Witty Username
2021-03-13, 04:28 PM
So I was looking at interception and defect missiles and was wondering if this had an effect the monk vs fighter comparisons and role.
Points of comparison
1. Damage prevented is in favor of the monk, 1d10+prof < 1d10+dex bonus + level definitively.
2. Applicability: interception can block damage from any attack while deflect missiles can only block ranged weapon attacks (no blocking great clubs from a hill giant or scorching rays from a mage) meaning the fighter will have more fights where they can use it.
3. the monk can throw the attack back, while the fighter can block for allies. I think this is the point of most complexity. The fighter will be able to use this is much easier to plan and more likely to be relevant to the fight. The monk will need to reduce the attack to 0, have ki, and spend ki the upside being that the damage on the return attack is likely pretty good given most monsters. The fighter can reduce the damage coming into the rogue or the wizard just by standing next to them regardless of what is being fought.
In conclusion, I would say the fighter's interception style will come up in more fights and its ability to block damage going to allies may be vital while the monk ability despite being stronger in amount of damage prevented will have less opportunity to use and its being able to throw an attack back is nice but mitigated by the luck factor of needing to reduce the attack to 0 and providing no benefit if the monk is not targeted. Until later levels where interception is not blocking enough damage anymore to be relevant.
I could also see the argument that the fighters generally greater AC and HP would mean it can survive a less damage reducing effect in comparison to the monk that requires greater effects on its deflect missiles to achieve the same results. This would effect point 1 mostly.
What are your thoughts?
Points of comparison
1. Damage prevented is in favor of the monk, 1d10+prof < 1d10+dex bonus + level definitively.
2. Applicability: interception can block damage from any attack while deflect missiles can only block ranged weapon attacks (no blocking great clubs from a hill giant or scorching rays from a mage) meaning the fighter will have more fights where they can use it.
3. the monk can throw the attack back, while the fighter can block for allies. I think this is the point of most complexity. The fighter will be able to use this is much easier to plan and more likely to be relevant to the fight. The monk will need to reduce the attack to 0, have ki, and spend ki the upside being that the damage on the return attack is likely pretty good given most monsters. The fighter can reduce the damage coming into the rogue or the wizard just by standing next to them regardless of what is being fought.
In conclusion, I would say the fighter's interception style will come up in more fights and its ability to block damage going to allies may be vital while the monk ability despite being stronger in amount of damage prevented will have less opportunity to use and its being able to throw an attack back is nice but mitigated by the luck factor of needing to reduce the attack to 0 and providing no benefit if the monk is not targeted. Until later levels where interception is not blocking enough damage anymore to be relevant.
I could also see the argument that the fighters generally greater AC and HP would mean it can survive a less damage reducing effect in comparison to the monk that requires greater effects on its deflect missiles to achieve the same results. This would effect point 1 mostly.
What are your thoughts?