I tried the battlemind and hated it. The Augment system was far more trouble than fun. To me, the Monk should have been a wis-based divine melee character.
You are both rational and emotional. You value creation and discovery, and feel strongly about what I create. At best, you're innovative and intuitive. At worst, you're scattered and unpredictable.
Bow down, my subjects, for I am your master! Yesss.....Show
I just started playing a monk in another system and I'm pretty hooked. Part of the reason is because I played a druid in 4e and then one in Warhammer to get a better feel. So monk still can have the neutral alignment without being tempted to go to extremes. But the awesome attacks and RPG aspects are so rich in content.
Perhaps you can pick one then kill 'em off if it doesn't pan out and go for the other. Let me know if you choose monk. I'd love to see what your character turns out to be.
There's a general opinion that the power-point classes in 4E suffer from higher-level augmented powers being either too weak, or too expensive, or both, compared to lower-level augmented powers. That, with rare exceptions, you're better off spending 4 points to augment a lower-level power 4 times than you would be by spending the same 4 points to augment a higher-level power once and then use unaugmented powers 3 times.
With the result that the most effective characters in these classes mostly spam their level-1 powers.
"The world does not work the way you have been taught it does. We are not real as such; we exist within The Story. Unfortunately for you, you have inherited a condition from your mother known as Primary Protagonist Syndrome, which means The Story is interested in you. It will find you, and if you are not ready for the narrative strands it will throw at you..." - from Footloose
To me, the Monk should have been a wis-based divine melee character.
Pssst! What you want exists and is called the Avenger. Most of my Avengers come from a monastic upbringing (the isolationist nature of monastaries being conducive to both fundamentalism and unorthodox extremism). As far as they are concerned, they are Monks, not Avengers.
Between those two I would definately go for the monk. I've seen it in action and it's sweet while the psion might not be bad, but I've never had a feeling it would be interesting building and playing one. Thri-kreen monk FTW xD
Monk is one of my favorite classes ever. It's so darned versatile, both in terms of hybriding/MCing into other classes and having so many options on the battlefield. The ki focus feature is the icing on the cake.
Psions are just kind of boring compared to monks IMHO.
I've always loved monks and honestly, if you take the time to really build it and really consider what your doing.. you become a god in very short order. High defenses, massives aoe's, or very very hard hitting. Basically you take your pick. I'll copy mine down (keep in mind I'm running in an epic campaign right now) but it'll give you an idea of what the monk is capable of. I also have a psion as a secondary character.. he's more of a funny type of character.. I call him a Jedi Robo.. (Psion Warforged). He has a tendency to pick people up with his mind and throw them against the wall.
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ====== Sparrow, level 21 Human, Monk, Adroit Explorer, Diamond Soul Build: Centered Breath Monk Monastic Tradition Option: Centered Breath Ambitious Effort Option: Ambitious Effort New Power Human Power Selection Option: Bonus At-Will Power Background Benefit: Among Another Race (Razorclaw Shifter) Birth - Among Another Race (Among Another Race (Razorclaw Shifter)) Theme: Treasure Hunter
FINAL ABILITY SCORES STR 10, CON 16, DEX 26, INT 13, WIS 21, CHA 12
STARTING ABILITY SCORES STR 8, CON 14, DEX 16, INT 11, WIS 15, CHA 10
