Bladeling Monks - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Bladeling Monks

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Jan 25, 2004 16:02:43 One of my PC’s wishes to play a Bladeling monk (a Cipher in fact). Bladelings, being covered in metallic spines are granted a natural claw attack that deals 1d6 + Strength modifier points of slashing damage. While a monk would use a combination of hand and foot, as well as elbow and knee attacks (among others), because the bladeling is covered on spines these attacks would presumably be more effective. A 1st level monk does 1D6 damage with an unarmed attack (a standard unarmed attack causing 1D4 damage). Should a bladeling monk do 1D8 damage at 1st level, because of the improved efficiency that the bladelings spikes would cause? So the character would cause the next monk damage category i.e. 1D6 = 1D8, 1D8 = 1D10 etc. with its attacks

Has anyone played or DM’d for a Bladeling monk? Does anyone have any suggestions about this?
#2
factol_rhys_dup
Jan 27, 2004 20:18:53 I would use the monk's chart for the progression of unarmed damage. If I were DM, I'd give the bladeling monk an advancement on the damage one die up. But what do other people think?
#3
Shemeska_the_Marauder
Jan 27, 2004 20:26:31 Hmm... what's the story behind this particular bladeling going Cipher? The bladelings are pretty darn Xenophobic and ruled by a theocracy that is both evil and regidly lawful. The Cipher creed would entail turning their back on their society, and their gods (which are not discussed with non bladelings, except for The Blood Forest). Hmm... lots of plot hooks for a DM there to bring up for the PC over time, ie past coming back to haunt them, etc.
#4
Ornum
Jan 27, 2004 20:28:39 That actually seems resonable to me, but I wouldn't allow the same character to gain weapon focus (claws) feat at all if he chooses to become a monk. Just my opinion.
#5
moogle001
Jan 28, 2004 0:02:21 I would not recommend automatically increasing the damage ability of the bladeling. At ECL +1, they're already pretty powerful with damage reduction. I know this having had a bladeling monk in D&D 3.5. If they want to increase their damage, they can always take the Increased Natural Attack (Claw) feat from the MM.

Otherwise, I wrote up a feat for a bladeling to use its spikes as armor spikes, but the Earth's Embraced feat does what it did with a lot more damage and a lot less restriction. *shrug*
#6
taotad
Jan 28, 2004 8:02:01 Just rule that he can choose to either do bludgeoning or piercing damage when fighting unarmed.

Doesn't add to damage, but puts flavor in the front chair.
#7
zombiegleemax
Jan 28, 2004 9:50:41
Originally posted by Shemeska the Marauder
Hmm... what's the story behind this particular bladeling going Cipher? The bladelings are pretty darn Xenophobic and ruled by a theocracy that is both evil and regidly lawful. The Cipher creed would entail turning their back on their society, and their gods (which are not discussed with non bladelings, except for The Blood Forest). Hmm... lots of plot hooks for a DM there to bring up for the PC over time, ie past coming back to haunt them, etc.

I was very pleased because of the unusual choice to. But the PC’s have just selected their basics (race, class etc) and I haven’t come up with a history for the bladeling as of yet. Do you have any suggestions? They would be most appreciated.

But the bladeling is not the only unusual choice in the party, another PC’s (there are three PC’s all up, the third being a bariaur Indep. No surprises their) want’s to play a modron Doomguard of Dust. I have finally converted another over to the Sinkers. I was thinking with this character that they sustained a major injury that could not be cured during the last Modron march. It was a member of the doomguard that inflicted the wound, with his Entropic Blow ability, disfiguring the modron who has since been corrupted by the residual entropy power. Thus the modron went rouge (outcast). Any other ideas?

Originally posted by moogle001
I would not recommend automatically increasing the damage ability of the bladeling. At ECL +1, they're already pretty powerful with damage reduction. I know this having had a bladeling monk in D&D 3.5. If they want to increase their damage, they can always take the Increased Natural Attack (Claw) feat from the MM.

Otherwise, I wrote up a feat for a bladeling to use its spikes as armor spikes, but the Earth's Embraced feat does what it did with a lot more damage and a lot less restriction. *shrug*

Where could I find the Earth’s Embraced feat? I was also wondering if there was any problems caused by the damage reduction that the bladelings have.
#8
moogle001
Jan 28, 2004 10:03:57 Earth's Embraced is in the Complete Warrior and, I believe, in Oriental Adventures.

