Custom Monk Class - Balancing Advice

Jaheiras_Witness

Hi all,

I'm looking to do a solo BG2 SCS run with a customised monk class. I'm going to add some abilities to the vanilla monk and remove others to better fit the type of character I want to play, and I just wanted your advice and opinions on whether the proposed changes are balanced or if they would make the character over / under powered.

In essence, I am looking to play a martial arts specialist who can harness his inner rage at the cost of some of the monk's disciplined attacks. These are the changes I propose to make:

Alignment: Chaotic rather than Lawful

Advantages (over normal Monk):

Can use Berserker Enrage once per day per 4 levels.
Can put skill points into Detect Illusions as well as Find Traps and Stealth (but does not gain any additional skill points).

Disadvantages (over normal Monk):

Cannot Lay on Hands.
Cannot use Stunning Blows.
Cannot use Quivering Palm.
Gets zero weapon proficiency points (can still use normal monk weapons but is not proficient in any of them).

What do you think? The Enrages will make this character a lot more durable and less susceptible to hold/stun type spells, as well as providing his only means of avoiding level drain. But this is at the cost of all the monk's special attacks, as well as any weapon skills.

Do you think these changes are balanced?

DreadKhan

Monks can't use the Amulet of Power? Harsh.

It doesn't sound overpowered, and seems very suited to soloing. You are a bit stronger raged, way better at lvl 1, he might not have to kite! Better than Vanilla, probably worse than a Dark Moon after awhile.

Brute/Brawler types can be entertaining. If he had Bard Song, he could be a Gangsta Thug.

lunar

It is balanced enough I guess, but it opposes everything about the monk class. Chaotic alignment and rage ability are the antithesis of monkiness. Concept wise, it seems..wrong.

Fardragon

If I would stick with lawful, and make a "monk draws on inner reserves to boost physical strength" ability that was more like Barbarian Rage - boosting strength stat rather than direct +hit and damage bonus. As a side effect, it would give the monk increased lock breaking ability.

Darkcloud

lunar said:

It is balanced enough I guess, but it opposes everything about the monk class. Chaotic alignment and rage ability are the antithesis of monkiness. Concept wise, it seems..wrong.

name him brawler, he could be the blackguard of monks. I mean he does not have access to the typical monk skills.

Jaheiras_Witness

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. He will be more of an unarmed combat master than a Monk. Just have to use the Monk class to achieve it.

Dungeonnoob

A high level berzerker-monk don't need any overpowered saves/magic resist i think,if u get all the immunities with rage?Top notch idea though..i want 1 too:)

Archaos

Yup, Brawler or Drunken Master. The enrage and chaotic nature could be interpreted as being (a) drunk and punching people.

Take a look at the Drunken Master PrC in 3E for inspiration.
http://dndtools.eu/classes/drunken-master/