Monk player problem

[burglekutt]

I'm making a Monk & cant find many reasons for him to have a high Defense # since he wears practically no armor.
Yes I could give him a +1 or +2 with magical items, but was wondering what some of you would think about letting him Defend using any shield white & black as defense. This way I could keep him at only 2Defend dice or 3Def tops, but perhaps 3Def is to OP.

I know its a mortal sin to use the BlackShield for defense, but would any of you allow it? Thanks!

Invalid dice code!

[cynthialee]

For the Monk it is perfect and I think when ever the enemy rolls a Black Shield when they attack the Monk have opened themselves up to attack by the Monk equal amount of dice as Black Shields that were rolled in the monsters attack.

[burglekutt]

I think when ever the enemy rolls a Black Shield when they attack the Monk have opened themselves up to attack by the Monk equal amount of dice as Black Shields that were rolled in the monsters attack.

That's pretty rad. Because the highest Attack I could ever see the Monk having is a 3Att, and that's with a Halbeard or Manriki Chain which might realistically only have a 2Att.

[Azure]

Indeed ; that passive ability to get an immediate counterattack when the enemy rolls a black shield on their attack roll is RAD. Also, keep in mind Monks know how to use combat staves (short, medium, long) and they might be granted the use of some bracers as well. With a good staff, the Monk could maybe reach 5 Attack Dice.

My ideas and recommendations ;
BODY 5 MIND 5 (Perfect balance between body and spirit)
- I would give the Monk an additional attack die if they ran (rolled a 7 or more) to get to the enemy (imagining a jump kick)
- I would say the enemy gets pushed back 2 squares if they fail to defend at all (like, zero black shields)
- The enemy gets pushed back 1 square if the Monk scores 2 skulls in any circumstance.
- Can pass through squares in diagonal during combat only (the diagonal spaces unoccupied by enemies)
- I would say 3 combat dice for defense, because he is very agile and knows how to block hits.
- Absolutely no armor maybe except bracers.
- I would say 4 combat dice for defense against the ranged attacks (arrows, slings, etc)

Tell me what you think.

[cynthialee]

I would allow the Monk Bracers and Wizard Cloak and start at a base 3 Defend and 1 Attack

[Oftkilted]

At a “high end” (IE past the base game, Kellar’s keep and RotWL) a defense under 5 or 6 will end up with them dying. (Or you’ll need a source of healing.) And probably be an unhappy experience for the player. And a max of 3 attack is also really low.

Are you playing NA rules with monsters and multiple body points? Or EU rules where they all have one BP unless they’re named characters?

[torilen]

I just thought this up now - and I will be using it for my own material, but feel free to play off it:
Create a set of "spell" cards for the monk. Base the martial arts moves/katas/maneuvers/etc. on
real moves. Perhaps one set of three could focus on only pressure points. Perhaps another set of
three could focus on only defense or offense - or perhaps you could split it into hand movements
and foot movements. Have a fourth set focus on the meditation aspect - gathering internal energies
to make a better attack or defense, run faster, get rid of poison. The monk would choose three sets,
just like the wizard.

[cynthialee]

my issue with that is cards are surrendered after use and everyone has pressure points.....etc

[cynthialee]

Monk
Move 2D6+2 (nice bonus)
Body 6
Mind 4
Attack 1
Defend 3
May equip all weapons and most armor.
Special: When attacked by an opponent who rolls Black Shields the Monk may roll 1 combat dice for each Black Shield as a counter attack. This counter blow may not be defended against.
Special: 2 times per adventure the Monk may heal himself of 1D6+2 Body Points.
Special: 1 time per adventure the Monk may ignore any one attacks result.
Special: Rolls as a Dwarf for trap removal.
..
Drawbacks: Monk may only employ Bracers and Cloak without penalty. Should the monk use other armor such as Chain, Shield or Helmet the monk loses their +2 movement bonus. The monk will not use Plate Armor excepting a suit such as Borins Armor or equivalent.
...
Champion: Add 2 Body Points to the Monk and unarmed attacks are with 2 dice.
just my take after some rumination on the thread....

[Kurgan]

When I hear "monk" I picture Friar Tuck or medieval prayer warrior, but I also picture a Shaolin Kung Fu guy.

High defense explained by:

Martial Arts. He can block or dodge his opponent's strikes with high agility.

Maybe he uses his cloak to catch his opponent's blade or wave in their face to cause their strike to miss. Maybe he has a staff that he is particularly skilled with.

He might wear some kind of holy relic that gives him extra protection.

Maybe he blinds the enemy with holy light or burns incense that gets in their eyes.

Maybe his chanting creates visions that make him harder to hit.

You could give him the German colored dice (Green dice has higher defense). Perhaps under certain circumstances (based on weapons, armor, ally or enemy placement, etc) he gets defensive bonuses.