Strength based monks?

[Choon-Ma]

one of the people I play with is experementing with a strength based monk build. I know this goes outside the normal monk build, but I thought it interesting. Why aren't there more strength based monk builds? My first answer is probably the AC loss from the low dex. Because they wear no armor a non-dex monk would be extremely voulnerable. Then he told me he isn't going to play human, but hasn't decided on what race yet.

Have you all tinkered with a STR based monk? How did it go? What races would you reccomend to my tinkering friend? How about PrC's for such a thing? The DM is allowing up to ECL +2 with three starting levles for a total of 5. He loves balanced stats for some reason so any way it goes this is not going to be max'ed.

His stats: (28 pt. buy)
14/14/14/12/14/8

 

[IanB]

Goliath monks are scary. +4 strength, grapple like large creatures, etc.

 

[Choon-Ma]

I recomended he go large. For a while he was actually concidering a small STR monk. Then he tried to build one and realized that it just didn't work. I think he liked the sight of a small creature carrying a backpack the size of a mule.

On topic now: How does one overcome the lack of Dex AC?

 

[gtJormungand]

As far as less Dex goes, you can use your speed to your advantage by eventually going the spring attack route (still need a 13 Dex, though).

Otherwise, you can focus more on Con and Wisdom.

 

[Legildur]

Half-orc monks do okay - they make good grapplers. The +2 Str really helps, Cha is a dump stat anyway, and you take a hit to skills because of the Int penalty.

AC is not usually a Monk thing. High touch AC, sure, but only relative to other characters. Monks aren't front line combatants.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Strength based monks are better than dex focused ones.
They do more damage and have a higher attack bonus with out having to use weapon finese.
They suffer in the stealth department but are better at other signature monk skills like climbing or jumping.

I'd take an 18 strenght, 12 dex monk over the inverse any day of the week.

 

[Nazhkandrias]

Well, if you're going with a Strength-based Monk, then you need to go for a Trip build. Pick up Improved Trip as a bonus feat (and consider Improved Grapple, especially if you want to go Large). Also, consider Improved Sunder. The Monk's Adamantine Ki Strike at higher levels automatically bypasses hardness, making the Monk a damn fine sunderer. Plus, you don't use the armor and weapons anyway, so it's a fun way to tick the party Fighter off.

 

[Choon-Ma]

I'm glad people actually posted. My last threads died really quick....

Has anyone ever actually built a small STR monk? I think it would be an interesting role-playing option. How can you make that doable... if it is...

 

[Erywin]

I just finished introducing my new NPC a Gestalt Voidmind Shifter Monk/Druid with the shifter druid racial substitution levels. Needless to say fully buffed he had a Str and Dex of around 22-24 and was rolling 2d10 +Str for unarmed damage, with an AC around 44 was hard for the party of 6 lvl 8-11th PCs to hurt him Was kinda fun, he pissed off the PCs, managed to get an item off of them and then retreat before they knew what was happening, also the encounter introduced a new PC to the group, so all in all it was good fun.

Cheers,
E

PS. I second the Goliath Monk idea

 

[argo]

Put the feat you save by not taking weapon finesse into the Spring Attack chain and milk your high base speed for all its worth.

Make Con a priority, when you aren't bouncing in and out with spring attack you will need to rely on your ability to soak the damage. At later levels you can heal some damage yourself but make sure you stay friendly with the party cleric. Really, this isn't too much different than the typical Barbarian's strategy.

Tactically remember that you are a support-fighter. At the end of the day tripping and grappling are about griefing your opponent, forcing them to waste precious actions dealing with you. You disrupt the enemy's rythm while your fighter or barbarian friend brings the pain.

Hope that helps.