Mine is just a proposal to balance the problem of few items for unarmed classes (monk, beast barbarian, druid, etc...). This is especially true for groups that play with random rewards.
Ki-Empowered Strikes
Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Additionally, if you possess or wield a monk weapon that has magical propeties, these propeties can also be used in your unarmed strikes.
I would like to know whether this is a good idea or not, and your opinion on it.
I already told you before on another thread about how this sounds like the feature of a Kensei monk, but I came up with an item precisely for unarmed strikes, but instead of just being a plus X weapon, you can "train" it to apply its bonuses:
Iron Bandages (uncommon, no attunement)
When you wear this item for the first time, choose a number from 1 to 3. Afterwards you suffer a penalty to your attack rolls and your damage rolls from your unarmed strikes equal to that number until you deal damage equal to that number X 100. Once you reach the target damage, the penalty is lifted and your unarmed strikes gain a bonus to the attack rolls and damage rolls equal to the number you chose.
On a side note, I realized that your version of Ki-Empowered Strikes is basically allowing the monk player to stack the magical properties of a weapon and you don't need to have it equipped, so you can have any number of magical monk weapons on yourself and they would all apply (either get rid of "possess" or specify that it works with 1 weapon at the time).
Mine is just a proposal to balance the problem of few items for unarmed classes (monk, beast barbarian, druid, etc...). This is especially true for groups that play with random rewards.
Ki-Empowered Strikes
Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Additionally, if you possess or wield a monk weapon that has magical propeties, these propeties can also be used in your unarmed strikes.
I would like to know whether this is a good idea or not, and your opinion on it.
I just feel like monk sub classes as well as specific items already in the game basically already serve the purpose of empowering the monk... that being said I do think as I've said in other threads the monk needs something... more.. either more damage or more utility and something to tie its kit together and make it more usable without having to take mandatory sub classes or feats like mobile / crusher... a 2nd bonus action would work wonders and meanwhile I think stunning strike needs to be reworked as a rider effect instead of something you just spam until it works and drain all your ki points on...
Meanwhile.. mmif you're interested in items that can help the monk's unarmed attack, eldritch claw tattoo comes to mind; more stuff like that could be nice, ie, items that aren't weapons but boost unarmed damage *somehow*...
So if a group of players using random items as rewards, how much chance do you think there is that they will come up with an item that matches the monk's unarmed attacks or other classes that use unarmed attacks?
If so, even if they have a feature that allows them to overcome the opponent's magical resistance, these classes will have no bonus to the attack roll in unarmed attacks while others do, because these will have a greater chance of finding weapons appropriate to their needs.
This feature is designed to solve this case, while otherwise, it will be the DM who will give the appropriate weapon to the players. There is not really a big difference between the two, it is simply a trivial solution to make life easier for the DM and the players. At least that is the goal.
Initially this feature was only meant for the the attack roll bonus and damage bonus, but then I asked myself this question: "If a weapon allows a special power, why wouldn't an unarmed attack allow it?"
What would be your answer?
Ki-Empowered Strikes
Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Additionally, if you wield a monk weapon with magical properties, these properties can also be used in unarmed strikes.
Yes, possession was not provided in the original text, but in an older version, I don't know why it stayed on this one, but thanks for the information NinSlayer.
So if a group of players using random items as rewards, how much chance do you think there is that they will come up with an item that matches the monk's unarmed attacks or other classes that use unarmed attacks?
If so, even if they have a feature that allows them to overcome the opponent's magical resistance, these classes will have no bonus to the attack roll in unarmed attacks while others do, because these will have a greater chance of finding weapons appropriate to their needs.
This feature is designed to solve this case, while otherwise, it will be the DM who will give the appropriate weapon to the players. There is not really a big difference between the two, it is simply a trivial solution to make life easier for the DM and the players. At least that is the goal.
Initially this feature was only meant for the the attack roll and damage bonus, but then I asked myself this question: "If a weapon allows a special power, why wouldn't an unarmed attack allow it?"
What would be your answer?
Ki-Empowered Strikes
Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Additionally, if you wield a monk weapon with magical properties, these properties can also be used in unarmed strikes.
Yes, possession was not provided in the original text, but in an older version, I don't know why it stayed on this one, but thanks for the information NinSlayer.
Is "random" loot a common thing? I was under the impression most dms tailor the loot to the parties they are running, with a few "generic, sell me if you want" items thrown in...
