Introduction:
Monks are the true masters of both body and spirit. They dedicate years of their life in order to hone their skills. All of this to achieve the perfect self, enlightenment. The thing that all monks aspire to. Through discipline, and sheer will power, monks are capable of harnessing the spirit within themselves in order to perform spectacular physical achievements. Not many can boast of such feats, save for monks. This spirit is called KI Power and is what allows them to perform such amazing feats. Disciples of both fist and weapons, these highly versatile warriors are fast, agile, and determined. Capable of one punching things to death, or pummeling enemies with their fists. Monks always pull through when it matters!
This guide will, hopefully, give you the knowledge you need to play the class competently.
Class Features:
Pathfinder: Kingmaker uses Unchained Monk. This version of monk addresses many of the issues that vanilla monk suffers from, while also introducing some quality of life changes. The main things:
Full BAB - Unchained monk now has full base attack bonus. This now means that monk will have the same progression as fighter. BAB is important in that it determines your accuracy to hit, and how many attacks you can dish out per round. With full BAB and flurry of blows, a monk is capable of performing 8 attacks per round.
AC Bonus - When not wearing any armor, the monk adds his WIS to AC. The bonus is further increased by +1 at each four levels within the class, up to a maximum of +5 at level 20. This bonus is applied to touch AC as well.
Flurry of Blows - At level 1 a monk is capable of making consecutive attacks as a full attack. This basically means that the monk can perform one additional attack. You get an additional attack at level 11. These attacks are made at the highest BAB. These attacks stack with other effects that grant an additional attack.
KI Powers - The monk is able to pick a KI Power that will facilitate him to perform amazing physical feats. These powers can either be spell like abilities or innate passives.
KI Strike - These are primarily passives that apply to unarmed attacks in order to bypass DR. At level 3 unarmed attacks get treated as magic weapons. At level 7 unarmed attacks get treated as Cold Iron and Sliver. At level 10 unarmed gets treated as Lawful. Finally at level 16 unarmed gets treated as Adamantine.
Style Strikes - Whenever a monk makes a flurry of blows, one of the unarmed attacks can be treated as a style strike. These effects vary on the type you choose. Here is the list of style strikes:
Hammerblow: If this style strike hits, the monk rolls his unarmed damage twice. Both rolls are added before other modifiers. Basically, more damage. This bonus damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.
Shattering Punch: A brutal punch that can bypass any DR or hardness that an enemy has.
Defensive Spin: If the monk lands a successful hit with this style strike, he then gains a +4 dodge bonus to AC until the next turn. Thid does not stack with itself.
Leg Sweep: If you attack with this style strike on, then you make a free trip attempt. The trip does not provoke AoO though.
Stats:
For DEX monks you can get away with dumping your INT, CHA, and STR. Leaving you with plenty of ability points.
An optimal stat spread for a DEX monk will look like this:
STR 7
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 7
WIS 18
CHA 7
One important thing to note for DEX based monks, is that you can dip 3 levels into the rogue class in order to do damage with fists. Finesse training is crucial for DEX based monks. If you do not want to dip three levels into rogue, there is an amulet called agile fists that allows you to apply your dexterity modifier to damage rolls, as long as you have the weapon finesse feat.
For Strength monks you are limited to what you can dump. As you are dependent on lots of stats.
An optimal stat spread for Strength monk will look like this:
STR 19
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 7
WIS 16
CHA 7
Races:
While any race can be a monk. Some races are going to be better at it than others. Such is life. Below are the best races I think will make for good monks:
Human - This race gives a +2 to whatever ability score you choose, but the most important thing here, is that you can get an extra feat. This is invaluable. That extra feat can be used for better survivability, or to help finish the build early.
Tiefling - Tieflngs come with heritages. These heritages provide you with +2 to two stats, but they each provide a unique passive. For example, Motherless adds a secondary bite attack, which can be used in conjunction with Flurry of Blows. Pitborn gains a +2 racial bonus on all rolls to confirm critical hits, quite useful. As you can see some of these passive can be quite helpful for monks.
Aasimar - This race primarily gains a +2 to two stats, but gains some spell like abilities. These abilities can be very useful in the early game.
Halfling - By far the best race in the game that makes for potent tank. This race gains +2 to both DEX and CHA. It also comes with halfling luck, which basically gives a +1 racial bonus on all saving throws. But the most important thing about this race is that it can qualify for Cautious Fighter. Cautious Fighter increase the bonus to dodge AC to +2 when fighting defensively. The reason why this is important is because it can stack with crane style.
Dwarf - A niche race, but it's one my favorites. This race gains a +2 to CON and WIS. It also comes with hardy. Hardy gives a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell like abilities. The cool thing about the race, is that it can qualify you for Steel Soul. Steel Soul replaces hardy with a higher +4 racial bonus.
Feats:
There are many feats in the game. However, here are the best feats that I think you should consider for your build:
(If you reach a point where you don't know which feats to pick, always go for utility based feats.)
