Monk Builds
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I'm looking for some 'generic' monks builds that carry the flavor of a particular "discipline" or "fighting style". The stats aren't terribly important, but maybe the style may require a certain stat for you to train in in effectively, but most the emphasis should be on certain feats or skills that you must choose.
An example may be the "Asp Style" which originated within the orders of the Serpent Guard but has since spread. The practitioner focuses on Dex (minimum Dex 16) and must have Ambidexterity and Two-Weapon Fighting and Weapon Focus Kama; the style is roleplayed by emoting its "cobra like strikes".
Any ideas on stuff like this, just post them below in the following format:
1). Style Name
2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep)
3). Any minimum stats?
4). Any required skills?
5). Any required feats? (point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!).
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game? -
1). Style Name
"Drunken Fighting" - I would suggest another name but am stumped. What I have in mind doesn't really have all that much to do with being drunk besides the origin.2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep)
A monk order - that favoured Hoar - which had its first monastary near Waterdeep wished to infiltrate the city with its members trained in this deceptive style so that criminals and muggers would be too suspicous of not knowing if they were getting a usual drunk or a trained martial artist on their hands to ply their "trade" for much longer.3). Any minimum stats?
4). Any required skills?
Bluff, Concentration5). Any required feats? (point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!).
Dirty Fighting6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
This fighting style is typically very loose in its movements, unpredictable and - when done right - it is difficult to tell if the monk actually meant to hit that man and some masters teach their students that not letting people believe it is all done so purposefully is a core part of what the style itself was to be - to make your enemies underestimate you. -
I would recommend the name "Drunken Fist" or "Drunken Boxing" and I would propose a 13/14 constitution as a minimum stat. Or perhaps charisma.
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1). Style Name
"Bear Style"2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep)
Bear Style originated outside the highly regimented schools of Shou culture, with their emphasis on the memorization and perfection of classical forms. A brutish but effective style, bear style originated in the Empire's far western reaches and became quite popular among the Tuigan of the untamed Plain of Horses. The martial art was spread when, in 1358 DR, the Tuigan tribes were united under Horselord Yamun Khahan and their conquest brought them as far east as the Shou Empire, and as far west as Cormyr.
3). Any minimum stats?
Str 14
Con144). Any required skills?
Intimidate/discipline?
5). Any required feats? (point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!).
Toughness/power attack
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
Bear style makes up for what it lacks in finesse with raw power, and a focus on strength training. Its attacks are slower than most martial arts, but, unlike traditional styles, a duel might be settled with only a couple of blows. It also favors the use of strength to throw or pin enemies, and deliver crushing and choking attacks while locked in a grapple.It generally favors attacks made with the knees, elbows, fists, and forehead, and is not above the use of the teeth.
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Style Name
Whispering Shadow
Origin
The Whispering Shadow exact origins are hard to pin down. Some say they came from the distant east and have existed for eons under various names; others say they developed from a Maskan thief guild membership more recently after they became more interested in perfecting the art of stealth than actually stealing anything. However like most things to do with the Whispering Shadow, it hard to get to the truth of the matter.
Any minimum stats?Dex of at least 15
Any required skills?
Bluff, Hide, Move Silently and Lore.Any required feats?
Stealthy
Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?Members of the Whispering Shadow believe that true mastery is the mastering of perceptions and understanding what is truly real. While this means some of there members spends a great deal of time sneaking about in stealthy clothing, this is only one side of the order (typically the younger part).
Senior members of the order tend to enjoy hiding in plane sight and pulling off more and more impressive stunts of trickery, often trying to outdo each other. Other members put a great deal of time and effort into understanding reality and seeking the truth, especially if said truth is mostly unknown (such as the true origin of a god).
Regardless it rare for any member of the order to be open and frank about anything, with many hating the idea of anyone knowing anything real about them.
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1). Style Name: Dance of Wind (Capoeira)
2). Origin : Known to have perhaps originated from a traveling band of gypsies seeing lodge in a monastery. In return for sanctuary this art was taught and spread by its monks.
3). Any minimum stats? Minimum DEX = 15 Minimum CHA = 12
4). Any required skills? Tumble, (Perform)
5). Any required feats? Dodge, Spring Attack, Whirlwind, Circle Kick, Knockdown
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
Dance of Wind is much of a rhythmic dance as it is also a style of combat. The fluid movements and hard strikes from the legs both confuse and surprises opponents not use to such movements in hand to hand combat.Note added by Snowy You would also need 13+ Intel, Expertise and Mobility to get Whirlwind Attack (unless you somehow add it as a bonus feat!)