The bladeling's DR proved very valuable against creatures without magical natural attacks (as I ruled they had DR 'bashing or magic'), and the elemental resistances were also helpful against creatures that do elemental damage as part of their attack/presence, since it's not normally a lot of damage at once.
#9
primemover003
Jan 28, 2004 14:52:17 I've also got a bladeling Fighter who's a cipher IMC. He's an outcast from his homeland, a sellsword...

As for your monk I'd leave his damage alone. Sometimes things overlap, like an elven fighter's weapon profs from race and class. However as he levels I'd let him do either slashing or bludgeoning damage with the increased damage. The spines on their bodies is merely natural armor, they get enough benefit with the Razorstorm ability.

I was actually surprised with the Bladeling being only +1 ECL. With DR Bludgeoning and/or magic (it's not clear IMO), Natural armor, natural attacks, and razorstorm their pretty buff compared to any of the planetouched. Of course I've reduced the ECL's in my party by one for the most part. I never quite got how a Drow is as powerful as a 3rd level character with 1/3 the hit points, BAB, and saves. Basically aside from SR, superior darkvision (which is offset by light blindness), and their spell-like abilities they're just a slightly more powerful elf (which are ECL+0). I also run aasimar, genasi and tieflings as ECL 0. Planetouched are the dwarves, elves, and gnomes of the planes. Not really more powerful than their prime counterparts, especially considering the monsters they face are slightly more powerful than your average orc or hobgoblin. I personally find the Humans extra feat and skill points too tempting to pass up. YMMV.
#10
zombiegleemax
Jan 31, 2004 11:59:55 Well, i actually have a bladeling monk into my own campaign.

The choice i made was to authorise him to cumulate the damages dices.

As seen on the game Neverwinter Night's, their was gloves that could help monks to add damage to their attaques, sometimes with just a "+x damage points" and somtimes with a "+1d6 damage points". The gloves where usually using electricity or cold.

