Hi there! I thought if an interesting question. If you could make a Monk Subclass, what would you want from it? Don’t give me features, but an idea. Such as ‘Spellcasting’ or ‘More Combat Options’ etc.
Snake Charmer/Beast Charmer not sure why but that was the first thing that came to mind.
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"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
I kind of want to see a "cleric" themed monk like divine soul sorcerer or celestial warlock.
That's sort of how I see the Sun Soul subclass working. At least - it would be very easy to flavour it that way.
For me I would like something a bit more fighter-y - something that would fit a Bounty Hunter. One of my characters is a Monk Bounty Hunter and I chose Open Hand for her because it was the most basic but it still didn't seem to fit very well.
I kind of want to see a "cleric" themed monk like divine soul sorcerer or celestial warlock.
That's sort of how I see the Sun Soul subclass working. At least - it would be very easy to flavour it that way.
I mean with healing abilities, like being able to use Ki to cast cure wounds and lesser restoration or similar (might still have to make it a limited use per long rest to keep it balanced).
Regardless the idea is that they have some method of healing others, it could be treated just like using ki for burning hands (2 ki for a level 1 spell) and they have Cure Wounds (honestly you could just tack this onto Sun Soul and it wouldn't be bad). I feel like you might want to think of something they could have for extra survivability, something like being able to cast Cure Wounds if they have any ki remaining when they are reduced to 0 hitpoints. Either it would have normal ki cost, or you make it one but only usable once per short rest, a cheat death of sorts.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
A monk that actually wears armor would be interesting, but would have to be balanced accordingly. Like a tank monk almost. (fits with the bounty hunter theme above maybe?)
You are an acolyte of darkness, capable of smiting your foes from afar, dimming torchlights and disappearing back into the shadows. You can perform minor divine wonders and, if you so will it, force others to cower before you.
Progression relates to the opening of "chakras"; as the monk levels up, they are embarking on a spiritual journey.
For features, they gain an attribute that gives them a physical quirk...for instance, "Roots of the Earth Chakra" makes the monk immovable from their position...while also gaining a spell from the wizard spell list, perhaps one like "Flesh to Stone", at higher levels to use once per long rest.
I considered homebrewing this; but haven't quite figured out what quirk or spell to correspond with what chakra...or how many ki points are required to use the quirks.
Here are a few types:
"Echo of the Throat Chakra" - the monk is able to communicate telepathically with an ally within 30ft; and is able to cast the spell "Sending" once per long rest.
"Gaze of the Vision Chakra" - the monk is able to see through deception and illusions. You may choose to see through magical darkness, invisibility, the ethereal realm, magical disguises, or a creatures true form, for a minute. In addition, you can cast the spell "Scrying" once per long rest.
"Bellows of the Fire Chakra" - the monk releases their inner fury, thereby freeing themselves from turmoil. As a bonus action, the monk enters into a rage-like state, gaining advantage on Strength saves and checks for a round, and resistance to non-magical physical damage. They may also add their Strength modifier to their attacks for their turn, in addition to their normal modifiers. Landing a hit knocks the opponent back 10ft. These effects last until the start of the monks next turn.
"Release of the Air Chakra" - the monk detaches themself from earthly desires. As a bonus action, the monk may double their movement speed for their turn, expending 2 ki points. They may also cast the spell "Fly", once per long rest.
At higher levels, the monk can "Levitate" at will.
"Flow of the Water Chakra" - the monk has learned to adapt to the world around them, flowing naturally like water. As a reaction to an enemies attack, they may expend any number of ki points to increase their AC, increasing it by 1 for every ki point spent.
"Crown of the Astral Chakra" - the monk has transcended the Material Plane. As an action, the monk may cast the "Etherealness" or "Crown of Stars" spell, once per long rest.
It's hard to say because out of all of them Sun Soul is my ultimate fave & probably will be my go to in the future. If I had to make up one, it'd be something that's jack-of-all-trades like that bard class minus the musical instrument playing. Something that should be able to cast spells, use weapons, or neither. Have the ability to fight however I like.
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Hi there! I thought if an interesting question. If you could make a Monk Subclass, what would you want from it? Don’t give me features, but an idea. Such as ‘Spellcasting’ or ‘More Combat Options’ etc.
Extended Signature! Yay! https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/off-topic/adohands-kitchen/3153-extended-signature-thread?page=2#c21
Haven’t used this account in forever. Still a big fan of crawling claws.
I kind of want to see a "cleric" themed monk like divine soul sorcerer or celestial warlock.