As far as the claw tattoo... I think the dm should just introduce a magical tattoo artist at some point in the game, he offers most if not all of the enchanted tattoos. This is more of a shop than a random loot.
If your dm wants to run "random" loot that's fine but he can also introduce shops to exchange all that unnecessary fluff for stuff you can actually use.
The big problem with this is that if you are wielding a Flame-Tongue Shortsword, now each and every one of your Flurry of Blows deals an extra 2d6 fire damage, giving you four hits with this from level 5 onward. A Fighter doesn't get that until level 20 (unless they are SUPER lucky and get two of them to TWF). No other class lets you have 4 swings of a magic weapon, least of all starting at level 5 and for many turns in a combat.
I would rate this as broken. If you want a bonus, maybe modify Ki-Empowered Strikes to get a +1 at level 6 and a +2 at level 10 on your unarmed strikes (similar to the Artificer Enhanced Weapon Infusion).
The monk is not proficient with martial weapons (Shortsword) and consequently must take a feat, or do multiclassing, or per race.
No DM would give such a sword to a 5th level player.
And if by chance, it found the sword with a random drop, a weapon would make the monk the favorite prey for many ill-intentioned people with a higher level. At least as a DM I would keep the story going like that. Occasionally having an item that is too powerful for one's level only brings disaster.
However, very often it is the DM who chooses the items that the players will receive, this is also a way to adjust the unevenness in the characters.
Minor correction, Monks are proficient with Shortswords. Sure they don't have prof in all martial weapons, but Shortswords are included in the proficiency list, moreover, they are monk weapons as well, so a Flame-tongue Shortsword is something they can use.
Minor correction, Monks are proficient with Shortswords. Sure they don't have prof in all martial weapons, but Shortswords are included in the proficiency list, moreover, they are monk weapons as well, so a Flame-tongue Shortsword is something they can use.
Yes, I had forgotten that it is the only martial weapon the monk is proficient in, but that doesn't negate my other points. Any character with such a weapon will do a lot of damage, it is not a weapon designed for a low level.
So, could a fighter use a Vorpal Sword at the 5th level? Could it ? Yes, it could but no DM would let it use it.
I'm not in favor of letting one get the benefit of a magic items powers and properties when not actively using it in the attack. If the monk is using unarmed strike, no magic weapon is in use. But what i could prefer is allow monk weapons to also count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage it makes.
Ki-Empowered Strikes
Starting at 6th level, your monk weapons or unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
I'm not in favor of letting one get the benefit of a magic items powers and properties when not actively using it in the attack. If the monk is using unarmed strike, no magic weapon is in use. But what i could prefer is allow monk weapons to also count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage it makes.
Ki-Empowered Strikes
Starting at 6th level, your monk weapons or unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
Interesting option. However, often in game boards players find a magic weapon at the 5th level. Even the monk might have one. However unlike all other classes, the monk having half of its attacks unarmed, only half of the attacks will be enhanced by the weapon. The cases are as follows:
Game with items decided by the DM: - The monk can decide whether to play with a weapon and the unarmed attacks enhanced by it up to 20th level without any problems. - If the monk wants to be a pure unarmed fighter, the DM will make the monk find magic items specifically for unarmed combat, such as gauntlets or tatoo.
Random drop game: - If the monk finds nothing, its unarmed attacks will do the trick. - If it finds a magic item, it will be able to use it to catch up with the rest of the group if they have found a magic item of their own. This is because since there are few items for the monk, if these are chosen randomly the monk will have little chance of finding any.
But the feature should probably be divided into 2 parts: at 6th level the monk receives only bonuses to damage and attack roll, and at 11th level also the rest of the magical properties.
Its no different that a ranger or fighter with Two-Weapon Fighting Style wielding 1 magic weapon. While the monk can often attack more with Unarmed Strike as a bonus action, these come at the cost of Ki point and is therefore not used every round between that and other uses of Ki as well.
So if the monk could never find a magic weapon to enhance its unarmed attacks, would this monk always have to fight with half of its attacks enhanced by a magic weapon and the other half with normal fists that overcome magic resistance? If the DM used only official items, The monk would not have many ways to put himself on the same level as others. There are still no items that offer +2/+3 to damage and attack roll for unarmed attacks or that offer a bonus to damage like Flame Tongue, nor are there any legendary items or artifacts in general. If a monk wanted to be a pure unarmed fighter?
