Unchained Monk: Which build to go?

[Vaelith]

So I am relatively new to 1e, and I am planning out an unchained monk for the campaign I'm playing, and I'm having trouble deciding which route is more optimal to go after lvl 8. The campaign is til lvl 17, and we are using Elephant in the Room and Automatic Bonus Progression.

I am going Crane Style feat chain, so the build is fixed until level 8. After that there are 2 ways I can go with the build:

- Dimensional Agility -> Dimensional Assault -> Dimensional Dervish -> Dimensional Savant -> Outflank

- Possessed Hand -> Hand's Sight -> Iron Will -> Improved Initiative -> Counterpunch

The first route is more fun and flavorful, but only come online at level 13. I would have to spend 5 levels before that with 2 not very useful feats. Ki usage should not be a problem with Human fcb, ki leech, and items. But un-monk also have Flying Kick, which makes Dimensional Dervish slightly less worth it.

The second route give small but very useful bonuses, but I get immediate returns on every feats I spent. It is less interesting but more well-rounded overall I think.

So I guess my question here is how much am I giving up by going the first route? Is it worth it with the Dimensional feat chain if I already have flying kick?

Thanks for the advice!

[Mysterious Stranger]

Since the object of the game is to have fun you kind of answered your own question. You said the first option is more fun and flavorful. As long as the campaign will go high enough that you actually get to play the character after the build comes online the first build would be my recommendation.

The dimensional feat chain actually gives you useful abilities with each feat. The ability to act after using dimension door can be very useful even if you cannot attack. Dimensional Assault has an incredibly long range. The ability to attack from over a half mile away is pretty good. In my opinion this build actually has the better progression of abilities as well as a higher end result.

[Vaelith]

Mysterious Stranger wrote:

Since the object of the game is to have fun you kind of answered your own question. You said the first option is more fun and flavorful. As long as the campaign will go high enough that you actually get to play the character after the build comes online the first build would be my recommendation.

The dimensional feat chain actually gives you useful abilities with each feat. The ability to act after using dimension door can be very useful even if you cannot attack. Dimensional Assault has an incredibly long range. The ability to attack from over a half mile away is pretty good. In my opinion this build actually has the better progression of abilities as well as a higher end result.

Thank you for the answer!

I believe I’m going to have fun with either of the two builds. For me, optimization is part of the fun as well, so I’m trying to balance mechanical payoff with flavor and theme. The Dimensional feat chain feels cooler and has a high-impact payoff later on, but I also enjoy a build that gives me useful returns at every level. Just trying to weigh which path gives me the most satisfying experience across the whole campaign, not just at the end.
Could you clarify why you feel the first build has the better progression overall? From an optimization standpoint, I find the first 2 feats of the chain are underwhelming when compared to what I get out of Possessed Hand/Hand's Sight.

[Mysterious Stranger]

Dimensional Ability removes a major limitation on dimensional door. Since abundant step is a move action it allows you to teleport your full distance and still do other things including a single attack. This allows you to do things like teleport and grab an item. You also can also get your AoO’s after you teleport and can perform immediate actions. If you need to accomplish an action like pulling a lever to turn something on or off you can accomplish that in a single turn. Too me that is much better than a +1 insight bonus and a minor once a day ability.

Dimensional Assault does not give as much to the monk but still lets you perform a charge. For someone using dimension door as a spell it is a lot more valuable. For the monk it is basically a feat tax for Dimensional Dervish.

Dimensional Dervish is pure gold. It allows you to move between attacks on a full attack. You can also use abundant step as a swift action. Being able to attack foes that are spread out all other the place is something very difficult to achieve. The rest of the feats in the build are really good.

Improved initiative is not that good of a feat so diminish the second build. Iron will may be useful for an unchained monk depending on his WIS. Those feats kind of diminish the second build. This build has as many if not more dead feats as the other build.

[Azothath]

ummm unchained Monk

[Vaelith]

Mysterious Stranger wrote:

Dimensional Ability removes a major limitation on dimensional door. Since abundant step is a move action it allows you to teleport your full distance and still do other things including a single attack. This allows you to do things like teleport and grab an item. You also can also get your AoO’s after you teleport and can perform immediate actions. If you need to accomplish an action like pulling a lever to turn something on or off you can accomplish that in a single turn. Too me that is much better than a +1 insight bonus and a minor once a day ability.

Dimensional Assault does not give as much to the monk but still lets you perform a charge. For someone using dimension door as a spell it is a lot more valuable. For the monk it is basically a feat tax for Dimensional Dervish.

Dimensional Dervish is pure gold. It allows you to move between attacks on a full attack. You can also use abundant step as a swift action. Being able to attack foes that are spread out all other the place is something very difficult to achieve. The rest of the feats in the build are really good.

Improved initiative is not that good of a feat so diminish the second build. Iron will may be useful for an unchained monk depending on his WIS. Those feats kind of diminish the second build. This build has as many if not more dead feats as the other build.

Thanks alot. I think I will go with your advice. Although I have always heard Improved Initiative as a generally good feat. This is the first time I seen someone said it's not good lol.

[Vaelith]

Azothath wrote:

ummm unchained Monk

ummm indeed ._.

[Mysterious Stranger]

The value of improved Initiative depends on the character. If the character gains a significant advantage from going first it is good. For a spell caster that needs to get off a spell or a rogue who gets sneak attack if they act before others in the first round it is decent. For a martial character it is not as valuable. Dimensional Dervish is a lot better than improved Initiative. It is fairly decent for something like a sorcerer’s bloodline feat, or if your build is complete and you don’t have anything else to take.