I'm currently in the process of making a Tabaxi Way of Shadow Monk, probably with an Urchin background. I know I want them to use Kunai(Daggers) as weapons, particularly to cast darkness on before throwing it. I also planned on having them take Fighting Initiate for Blind Fighting. The other option would be a one or two level dip into either spellcasting or warlock respectfully to gain Devil's sight, but I think this is already powerful enough as is.
I so far have three questions regarding this build, as this would be my first time playing a monk
1. Can I use cat's claws alongside the better damage provided by Martial Arts? And in doing so, can I switch between Bludgeoning and Slashing damage at will?
2. Using the new rules for Tabaxi from Mordenkainen: Monsters of the Multiverse, we now have the choice between being Small or Medium. As a monk, what would be the upsides and downsides of these choices?
3. What should I do in terms of my ability score spread? I tend to use standard array for my builds, though I have no idea how I should place these scores as there are several conflicting opinions on this when it comes to Monks, especially with this build
Any and all advice or critiques would be greatly appreciated!
1. Your cat's claws can use the use all properties of your Martial Arts, meaning you can use Dex instead of Str for the attack and damage rolls, you can make a bonus action attack using those claws and (I guess the thing you are more concerned about) you can use any either the Martial Arts die or your cat claw's damage (so you don't need to wait till lvl 5 to use a d6 for your unarmed strikes). Keep in mind, the bigger initial damae only applies to your claws (which deal slashing damage), if you try to deal bludgeoning damage (using any other part of your body) before lvl 5 it will use the d4 from Martial Arts.
2. There are a few things that are affected by size, the kind of weapons you can use (small characters have disadvantage when using heavy weapons, but a monk does not use heavy weapons, so this isn't a problem), grappling rules (you can only attempt to grapple or shove a creature that is no more than one size larger than you, being small the biggest thing you can grapple is a medium creature). But it should make for an easier time hiding (size doesn't have an impact in your stealth checks, but narratively, your DM might give your more chances to hide in smaller places than to a medium creature).
3. Monks are known to be MAD (Multiple Attribute Dependant) because they require 3 scores to be high Dex, Wis and Con; however, Shadow monks can focus on Dex and Con first because you don't get any other subclass feature that relies on Wis, you can increase Wis later if you want since it still affects your AC and the DC for your Stunning Strike. If anything, your starting array should be: 8 15 14 12 13 10 (aside from Dex, Con and Wis, the rest are interchangable). If you apply the race bonus from MMM you have a +2 and a +1 to any, you could start with 16 in Dex and Con (highest HP and bonus to attacks and damage from lvl 1), 16 Con and 14 Wis to round up Wis; or swap Con and Wis to start with 16 Dex and Wis (which gets you the highest AC and bonus to attack and damage from lvl 1).
Hope this helps.
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I'm currently in the process of making a Tabaxi Way of Shadow Monk, probably with an Urchin background. I know I want them to use Kunai(Daggers) as weapons, particularly to cast darkness on before throwing it. I also planned on having them take Fighting Initiate for Blind Fighting. The other option would be a one or two level dip into either spellcasting or warlock respectfully to gain Devil's sight, but I think this is already powerful enough as is.
I so far have three questions regarding this build, as this would be my first time playing a monk
1. Can I use cat's claws alongside the better damage provided by Martial Arts? And in doing so, can I switch between Bludgeoning and Slashing damage at will?
2. Using the new rules for Tabaxi from Mordenkainen: Monsters of the Multiverse, we now have the choice between being Small or Medium. As a monk, what would be the upsides and downsides of these choices?
3. What should I do in terms of my ability score spread? I tend to use standard array for my builds, though I have no idea how I should place these scores as there are several conflicting opinions on this when it comes to Monks, especially with this build
Any and all advice or critiques would be greatly appreciated!
1. Your cat's claws can use the use all properties of your Martial Arts, meaning you can use Dex instead of Str for the attack and damage rolls, you can make a bonus action attack using those claws and (I guess the thing you are more concerned about) you can use any either the Martial Arts die or your cat claw's damage (so you don't need to wait till lvl 5 to use a d6 for your unarmed strikes). Keep in mind, the bigger initial damae only applies to your claws (which deal slashing damage), if you try to deal bludgeoning damage (using any other part of your body) before lvl 5 it will use the d4 from Martial Arts.
2. There are a few things that are affected by size, the kind of weapons you can use (small characters have disadvantage when using heavy weapons, but a monk does not use heavy weapons, so this isn't a problem), grappling rules (you can only attempt to grapple or shove a creature that is no more than one size larger than you, being small the biggest thing you can grapple is a medium creature). But it should make for an easier time hiding (size doesn't have an impact in your stealth checks, but narratively, your DM might give your more chances to hide in smaller places than to a medium creature).
3. Monks are known to be MAD (Multiple Attribute Dependant) because they require 3 scores to be high Dex, Wis and Con; however, Shadow monks can focus on Dex and Con first because you don't get any other subclass feature that relies on Wis, you can increase Wis later if you want since it still affects your AC and the DC for your Stunning Strike. If anything, your starting array should be: 8 15 14 12 13 10 (aside from Dex, Con and Wis, the rest are interchangable). If you apply the race bonus from MMM you have a +2 and a +1 to any, you could start with 16 in Dex and Con (highest HP and bonus to attacks and damage from lvl 1), 16 Con and 14 Wis to round up Wis; or swap Con and Wis to start with 16 Dex and Wis (which gets you the highest AC and bonus to attack and damage from lvl 1).
Hope this helps.