Lysander
2010-02-13, 06:16 PM
I have an idea for a new class: the Spell Monk. Their monastic order believes there is harmony and beauty in the laws of magic, and they mix martial arts training alongside arcane studies.
The major gimmick of the class would be that instead of stunning fist the Spell Monks would be able to use punches to deliver touch spells. They'd be spontaneous spellcasters like sorcerers, with arcane spell slots from 0 to 9, but they'd only be able to learn offensive touch spells. No buffs, no utility spells, just punches and deadly magic. To cast a spell they'd spend a standard action on a single unarmed attack, declaring what spell they want to cast before making an attack roll. If the punch touches the target (whether or not it deals damage) then the spell is cast, allowing any saving throw or SR that particular spell allows. It wouldn't just be damaging spells like Shocking Grasp, a high level Spell Monk could use punches to cast spells like Imprisonment. I'm also considering allowing them to cast ranged spells as touch spells, like Flesh to Stone or Disintegrate.
My question is: assuming spells per day/spells known like a Sorcerer, but with the limitation of only giving them purely offensive magic that must be delivered at touch range, what normal monk features should be taken away from Spell Monks? Monks are considered underpowered, but gaining all this magic would overpower them if I don't take something away. At the same time I want to keep this a class that can survive in the middle of melee combat, not a fragile spellcaster that needs to hide behind a meat shield. Giving them fewer spells per day/spells known than a sorcerer is an option, I'm just throwing it out there as a starting point.
The major gimmick of the class would be that instead of stunning fist the Spell Monks would be able to use punches to deliver touch spells. They'd be spontaneous spellcasters like sorcerers, with arcane spell slots from 0 to 9, but they'd only be able to learn offensive touch spells. No buffs, no utility spells, just punches and deadly magic. To cast a spell they'd spend a standard action on a single unarmed attack, declaring what spell they want to cast before making an attack roll. If the punch touches the target (whether or not it deals damage) then the spell is cast, allowing any saving throw or SR that particular spell allows. It wouldn't just be damaging spells like Shocking Grasp, a high level Spell Monk could use punches to cast spells like Imprisonment. I'm also considering allowing them to cast ranged spells as touch spells, like Flesh to Stone or Disintegrate.
My question is: assuming spells per day/spells known like a Sorcerer, but with the limitation of only giving them purely offensive magic that must be delivered at touch range, what normal monk features should be taken away from Spell Monks? Monks are considered underpowered, but gaining all this magic would overpower them if I don't take something away. At the same time I want to keep this a class that can survive in the middle of melee combat, not a fragile spellcaster that needs to hide behind a meat shield. Giving them fewer spells per day/spells known than a sorcerer is an option, I'm just throwing it out there as a starting point.