Snake Charmer/Beast Charmer not sure why but that was the first thing that came to mind.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
That's sort of how I see the Sun Soul subclass working. At least - it would be very easy to flavour it that way.
For me I would like something a bit more fighter-y - something that would fit a Bounty Hunter. One of my characters is a Monk Bounty Hunter and I chose Open Hand for her because it was the most basic but it still didn't seem to fit very well.
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
I mean with healing abilities, like being able to use Ki to cast cure wounds and lesser restoration or similar (might still have to make it a limited use per long rest to keep it balanced).
Ah yea of course. Could be something like a Paladin's Lay on Hands or Aasimar's Healing Hands instead of spellcasting?
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
Exactly. I kind of brainstormed an idea for it I called way of heaven and earth, but never actually made it.
Way of the Celestial Serpent?
Regardless the idea is that they have some method of healing others, it could be treated just like using ki for burning hands (2 ki for a level 1 spell) and they have Cure Wounds (honestly you could just tack this onto Sun Soul and it wouldn't be bad).
I feel like you might want to think of something they could have for extra survivability, something like being able to cast Cure Wounds if they have any ki remaining when they are reduced to 0 hitpoints. Either it would have normal ki cost, or you make it one but only usable once per short rest, a cheat death of sorts.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
A monk that actually wears armor would be interesting, but would have to be balanced accordingly. Like a tank monk almost. (fits with the bounty hunter theme above maybe?)
Variant human with magic initiate bonus feat. Take Cleric for Sacred Flame, Thaumaturgy and Command. At 3rd level, choose Way of Shadow (gaining Darkness, Darkvision, Pass Without Trace and Silence).
A celestial style monk exorcist. Wandering and purging the land of spirits of either lawful or chaotic forces.
How about a Monk that's decent at grappling? Grappling is already an unarmed combat technique.
A weapon master monk would be interesting.
+1 for a grappler tho
Isn't that basically the Kensei?
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
This. We've already had it in previous editions as the Sacred Fist. I wouldn't mind seeing an arcane version either.
The "Universal Mystic" - uses Ki to power any Ritual spell. Access to higher spell levels at each subclass tier.
The arcane one could a muscle wizard! XD
Path of the Guru
Progression relates to the opening of "chakras"; as the monk levels up, they are embarking on a spiritual journey.
For features, they gain an attribute that gives them a physical quirk...for instance, "Roots of the Earth Chakra" makes the monk immovable from their position...while also gaining a spell from the wizard spell list, perhaps one like "Flesh to Stone", at higher levels to use once per long rest.
I considered homebrewing this; but haven't quite figured out what quirk or spell to correspond with what chakra...or how many ki points are required to use the quirks.
Here are a few types:
"Echo of the Throat Chakra" - the monk is able to communicate telepathically with an ally within 30ft; and is able to cast the spell "Sending" once per long rest.
"Gaze of the Vision Chakra" - the monk is able to see through deception and illusions. You may choose to see through magical darkness, invisibility, the ethereal realm, magical disguises, or a creatures true form, for a minute. In addition, you can cast the spell "Scrying" once per long rest.
"Bellows of the Fire Chakra" - the monk releases their inner fury, thereby freeing themselves from turmoil. As a bonus action, the monk enters into a rage-like state, gaining advantage on Strength saves and checks for a round, and resistance to non-magical physical damage. They may also add their Strength modifier to their attacks for their turn, in addition to their normal modifiers. Landing a hit knocks the opponent back 10ft. These effects last until the start of the monks next turn.
"Release of the Air Chakra" - the monk detaches themself from earthly desires. As a bonus action, the monk may double their movement speed for their turn, expending 2 ki points. They may also cast the spell "Fly", once per long rest.
At higher levels, the monk can "Levitate" at will.
"Flow of the Water Chakra" - the monk has learned to adapt to the world around them, flowing naturally like water. As a reaction to an enemies attack, they may expend any number of ki points to increase their AC, increasing it by 1 for every ki point spent.
"Crown of the Astral Chakra" - the monk has transcended the Material Plane. As an action, the monk may cast the "Etherealness" or "Crown of Stars" spell, once per long rest.
It's a work in progress.
It's hard to say because out of all of them Sun Soul is my ultimate fave & probably will be my go to in the future. If I had to make up one, it'd be something that's jack-of-all-trades like that bard class minus the musical instrument playing. Something that should be able to cast spells, use weapons, or neither. Have the ability to fight however I like.