Items: - Insignia of Claws (+1) - Eldritch Claw Tattoo (+1) - Spark stone (+1d6 damge) - Dragonhide Belt (DC only : +1/+2/+3)
Unlike other classes that need two weapons or take feat to use their bonus action to (PM or CE) attack with the same weapon, the monk could always attack with unarmed attacks, either in action or bonus action. Too bad that the amount of items for unarmed attacks is not as vast and powerful as standard weapons. Just look at all the weapons created and the few that enhance unarmed attacks.
Dnd 5e was created not taking into account magic items and feats, without these each class is very balanced. Only, besides having little chance to take a feat, the monk has restrictions on items as well (armor, heavy weapons, weapons with magical properties, ... And some time back there were also martial and ranged weapons). All this has led to this situation. People don't play it the way the creators thought of the game. But they play it with powerful magic items. Clearly the monk cannot keep up with the evolution and development behind magical weapons.
Perhaps as a class feature it is a bit much actually. Perhaps it would be better as a Feat with an 11th level requirement. Although the monk won't have much chance to take it, but it might be interesting for those game table where the master uses only official items.
Eventually I decided to make this feature into a feat.
One with the World
Prerequisite: 11th level
Your dedication with the weapon made your body part of it as well, turning your whole body into an extension of your weapon.
Increase your Wisdom by 1, to a maximum of 20.
When you wield a weapon with magical properties, you can become one with it. All the magical properties of the weapon can also be used in your unarmed strikes. You can draw magical proprity from only one weapon at a time.
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Hello everyone.
Mine is just a proposal to balance the problem of few items for unarmed classes (monk, beast barbarian, druid, etc...). This is especially true for groups that play with random rewards.
Ki-Empowered Strikes
Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Additionally, if you
possess orwield a monk weapon that has magical propeties, these propeties can also be used in your unarmed strikes.I would like to know whether this is a good idea or not, and your opinion on it.
I already told you before on another thread about how this sounds like the feature of a Kensei monk, but I came up with an item precisely for unarmed strikes, but instead of just being a plus X weapon, you can "train" it to apply its bonuses:
Iron Bandages (uncommon, no attunement)
When you wear this item for the first time, choose a number from 1 to 3. Afterwards you suffer a penalty to your attack rolls and your damage rolls from your unarmed strikes equal to that number until you deal damage equal to that number X 100. Once you reach the target damage, the penalty is lifted and your unarmed strikes gain a bonus to the attack rolls and damage rolls equal to the number you chose.
On a side note, I realized that your version of Ki-Empowered Strikes is basically allowing the monk player to stack the magical properties of a weapon and you don't need to have it equipped, so you can have any number of magical monk weapons on yourself and they would all apply (either get rid of "possess" or specify that it works with 1 weapon at the time).
I just feel like monk sub classes as well as specific items already in the game basically already serve the purpose of empowering the monk... that being said I do think as I've said in other threads the monk needs something... more.. either more damage or more utility and something to tie its kit together and make it more usable without having to take mandatory sub classes or feats like mobile / crusher... a 2nd bonus action would work wonders and meanwhile I think stunning strike needs to be reworked as a rider effect instead of something you just spam until it works and drain all your ki points on...
Meanwhile.. mmif you're interested in items that can help the monk's unarmed attack, eldritch claw tattoo comes to mind; more stuff like that could be nice, ie, items that aren't weapons but boost unarmed damage *somehow*...
So if a group of players using random items as rewards, how much chance do you think there is that they will come up with an item that matches the monk's unarmed attacks or other classes that use unarmed attacks?
If so, even if they have a feature that allows them to overcome the opponent's magical resistance, these classes will have no bonus to the attack roll in unarmed attacks while others do, because these will have a greater chance of finding weapons appropriate to their needs.
This feature is designed to solve this case, while otherwise, it will be the DM who will give the appropriate weapon to the players. There is not really a big difference between the two, it is simply a trivial solution to make life easier for the DM and the players. At least that is the goal.
Initially this feature was only meant for the the attack roll bonus and damage bonus, but then I asked myself this question: "If a weapon allows a special power, why wouldn't an unarmed attack allow it?"
What would be your answer?
Ki-Empowered Strikes
Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Additionally, if you wield a monk weapon with magical properties, these properties can also be used in unarmed strikes.
