Apologies if this discussion already happened elsewhere. I'm seeking suggestions and recommendations for my Monk Way of Shadow PC build for a new campaign my friends and I are about to start.
The concept of my character is a lawful evil human who is a bastard from a powerful family touched by the shadowfell. He inherent some of the family's power (justifying some of the way of shadow features) and characteristics, but his existence is a mystery so far. He learned martial arts from an espionage/political group.
Using the new rules, I was planning on building a monk that can use the Nick property to increase his damage output, in addition to the monk utilities. As such, I was planning to take one level of a martial class that provides Weapon Mastery (Nick), such as Fighter, Rogue or Ranger, but I could use some of your insight into which one would be the best option.
>Plan 1: Take 2 levels of Fighter after 5 levels of Monk (To get the Extra attack and stunning) and go back to monk, I will gain Fighting style, Weapon Mastery, Second wind and Action surge (but only once every short/long rest).
>Plan 2: Take 1 levels of Rogue after 5 levels of Monk. Weapon Mastery (Nick) and Sneak attack (but only once per turn)
>Plan 3: Take 2 levels of Ranger after 5 Monk. Weapon Mastery, Hunter's Mark, Expertise, and Fighting Style (Two weapon fighting)
I'm honestly between the Fighter and Ranger options. Action surge is great but once you use it... it's over until you have a short rest. Hunter's mark can increase the damage in each strike, but it is a concentration spell, which means I will be rolling CON a lot.
What do you guys think?
I honestly appreciate your input on this. I know Monks are great as it is (especially with the amazing 2024 changes to the class), but I always wanted to try those multiclass option optimizations. :D
For your build I like 3 levels of Ranger/Gloom Stalker. You would have a few nice 1st level and 2nd level spells that can enhance you like long strider and party pass with out trace. Can heal self as well. You will be invisable to all dark vision and add your wisdom proficency to intatiive. You also get Dreadful strike(2d6 Psych) based off Wisdom modifier to use in a boss battle or when you truly need it.
A 3 level dip sounds good conceptually, but depending how your DM runs experience or milestones that’s a lengthy chunk of time. Honestly, if all you’re really after is the one Mastery, I’d suggest taking the feat for it at 4th level. If you min-max point buy a little you can still get your DEX mod to +4 there if that’s a consideration. Depends on where your interest is feature-wise.
I would recommend taking a single level dip into ranger. Hunter's Mark requires concentration but you can still make saves against losing concentration and you only need to make a save if you get hit. You get weapon masteries as well.
Would also recommend that unless the rest of the party is evil, don't make an evil character.
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"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?"
Thank you for the input !! Based on your comment and the ones above, I’m leaning toward ranger. Maybe even taking 3 levels of ranger glooming stalker.
About the lawful evil character, the party is kinda neutral/evil, but I designed him in a way that he cannot just murder people whenever he needs or feels like it
We are trying to be super careful because some of us had bad experiences with lawful evil characters in the past. The difference was the lack of session 0 and DM/player or player/player communication
Thank you for the input !! Based on your comment and the ones above, I’m leaning toward ranger. Maybe even taking 3 levels of ranger glooming stalker.
About the lawful evil character, the party is kinda neutral/evil, but I designed him in a way that he cannot just murder people whenever he needs or feels like it
We are trying to be super careful because some of us had bad experiences with lawful evil characters in the past. The difference was the lack of session 0 and DM/player or player/player communication
If I am not too late have you considered strainght monk. If your main objective to multiclass is to get nick I would recommend taking Weapon Mastery at level 4.
I am not keen of Hex/Hunter's mark on monk's as most rounds you need ot use your bonus action to switch target and a monk has LOTS of uses for their bonus action.
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Hello everyone,
Apologies if this discussion already happened elsewhere. I'm seeking suggestions and recommendations for my Monk Way of Shadow PC build for a new campaign my friends and I are about to start.
The concept of my character is a lawful evil human who is a bastard from a powerful family touched by the shadowfell. He inherent some of the family's power (justifying some of the way of shadow features) and characteristics, but his existence is a mystery so far. He learned martial arts from an espionage/political group.
Using the new rules, I was planning on building a monk that can use the Nick property to increase his damage output, in addition to the monk utilities. As such, I was planning to take one level of a martial class that provides Weapon Mastery (Nick), such as Fighter, Rogue or Ranger, but I could use some of your insight into which one would be the best option.
>Plan 1: Take 2 levels of Fighter after 5 levels of Monk (To get the Extra attack and stunning) and go back to monk, I will gain Fighting style, Weapon Mastery, Second wind and Action surge (but only once every short/long rest).
>Plan 2: Take 1 levels of Rogue after 5 levels of Monk. Weapon Mastery (Nick) and Sneak attack (but only once per turn)
>Plan 3: Take 2 levels of Ranger after 5 Monk. Weapon Mastery, Hunter's Mark, Expertise, and Fighting Style (Two weapon fighting)
I'm honestly between the Fighter and Ranger options. Action surge is great but once you use it... it's over until you have a short rest. Hunter's mark can increase the damage in each strike, but it is a concentration spell, which means I will be rolling CON a lot.
What do you guys think?
I honestly appreciate your input on this. I know Monks are great as it is (especially with the amazing 2024 changes to the class), but I always wanted to try those multiclass option optimizations. :D
For your build I like 3 levels of Ranger/Gloom Stalker. You would have a few nice 1st level and 2nd level spells that can enhance you like long strider and party pass with out trace. Can heal self as well. You will be invisable to all dark vision and add your wisdom proficency to intatiive. You also get Dreadful strike(2d6 Psych) based off Wisdom modifier to use in a boss battle or when you truly need it.
Seems to go perfect with a Shadow Monk.
That's a very nice combination mechanically and for the character's story as well! Thank you very much!
A 3 level dip sounds good conceptually, but depending how your DM runs experience or milestones that’s a lengthy chunk of time. Honestly, if all you’re really after is the one Mastery, I’d suggest taking the feat for it at 4th level. If you min-max point buy a little you can still get your DEX mod to +4 there if that’s a consideration. Depends on where your interest is feature-wise.
I would recommend taking a single level dip into ranger. Hunter's Mark requires concentration but you can still make saves against losing concentration and you only need to make a save if you get hit. You get weapon masteries as well.
Would also recommend that unless the rest of the party is evil, don't make an evil character.
"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
Thank you for the input !! Based on your comment and the ones above, I’m leaning toward ranger. Maybe even taking 3 levels of ranger glooming stalker.
About the lawful evil character, the party is kinda neutral/evil, but I designed him in a way that he cannot just murder people whenever he needs or feels like it
We are trying to be super careful because some of us had bad experiences with lawful evil characters in the past. The difference was the lack of session 0 and DM/player or player/player communication
Session zero is truly important.
If I am not too late have you considered strainght monk. If your main objective to multiclass is to get nick I would recommend taking Weapon Mastery at level 4.
I am not keen of Hex/Hunter's mark on monk's as most rounds you need ot use your bonus action to switch target and a monk has LOTS of uses for their bonus action.