POWERS Basic Attack: Melee Basic Attack Basic Attack: Ranged Basic Attack Treasure Hunter Utility: Treasure Sense Monk Feature: Centered Flurry of Blows Monk Attack 1: Fallen Needle Monk Attack 1: Five Storms Monk Attack 1: Crane's Wings Monk Attack 1: Masterful Spiral Acrobatics Utility 2: Agile Recovery Monk Attack 3: Wind Through the Willows Monk Utility 6: Centered Defense Monk Attack 7: Strike the Avalanche Monk Utility 10: Iron Dragon Defense Adroit Explorer Utility 12: Destined for Greatness Monk Attack 13: Furious Bull Monk Attack 13: Step Between the Worlds Monk Attack 15: Mithral Tornado Acrobatics Utility 16: Reflexive Dodge Monk Attack 17: Steps of Grasping Fire Monk Attack 17: Three Winds Kick Monk Attack 17: Fall of the Anvil's Master Monk Attack 19: Loud Fist Strike Adroit Explorer Attack 20: Bloodied Greatness
FEATS Level 1: Unarmored Agility Level 1: Superior Reflexes Level 2: Fluid Motion Level 4: Deadly Draw Level 5: Skill Focus (Acrobatics) Level 6: Ki Focus Expertise Level 8: Superior Implement Training (Iron ki focus) Level 10: Improved Initiative Level 11: Defensive Advantage Level 12: Uncanny Dodge Level 14: Courageous Mind Level 16: Internalize the Basic Kata Level 18: Superior Will Level 20: Superior Fortitude Level 21: Centered Master
ITEMS Monk unarmed strike x1 Adventurer's Kit Devastating Iron ki focus +4 x1 Mantle of the Seventh Wind Kestrekel Feather Armor +5 x1 Rushing Cleats x1 Ring of Feather Fall x1 Ring of Aquatic Ability x1 Amulet of Life Protection +4 x1 Trollhide Bracers (paragon tier) x1 Gauntlets of Destruction x1 Map of Unseen Lands Everlasting Provisions Reinforcing Belt x1 ====== End ======
Note: I'm not actually sure if Forceful weapons (My ki feature) and the rushing cleats stack. If they do on most of my forced movement attacks I gain an extra two places. So I'm moving enemies all over the field. If anyone knows the let me know. Its not labeled as a "feat/item/communist/easter bunny/walmart slash and save/ hot vanilla chai tea latte (god that sounds good right now) bonuses so I think by default they stack. Also given the items I'm wearing I minimum do 3 damage per dice.
If correct my most dramatic ability is loud fist strike
Primary target takes 3d10+15 (min/max dmg -> 24/45) then push the target a total of 7 squares and knock him prone. Area Burst 2 (hitting all enemies cept original target) centered on primary target. 2d10+15 (min/max damage -> 21/35) and all targets are pushed 5 squares from the guy on his butt
I know I'm talking a lot but monks are great fun if you just like going "BOOSH! How ya like THAT?!" and the martial arts flavor makes it easy to do all sorts of fun stuff
Sparrow is a Cheerful treasure hunter who was adopted by her Razorclaw Father (he's another character of mine) but unlike him she's very outgoing and far from reserved. She loves the thrill of combat and the excitment of adventure verses the wonder of ancient history. Just so much fun to play
To me, the Monk should have been a wis-based divine melee character.
Pssst! What you want exists and is called the Avenger. Most of my Avengers come from a monastic upbringing (the isolationist nature of monastaries being conducive to both fundamentalism and unorthodox extremism). As far as they are concerned, they are Monks, not Avengers.
Except the description text of the Avenger is what I consider a Paladin to be. And the Avenger mechanics are just broken compared to other classes. Yes, Broken.
You are both rational and emotional. You value creation and discovery, and feel strongly about what I create. At best, you're innovative and intuitive. At worst, you're scattered and unpredictable.
Bow down, my subjects, for I am your master! Yesss.....Show
To me, the Monk should have been a wis-based divine melee character.
Pssst! What you want exists and is called the Avenger. Most of my Avengers come from a monastic upbringing (the isolationist nature of monastaries being conducive to both fundamentalism and unorthodox extremism). As far as they are concerned, they are Monks, not Avengers.
Except the description text of the Avenger is what I consider a Paladin to be. And the Avenger mechanics are just broken compared to other classes. Yes, Broken.
So . . .
Avenger = not not broken, I.E negative not broken Monk = not not broken, I.E negative not broken