I considered that a bladeling would have difficulties to wear a glove and then autorised the cumulation of dammages.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jan 25, 2004 16:02:43	One of my PC’s wishes to play a Bladeling monk (a Cipher in fact). Bladelings, being covered in metallic spines are granted a natural claw attack that deals 1d6 + Strength modifier points of slashing damage. While a monk would use a combination of hand and foot, as well as elbow and knee attacks (among others), because the bladeling is covered on spines these attacks would presumably be more effective. A 1st level monk does 1D6 damage with an unarmed attack (a standard unarmed attack causing 1D4 damage). Should a bladeling monk do 1D8 damage at 1st level, because of the improved efficiency that the bladelings spikes would cause? So the character would cause the next monk damage category i.e. 1D6 = 1D8, 1D8 = 1D10 etc. with its attacks Has anyone played or DM’d for a Bladeling monk? Does anyone have any suggestions about this?
#2 factol_rhys_dup Jan 27, 2004 20:18:53	I would use the monk's chart for the progression of unarmed damage. If I were DM, I'd give the bladeling monk an advancement on the damage one die up. But what do other people think?
#3 Shemeska_the_Marauder Jan 27, 2004 20:26:31	Hmm... what's the story behind this particular bladeling going Cipher? The bladelings are pretty darn Xenophobic and ruled by a theocracy that is both evil and regidly lawful. The Cipher creed would entail turning their back on their society, and their gods (which are not discussed with non bladelings, except for The Blood Forest). Hmm... lots of plot hooks for a DM there to bring up for the PC over time, ie past coming back to haunt them, etc.
#4 Ornum Jan 27, 2004 20:28:39	That actually seems resonable to me, but I wouldn't allow the same character to gain weapon focus (claws) feat at all if he chooses to become a monk. Just my opinion.
#5 moogle001 Jan 28, 2004 0:02:21	I would not recommend automatically increasing the damage ability of the bladeling. At ECL +1, they're already pretty powerful with damage reduction. I know this having had a bladeling monk in D&D 3.5. If they want to increase their damage, they can always take the Increased Natural Attack (Claw) feat from the MM. Otherwise, I wrote up a feat for a bladeling to use its spikes as armor spikes, but the Earth's Embraced feat does what it did with a lot more damage and a lot less restriction. shrug
#6 taotad Jan 28, 2004 8:02:01	Just rule that he can choose to either do bludgeoning or piercing damage when fighting unarmed. Doesn't add to damage, but puts flavor in the front chair.
#7 zombiegleemax Jan 28, 2004 9:50:41	Originally posted by Shemeska the Marauder Hmm... what's the story behind this particular bladeling going Cipher? The bladelings are pretty darn Xenophobic and ruled by a theocracy that is both evil and regidly lawful. The Cipher creed would entail turning their back on their society, and their gods (which are not discussed with non bladelings, except for The Blood Forest). Hmm... lots of plot hooks for a DM there to bring up for the PC over time, ie past coming back to haunt them, etc. I was very pleased because of the unusual choice to. But the PC’s have just selected their basics (race, class etc) and I haven’t come up with a history for the bladeling as of yet. Do you have any suggestions? They would be most appreciated. But the bladeling is not the only unusual choice in the party, another PC’s (there are three PC’s all up, the third being a bariaur Indep. No surprises their) want’s to play a modron Doomguard of Dust. I have finally converted another over to the Sinkers. I was thinking with this character that they sustained a major injury that could not be cured during the last Modron march. It was a member of the doomguard that inflicted the wound, with his Entropic Blow ability, disfiguring the modron who has since been corrupted by the residual entropy power. Thus the modron went rouge (outcast). Any other ideas? Originally posted by moogle001 I would not recommend automatically increasing the damage ability of the bladeling. At ECL +1, they're already pretty powerful with damage reduction. I know this having had a bladeling monk in D&D 3.5. If they want to increase their damage, they can always take the Increased Natural Attack (Claw) feat from the MM. Otherwise, I wrote up a feat for a bladeling to use its spikes as armor spikes, but the Earth's Embraced feat does what it did with a lot more damage and a lot less restriction. shrug Where could I find the Earth’s Embraced feat? I was also wondering if there was any problems caused by the damage reduction that the bladelings have.
#8 moogle001 Jan 28, 2004 10:03:57	Earth's Embraced is in the Complete Warrior and, I believe, in Oriental Adventures. The bladeling's DR proved very valuable against creatures without magical natural attacks (as I ruled they had DR 'bashing or magic'), and the elemental resistances were also helpful against creatures that do elemental damage as part of their attack/presence, since it's not normally a lot of damage at once.
#9 primemover003 Jan 28, 2004 14:52:17	I've also got a bladeling Fighter who's a cipher IMC. He's an outcast from his homeland, a sellsword... As for your monk I'd leave his damage alone. Sometimes things overlap, like an elven fighter's weapon profs from race and class. However as he levels I'd let him do either slashing or bludgeoning damage with the increased damage. The spines on their bodies is merely natural armor, they get enough benefit with the Razorstorm ability. I was actually surprised with the Bladeling being only +1 ECL. With DR Bludgeoning and/or magic (it's not clear IMO), Natural armor, natural attacks, and razorstorm their pretty buff compared to any of the planetouched. Of course I've reduced the ECL's in my party by one for the most part. I never quite got how a Drow is as powerful as a 3rd level character with 1/3 the hit points, BAB, and saves. Basically aside from SR, superior darkvision (which is offset by light blindness), and their spell-like abilities they're just a slightly more powerful elf (which are ECL+0). I also run aasimar, genasi and tieflings as ECL 0. Planetouched are the dwarves, elves, and gnomes of the planes. Not really more powerful than their prime counterparts, especially considering the monsters they face are slightly more powerful than your average orc or hobgoblin. I personally find the Humans extra feat and skill points too tempting to pass up. YMMV.
#10 zombiegleemax Jan 31, 2004 11:59:55	Well, i actually have a bladeling monk into my own campaign. The choice i made was to authorise him to cumulate the damages dices. As seen on the game Neverwinter Night's, their was gloves that could help monks to add damage to their attaques, sometimes with just a "+x damage points" and somtimes with a "+1d6 damage points". The gloves where usually using electricity or cold. I considered that a bladeling would have difficulties to wear a glove and then autorised the cumulation of dammages.