Unchained Monk polearm Advice

[Nosta]

So I want to build a Unchained Monk who wields a polearm
I know I need Ascetic Style / Form and I like to have Medusa Wrath when I can

Any Idea for feats for such an build or any good Archetype types that would still allow me to take Medusa Wrath as a bonus feat?

[upho]

So I want to build a Unchained Monk who wields a polearmIs it important that it's a polearm specifically, or could it be another reach weapon (such as a double-chained kama, which may very well be mechanically superior in this case)?


I know I need Ascetic Style / Form and I like to have Medusa Wrath when I canUnfortunately, the Medusa's Wrath prerequisites include Gorgon’s Fist (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/gorgon-s-fist-combat) and Scorpion Style (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/scorpion-style-combat), both of which have awful action economy and a hopelessly low save DC making them practically worthless. In addition, the extra attacks granted by Medusa's Wrath can only be made against a target suffering from certain conditions, a majority of which are so serious the target is in most cases already out of the fight and attacking them is a waste of actions.

On top of that, even if disregarding the horrible prerequisites, to make Medusa's Wrath worthwhile you or an ally would need a way to frequently and reliably impose one of the required conditions. And ironically, of these I believe dazed - via for example the savage dirty trick rage power and/or the Dirty Trick Master and say Cloak and Dagger Subterfuge feats - is likely the most reliable and action efficient, but also makes your attacks redundant in many cases. Or did you have some plan for how to impose another condition?

TL/DR: You can get a lot more benefit and fun out of three feats than Medusa's Wrath and its awful prerequisites will give you. I recommend you stay away.


Any Idea for feats for such an build or any good Archetype types that would still allow me to take Medusa Wrath as a bonus feat?Sure, but those ideas would depend on what you wish your monk to focus on in combat, along with starting and expected end level of the game, and very possibly also the combat focuses and builds of other party members. I'm afraid something like "un-monk who uses Ascetic Style with a polearm" isn't nearly enough to go on, because you can make quite a few very different fun builds with that set-up.

[Psyren]

Unfortunately, the Medusa's Wrath prerequisites include Gorgon’s Fist (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/gorgon-s-fist-combat) and Scorpion Style (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/scorpion-style-combat), both of which have awful action economy and a hopelessly low save DC making them practically worthless.

Actually, Unchained Monks can get Medusa's Wrath at 10th level without needing any of the prereqs; getting two additional free full-BAB attacks whenever you land a stunning fist isn't too bad.

[upho]

Actually, Unchained Monks can get Medusa's Wrath at 10th level without needing any of the prereqs; getting two additional free full-BAB attacks whenever you land a stunning fist isn't too bad.Ah, completely forgot this. Thanks!

And I agree, this does make Medusa's Wrath a far less awful option, although the issues related to the conditions of course remain. All things considered, even for an un-monk I unfortunately can't see how it can be made competitive with the many greater more recent US related feats boosting similar aspects. But that's of course only from an optimization PoV, not considering flavor or the game's expected power level.