Battle master fighter or open hand monk?

[Rfkannen]

Trying to pick between the two for a character, which would you recommend for what reasons? Which do your prefer? Which is more "powerful"? What is each better at?

Specifically thinking about a str based heavy weapon fighter vs a dex monk (no stealth)

[Clone]

For straight up damage you'll probably want the BM Fighter. Using superiority die and the extra ASIs, you can GWM all day long and chop things up easily while having heavy armour and being less MAD. Depending on when you will play until, you may also get more attacks than the monk anyway.

Monks are not straight-up brawlers. They jump over or around the front line and go for spellcasters, stun-lock big bads and tend to get out after attacking. You don't have to play them like that, but with the demand for DEX and WIS being your attacks, AC, and DCs it means you won't focus as much on CON, which can lead to a dead monk faster than a fighter.

Ask what role they'll have in the group. If its just straight up damage with little regard to what you're mashing in the face, Fighter grabbing the GWM feat, pumping STR and using superiority to add to your attack rolls.
If its just being able to take out key- bad guys and not much else is of concern, both fill that role but monks get there faster

EDIT: monks have great WIS and can traverse places even thieves can't go with their ki abilities. Monks have more out of combat utility which is important, they also get evade which is nice.

[djreynolds]

Open hand with a spear does well. Also staff and short sword.
The thing is getting to 14th level for diamond soul.
Why not do both, and multiclass?
I like monks 7th level ability, and much of the 3rd level perks are awesome.
Do both, just grab 3 of BM