My favorite class in older editions and Pathfinder has always been monk. Normally; however, they've had pretty standard ways to increase their Ki pools (a wisdom modifier, etc.). This edition I feel like I'm constantly starved. Some sub classes specifically drain them all almost in single rounds of combat (Fangs of the Fire Snake, etc.). I still like them flavor fully, I just wish I could hold on to Ki points more often and still do neat monk things.
Yes, a bit, but I feel like the monk is not meant to be the smasher type. It is more like the type that survive everything.
Fair enough. They're still really fun to play and maneuver around with. I was kind of hoping there would be a Magical Item akin to the Monk Robes in previous editions that helped at least expedite Ki point gains or something lol. Maybe in the future.
As you progress as a monk, your role evolves. You don't do as much stunning so you can kill something easier, you stun things so everyone else can kill it easier. Or you stun it so it won't kill your friends. It becomes a lot more tactical, one-at-a-time crowd control. And sometimes you'll save some Ki because you need it to control monster reactions.
If you are a player and feel like you need more Ki you can always bring up some ideas with your DM. I've personally been thinking of throwing in a Soul Restoring Elixir that restores Ki, or gives temporary Ki points, to those who drink it into my campaign for my monk player. Either that or a magic item that allows the monk to siphon a Ki point from enemies on a critical hit or other impressive feat.
Either way as a fan of Monks I think Ki should be something a character should spend when required, as opposed to whenever anything happens. Ki should enhance what you character should do, not define what they are capable of.
Half-Orc Monk = Relentless Endurance + Wholeness of Body = WIN
I had a Half-Orc Monk/Warlock with a gladiator background named Wayland once. Despite our campaign falling apart it was a blast to play. Half-Orcs seem to be underrated around here.
From a Char-Op perspective, I tend toward monk builds that allow me o duplicate the effects of my ki using other resources and features so I have a reliable set of abilities- as a shadow monk, I use a half-drow build (Dex/Wis/Cha) for drow magic darkness, i dip a few levels of warlock for devil's sight, but also spell slots that I can use to more frequently drop things like darkness without having to tap my ki, as well as other useful utilities from the warlock spell list.
In my opinion ki usage depends a lot on which monastic tradition you choose. Way of the Elements monks can use a lot more ki points during a round of combat as compared to a Way of the Open Hand monk. I just finished a campaign playing as a Half-Orc monk using the way of the open hand (which was a blast by the way), but I never used all of my ki points before I had a chance to complete a rest.
As you progress as a monk, your role evolves. You don't do as much stunning so you can kill something easier, you stun things so everyone else can kill it easier. Or you stun it so it won't kill your friends. It becomes a lot more tactical, one-at-a-time crowd control. And sometimes you'll save some Ki because you need it to control monster reactions.
I never even use stunning fist/strike/whatever. I've been considering making it a choice point, rather than a set ability.
I do feel like Monks could use a tiny bit more ki, or more accurately, a way to get a couple back between rests.
My only idea: what if each subclass had a way to gain 1 ki back, in certain circumstances? something that won't happen every fight, or esp won't happen multiple times a fight.
Oh! Perhaps, easier, what if you gain one back when you roll a natural 20 on an Ability check?
In my opinion ki usage depends a lot on which monastic tradition you choose. Way of the Elements monks can use a lot more ki points during a round of combat as compared to a Way of the Open Hand monk. I just finished a campaign playing as a Half-Orc monk using the way of the open hand (which was a blast by the way), but I never used all of my ki points before I had a chance to complete a rest.
This. I reduce Ki point cost of Way of Elements Monk Disciplines by 1 (min 1), and give them an extra cantrip, from the elemental control cantrips from EE players companion(guide?) document, at level 3, and 11th. I may add some of the Mystic Talents to the "cantrip" list, and the Wu Jen Disciplines to the Discipline list, but I haven't gotten around to reviewing that, yet.
The main point is, the disciplines cost too much. 1ki/spell level works much better.
I feel like everyone forgets that Monks regain Ki points after a Short or Long Rest. The game rules even suggest to DMs that 2 Short Rests would be taken (Info at the bottom of the Evaluating Encounter Difficulty section), per day of adventuring. This effectively triples a Monk's Ki Points per day.
I feel like everyone forgets that Monks regain Ki points after a Short or Long Rest. The game rules even suggest to DMs that 2 Short Rests would be taken (Info at the bottom of the Evaluating Encounter Difficulty section), per day of adventuring. This effectively triples a Monk's Ki Points per day.
Can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly never forget that. I don't imagine that many monk players do.
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My favorite class in older editions and Pathfinder has always been monk. Normally; however, they've had pretty standard ways to increase their Ki pools (a wisdom modifier, etc.). This edition I feel like I'm constantly starved. Some sub classes specifically drain them all almost in single rounds of combat (Fangs of the Fire Snake, etc.). I still like them flavor fully, I just wish I could hold on to Ki points more often and still do neat monk things.
Thoughts?
Yes, a bit, but I feel like the monk is not meant to be the smasher type. It is more like the type that survive everything.
My favourite? Tabaaxi monk.
Half-Orc Monk = Relentless Endurance + Wholeness of Body = WIN
As you progress as a monk, your role evolves. You don't do as much stunning so you can kill something easier, you stun things so everyone else can kill it easier. Or you stun it so it won't kill your friends. It becomes a lot more tactical, one-at-a-time crowd control. And sometimes you'll save some Ki because you need it to control monster reactions.
If you are a player and feel like you need more Ki you can always bring up some ideas with your DM. I've personally been thinking of throwing in a Soul Restoring Elixir that restores Ki, or gives temporary Ki points, to those who drink it into my campaign for my monk player. Either that or a magic item that allows the monk to siphon a Ki point from enemies on a critical hit or other impressive feat.
Either way as a fan of Monks I think Ki should be something a character should spend when required, as opposed to whenever anything happens. Ki should enhance what you character should do, not define what they are capable of.
I had a Half-Orc Monk/Warlock with a gladiator background named Wayland once. Despite our campaign falling apart it was a blast to play. Half-Orcs seem to be underrated around here.
From a Char-Op perspective, I tend toward monk builds that allow me o duplicate the effects of my ki using other resources and features so I have a reliable set of abilities- as a shadow monk, I use a half-drow build (Dex/Wis/Cha) for drow magic darkness, i dip a few levels of warlock for devil's sight, but also spell slots that I can use to more frequently drop things like darkness without having to tap my ki, as well as other useful utilities from the warlock spell list.
As DM, would you allow a magic item (like a ring or bracers) which increase the number of ki points? (just few like 2 - 4 ki points)
Is there a magic item which increases spell slots? If not, then i would not recommend adding an item that increases Ki points.
In my opinion ki usage depends a lot on which monastic tradition you choose. Way of the Elements monks can use a lot more ki points during a round of combat as compared to a Way of the Open Hand monk. I just finished a campaign playing as a Half-Orc monk using the way of the open hand (which was a blast by the way), but I never used all of my ki points before I had a chance to complete a rest.
We do bones, motherf***ker!
We do bones, motherf***ker!
I feel like everyone forgets that Monks regain Ki points after a Short or Long Rest. The game rules even suggest to DMs that 2 Short Rests would be taken (Info at the bottom of the Evaluating Encounter Difficulty section), per day of adventuring. This effectively triples a Monk's Ki Points per day.
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