If a Monk uses Wis for AC and StunF DC, as well as ki pool etc, other than feat tree access why use dex at all?
he add his wis to ac. he still uses dex for his dodge ac. they stack.
Dexterity really does too many things.
Ranged attacks, like with shuriken.
Extra AC
Initiative
Reflex save
Some useful skills
There is a reason that so many people go after dexterity to attack and damage options.
A monk uses both Wis and Dex for their AC. It's to make up for being a melee character that can't wear armor.
Monks require a multiple good stats to be effective. WIS powers most of their class abilities and will saves,, but they need good STR for the bonus to hit and damage, they need DEX for AC, reflex saves, ranged attracts initiative, they need CON for HP and fortitude saves. A lot of feats also have minimum stat requirements so those also need to be taken into account. Those are things monks need, not want.
Some archetype and feats can alter things a little, but only so much. Weapon finesse can shift the monk’s bonus to hit from STR to DEX, but damage still goes of STR. Core monks are a medium BAB class so power attack can cause problems. If you are using the unchained monk then things are a bit different. Even the unchained monk is pretty M.A.D., but it is a they have more options. Since unarmed attacks are light weapons Piranha Attack can be used in place of power attack for damage if you want a DEX based monk. In all honesty I would go with the unchained monk in most cases.
Treantmonk suggests: 20 point buy: Str: 19 (13) Dex: 14 (5) Con: 13 (3) Int: 8 (-2) Wis: 14 (5) Cha: 7 (-4). (initial Ability increase Str then Con). Note this isn't really possible as 18,14,13,8,14,7 is 24 pts.
You buy the 17 strength, then get it to 19 with your racial adjustment. At level 4 it goes to 20. At level 8 the Con goes to 14
I’m not a fan of short setting two stats like that, but the math checks out
If a Monk uses Wis for AC and StunF DC, as well as ki pool etc, other than feat tree access why use dex at all?
Because 14Dex/14Wis only costs 10 point buy compared to 18 for 10Dex/18Wis, yet grants the same AC bonus. Ki Pool, Stunning Fist DC, will save, perception, and sense motive are worth more than initiative, reflex save, acrobatics, escape artist, and stealth, but not that much more.
Shorting with a specialized set really hurts the character long term and reduces the overall ability score bonus total(as shown above).
This makes the assumption that all ability scores are worth equally much, which is clearly false. A Monk only has 4+Int skill ranks per level, what are they gonna use charisma for? The only cha-based class skill is intimidate, and it's hard to spare skill points for that. That means that for most Monks, there is zero difference between a 10 and a 7 in Cha. Your "overall ability score bonus total" treats a 14Wis/7Cha the same as a 12Wis/10Cha, that's disconnected from reality.
Ability scores also protect against how much ability damage you can take before going down. But then monks have good saves, so that’s less important for them. Still, any character that has an adjusted 5 for an ability score is just asking to get one shot some day.
Low charisma doesn’t have to be antisocial. It can be as simple as being someone that doesn’t stand out in a social setting. The kind of character that mostly just follows along with whatever the “face” says
A low Charisma character may be the "strong, silent type." Or the "humble student." Or they quote "enigmatic mysticism" instead of trying to influence others.
There are many ways of roleplaying a low Charisma other than being an antisocial jerk.
Thank you all very much.
The consternation was looking mid/endgame; initial dex just doesnt weigh as heavy for a vanilla monk pf1 that can take a punch compared to Wisdoms benefits; this monk will be SF and melee focused, with a skill focus in acrobatics.
Btw, I really do love all you rule lawyers and midnight typers....gets me through my tough spots when deciding time nears....:}
May the natty always be a 20!