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Nice, keep some of these coming, you guys will love the reason I'm asking when its in.
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1). Style Name: Tiger
2). Origin: Oghman Wrestlers
3). Any minimum stats? STR 14
4). Any required skills? Lore, Intimidate
5). Any required feats? (point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!). Dirty Fighting
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
Tiger style's combat strategy is to destroy the opponent with a relentless and unrestrained attack. This is a powerful method designed to shock the opponent into fear and panic. These monks focus on brute strength rather than finesse. -
1). Style Name
"Heavenly Fist/Heavenly Palm"2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep)
Heavenly Fist is the style of Shou scholars and sages. It is generally associated with with the wealthy and learned members of Shou society, where it is practiced and honed for years by members of the bureaucracy and those otherwise wealthy enough to have enough idle time for the years of study that the style demands.
3). Any minimum stats?
Int/Wis 13+4). Any required skills?
Lore/Heal5). Any required feats? (point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!).
Called Shot6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
If Heavenly Fist were not so deadly it might be considered purely an art form. Whereas users of more common martial arts attack with kicks and punches, the student of the Heavenly Fist style attacks with a light jab of the fingers, the flick of a wrist, or the brush of an open palm. Rather than relying on strength, Heavenly Fist is deadly due to its practitioner's understanding of pressure points, the location of internal organs, and Ki, the mysterious energy which sustains all life. -
1). Style Name: Flowing Water style
2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep): It is said that the Flowing Water style originated from an enlightened monk order that lived next to a community in which Eldath's pacific dogma was greatly honored. Exchanges between the two over the course of years lead to the apparition of this fighting style. (needs more details?)
3). Any minimum stats? min Dexterity 14, min Intel 13 and min Wisdom 16
4). Any required skills? Parry and Concentration
5). Any required feats? (point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!). Called Shot, Weapon Finesse and Improved Parry
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game? Use motion rather than brute force to direct strength against your opponent.
Parry his attacks and disable him by hiting pressure points or pushing him to the ground.
This order has a deep respect for the element of water. -
This will really bring some flavor to monks, keep posting creative ideas!
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Basing off of Snowy's
1). Style Name: Sturdy Earth
2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep): Created by the 'Children of Stone', the Gnomes and Dwarves who tend to follow this path also double as miners and excavaters. They train in using their fists to break up the hard rocks and their tough skin is used to the constant grating of rocks. They are very skilled in blocking and dodging falling rocks or fists in combat while at the same time bashing rocks and breaking bones.
3). Any minimum stats? 15+Str 15+CON 12+DEX
4). Any required skills? Discipline Parry
5). Any required feats? (point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!). Toughness, Improved Parry, Called shot
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game? "Be it Earth, Flesh, metal, or bone, pure strength and endurance will keep you going." Use Strength and patience to overcome your obstacles. Strike when you will deliver the most damage.
Favors Earth -
1). Style Name: Way of the Mind
2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep): While the origins of the style are unknown even to the most ancient monks of this school, it is believed it is the offspring of an elven martial that existed before the Crown Wars. Drow are said to have developed it to face threats like Illythid. The style through the ages developed into a mind shielding technique which offers way to attack with pure mind force to enhance one's power of blows and speed. (I suggest a few
3). Any minimum stats? Min Intelligence 14, Min Charisma 10, Min dexterity 14.
4). Any required skills? Discipline 5 ranks.
5). Any required feats? Iron Will.
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game? To attack someone is to attack his body as well as his mind. One cannot make a perfect attack if both disciplines do not combine. (I 'd also suggest that the added INT modifier is useful to some form of magic attack to emulate psionics, some disabling spell preferably used a few times per day) -
1). Style Name: Way of the lightning step and thunderous fist.
2). Origin: The style has its roots in a cult of Talos. While Talos is a chaotic deity with little care for the discipline of monks, the order translated the God's aspect as a way to cause maximum damage in minimum time and perfected a most destructive style, characterized by both speed and power.
