Monk

Description: Monks are versatile warriors skilled at fighting without weapons or armor. Good-aligned monks serve as protectors of the people, while evil monks make ideal spies and assassins. Though they don't cast spells, monks channel a subtle energy, called ki. This energy allows them to perform amazing feats, such as healing themselves, catching arrows in flight, and dodging blows with lightning speed. Their mundane and ki-based abilities grow with experience, granting them more power over themselves and their environment. Monks suffer unique penalties to their abilities if they wear armor, as doing so violates their rigid oaths. Monks wearing armor lose their wisdom and level based armor class bonuses, their movement speed, and their additional unarmed attacks per round.

Alignment restrictions: any lawful

Hit die: d8

Proficiencies: armor (robes), weapons (monk)

Skill points: 4 + int modifier ( (4 + int modifier) * 4 at 1st level)

Skills: concentration, craft armor, craft trap, craft weapon, discipline, heal, hide, listen, lore, move silently, parry, persuade, tumble

Selectable class feats: ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting, weapon proficiency (exotic), weapon proficiency (martial), weapon proficiency (simple)

Primary saving throw(s): fortitude, reflex, will

Base attack bonus: +3/4 levels

Specialty weapon: The monk retains his unarmed attack bonus when fighting with a kama.



Level progression

 * A monk's unarmed base attack bonus (UBAB) is still affected by multiclassing. Characters may gain additional attacks by taking a higher BAB progression class (e.g. fighter levels), or reduced attacks from taking a lower BAB progression class (e.g. wizard levels).


 * A monk's UBAB, armor class bonuses (from wisdom and every 5 levels), and speed are all negated when the monk wears armor other than clothing or uses a shield.



Epic monk
An epic monk's speed, power, grace, and force of will are unmatched by mortal beings. His powers continue to multiply as he steps away from the mortal shell and accepts an inner tranquility that lesser characters cannot even dream of.

Hit die: d8

Skill points: 4 + int modifier

Bonus feats: the epic monk gains a bonus feat every five levels after 20th. In other words, at levels 25, 30, 35, and 40.

Special: every 3 levels, the monk's movement speed will increase by an additional 10%.

Special AC bonus: every 5 levels from 20, the monk's AC will increase by an additional + 1.

Epic monk bonus feats: armor skin, blinding speed, epic damage reduction, epic energy resistance, epic toughness, improved ki strike 4, improved ki strike 5, improved spell resistance, improved stunning fist, self concealment

Prestige class tips

 * Shadowdancer is a good choice for a stealthy monk.
 * Pious monks may want to consider the champion of Torm.
 * Red dragon disciple provides useful ability score boosts. In addition, the base class (sorcerer or bard) used to qualify for this prestige class opens the use of arcane scrolls. There are some additional benefits to the bard class (e.g. bard song and UMD), but combining bard with monk requires an alignment change.
 * Ranger is a usefull class when going for 10 attacks per round as it recieves full BAB. It also provides the two-weapon feats for free.
 * Weapon Master at post-epic levels will add significant damage due to an increased critical range while using Kama's.