Power Attack (For STR based monks)
Piranha Strike (For DEX based monks)
Dodge
Toughness
Deflect Arrows
Weapon Focus
Combat Reflexes
Improved Initiative
Iron Will
Improved Iron Will
Blind Fight
Improved Blind Fight
Greater Blind Fight
Critical Focus
Hammer the Gap
Improved Critical
Outflank
Shake it Off
Seize the moment
Pummeling Bully
Pummeling Charge
Dragon Ferocity
Crane Style
Dragon Style
Pummeling Style
Crane Wing
Crane Riposte
Trip
Fury’s Fall
Monk Styles:
Since you can only have one style activate at any one time. I suggest picking one style, and dedicating your build around it.
Dragon Style - The best style for high STR monks. This allows you to squeeze additional damage from your STR modifier, very good. Basically more damage the higher your STR.
Pummeling Style - While this won't do as much damage as Dragon Style, in conjunction with all of monk's unarmed passives it does have the potential to bypass DR. Indeed, while Dragon Style may do more damage, when DR is factored, it tends to fall off. So this is a solid style to focus on when DR does become a factor. Also, pummeling style allows for pounce and bully later on. Also good.
Crane Style - The go to style for tank oriented monks.
While my builds all favor Dragon Style, that doesn't mean the others suck. Experiment and try out each one. They all have their own advantages and disadvantages.
KI Powers:
Most of the KI Power are not all that exciting. This is due to the fact that spells, scrolls, and wands; can provide the same effect as KI Powers. However, with that in mind, here are a few of my favorites:
Bark Skin
True Strike
Abundant Step
Diamond Body
Diamond Soul
Builds:
The Sword Saint Unarmed Build
Guide for CHA based monk
Pure Monk Build
Sensei Wonder Punch!
The Dragon Fist!
Pummeling Tripy Monk!
Crane Style Monk
Summary:
Monk in general is a pretty lackluster class compared to the others, but if you stick to it, you will enjoy it a lot. The key thing about the class is that you can self buff and dish out multiple consecutive attacks per round. While also being hardy enough to hold the line for allies when it matters. In higher levels you'll be able to teleport around the battlefield completely annihilating enemies. Of course as with all martial based builds, you need the support of a spell caster in order to reach your true potential. I love the class, and think it is the best class in the game. Hopefully, after reading this, you will try the class out and enjoy it as much as I have.
Videos:
Here are some videos showcasing the power of monks! Enjoy!
Equipment list:
Some items might be missing on this list, please point out any I might have missed! List here!
Monks are the true masters of both body and spirit. They dedicate years of their life in order to hone their skills. All of this to achieve the perfect self, enlightenment. The thing that all monks aspire to. Through discipline, and sheer will power, monks are capable of harnessing the spirit within themselves in order to perform spectacular physical achievements. Not many can boast of such feats, save for monks. This spirit is called KI Power and is what allows them to perform such amazing feats. Disciples of both fist and weapons, these highly versatile warriors are fast, agile, and determined. Capable of one punching things to death, or pummeling enemies with their fists. Monks always pull through when it matters!
This guide will, hopefully, give you the knowledge you need to play the class competently.
Class Features:
Pathfinder: Kingmaker uses Unchained Monk. This version of monk addresses many of the issues that vanilla monk suffers from, while also introducing some quality of life changes. The main things:
Full BAB - Unchained monk now has full base attack bonus. This now means that monk will have the same progression as fighter. BAB is important in that it determines your accuracy to hit, and how many attacks you can dish out per round. With full BAB and flurry of blows, a monk is capable of performing 8 attacks per round.
AC Bonus - When not wearing any armor, the monk adds his WIS to AC. The bonus is further increased by +1 at each four levels within the class, up to a maximum of +5 at level 20. This bonus is applied to touch AC as well.
Flurry of Blows - At level 1 a monk is capable of making consecutive attacks as a full attack. This basically means that the monk can perform one additional attack. You get an additional attack at level 11. These attacks are made at the highest BAB. These attacks stack with other effects that grant an additional attack.
KI Powers - The monk is able to pick a KI Power that will facilitate him to perform amazing physical feats. These powers can either be spell like abilities or innate passives.
KI Strike - These are primarily passives that apply to unarmed attacks in order to bypass DR. At level 3 unarmed attacks get treated as magic weapons. At level 7 unarmed attacks get treated as Cold Iron and Sliver. At level 10 unarmed gets treated as Lawful. Finally at level 16 unarmed gets treated as Adamantine.
Style Strikes - Whenever a monk makes a flurry of blows, one of the unarmed attacks can be treated as a style strike. These effects vary on the type you choose. Here is the list of style strikes:
Hammerblow: If this style strike hits, the monk rolls his unarmed damage twice. Both rolls are added before other modifiers. Basically, more damage. This bonus damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.
Shattering Punch: A brutal punch that can bypass any DR or hardness that an enemy has.
Defensive Spin: If the monk lands a successful hit with this style strike, he then gains a +4 dodge bonus to AC until the next turn. Thid does not stack with itself.