3). Any minimum stats? Strength 14, Dexterity 15
4). Any required skills? Parry 5 ranks , (optional choices: Hide and MS 5 ranks)
5). Any required feats? circle kick (To cause more damage in minimum time), maybe Power attack and cleave (though it d make it hard to work I think)
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game? To strike fast and with power is the ultimate way of destroying the opponent. Like the Lightning hits the earth and brings death to what it hits, so will the disciple of the way. Seek balance between speed and power for one without the other is a weakness hard to overcome. Lightning does not give warning before striking and so should the disciple strike when most unexpected, to cause maximum damage is to also catch the opponent unprepared. (For this last reason the order does not appreciate sparring and cage fights much since the opponent is always mentaly and physically prepared to reduce the power of your hits, though they do spar to enhance some aspects of their style) -
1). Style Name Kushanquan
2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep) Kushan Monastery in the Far East of Faerun. This fighting style incorporates the use of any Exotic weapon to hand, from the open fist, through the Kama and Shurukin, to the exotic weapons available to any warrior. They are trained to use whatever there is to hand.
3). Any minimum stats? DEX 16
4). Any required skills? Discipline, Concentration
5). Any required feats? (point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!). Exotic Weapon, Disarm.
6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game? The proponants of this fighting style go around unarmed but seek to disarm their opponent and then use their opponant's weapon against them.Not sure if this could be done, but could this style give Weapon Focus for a selection of Exotic weapons and instead of using the Dex bonus, use the Wis Bonus for working out AB? My imagination was sparked by watching a shaolin monk demonstrate the use of a huge array of weapons from his open hand, to staff, double bladed sword etc. I think it'd be rather fun to see a monk switching between weapons in the same way.
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1). Style Name
The Dusk Methodology2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep)
Originated in the elite monastery for Monks dedicated to the tenets of the Lady of Loss Shar – The Dark Moon.3). Any minimum stats?
Minimum 14 intelligence.4). Any required skills?
Persuade/Bluff/Intimidate5). Any required feats? (Point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!)
Called Shot6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
The Dusk Methodology is a very calculated and learned art form. Incorporating rigorous practice the style is very considered and catered to the opponent – Each strike is measured and well executed. Many Monks that endeavour to learn the Dusk Methodology utilise the practice to great affect with contract killings. -
1). Style Name
Iron Robe2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep)
It is rumored that this style is favored by Loviatarians, to withstand as much pain as possible. Other rumors indicate that this style has been used for centuries by some dwarven monks, being able to take beating from an ogre and just laugh at the beast3). Any minimum stats?
Min. 14 Con, 14 Wis4). Any required skills?
Concentration, Disciple5). Any required feats? (Point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!)
Toughness, Great Fortitude6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
Those specialized in Iron Robe style area able to absorb damage and recover from dangerous hits in unnatural way. Iron Robe monks very often seek perfection over physical pain, research different ways to deal damage and learn about different creatures ways to do harm. While the style has not any special ways to combat a foe, in battle they usually enter in meditative trance, just hitting at foes and not concentrating on evading or dodging their blows, but absorb the hits with their bodies. -
1). Style Name
Dragon Fist2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep)
This style is used widely by different dragon cultists, hoping to perfect themselves by imitating the ways of their dragonic icons.3). Any minimum stats?
Min. 12 Int, 12 Wis, 12 Cha4). Any required skills?
Lore, Disciple5). Any required feats? (Point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!)
Called shot6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
In Dragon fist style, monk aims to make his strikes to resemble different parts of the dragon. They usually make sweeping kicks to bring down their opponents like dragons tail, use their both hands in direct simultaneous strikes to lock their foes in iron-strong grip, like dragons jaw, or make powerful claw-like piercing strikes with their hands. -
1). Style Name
Monkey's Paw2). Origin (be it a specific order or a homeland ie. Shou or Waterdeep)
This style comes from Shou orders of monks studying chaos and rage while keeping their own discipline
3). Any minimum stats?
Min. 14 dex, 12 chr4). Any required skills?
Discipline, Taunt, Tumble5). Any required feats? (Point 3, 4, or 5 must have at least one requirement between them!)
Skill specialization: taunt, dodge6). Any hints on how to roleplay or show your style in game?
Using acrobatics and stinging remarks, the monk uses his foes' anger and rage against them. Witty remarks and showing the lack of skills of their opponent is more important than the strength of the blows they land. When in groups, this style is used to tie up the biggest foe while others take down the rest. They may not even defeat the foe, just keep them off balance till others can deal with them. -
In regards to the above suggestion, I would point out that there is a canon Shou demi-deity called the Mad Monkey, who is associated with martial arts and based off the character Sun Wukong from Chinese mythology and folk religion.
