So, I'm trying to decide between two mono classes for a 4 player cyberpunk themed campaign (the theme is just flavor texting abilities, and everything remains as is mechanically). I'll be using the new 2024 rules.
The picks are Eldritch Knight and Shadow Warrior Monk. For both classes, I'm using a manual roll set that'll allow me to get 20 dex and 20 in the class' dominant stat, with a dependable constitution of 14. Each class will be a human with the extra origin feat, and one of the origin feats will be Skilled because I like to round out some more proficiencies.
The monk will be using grappler in the build. The knight will have druid magic initiate for shillelagh with Int focus and polearm master to capitalize on the quarterstaff.
The dilemma is combat effectiveness, role play considerations, resource management and just plain fun of the gameplay. I understand other players picks would help, but for now I don't know what those are. Which would you pick? Shadow monk or eldritch knight?
The Eldritch Knight gives you more options outside of combat — depending on your spells. It also seems you're more invested on it as your monk description is just grappler. More abilities/spells equals more fun. A single trick (grappling) quickly becomes boring after a few sessions.
That is a very fair point about the spell selection. Are there any stand out spells you'd recommend? I'm only set on booming blade and minor illusion for cantrips, but I'm pretty open with leveled spells.
The dilemma is combat effectiveness, role play considerations, resource management and just plain fun of the gameplay. I understand other players picks would help, but for now I don't know what those are. Which would you pick? Shadow monk or eldritch knight?
As someone who loves Monk, I don't think it is for you. Monk requires resource management at levels < 8 as you will typically be spending 1 focus point each round of combat to maintain combat effectiveness. If you don't like resource management, don't play monk except in high level games. Likewise, grappling is not very effective in 2024, the only way to do it reliably is to combine it with stunning strike. Monk is best for tactical players not for players who just want to overwhelm the enemies by just being super powerful.
Eldritch Knight is much more simple to play than Monk. Resource management is still a problem at low levels if you are expecting to use levelled spells inside and outside of combat. However, if you are worried about combat effectiveness I wouldn't do a Shillelagh build because it locks you out of GWM which is important for maintaining DPR for non-dual-wielder builds. Since you can get 2x 20s anyway you don't need to try to be SAD on INT. EK doesn't need INT much at all, you'd probably be better off as a 20-STR, 20-CON + 14 INT. Your spellcasting as an EK is super limited until 7th level, and you'll probably end up using almost all your spellslots for Shield and Absorb Elements.
Roleplay has nothing to do with class, no class is better or worse for RP than any other. It just depends what flavour of RP you want for your character. EKs are typically smart and educated so are typically more high class, whereas Shadow Monks tend towards quiet broody loners.
Fun of the gameplay depends on what you think is fun. If dealing big damage numbers and surviving massive enemy onslaught is fun for you then you want EK. If ducking in and out of combat picking off vulnerable enemies if fun for you then you want Shadow Monk.
So, I'm trying to decide between two mono classes for a 4 player cyberpunk themed campaign (the theme is just flavor texting abilities, and everything remains as is mechanically). I'll be using the new 2024 rules.
The picks are Eldritch Knight and Shadow Warrior Monk. For both classes, I'm using a manual roll set that'll allow me to get 20 dex and 20 in the class' dominant stat, with a dependable constitution of 14. Each class will be a human with the extra origin feat, and one of the origin feats will be Skilled because I like to round out some more proficiencies.
The monk will be using grappler in the build. The knight will have druid magic initiate for shillelagh with Int focus and polearm master to capitalize on the quarterstaff.
The dilemma is combat effectiveness, role play considerations, resource management and just plain fun of the gameplay. I understand other players picks would help, but for now I don't know what those are. Which would you pick? Shadow monk or eldritch knight?
The Eldritch Knight gives you more options outside of combat — depending on your spells. It also seems you're more invested on it as your monk description is just grappler.
More abilities/spells equals more fun. A single trick (grappling) quickly becomes boring after a few sessions.
That is a very fair point about the spell selection. Are there any stand out spells you'd recommend? I'm only set on booming blade and minor illusion for cantrips, but I'm pretty open with leveled spells.
As someone who loves Monk, I don't think it is for you. Monk requires resource management at levels < 8 as you will typically be spending 1 focus point each round of combat to maintain combat effectiveness. If you don't like resource management, don't play monk except in high level games. Likewise, grappling is not very effective in 2024, the only way to do it reliably is to combine it with stunning strike. Monk is best for tactical players not for players who just want to overwhelm the enemies by just being super powerful.
Eldritch Knight is much more simple to play than Monk. Resource management is still a problem at low levels if you are expecting to use levelled spells inside and outside of combat. However, if you are worried about combat effectiveness I wouldn't do a Shillelagh build because it locks you out of GWM which is important for maintaining DPR for non-dual-wielder builds. Since you can get 2x 20s anyway you don't need to try to be SAD on INT. EK doesn't need INT much at all, you'd probably be better off as a 20-STR, 20-CON + 14 INT. Your spellcasting as an EK is super limited until 7th level, and you'll probably end up using almost all your spellslots for Shield and Absorb Elements.
Roleplay has nothing to do with class, no class is better or worse for RP than any other. It just depends what flavour of RP you want for your character. EKs are typically smart and educated so are typically more high class, whereas Shadow Monks tend towards quiet broody loners.
Fun of the gameplay depends on what you think is fun. If dealing big damage numbers and surviving massive enemy onslaught is fun for you then you want EK. If ducking in and out of combat picking off vulnerable enemies if fun for you then you want Shadow Monk.
What are the other three players playing as?
As mentioned, they are undecided.