Yes, possession was not provided in the original text, but in an older version, I don't know why it stayed on this one, but thanks for the information NinSlayer.
Is "random" loot a common thing? I was under the impression most dms tailor the loot to the parties they are running, with a few "generic, sell me if you want" items thrown in...
As far as the claw tattoo... I think the dm should just introduce a magical tattoo artist at some point in the game, he offers most if not all of the enchanted tattoos. This is more of a shop than a random loot.
If your dm wants to run "random" loot that's fine but he can also introduce shops to exchange all that unnecessary fluff for stuff you can actually use.
Minor correction, Monks are proficient with Shortswords. Sure they don't have prof in all martial weapons, but Shortswords are included in the proficiency list, moreover, they are monk weapons as well, so a Flame-tongue Shortsword is something they can use.
Yes, I had forgotten that it is the only martial weapon the monk is proficient in, but that doesn't negate my other points. Any character with such a weapon will do a lot of damage, it is not a weapon designed for a low level.
So, could a fighter use a Vorpal Sword at the 5th level? Could it ? Yes, it could but no DM would let it use it.
Kensei should be able to flurry with their weapon .
and fighter stole that element from the monk.
I'm not in favor of letting one get the benefit of a magic items powers and properties when not actively using it in the attack. If the monk is using unarmed strike, no magic weapon is in use. But what i could prefer is allow monk weapons to also count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage it makes.
Interesting option. However, often in game boards players find a magic weapon at the 5th level. Even the monk might have one. However unlike all other classes, the monk having half of its attacks unarmed, only half of the attacks will be enhanced by the weapon. The cases are as follows:
Game with items decided by the DM:
- The monk can decide whether to play with a weapon and the unarmed attacks enhanced by it up to 20th level without any problems.
- If the monk wants to be a pure unarmed fighter, the DM will make the monk find magic items specifically for unarmed combat, such as gauntlets or tatoo.
Random drop game:
- If the monk finds nothing, its unarmed attacks will do the trick.
- If it finds a magic item, it will be able to use it to catch up with the rest of the group if they have found a magic item of their own. This is because since there are few items for the monk, if these are chosen randomly the monk will have little chance of finding any.
But the feature should probably be divided into 2 parts:
at 6th level the monk receives only bonuses to damage and attack roll, and at 11th level also the rest of the magical properties.
Its no different that a ranger or fighter with Two-Weapon Fighting Style wielding 1 magic weapon. While the monk can often attack more with Unarmed Strike as a bonus action, these come at the cost of Ki point and is therefore not used every round between that and other uses of Ki as well.
So if the monk could never find a magic weapon to enhance its unarmed attacks, would this monk always have to fight with half of its attacks enhanced by a magic weapon and the other half with normal fists that overcome magic resistance? If the DM used only official items, The monk would not have many ways to put himself on the same level as others. There are still no items that offer +2/+3 to damage and attack roll for unarmed attacks or that offer a bonus to damage like Flame Tongue, nor are there any legendary items or artifacts in general. If a monk wanted to be a pure unarmed fighter?
Items:
- Insignia of Claws (+1)
- Eldritch Claw Tattoo (+1)
- Spark stone (+1d6 damge)
- Dragonhide Belt (DC only : +1/+2/+3)
Unlike other classes that need two weapons or take feat to use their bonus action to (PM or CE) attack with the same weapon, the monk could always attack with unarmed attacks, either in action or bonus action. Too bad that the amount of items for unarmed attacks is not as vast and powerful as standard weapons. Just look at all the weapons created and the few that enhance unarmed attacks.
Dnd 5e was created not taking into account magic items and feats, without these each class is very balanced. Only, besides having little chance to take a feat, the monk has restrictions on items as well (armor, heavy weapons, weapons with magical properties, ... And some time back there were also martial and ranged weapons). All this has led to this situation. People don't play it the way the creators thought of the game. But they play it with powerful magic items. Clearly the monk cannot keep up with the evolution and development behind magical weapons.
Perhaps as a class feature it is a bit much actually. Perhaps it would be better as a Feat with an 11th level requirement. Although the monk won't have much chance to take it, but it might be interesting for those game table where the master uses only official items.
Eventually I decided to make this feature into a feat.
One with the World
Prerequisite: 11th level
Your dedication with the weapon made your body part of it as well, turning your whole body into an extension of your weapon.