reduce your BAB to whatever the highest is for your flurry routine at that level.