Ravenloft Grappler

[Rasman]

Currently I am playing in a Pathfinder Ravenloft Campaign as a Dhampir Bard, might be a big mistake but is an RP and story gold mine. But, for that campaign, it has been deduced that having backup characters is a wise choice since Ravenloft can be pretty ruthless and our party cleric bit the big one in the second session to Cannibal Zombies, I was almost killed twice in the same session. Because of this, I decided to brainstorm for ideas and decided that for my first backup that I want him to be a Tetori Monk since I have always had an affinity for grappling in Pathfinder. I'm restricted to 20 Point Buy and, for the time being, Pathfinder only material EXCEPT for a Ravenloft feat that gives a +4 to Fear and Horror Checks. Sticking to mostly core races is also advised since Outcast Rating for anything strange can lead to getting chased out of town. Any and all suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated and thank you for helping with this in advance and feel free to set up your suggestions following this template.

This is a slightly altered optimized character that I found from Elder Wyrm. I can't help but feel that it could be improved upon since this is Ravenloft.

20 Point Buy

Race

Human

Stats

Str: 19
Dex: 14
Con: 13
Int: 8
Wis: 14
Cha: 7

Traits

Reactionary and Disillusioned or Hard to Kill

Feat Progression

Human: Improved Initiative or Cut Your Losses
Level 1: Snapping Turtle Style
Monk Feat 1: Improved Grapple, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist
Monk Feat 2: Stunning Pin
Level 3:Snapping Turtle Clutch
Level 5: Snapping Turtle Shell
Monk Feat 6: Greater Grapple
Level 7: Power Attack
Level 9: Rapid Grapple
Monk Feat 10: Pinning Knockout
Level 11: Pinning Rend
Level 13: Dodge
Monk Feat 14: Chokehold
Level 15: Mobility
Level 17: Lunge
Monk Feat 18: Neckbreaker
Level 19: Ki Stand

[Spore]

Please always include your way of generating attributes. If the number of Point-buy is important it is on the monk. Or should I say: MAD-sensei? But apparently you're 20 point buy.

Having Str 19 seems a tad bit expensive but I get that Strength is your main stat as a grappler. Initiating a grapple is important but maintaining it is also vital. Also since the Tetori retains AC from Dex, Wis and Monk levels you could put a few points into Dex from Strength.

I wouldn't recommend Snapping Turtle style since you will likely need both hands to grapple. I could see a DM not allowing you to grapple with only your legs. Also I couldn't help myself but ask why a grappler is a bad idea in Ravenloft. Considering the amount of incorporeals expected in a horror story, the amount of gross and nauseating creatures that are not to be touched and the amount of creatures possessing superhuman strength, size or both, I am inclined to discourage your whole character idea.

[duboisjf]

Look at this monk Archetype

http://http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/spirit-master-monk-archetype (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/spirit-master-monk-archetype)

It's from the Undead slayer handbook

Also give a look at this thread, it's about magic item against undead

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?359932-Anti-Undead-magic-items

[Rasman]

Please always include your way of generating attributes. If the number of Point-buy is important it is on the monk. Or should I say: MAD-sensei? But apparently you're 20 point buy.

Having Str 19 seems a tad bit expensive but I get that Strength is your main stat as a grappler. Initiating a grapple is important but maintaining it is also vital. Also since the Tetori retains AC from Dex, Wis and Monk levels you could put a few points into Dex from Strength.

I wouldn't recommend Snapping Turtle style since you will likely need both hands to grapple. I could see a DM not allowing you to grapple with only your legs. Also I couldn't help myself but ask why a grappler is a bad idea in Ravenloft. Considering the amount of incorporeals expected in a horror story, the amount of gross and nauseating creatures that are not to be touched and the amount of creatures possessing superhuman strength, size or both, I am inclined to discourage your whole character idea.

I am well aware that it is a horrible idea. Grappling is almost always a bad idea since Monsters tend to be much larger than you are and have amazing CMDs, but the fact that it is a horrible idea is kind of why I want to do it. For a little context, I was in a campaign for 4 years with a wizard who almost ruined the game, as a whole, for me. He would fudge his rolls and always either had a scroll or just the right spell prepared for whatever problem we had because he was so afraid of his character dying. Him and his rolls of 75 on knowledge checks just sucked the fun out of everything because there was no risk. We knew exactly what to do for every combat like a well oiled machine. Thus, this character isn't there to be the 'best idea' to play. His point is to play a character that isn't supposed to live, but just won't die.


Look at this monk Archetype

http://http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/spirit-master-monk-archetype (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/spirit-master-monk-archetype)

It's from the Undead slayer handbook

Also give a look at this thread, it's about magic item against undead

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?359932-Anti-Undead-magic-items

This has intrigued me. I just might have to build another monk backup character based on this Archetype and the magic items could come in useful down the line as well. :D