Monk uanarmed damage variant

[Orzel]

In this system, a monk gains diffenernt types of unarmed attack "weapons". A monk's unarmed damage no longer grow naturally as she levels. Instead a monk learn more and more powerful types of unarmed weapons.

At the first level, a monk may learn 1 unarmed weapon. At the 2nd level and every 2 levels thereafter, a monk may level an additional unarmed weapon. A monks level plus Wis modifier determines which unarmed weapon she can learn.

At monk is considered profienct with all unarmed weapons she konws. Switching unarmed attacks is a swift action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Feats and spells that effect the monk's unarmed strike affects all unarmed weapons she knows. A monk can alway resort back to the base unarmed strike weapon for her size. A monk chooses which unarmed strike weapon she uses before the attack roll.


Monk Unarmed Strike Weapons
{table=head]Strike Level|Name|Base damage|Bonus damage|Special
1|Minor Power Strike|1d6|None| None
1|Minor Reaching Strike|1d4|None|Counts as Reach Weapon
1|Minor Double Strike|1d4|None| Counts as two handed instead of light
1|Minor Accurate Strike|1d4|None|+1 to attack rolls to hit
1|Minor Counter Strike|1d4|None|Ready actions deal double damage against a charge
5|Power Strike|1d8|None| None
5|Reaching Strike|1d6|None| Reach Weapon
5|Double Strike|1d6|None| Counts as two handed instead of light
5|Accurate Strike|1d6|None|+1 to attack rolls to hit
5|Counter Strike|1d6|None|Ready actions deal double damage against a charge
9|Fiery Strike|1d4|1d6 fire| None
9|Icy Strike|1d4|1d6 cold| None
9|Shocking Strike|1d4|1d6 electric| None
10|Venom Strike|1d4|None| Poision Injury DC11 1d6 Con
11|Strong Power Strike|1d10|None| None
11|Strong Reaching Strike|1d8|None| Reach Weapon
11|Strong Double Strike|1d8|None| Counts as two handed instead of light
11|Strong Accurate Strike|1d8|None|+2 to attack rolls to hit
11|Strong Counter Strike|1d8|None|Ready actions deal double damage against a charge
14|Skilled Power Strike|2d6|None| None
14|Skilled Reaching Strike|1d10|None| Reach Weapon
14|Skilled Double Strike|1d10|None| Counts as two handed instead of light
14|Skilled Accurate Strike|1d10|None|+3 to attack rolls to hit
14|Skilled Counter Strike|1d10|None|Ready actions deal double damage against a charge
16|Inferno Strike|1d4|2d6 fire| None
16|Blizzzard Strike|1d4|2d6 cold| None
16|Storm Strike|1d4|2d6 electric| None
17|Wounding Strike|None|None| 1 Con Damage on hit
18|Improved Power Strike|2d8|None| None
18|Improved Reaching Strike|2d6|None| Reach Weapon
18|Improved Double Strike|2d6|None| Counts as two handed instead of light
18|Improved Accurate Strike|2d6|None|+4 to attack rolls to hit
18|Improved Counter Strike|2d6|None|Ready actions deal double damage against a charge
20|Death Strike|1d4|3d4 Bludgeoning|None
23|Great Power Strike|2d10|None| None
23|Great Reaching Strike|2d8|None| Reach Weapon
23|Great Double Strike|2d8|None| Counts as two handed instead of light
23|Great Accurate Strike|2d8|None|+5 to attack rolls to hit
23|Great Counter Strike|2d8|None|Ready actions deal double damage against a charge
27|Perfect Power Strike|3d8|None| None
27|Perfect Reaching Strike|3d6|None| Reach Weapon
27|Perfect Strike|3d6|None| Counts as two handed instead of light
27|Perfect Strike|3d6|None|+6 to attack rolls to hit
27|Perfect Strike|3d6|None|Ready actions deal double damage against a charge [/table]

Strike Level: A monk's level plus Wis mod must be greater than or equal to the attack's Strike level in order to learn it

[Roderick_BR]

These look great. I'd add some of these to the 3.5's monk, to make him more versatile, that is what the monk was supposed to be.

[TheGrimace]

my first issues are simply on presentation.

1.)minor counter strike and counter strike both do 1d6...
you want minor to do 1d4 right?

2.) you have two tiers simply called (type) strike. they are different strengths but have the same name. perhaps name the second tier focused (type) strike.

then my balance issues.

1.) If it is considered to have every punch available, then it always threatens with a reach, are you sure you want this?

2.) Death strike does 4d6 bludgeoning. three levels higher you haver one that does 2d10 bludgeoning... didn't do a number crunch, but doesn't compare favorable

[Orzel]

Fixed. Those d6s were meant to be d4s. Tier 3 is Strong___ Strike.

The monk threatens according to the last strike used or with any weapon held. Before attacking the monk may switch strikes, but if the monk cannot reach the target; he misses.

A monk could attack last with Reaching Strike. If he gets an AoO against a foe 10 feet away; he could use Reaching Strike and possible hit, or switch to Icy Strike and automatically miss.

[Human Paragon 3]

Interesting note: The 18 WIS monk can learn the 2nd tier strikes right away, bypassing the lesser strikes completely. This gives a huge advantage to the 18 WIS Monk. As a Monk player, I would almost definately lean toward a high WIS monk to get the max benefit from the unarmored AC and the strike table- not sure if this is a good thing or not, or if I'm crazy and STR is what you'd really want anyway. Monks are pretty MAD, so who knows.

The mechanic does look cool and gives the monk more versatility which is good. Wounding Strike looks particularly devistating, especially when combined with Flurry of Blows.

[Fax Celestis]

I would personally say "Switching unarmed attacks is a swift action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity," which prevents switching during your opponent's turn and forces you to choose before you act.

[Orzel]

@Gaurd Juris

That was the point of Strike levels. It lowers the importance of STR in the monk's MAD and makes High WIS Monks more viable. That's why tier 2 is Strike level 5.

@Fax

You are a genius. That's the new rule.