Let's talk about monks, and unarmed combat characters in general. From the underpowered MAD-riddled class of 3.5, to the game-breaking punchgod of ASOIAF. Tell me what you think of them.
Do you love characters like this, liking how they stand out in settings that greatly favor traditional weapons?
Do you hate them because it pisses you off that the rules allow someone fighting with their bare hands to prevail against an equally skilled and experienced opponent with a sword, even though that should be almost impossible?
Opinions are like assholes, Veeky Forums. Show me yours.
Noah Cooper
I like those couple of feats that let me do like 20d6 with each strike by changing the functional size and progression.
Ethan Stewart
I always liked the idea of the man who could DGAF so hard that reality started letting him break steel with his fists, or simply beastmode the whole world. It's a shame the only thing people think of is weebshit instead of something like a fusion of Nietzsche and Romanticism.
Evan Phillips
>Are you walking on air? >Yeah, I guess so. >But how? >You've heard about that gravity thing? >Of course, everyone has. >Well, I haven't. >That doesn't make any sense. >Your face won't make any sense if you keep asking questions.
Isaac Bailey
It's funny when people use Nietzsche in concepts which amount to pure savagery.
Now I want to play a Gandhi that brings peace not with weapons but his fists cleaving the earth and skulls of his enemies.
Hunter Cook
I think it has it's niche.
Against an equally skilled opponent with a weapon? Probably advantage goes to the guy with the stabby.
But the "monk" archetype should prevail against combat dabblers (rogue and bard archetypes, for example), as well as have a toolset to partially deal with combat-focused types (your fighters and barbarians), and completely shit on those who know nothing of combat (your wizards).
In Pathfinder, given Unchained, it works pretty well –
UnMonk can be wrecked by a high AC, high attack enemy who targets conventional AC.
They have a big edge over 3/4 classes that are easily disarmed/tripped/grappled, or otherwise have low Fort to resist a Stunning Fist to the face.
They are the worst nightmare of casters, passing most saves easily and having high touch AC.
I think the concept has a place, even if the execution is usually lacking.
Parker Bailey
Monks are literal punch wizards. I can accept some asshole peeling plate open with his bare hands if that is the result of a lifetime's harrowing training and intense spiritual meditation shit. You want to preform superhuman feats of physicality? gotta put in the time
Josiah Martinez
i like to mix a level or two of monk in with normal fighters so when i get disarmed in combat i can just welcome my opponent to the thunderdome
Blake Ortiz
>Do you hate them because it pisses you off that the rules allow someone fighting with their bare hands to prevail against an equally skilled and experienced opponent with a sword, even though that should be almost impossible? it's fantasy with dragons and shit... what did you expect?
Logan Lee
Well, all thing being equal it's >Abilities+skill+gear vs >Abilities+skill In a system that's well designed, those things shouldn't really be equal.
