Monk

Class Summary
Alignment: Lawful good, Lawful neutral

Hit die: d8

Class Skills

 * Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Intelligence modifier) x4
 * Skill points at each additional level: 4 + Intelligence modifier

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies



 * Feat simpleweaponproficiency.png
 * Simple weapons (Club, Dagger, Heavy Crossbow, Light Crossbow, Quarterstaff, Unarmed)
 * Feat martialweaponproficiency.png
 * Martial weapons (Handaxe)
 * Feat exoticweaponproficiency.png‎
 * Exotic weapons (Kama, Shuriken)
 * }
 * Exotic weapons (Kama, Shuriken)
 * }
 * }

Note: Monks become uncentered if they use any armor other than cloth (or any plating other than Composite, if Warforged), or if they equip any weapons other than kamas, a quarterstaff, or shurikens, or are at Medium encumbrance or higher. With the right feats or enhancements, monks can remain centered using longswords (Whirling Steel Strike), shortswords (Ninja Spy enhancements), longbows and shortbows (Zen Archery), or any Kensei Focus weapon through One With The Blade.

Paths

 * Shintao Monk
 * Ninja Spy
 * Henshin Mystic

Prestige Enhancements

 * Henshin Mystic
 * Ninja Spy
 * Shintao Monk

Ki
Ki is the mystical energy that powers a Monk's attacks or abilities.

Ki (pronounced "kee") works similarly to spell points but with notable exceptions.


 * Ki is a renewable but temporary resource, generated as a monk attacks enemies (or, in some cases, if the monk is struck).
 * Accumulated ki drains away from the monk. The more ki, the more rapid the drain.
 * Unlike spell points, where Elixirs can be found to recharge spell points, ki can be generated only through fighting or meditation.
 * Available ki is influenced by Wisdom but, unlike mages that use Intelligence or Charisma, ki is based on a skill, Concentration.

For more information, see the Ki article.

Being Centered
A Centered state of being is a critical component of the Monk class. The most obvious sign of being uncentered appears when a Monk fights awkwardly and slowly when unarmed. Uncentered monks lose their ability to use many of their special abilities, such as ki attacks, and cannot generate ki.

To be Centered, a Monk must:
 * wear only a robe, outfit, docent (Warforged only), or nothing in his armor slot
 * Warforged Monks must also have a body type no heavier than Composite Plating
 * not wear a shield
 * wield only kamas, shurikens, a quarterstaff, handwraps or special weapons such as Filthy Kukris (with exceptions, noted below)
 * not be encumbered (The Ray of Enfeeblement spell can weaken STR, leaving a monk uncentered)

For Centered weapons, there are exceptions. With the right enhancements or feats, longswords (with the Whirling Steel Strike feat), shortswords (from Ninja Spy enhancements), or longbows/shortbows (with the Zen Archery feat) can be used. With at least 8 levels of Fighter, Monks can take the enhancement One with the Blade and use any melee weapon in their Kensei Focus group as a Ki weapon.

For more, see the Centered article.

Philosophy
At level 3, a Monk must choose a martial arts philosophy path (not to be confused with character build Paths) that determines specific attacks or abilities: The Path of Inevitable Dominion or the Path of Harmonious Balance. Each philosophy gives you an optional set of enhancements that augment philosophies.

Monk Martial Arts Feats
At levels 1, 2, and 6 a monk gets to select a bonus martial arts feat. All prerequisites of the selected feat must be met.