Monk class

Garkeon

Hello

So, i am interested in the class Monk, i like the type (fighting with fists) but the problem is he is too damn weak... for example with 18 constitution he has only 10 hp, gets killed very easily and deals no damage. Logically while he ca not equip any armor, he has to have huge armor or health naturally, but he has not, he is very very weak compared to others. I can't even understand his skill: Stunning blow, when i cast it, some green light appears and that's the end. I would like to hear your opinions about this class, or share your experience. Maybe he is strong if you play correctly?

Thanks

Michael24710

The monk is a very interesting character. He starts off very weak but in the long term becomes uber powerful. I would suggest looking up the skills he gains as he levels up

Pantalion

Stunning Blow: Green Light appears. Your next attack is now a stunning blow.

Monks start weak and gain armour swiftly as they level. They are not a beginner's class, nor, overall, are mages for much the same reasons.

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Lemernis

The Monk's THACO is also a problem at low level. About the lowest you'll get it is to around 10 by the time you hit the XP cap at level 8.

This is a class that in BG:EE can't really be used as a tank until around level 6 or 7. Even then you're probably wisest to avoid having a Monk stand toe to toe against the heaviest hitters.

You can use the Monk more surgically by sending him or her at mages and archers. Wizards because they have lower AC, so you can hit them with the Monk's not-so-great THACO. And archers because they will be then forced to switch to melee. And often archers are just wearing light armor, so they're a bit easier to hit then as well.

I reserve using Stunning Blow just for mages. When it hits it's pretty sweet.

You'll figure out what gear helps Monk most. But Strength enhancing items seem to give the Monk the edge the class needs even just to be somewhat effective in BG:EE.

In BG2 it's a whole different story. There the Monk will eventually become god-like.

ZanathKariashi

Monk's don't benefit from Con higher then 16.

The Monk gets much better has he levels up, but since BG1 is a low lvl game, you'll only just begin to see his benefits when you're level capped....though in the sequel they take off from the get go and just get better.

The stunning blow modifies your next attack. Once it's active, you attack the enemy as normal and if it hits, they have to save or be stunned.

They also gain multiple attacks much quicker then a fighter does, so by 8, you should have a fair number of unarmed attacks. The lack of fighter bonus str hurts a bit early on, but if you use that str belt they added, or get the str manual later to buff to a natural 19, they can do some good damage (can't hit as magical till the sequel though, so keep a back-up weapon for the enemies that need it)

and_then_or

I just finished soloing a monk. I kept track of the number of deaths; 63 for the run through.

Getting your AC down is a struggle and will always be higher than a sword and board. You've really got to kite, as goul/gast/carrion crawler/vamp wolf hits can turn into a death very fast. I reccomend getting Rassad's boots asap.

Not until your number of attacks gets higher and your fists earn the +1 designation will you become more effective in combat, but you will not compete with a fighter within the scope of BG1, even w/ the xp cap removed.

The monk is weak. The value of weak class builds is you learn varying tactics which is enlightening. If you want to play a monk for role-playing purposes then absolutely do so. I did enjoy the solo from that angle but it was at times frustrating and one dimensional. Going judo-CHOP on the Demon Kahniget and Aec'LetecMe was a chuckle.

Edit: Definity put 18 into strenght at the start. Know when to use darts and when to use slings.
Edit: Note that monks can't be hasted in any way (no potions, spells, or boots) The necklace of missles, shield amulet, and greenstone amulet are your best friends. Recharge (sell then repurchase) them when they have 1 charge remaining.
Edit: I skipped werewolf island as I figured there would be no way I could get through it w/ just a solo monk.

lunar

Monk is weak at low levels and is definitely not a tank! He is a fast and dangerous blitzer attacker though. Hide in shadows and assault that annoying mage with a 'Wham! On your face!' Stunning blow and he will be dead. Go tanking ogre berserkers and you will be dead. Heh.

Tresset

If only they put something like Blem or the Scarlet Ninjato in BG1:EE and made it just for monks; that class would be more fun in BG1:EE...

Lemernis

One more point I wish to make: a monk in BG:EE is an investment. You have to use the class carefully to avoid taking too much damage at low levels. (He or she can still be an asset if you use him smartly.) However, when you take a monk into BG2 and reach level 13 you get Quivering Palm, which the target must save against or die. So in time you can be killing dragons with fists.

Debaser

@Garkeon Go with 18 Constitution but give him the Claw of Kazaroth...he'll get lowered to 16 Con...and still have all the HP bonus a Monk can get...AND he'll have ridiculous saving throws and a bonus to AC. Give him the Strength belt...take Rasaad when you can do his quest to get it. And the Monk Bracers...put a + in single weapon combat style for the AC bonus...give him Rasaad's Talon (+2 Scimitar) or kill Drizzt for the +3 Scimitar that defends you with AC bonus. barskin from Jaheria, a fire resistance ring...and a good +1 necklace, and the cloak of displacement or non detection if you want to sneak. later and you're golden. You'll never get hit by missles, unlike Rasad you won't be a glass cannon.

krossbow7

Honestly, the idea of a class swinging from UP to OP just never made much sense for me.

I really don't understand why they didn't just Fudge the class and alter its scaling so it started with a 5 AC and only got a -1 to ac every 3 levels instead of every 2 or something, and gave it +1 fists at level 4 but extended how long it took to level up the enhancement in exchange.



Its not like there's going to be dual classing with the monk to min-max, so why not just make it useful the ENTIRE game without becoming OP at the end? The dev's can do anything they want, even if it means remaking a class wholesale to break from normal D&D, so it just doesn't make sense to me.

Justarius

Around level 6 is the point where monks start to become properly effective. Not a hard point to get to but yes, they need to be carried a bit till then & used carefully.

By the end of the game a monk should have:
- 2.5 APR, 1D12 +1 damage
- Base AC 5 (2 vs missiles)

18 starting strength & dex plus good use of magic items will see the monk be pretty lethal within BG1. BG2 is a monster punching party of epic proportions

ryuken87

I actually think the Monk is one of the most overrated classes in the game. Ok we know it's sucky in BG1, but I actually don't think it's that great in BG2 either.

Its magic resistance, saving throws and to a lesser extent the immunities it has make it able to stand up to mages and it hits very hard per it. The inability to cast Improved Haste on it and its limited damage resistance however, make it a poorer damage dealer and tank than other warriors.

@Justarius I believe those stats require level 9 - beyond the BG1 cap.

SamuelVarg

Debaser said:

@Garkeon Go with 18 Constitution but give him the Claw of Kazaroth...he'll get lowered to 16 Con...and still have all the HP bonus a Monk can get...AND he'll have ridiculous saving throws and a bonus to AC. Give him the Strength belt...take Rasaad when you can do his quest to get it. And the Monk Bracers...put a + in single weapon combat style for the AC bonus...give him Rasaad's Talon (+2 Scimitar) or kill Drizzt for the +3 Scimitar that defends you with AC bonus. barskin from Jaheria, a fire resistance ring...and a good +1 necklace, and the cloak of displacement or non detection if you want to sneak. later and you're golden. You'll never get hit by missles, unlike Rasad you won't be a glass cannon.

You, my friend, just gave me the idea for a cool neutral monk.
I will try this for my next play-through.

DinsdalePiranha

use shield amulet (nashkel carnival) until AC reaches "not so horrible" levels - it sets your base AC to 4, which even in the highest levels (in BGEE) should make it better and you harder to hit.