Psionic Monk (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Introduction
Summary::A basic example of a psionic monk who gets pumped up and punches his enemies to death.

Powers

 * 1) Inertial Armor
 * 2) Expansion
 * 3) Vigor
 * 4) Share Pain
 * 5) Force Screen
 * 6) Strength of My Enemy
 * 7) Claws of the Beast
 * 8) Hustle
 * 9) Psionic Lion's Charge
 * 10) Precognition (Offensive)
 * 11) Freedom of Movement (Psionic)
 * 12) Grip of Iron
 * 13) Perfect Riposte
 * 14) Dimension Door (Psionic)
 * 15) Adapt Body
 * 16) Form of Doom

Progression
Race (Templates): Race::Human

Final progression: Final Class Progression::Monk 2 / Psychic Warrior 16 / Warshaper 2

Items

 * Torc of Power Preservation
 * Monk's Belt
 * Amulet of Mighty Fists

Highlights

 * Before buffs
 * Strength: 36 (+13) = 16 (Base) + 5 (Level) + 5 (Tome) + 6 (Item) + 4 (Morphic Body)
 * Dexterity: 20 (+5) = 14 (Base) + 6 (Item)
 * Wisdom: 24 (+7) = 16 (Base) + 6 (Item) + 2 (Tome)


 * After using Metamorphosis to turn into a Firbolg (MM2)
 * Strength: 50 (+20) = 36 (Base) + 6 (Item) + 4 (Expansion) + 4 (Morphic Body)
 * Dexterity: 15 (+2) = 13 (Base) + 6 (Item) - 4 (Expansion)
 * Grapple Modifier: +62 = 14 (BAB) + 4 (Size) + 8 (Expansion) + 20 (Strength) + 12 (Grip of Iron) + 4 (Jotunbrud)
 * AC: 66 = 10 (Base) + 14 (Natural) - 1 (Size) - 2 (Expansion) + 7 (Wisdom) + 13 (Inertial Armor) + 8 (Force Screen) + 2 (Dexterity) + 5 (Monk AC bonus) + 5 (Deflection) + 5 (Enhancement to Natural Armor)
 * Damage: 16d8+25 (97 on average) = 2d10 (Base) -> 4d8 (Improved Natural Attack) -> 6d8 (Metamorphosis) -> 12d8 (Expansion) -> 16d8 (Morphic Weapons) + 20 (Str) + 5 (Amulet of Mighty Fists)
 * Attack Bonus: +41/+41/+41/+41/+36/+31 = 14 (BAB) + 20 (Strength) + 5 (Amulet of Mighty Fists) - 3 (Size) + 7 (Precognition, Offensive) - 2 (Snap Kick)
 * Claws of the Beast damage: 24d6 + 15 (99 on average) = 4d6 (Base) -> 6d6 (Improved Natural Attack) -> 8d6 (Metamorphosis) -> 16d6 (Expansion) -> 24d6 (Morphic Weapons) + 10 (Str) + 5 (Amulet of Mighty Fists) at +39/+39
 * Average DPR vs. AC 40: 726.65 = 97 * 4 + 97 * 17 / 20 + 97 * 12 / 20 (Unarmed Attack) + 99 * 2 (Claws of the Beast) = 388 + 82.45 + 58.2 + 198


 * After using Metamorphosis to turn into a Sun Giant (MM2)
 * Strength: 51 (+20) = 37 + 6 (Item) + 4 (Expansion) + 4 (Morphic Body)
 * Dexterity: 16 (+3) = 14 (Base) + 6 (Item) - 4 (Expansion)
 * Grapple Modifier: +66 = 14 (BAB) + 8 (Size) + 8 (Expansion) + 20 (Strength) + 12 (Grip of Iron) + 4 (Jotunbrud)
 * AC: 62 = 10 (Base) + 10 (Natural) - 2 (Size) - 2 (Expansion) + 7 (Wisdom) + 13 (Inertial Armor) + 8 (Force Screen) + 3 (Dexterity) + 5 (Monk AC bonus) + 5 (Deflection) + 5 (Enhancement to Natural Armor)
 * Damage: 24d8+25 (133 on average) = 2d10 (Base) -> 4d8 (Improved Natural Attack) -> 8d8 (Metamorphosis) -> 16d8 (Expansion) -> 24d8 (Morphic Weapons) + 20 (Str) + 5 (Amulet of Mighty Fists)
 * Attack Bonus: +40/+40/+40/+40/+35/+30 = 14 (BAB) + 20 (Strength) + 5 (Amulet of Mighty Fists) - 4 (Size) + 7 (Precognition, Offensive) - 2 (Snap Kick)
 * Claws of the Beast damage: 32d6 + 15 (127 on average) = 4d6 (Base) -> 6d6 (Improved Natural Attack) -> 12d6 (Metamorphosis) -> 24d6 (Expansion) -> 32d6 (Morphic Weapons) + 10 (Str) + 5 (Amulet of Mighty Fists) at +38/+38
 * Average DPR vs. AC 40: 996.85 = 133 * 4 + 133 * 16/20 + 133 * 11/20 (Unarmed Attacks) + 127 * 2 * 19/20 (Claws of the Beast) = 576 + 106.4 + 73.15 + 241.3

Note: Some DMs may enforce the usual size modifier of creatures despite Expansion's specifications, giving the Firbolg a -4 size modifier from being Gargantuan and the Sun Giant a -8 size modifier from being Colossal. Some characters may not wish to take this extra penalty, which is why both the Firbolg and Sun Giant were statted out above.

Tactics

 * Buff up
 * Charge (Psionic Lion's Charge)
 * Grapplepounce if you like, getting into grapples easily through Scorpian's Grasp
 * Make extensive use of Link Power with your buffs to buff faster, as well as Hustle to regain your focus and your psicrystal's extra focus
 * Share Vigor with your psicrystal and then use Share Pain on it to effectively double the temporary HP from Vigor
 * Empty Mind combined with Link Power can be used to get powers off at the start of your turn

Further Optimization

 * Haste and Greater Mighty Wallop are your friends.
 * Fanged Ring (Dragon Magazine #308) will let your natural weapons count as one size larger.
 * Beast Strike (Dragon Magazine #355) will let you add your Claw damage whenever you make an unarmed strike.

Limitations

 * Getting debuffed will ruin your day
 * Running out of PP

DM Counters

 * Greater dispel targeted on the PsyMonk
 * A number of encounters to wear down the PsyMonk's PP
 * Concealment, cover, mobility, illusions, etc

Variants

 * Psionic Containment will give you an extra psionic focus to use
 * Intuitive Attack (BoED) will let you use Wisdom instead of Strength for attack rolls.
 * Talented will stop you from taking damage when overchanneling
 * Goliaths also work well if you can't access Races of Faerun
 * Many of the feats can be switched around or even switched out, making this a rather flexible build
 * Be a kalashtar and get a few Quori Shards of Ectoplasmic Fist (Eberron Campaign Setting)
 * Be a warforged and get a Battlefist Warforged Component (Eberron Campaign Setting)
 * An extra level of Psychic Warrior (at the expense of a level of Monk or Warshaper) can get you Mind Blank (Personal) or Steadfast Perception as a power.