tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342640173817458901.post114783101541943361..comments2023-09-21T10:30:10.699+02:00Comments on Square Fireballs: Player's Handbook 3 Debut: The MonkPericohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12414348870266960204noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342640173817458901.post-73050630095493593152010-02-19T01:24:56.955+01:002010-02-19T01:24:56.955+01:00I've been really underwhemled by the monk. The...I've been really underwhemled by the monk. They function radically differently from other psionic classes in that they don't use power points and, unlike Ardents and Battleminds, use only implement powers, despite that they're the most physical attacker type class I can think of. I'd ideally like implement powers that gain a proficiency bonus to hit (if that makes any sense).<br /><br />More of a concern is that the monk seems to want to simultaneously be a controller and a striker and, IMO, it doesn't really seem to do either that well. Their flurry of blows damage seems comparable to Sorcerer damage, but sorcerers can deal bonus damage multiple times per round. Monks can deal flurry of blows damage to multiple enemies (like a sorcerer using area or close attacks), but they have to all be adjacent and-the part that's usually overlooked-*that damage is a separate damage instance.*<br /><br />The easiest way to power up monks-indeed, probably OVER power monks-would be to make their flurry of blows damage be 1d4+Wisdom. It's still not an implement power, but it's a damage roll-rather than just an empty damage instance. With the Radiant Fist paragon path, it's radiant damage, so you can benefit from Astral Fire (the builder would probably even let you use a Holy Avenger's +1d10 damage, but that's both overkill and deliberately misreading the Holy Avenger). Iron Armbands of Power are another case where you can add damage on.<br /><br />If you wanted to emphasize monks using Ki Focus, you can add the enhancement bonus of your ki focus to the damage.<br /><br />Now, I confess-I may be underestimating the effect of the slide. Flurry of Blows isn't an attack, so most effects that increase the distance of your slide effects don't apply-and flurry of blows doesn't use a weapon either, so even if you up it to slide 2 somehow, Polearm Momentum isn't going to help you. Sliding enemies works great if your DM likes to use damaging terrain, or if you have a wall wizard in the party-but then again, so does Aegis of Ensnarement, and I've never seen anyone go outside of shielding voluntarily.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06501193079029723696noreply@blogger.com