09-27-2013, 06:43 PM
Again Monk is not the class I am currently playing but the following is a list of suggestions, errors and/or modifications that I've come up with after looking over the class, comparing it to the 3.5 & Pathfinder versions and taking into account the overall power increase in the FFd20 system over either of the other systems.
1. Rephrase the description of Combat Gloves, consider the given example:
"A padded glove provides extra hitting power thanks to it's weight and the materials used to construct it. Anyone who expects to get into a fistfight or a brawl probably wants to wear combat gloves.
The Combat Glove provide a + 1 bonus to damage on a successful unarmed attack. A strike with a combat glove is otherwise considered an unarmed attack. Combat gloves are two sizes smaller than their wearer (for example, a pair of combat gloves designed for a Hume are Tiny). Because of how they are worn combat gloves can't be disarmed or dropped.
Note: The cost and weight given are for a single Combat Glove."
2. Consider having Martial Arts Mastery start at level 1 and then continue on at 3rd and every 3 levels there-after.
3. Possibly add "Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike)" at level 2.
4. May wish to change Chakra to mimic the Pathfinder version of Wholeness of Body, Heal a number of hit points equal to monk level at the cost of two ki points.
5. For Martial Arts it may be beneficial to specifically mention that the bonus damage die are modified by size, as the base damage is.
6. Consider adding "Maneuver Training" at 3'rd from the pathfinder monk abilities "At 3rd level, a monk uses his monk level in place of his base attack bonus when calculating his Combat Maneuver Bonus. Base attack bonuses granted from other classes are unaffected and are added normally."
7. Consider moving "Leap From the Heavens" to a lower level.
8. Consider Moving "Diamond Soul" down a couple levels and including the traditional "Timeless Body" monk ability from 3.5/pathfinder, after all an old martial artists doesn't let themselves grow weak.
9. May Consider replacing Monkey Martial Art Style with the Pathfinder Monk's Flurry of Blows progression. With novice being the primary increase, Expert being the upgrade they get at level 8 and Master being the level 15.
10. For Ape Martial Arts Style Novice consider changing it to a normal attack action to make it more viable at later levels. "When you use the attack action, the monk may make a single unarmed attack against one opponent, adding two times her Strength bonus to damage."
11. For Bear martial Arts Style Novice consider also adding a slight damage boost such as +2 against prone opponents, with the stipulation that it is not multiplied on a critical hit.
12. Consider Switching Bear Expert and Master. Coup de Grace is not a toy, and being able to spend three rounds (Grapple, Pin, Coup de Grace) to cause the GM's Big-Bad to make a DC 26+ fort save or die by level 6 with only one prerequisite ability is a little much.
13. Bull Martial Arts Style Master indicates the monk has a full BAB progression, likely left over from when it was changed down to 3/4'ths.
14. For Improved Counterattack, consider adding a line indicating whether or not the additional number of attacks of opportunity stack with those gained from Combat Reflexes.
15. Slight error in wording for both Aurablast and Boost the last sentence appears to be missing the words "A number of times", "The monk can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Wisdom modifier."
16. Nimble Guardian's Defensive Aid indicates it is usable in leather armor, is this intentional.
17. For the Nimble Guardian's Nimble Reflexes consider increasing it by +1 or 2 at levels 10, 15 and 20.
18. On the White Monk consider adding 1-2 extra uses to Holy Sign.
19. Also consider adding Heal to the class skills of the White Monk.
1. Rephrase the description of Combat Gloves, consider the given example:
"A padded glove provides extra hitting power thanks to it's weight and the materials used to construct it. Anyone who expects to get into a fistfight or a brawl probably wants to wear combat gloves.
The Combat Glove provide a + 1 bonus to damage on a successful unarmed attack. A strike with a combat glove is otherwise considered an unarmed attack. Combat gloves are two sizes smaller than their wearer (for example, a pair of combat gloves designed for a Hume are Tiny). Because of how they are worn combat gloves can't be disarmed or dropped.
Note: The cost and weight given are for a single Combat Glove."
2. Consider having Martial Arts Mastery start at level 1 and then continue on at 3rd and every 3 levels there-after.
3. Possibly add "Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike)" at level 2.
4. May wish to change Chakra to mimic the Pathfinder version of Wholeness of Body, Heal a number of hit points equal to monk level at the cost of two ki points.
5. For Martial Arts it may be beneficial to specifically mention that the bonus damage die are modified by size, as the base damage is.
6. Consider adding "Maneuver Training" at 3'rd from the pathfinder monk abilities "At 3rd level, a monk uses his monk level in place of his base attack bonus when calculating his Combat Maneuver Bonus. Base attack bonuses granted from other classes are unaffected and are added normally."
7. Consider moving "Leap From the Heavens" to a lower level.
8. Consider Moving "Diamond Soul" down a couple levels and including the traditional "Timeless Body" monk ability from 3.5/pathfinder, after all an old martial artists doesn't let themselves grow weak.
9. May Consider replacing Monkey Martial Art Style with the Pathfinder Monk's Flurry of Blows progression. With novice being the primary increase, Expert being the upgrade they get at level 8 and Master being the level 15.
10. For Ape Martial Arts Style Novice consider changing it to a normal attack action to make it more viable at later levels. "When you use the attack action, the monk may make a single unarmed attack against one opponent, adding two times her Strength bonus to damage."
11. For Bear martial Arts Style Novice consider also adding a slight damage boost such as +2 against prone opponents, with the stipulation that it is not multiplied on a critical hit.
12. Consider Switching Bear Expert and Master. Coup de Grace is not a toy, and being able to spend three rounds (Grapple, Pin, Coup de Grace) to cause the GM's Big-Bad to make a DC 26+ fort save or die by level 6 with only one prerequisite ability is a little much.
13. Bull Martial Arts Style Master indicates the monk has a full BAB progression, likely left over from when it was changed down to 3/4'ths.
14. For Improved Counterattack, consider adding a line indicating whether or not the additional number of attacks of opportunity stack with those gained from Combat Reflexes.
15. Slight error in wording for both Aurablast and Boost the last sentence appears to be missing the words "A number of times", "The monk can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Wisdom modifier."
16. Nimble Guardian's Defensive Aid indicates it is usable in leather armor, is this intentional.
17. For the Nimble Guardian's Nimble Reflexes consider increasing it by +1 or 2 at levels 10, 15 and 20.
18. On the White Monk consider adding 1-2 extra uses to Holy Sign.
19. Also consider adding Heal to the class skills of the White Monk.
