This guide is no longer updated. A new guide will be coming soon.
(Revised for Update 33.)
Throughout this guide I’ll note key feats that Monks should consider as they level. Many of these will be different from what may be taken by Fighters for a simple reason: Monks get many feats, but many of these are granted automatically. In short, Monks get far fewer optional feats than Fighters.
Further, handwraps work differently in terms of damage. They come with unique effects that offset what fighters are limited in utilizing from a typical single weapon. Monks can continually stack elemental strikes and other ki-powered damage atop handwraps in addition to natural damage reductions and the effects of the handwraps themselves.
Update 19 made a radically substantial change to all Monks. Before, Monks received the starting (Disciple) Monk stances as feats, and used Action Points to choose and update through other Monk stances as enhancements.
No longer. In Update 19, every Monk elemental stance is automatically granted to you as feats over time.
You begin with the elemental stances at level 1, named "The Way of..." for Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. At level 8, you receive the Adept stances. At level 12, the Master stances. By level 18, you receive the Grandmaster stances.
In some ways, this might seem a bit overpowering. For others, it's a boon since you can devote your Action Points to more abilities in the enhancement class trees.
While all Monk elemental stance training is given as you level, it's now possible for a character trained in only 1 Monk level to add later forms as optional feats.
You'll receive more detail on how this change affects how you play, as well as some minute changes in each stance, in each of the level-based sections (The Way, Adept, Master and Grandmaster).
I’ll just note the key families of Monk fighting feats and touch on their significance to Monks and note why other common Fighter feats aren’t taken.
Unlike with traditional weapon attacks, Two-Weapon Fighting while unarmed incurs no attack bonus penalties.
In Wind Stance, this can greatly improve your overall damage when doublestriking as well as dealing off-hand damage to another attacker.
You should take at least the first rank. You can still be an accomplished Monk without Improved and Greater TWF if you need those feat slots for other abilities.
While Single Weapon Fighting is very attractive for Ninja Spies, note that you cannot wield a second weapon in the off-hand or SWF will be deactivated. SWF or not, Monks may never use shields, rune arms or orbs in their off-hand.
Neither SWF, TWF or THF will benefit Monks that use a bow or thrown weapons. Train the appropriate Ranged feats instead.
Notes from the Old Master:We are Monks, not clones
In my dojo, I choose to train my students to a high standard of achievement.
Note that I did NOT say "a high standard of excellence."
All Monks are trained with a foundation of specific skills. Thoughtful selection of feats, as well as learned skills and special enhancement training will allow to avoid being one in the crowd.
Anyone can punch. Anyone can stun. But to stun successfully almost all the time is exceptional.
You can rack up the most kills, yes. But a Monk that completes a quest with very few deaths shows a respect for life and balance as well as skill in surviving a world that is out to slay you.
Teacher Syncletica, who specialized in the element of Wind, was initially skeptical when one of her early students, who chose the name Lynncletica, demonstrated (through much trial and bloody error) how the element of Earth can be mastered and used to levels of survival and destruction that began to surpass her instructor. Likewise, a Ninja Spy who took the name of Ryncletica has shown how stealth can allow her to infiltrate and complete an adventure without detection at all.
Do not train a particular feat or skill or learn an enhancement simply because someone says so. Nor should you choose your training because it worked for someone else. Your size, your bearing, your race's natural talents--all these things can refine your body and mind into a true offering and example.
Learn what you need but question the why in terms of where such a skill falls within your personal destiny. You may choose (heavens forbid) to use a quarterstaff. Yet if you can demonstrate that it is better for your personal needs as well as show proficiency, your instructors will not argue with you (much).
Diversity within the skills of the monastic life aids in the safety of Stormreach and elsewhere. As you train, look at the obscure, the spurned, and see if it calls to you.
Continue on to the Final Page and complete character creation.