Ip Man build. Has it been done?

[dascarletm]

First, if it's been done perhaps someone can just route me there. If not, how would you all build Ip Man, or just a wing chun user, for a DnD 3.5 game? Obviously Monk comes to mind, flurry of blows with the whole centerline rapid attacks. What feats would simulate combining attack and defence, and using the momentum of another against his/herself?

Since it is 3.5, however, we'd have to ignore the fact that Wing Chun doesn't have the ability to teleport or ignore sickness or other supernatural abilities, for purposes of bringing into a fantasy setting.

[Muktidata]

Be prepared for a slew of negative comments about monks. Flaming monks or people who post about them is popular on CharOp forums. For Ip Man or any Wing Chun specialist, Unarmed Swordsages are the way to go. There are so many fitting maneuvers/stances - especially in the Setting Sun school.

For feats Elusive Target (http://dndtools.eu/feats/complete-warrior--61/elusive-target--841/) and Defensive Throw (http://dndtools.eu/feats/complete-warrior--61/defensive-throw--558/) might work.

[dascarletm]

Be prepared for a slew of negative comments about monks. Flaming monks or people who post about them is popular on CharOp forums. For Ip Man or any Wing Chun specialist, Unarmed Swordsages are the way to go. There are so many fitting maneuvers/stances - especially in the Setting Sun school.

For feats Elusive Target (http://dndtools.eu/feats/complete-warrior--61/elusive-target--841/) and Defensive Throw (http://dndtools.eu/feats/complete-warrior--61/defensive-throw--558/) might work.

Those look good, I was more thinking thematically with the feel of the style within the mechanics.
I don't see why if something is on a lower optimization level it needs to be flamed. Doesn't it only matter if you are equal to your group in optimization to enjoy the game. The DM will send appropriate encounters to your power level anyway.

[ericgrau]

Forcing monks into unarmed damage only hurts them that much more, because weapons do more damage.

Even ip man did better with a weapon, but weapons and armor are not always available so that's where martial arts comes in. For a fantasy or war setting it falls apart. Bringing fists to a sword & armor fight is like bringing a knife to a gun & tank fight.

Beyond that I'll agree that the mechanics don't really change, only how you fluff it. Use any standard build.

[Muktidata]

Those look good, I was more thinking thematically with the feel of the style within the mechanics.
I don't see why if something is on a lower optimization level it needs to be flamed. Doesn't it only matter if you are equal to your group in optimization to enjoy the game. The DM will send appropriate encounters to your power level anyway.

It's a case of trends trumping logic. If its popular to flame monks or people that play them, then that's what people will do.

Anyway, Ip Man clearly took the Leadership feat and trained many more unarmed swordsages. For traits/flaws I'd use Meager Fortitude and Shaky if you're going movie Ip Man because he died of poison and clearly the only reason to not be an archer is if you suck at it. The real Ip Man died of cancer. Monks gain immunity to both, lol, so its further proof that he was a Swordsage.

[dascarletm]

The real Ip Man died of cancer. Monks gain immunity to both, lol, so its further proof that he was a Swordsage.

Touche.

If sword sage, what style of the blade magic would fit the theme?

[Gray Mage]

Touche.

If sword sage, what style of the blade magic would fit the theme?

I'm not familiar with Ip Man, but if it's a martial artist without supernatural powers, I'd focus on Diamond Mind and Setting Sun, with some Stone Dragon and maybe some of the non magical Shadow Hand maneuvers.

[Sith_Happens]

Those look good, I was more thinking thematically with the feel of the style within the mechanics.

Purely thematically I'd say that Swordsage represents martial arts better than Monk anyways. While the Monk's early abilities lend themselves to a vague Kung Fu-esque feel, the class as a whole focuses much more on the spiritual enlightenment/transcending the limits of the humanoid form side of things. Tome of Battle, meanwhile, can be summed up conceptually as "D&D martial arts."