Leg Sweep: If you attack with this style strike on, then you make a free trip attempt. The trip does not provoke AoO though.
Stats:
For DEX monks you can get away with dumping your INT, CHA, and STR. Leaving you with plenty of ability points.
An optimal stat spread for a DEX monk will look like this:
STR 7
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 7
WIS 18
CHA 7
One important thing to note for DEX based monks, is that you can dip 3 levels into the rogue class in order to do damage with fists. Finesse training is crucial for DEX based monks. If you do not want to dip three levels into rogue, there is an amulet called agile fists that allows you to apply your dexterity modifier to damage rolls, as long as you have the weapon finesse feat.
For Strength monks you are limited to what you can dump. As you are dependent on lots of stats.
An optimal stat spread for Strength monk will look like this:
STR 19
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 7
WIS 16
CHA 7
Races:
While any race can be a monk. Some races are going to be better at it than others. Such is life. Below are the best races I think will make for good monks:
Human - This race gives a +2 to whatever ability score you choose, but the most important thing here, is that you can get an extra feat. This is invaluable. That extra feat can be used for better survivability, or to help finish the build early.
Tiefling - Tieflngs come with heritages. These heritages provide you with +2 to two stats, but they each provide a unique passive. For example, Motherless adds a secondary bite attack, which can be used in conjunction with Flurry of Blows. Pitborn gains a +2 racial bonus on all rolls to confirm critical hits, quite useful. As you can see some of these passive can be quite helpful for monks.
Aasimar - This race primarily gains a +2 to two stats, but gains some spell like abilities. These abilities can be very useful in the early game.
Halfling - By far the best race in the game that makes for potent tank. This race gains +2 to both DEX and CHA. It also comes with halfling luck, which basically gives a +1 racial bonus on all saving throws. But the most important thing about this race is that it can qualify for Cautious Fighter. Cautious Fighter increase the bonus to dodge AC to +2 when fighting defensively. The reason why this is important is because it can stack with crane style.
Dwarf - A niche race, but it's one my favorites. This race gains a +2 to CON and WIS. It also comes with hardy. Hardy gives a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell like abilities. The cool thing about the race, is that it can qualify you for Steel Soul. Steel Soul replaces hardy with a higher +4 racial bonus.
Feats:
There are many feats in the game. However, here are the best feats that I think you should consider for your build:
(If you reach a point where you don't know which feats to pick, always go for utility based feats.)
Power Attack (For STR based monks)
Piranha Strike (For DEX based monks)
Dodge
Toughness
Deflect Arrows
Weapon Focus
Combat Reflexes
Improved Initiative
Iron Will
Improved Iron Will
Blind Fight
Improved Blind Fight
Greater Blind Fight
Critical Focus
Hammer the Gap
Improved Critical
Outflank
Shake it Off
Seize the moment
Pummeling Bully
Pummeling Charge
Dragon Ferocity
Crane Style
Dragon Style
Pummeling Style
Crane Wing
Crane Riposte
Trip
Fury’s Fall
Monk Styles:
Since you can only have one style activate at any one time. I suggest picking one style, and dedicating your build around it.
Dragon Style - The best style for high STR monks. This allows you to squeeze additional damage from your STR modifier, very good. Basically more damage the higher your STR.
Pummeling Style - While this won't do as much damage as Dragon Style, in conjunction with all of monk's unarmed passives it does have the potential to bypass DR. Indeed, while Dragon Style may do more damage, when DR is factored, it tends to fall off. So this is a solid style to focus on when DR does become a factor. Also, pummeling style allows for pounce and bully later on. Also good.
Crane Style - The go to style for tank oriented monks.
While my builds all favor Dragon Style, that doesn't mean the others suck. Experiment and try out each one. They all have their own advantages and disadvantages.
KI Powers:
Most of the KI Power are not all that exciting. This is due to the fact that spells, scrolls, and wands; can provide the same effect as KI Powers. However, with that in mind, here are a few of my favorites:
Bark Skin
True Strike
Abundant Step
Diamond Body
Diamond Soul
Builds:
The Sword Saint Unarmed Build
Guide for CHA based monk
Pure Monk Build
Sensei Wonder Punch!
The Dragon Fist!
Pummeling Tripy Monk!
Crane Style Monk
Summary:
Monk in general is a pretty lackluster class compared to the others, but if you stick to it, you will enjoy it a lot. The key thing about the class is that you can self buff and dish out multiple consecutive attacks per round. While also being hardy enough to hold the line for allies when it matters. In higher levels you'll be able to teleport around the battlefield completely annihilating enemies. Of course as with all martial based builds, you need the support of a spell caster in order to reach your true potential. I love the class, and think it is the best class in the game. Hopefully, after reading this, you will try the class out and enjoy it as much as I have.
Videos:
Here are some videos showcasing the power of monks! Enjoy!
Equipment list:
Some items might be missing on this list, please point out any I might have missed! List here!
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