3.5 Monk Build

[theonesin]

I thought I'd just go ahead and make a new topic for this, instead of using my old Paladin thread.

Anyway, my DM has stuck me with a Dwarven Monk, but he's letting me build it up instead of generating it himself.

We're starting at level 5, are limited to core-only (mostly stuff from d20srd.org), cannot multiclass or use Prestige Classes, and we are given no money to buy anything (instead, the DM is giving us stuff himself. My Monk just gets a Monk's Belt, two +1 kamas non-magical, and some potions).

Any help would be good, thanks.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

The name should be Fistbeard Beardfist.

[Optimystik]

*pulls up chair*
*popcorn*

(Can't multiclass or Prc? ouch)

What are your stats?

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Weapon Finess, pump Dex and Wis, grab Ability Focus: Stunning Fist asap.

[Alleine]

The name should be Fistbeard Beardfist.

Unarmed strike with his beard? +10 awesome points.

[theonesin]

Rolls are 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 17.

Edit: Ok, I guess they don't have to be kamas. Just two +1 weapons, non-magical.

[Curmudgeon]

You want Improved Natural Attack (unarmed strike).

[Goatman_Ted]

This is a rough setup.

What I'd do:

17 Strength, Constitution and Wisdom. 14 Dexterity. 13 Intelligence. 10 Charisma.

Increase Strength or Wisdom to 18, depending on how prevalent Polymorph effects are going to be.

For feats, Power Attack, Stunning Fist, Combat Reflexes and Ability Focus--Stunning Fist.

[Faleldir]

Play a Duergar grappler covered with contact poison.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Goatman, he only has 2 17s.

I'd go

STR 17
DEX 14
CON 15
INT 12
WIS 17
CHA 12

Would not take Power Attack unless Quarterstaff is going to be used.

[Goatman_Ted]

Goatman, he only has 2 17s.

With racial modifiers, I think we just said the same thing.


And I was assuming a quarterstaff mostly out of habit.
If a magic staff isn't going to be available, Improved Natural Attack or Improved Initiative would work instead.

Also, +1 non-magical weapons? You mean masterwork?

[theonesin]

I don't know. The DM just said we'd be given +1 weapons, but without any magic abilities? Not sure how that would work.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Perhaps he meant a +1 enhancement bonus without any abilities.

[theonesin]

I think so. He said the same about armor (even though I probably won't need armor as a Monk).

[Sstoopidtallkid]

I think so. He said the same about armor (even though I probably won't need armor as a Monk).

Ask if you can snag Bracers of Armor +1 and an Amulet of Mighty Fists +1 instead. They suck, but they're better than using actual weapons and armor.

[RagnaroksChosen]

Do bracers of armour count against a monk?

[darkblust]

I think your dm meant that it has the powers of a plus 1 wep,but its not magic?i mean,without a bonus.

[Flickerdart]

Do bracers of armour count against a monk?

No, they're not actually armour, but a magic item.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

I would second the suggestion to see if you can get Amulet of Natural Attacks +1 and Bracers of Armor +1 instead of a pair of actual weapons. It will be MUCH more useful for you.

I would also suggest the feat Improved Natural Attack to increase your unarmed damage. Combined with a Monk's Belt, this will let you dish out respectable damage.

Pump Wis and Dex as your two primary stats, as both give AC, which will be VITAL for you. In fact, I'd switch Dex and Strength. The extra couple point of damage is not going to be worth the extra couple points of AC. Particularly at lower levels.

Mostly, you got screwed by the GM, but this is going to be about as good as you can reasonably get out of the choices inflicted upon you.

[theonesin]

Where can I find the Amulet of Natural Attacks?

[IM@work]

Let's see:
Monk's Belt:
Monk attack 5 levels higher
Improved Natural Attack:
One size level higher in damage.

So at level 6th when you qualify for INA, you have 2d6, with the belt added on that's 2d8.
Eh. Not bad. At level 7 you can get up to 3d6, which is pretty decent.
However, still need non-core options to really do some damage/be effective as a monk.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Where can I find the Amulet of Natural Attacks?

