So, one of my players is a multiclassed Draconic Sorcerer/Monk, and they have the Shocking Grasp cantrip. What the player wants to do (and this makes sense for the character) is to be able to use their bonus action or Ki points to be able to cast Shocking Grasp to add damage to a hit on their action. I like this idea, but I want to know everyone else's opinion and possible improvements c:
Elemental Discipline has a couple functions that touch on this idea, I'd say use them as inspiration. For example Fangs of the Fire Snake has a nice mechanic: Use a Ki point when you attack to add the spell, then add another Ki to give it bonus damage.
My concern would be shocking grasp damage goes up at 5th, 11th, and 17th level. From 5th on, this will be free extra damage vs what they could normally do with a bonus attack.
It should for sure use a bonus action. Given the higher damage vs normal monk extra attacks, I'd say it should use a ki point as well. At that point the extra damage may be balanced out by the cost.
Edit: on the other hand a flurry of blows hit includes ability mod damage, and monk damage dice increase as you level so the damage output might not be that different. Maybe just use a bonus action and not a ki point.
I'd use the Ki points, this would allow it to scale pretty well with Flurry of Blows so that it becomes a tactical choice on when to use it. Using some rough math I come up with:
Level 5: Flurry of Blows, assuming a 16 DEX = ~13 damage for one Ki. This special move would give, assuming a basic monk weapon = ~12 for one Ki
Level 11: (dex increase and a +1 magical weapon) Flurry of Blows = ~19 damage Special Move = ~18 damage
Level 17: (assuming a +2 magical weapon) Flurry of Blows: ~21 damage Special Move: ~23 Damage
This also assumes it costs 1 Ki point and it only affects the first attack. When you take into account Extra attack the special move, if you allowed it to add the damage to each attack then the special move is significantly better. At that point in time, if you let it affect each attack the monk does, I'd increase the Ki point cost.
Take a look at Paladin Smites and how they work. Bonus action to activate, then attack to unleash the power, and you can have them cost ki points.
Yes and no.
Smite Spells is a Bonus action.
Paladin Holy Smite feature requires no action.
Another way to go around this is to make a Feat for it, forcing the player to choose and balance things out, that once per short or long rest when he makes an unarmed strike he can use Ki points = the lvl of the spell at wich he wants to cast it, and cast the spell as a Bonus action.
A bit like the War Magic feature where the character can Cast a spell, then make a melee attack for a Bonus Action.
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"Normality is but an Illusion, Whats normal to the Spider, is only madness for the Fly"
Make it a feat as Chaosrex sugested. Burn a ki point and bonus action to change the damage type to lightning. Instead of casting shocking grasp, they do regular monk damage, just of a different type.
This avoids the ability to cast a spell for more and more damage and still let's the rule of cool happen.
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So, one of my players is a multiclassed Draconic Sorcerer/Monk, and they have the Shocking Grasp cantrip. What the player wants to do (and this makes sense for the character) is to be able to use their bonus action or Ki points to be able to cast Shocking Grasp to add damage to a hit on their action. I like this idea, but I want to know everyone else's opinion and possible improvements c:
Elemental Discipline has a couple functions that touch on this idea, I'd say use them as inspiration. For example Fangs of the Fire Snake has a nice mechanic: Use a Ki point when you attack to add the spell, then add another Ki to give it bonus damage.
My concern would be shocking grasp damage goes up at 5th, 11th, and 17th level. From 5th on, this will be free extra damage vs what they could normally do with a bonus attack.
It should for sure use a bonus action. Given the higher damage vs normal monk extra attacks, I'd say it should use a ki point as well. At that point the extra damage may be balanced out by the cost.
Edit: on the other hand a flurry of blows hit includes ability mod damage, and monk damage dice increase as you level so the damage output might not be that different. Maybe just use a bonus action and not a ki point.
I'd use the Ki points, this would allow it to scale pretty well with Flurry of Blows so that it becomes a tactical choice on when to use it. Using some rough math I come up with:
Level 5:
Flurry of Blows, assuming a 16 DEX = ~13 damage for one Ki.
This special move would give, assuming a basic monk weapon = ~12 for one Ki
Level 11: (dex increase and a +1 magical weapon)
Flurry of Blows = ~19 damage
Special Move = ~18 damage
Level 17: (assuming a +2 magical weapon)
Flurry of Blows: ~21 damage
Special Move: ~23 Damage
This also assumes it costs 1 Ki point and it only affects the first attack. When you take into account Extra attack the special move, if you allowed it to add the damage to each attack then the special move is significantly better. At that point in time, if you let it affect each attack the monk does, I'd increase the Ki point cost.
Take a look at Paladin Smites and how they work. Bonus action to activate, then attack to unleash the power, and you can have them cost ki points.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Yes and no.
Smite Spells is a Bonus action.
Paladin Holy Smite feature requires no action.
Another way to go around this is to make a Feat for it, forcing the player to choose and balance things out, that once per short or long rest when he makes an unarmed strike he can use Ki points = the lvl of the spell at wich he wants to cast it, and cast the spell as a Bonus action.
A bit like the War Magic feature where the character can Cast a spell, then make a melee attack for a Bonus Action.
"Normality is but an Illusion, Whats normal to the Spider, is only madness for the Fly"
Kain de Frostberg- Dark Knight - (Vengeance Pal3/ Hexblade 9), Port Mourn
Kain de Draakberg-Dark Knight lvl8-Avergreen(DitA)
Yes, that's what I was aiming for =) Wrathful Smite, Thunderous Smite, lots of examples to give the monk a special "kick."
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Make it a feat as Chaosrex sugested. Burn a ki point and bonus action to change the damage type to lightning. Instead of casting shocking grasp, they do regular monk damage, just of a different type.
This avoids the ability to cast a spell for more and more damage and still let's the rule of cool happen.