D&D MONKS, BUT GOOD, Part 1: Overview, In-Depth Guide to Monks in Pathfinder 2e (Rules Lawyer)

This is the 1st of my three-part series, where I look at how Pathfinder 2e makes a powerful and fun monk to play. This doubles as a showcase about PF2, and to inform the design of other TTRPGs including D&D!

CORRECTION: Healer's gloves are (surprise) on your HANDS. Which is the same slot used by (surprise) your HANDWRAP of mighty blows. Alas! In the upcoming combat demo, we'll need to imagine the gloves as just being a use of Battle Medicine. Thanks to hawktitan for the correction.

0:00 Intro
1:06 Problems with D&D 5E monk
2:30 Monk overview
6:34 Build advice
8:15 Drunken master
11:55 Crane monk
14:46 Ki monk
17:26 Weapon monk
20:08 Zen archer
22:42 Outro

Also see my "D&D Fighters, But Good" series!:

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[TheRulesLawyerRPG]

CORRECTION: Healer's gloves are (surprise) on your HANDS. Which is the same slot used by (surprise) your HANDWRAP of mighty blows. Alas! In the upcoming combat demo, we'll need to imagine the gloves as just being a use of Battle Medicine. Thanks to hawktitan for the correction.

[chavesa]

To quote a Monk player who came directly from 5e: "I never knew I could have so much fun as a martial class."

[christopherg]

The Monk is the poster child of why changing to a 3 equal action economy was such a good idea for PF2.
Entering Stance, Flurry of Blows, Raise shield, Skill Actions, the Stunned Condition - they can all cost 1 Action.
With DnDs old system it is a nightmare to decide which of the 3 actions to take for either of them. But 3 equal Actions? Any one will do.

[Zedrinbot]

The biggest thing I appreciate with Pathfinder's monks is how your attributes accurately reflect your style, and how it always still feels viable. You can build a beefy, big-biceps monk and they'll *feel* like that. Monks built primarily with dex, str, or wis will all feel viable and will feel different in a way that actually reflects your attribute allocation.

In 5e monks typically just dump strength because of how MAD they are and STR doesn't help them actually fight, since dex to damage is a default.

[odinulveson]

Im just glad Larian with Baldurs Gate 3 are allowed to homebrew improvements on the Monk. Gotta STILL do the same for the new " improved " Monk in 5e second edtion 🤔

[IndieGoFigure]

My takeaways from playing monks:

More than anything I feel its the class feat system of P2e is what allows martials to really shine.
Stances defiantly feel like the sub-class analogue for monks and to a certain degree fighters.
Monks make fantastic paramedics due to their mobility and preference for the wisdom stat.
Monks that use a defensive stance (crane and especially mountain) really want a good initiative as you can get sniped on the first turn before getting in to your stance.

[RioDrake]

"Lets go over the Ki features of the monk" had me chuckle

[schallknall]

the most fun monk idea we had was an automaton monk with the energy beam feat, which is an unarmed ranged attack, so you can flurry of blow with it :D

[cheezeofages]

Back when I did videos bashing Taking20's take a very much pondered a video where I redid the battle but didn't announce beforehand the ranger was going to be swapped out until the turn started. Then reveal the woodland hunter gimmick the example player wanted could have been a monastic archer monk with the ability to anoint his bow with positive energy or the natural elements.

Just to show off the array of choices that aren't an illusion (but technically can be if you archetype into an illusionist, which is a potential path to take a hunter)

[elsewhereprince]

The best thing about not needing Wis is that it works well with multiclassing. I theorycrafted a Monk/Wizard that used abjuration to stack on the defense and uses a save spell as a “third action”.

[alecchristiaen]

I love the monk's versatility.

5e pidgeon-holes them into dex-based melee fighters with mystical powers.

PF has so several option for fully mundane or STR based monks.

I love it.

[WhuttaNerd]

As someone who was introduced to TTRPGs through D&D 5e, I just joined my first Pathfinder game as a catfolk monk (wrestler dedication) and I'm having a blast! 10/10, would recommend.

[nicolasvillasecaali]

Hope to see this done for the barbarians once the remaster is in full motion.
Great work with this ones mate.

[kristophersommer]

This is perfect! I'm in the process of converting my Way of Shadow monk to PF2e format! Thanks for the video!

[RoninRaconteur]

The variety of the monks already make this super interesting!

[lordirish]

If you're trying to get more eyeballs with that provacative ensemble...it TOTALLY worked and I'm here for it!

More skin, less rules lawyering!

Well, more skin at any rate. 😜

[lotrotk]

Gonna have to remember this video next time a player is considering monk (in any game system)
Nice show off of the variety

[CCartman]

I've been hoping and waiting for an all monk party combat video for ages! Can't wait to see part 2!

[rayoman]

I played a Drunken Master Monk in D&D 5E. I didn't think it was weak and I was happy with my time spent with it.

[jimbob]

One thing that didn't get mentioned during the third action section is shields, monks make up some of the best shield users in the game because shields don't compete with weapons as much for the monk as they do for other classes, and monks have that open action economy that makes raising a shield every turn trivial. Of the builds presented, the drunken master and ki monk should have AT LEAST a buckler, but a +2 shield is usually even better (or a fortress shield if you wanna get spicy). Remember that you can still make unarmed fist attacks with other body parts if both your hands are full (for example, a shield in one hand and an enemy grappled in the other) so headbutt your way to victory!