You can't. There's a Necklace of Natural Attacks, from Savage Species, which is great, or an Amulet of Mighty Fists in the Core DMG, which is less useful and more expensive, but neither in a way that matters at your current level.

[theonesin]

Name mix-up then?

At any rate, I guess I should be looking into the Bracers of Armor +1 and Amulet of Mighty Striking +1? How do those compare cost-wise to +1 weapons and armor?

[skeeter_dan]

From the SRD

Bracers of Armor +1 = 1000 gp
Amulet of Mighty Fists +1 = 6000 gp

+1 Armor = 1000 gp + mwk armor cost
+1 weapon = 2000 gp + mwk weapon cost

As you can see, the amulet of mighty fists is significantly more expensive than a +1 weapon. It's also ridiculously necessary. Try your best to convince your DM...

Also, take Improved Natural Attack as soon as you can, which will be 6th level.

[Tokiko Mima]

Name mix-up then?

At any rate, I guess I should be looking into the Bracers of Armor +1 and Amulet of Mighty Striking +1? How do those compare cost-wise to +1 weapons and armor?

The Amulet of Mighty Fists is fully three times as expensive as an equivalently enchanted melee weapon, but goes no higher than +5 and won't allow weapon properties to be added per RAW (ask your DM about this.) It's kind of a ripoff, but it's the best and worst thing out there for unarmed striking monks.

Bracers of Armor are much more reasonable and costs the same as enchanted armor with the same bonus, however this is armor bonus and not armor enhancement bonus (which is good and bad in different situations.) Be sure you look up Bracers of Armor in the Arms and Equipment Guide (3.0) because it has the rules for adding armor properties to your Bracers.

Side note: Is there no way you can ask your DM to let you be an Unarmed Variant Swordsage instead of a monk? That class will hurt a lot less with the 'no multiclassing no PrC' rules later on.

[theonesin]

The Amulet is probably out then, as the DM would likely deem it too expensive compared to what everyone else gets. The Bracers might work though.

And no, there's no chance of using any non-core class.

[raptor1056]

The only way to make a monk is really good is to multiclass until you drool. You need levels in Psychic Warrior and stuff. Without that stuff, just ask the DM if you can get a +20 BAB and d10 HD. Only way to make a monk playable.

[Fuzzy_Juan]

I like the 3x 17 build for ya...and i'd say pump the dex to 18 before the wisdom.

stunning fist and combat reflexes are good for monk choices...

magic items...

for armor, get yourself the bracers of magic armor, whatever he'll give you. if he is allowing the shield users to have a magic shield, see if you can also get a ring of protection or maybe a vest/cloak of resistance.

Since magical weapons are 2k each, and he is allowing for 2, see if you can trade them for that amulet of mighty fists they were talking about...otherwise, take whatever will benefit you most...maybe a magic crossbow and staff?

If you are going to be sneaky, maybe see about other minor magic items if he'll just give you cash and say get what you want...a cloak or boots of elvenkind can go a very long way to making you an accomplished sneak. That monk's belt is awesome, don't give that up for sure.

for feats, depends a bit on your style...if your group uses grappling any, improved grapple may be very beneficial...a great way to screw casters and to deny fighting types use of their bigger weapons. for your other feat, you'll have to see if you can get any info on the group or scenario. Though disarm might be good.

[Tokiko Mima]

The Amulet is probably out then, as the DM would likely deem it too expensive compared to what everyone else gets. The Bracers might work though.

And no, there's no chance of using any non-core class.

Maybe Psychic Warrior then? That is in the SRD and the d20srd.com too. Considering that the 4th Editions Monk is powered by Psionics in the same fashion, it seems a close match. A Psychic Warrior is a tremendous improvement in the field of fighting unarmed, and it does not hit a wall after two levels like the monk does.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

The DM also does not want the horrors of multiclassing inflicted on the Monk.