View source for Mage Monk (3.5e Prestige Class)

{{author
|author_name=nolanf
|date_created=9_26_13
|adopter=
|date_adopted= 
|status=Complete
|editing=
|balance=High
}}
<div class="blank">
[[Summary::Many adventurers begin as either a martial class or a spell caster and wish to learn the intricacies of the other. This prestige class allows just that, without the worry of stagnating in the original.]]
[[Length::10]]
[[Minimum Level::8]]
[[Base Attack Bonus Progression::Good]]
[[Fortitude Save Progression::Poor]]
[[Reflex Save Progression::Good]]
[[Will Save Progression::Good]]
[[Class Ability::Spontaneous Arcane Spellcasting]]
[[Class Ability Progression::Other]]

{{3.5e Class Alignments |ng, cg, n, cn, ne, ce-->}}
</div>

==Mage Monk==

{{quote
|May the thunderclap of my fist sound a warning to all those who would oppose me!
|orig=Master Rez, Human Mage Monk
|src=The Journals of Clan Northwood
}}

In order to become proficient in the martial arts, a person must have the greatest dedication and the most serious mind. The same could be said for those who seek to become adept in the magic arts. Unfortunately, those who try to do both often find their skills stagnating in one way or another and they are never able to fully realize their true potential.
For this purpose, the school of the mage monk was created. Indeed, this is not the easiest path to follow. The learning curve may seem stiff and slow to advance, but a great many rewards lie ahead on this difficult path.

===Becoming a Mage Monk===

Typically, a monk who wishes to learn spontaneous magic would choose this class. On the other hand, a bard, wizard, or a sorcerer who is tired of being pushed to the rear of the fight (and probably victimized in an ambush situation) may also want to learn some self-defense.<br/>
Any monk who takes this prestige class would also have to have at least one level of an arcane caster such as a bard, wizard, or a sorcerer. This desire for change and growth categorically conflicts with a lawful alignment, so any lawful characters would have to change to a non-lawful alignment by the time this class is taken on.<br/?>
See also: [[Mage_Monk,_Cleric_Variant_(3.5e_Prestige_Class)|Mage Monk (Cleric Variant)]]

{| class="d20 dragon monstats" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|+ style="font-size: larger; white-space: nowrap;" | Entry Requirements
|-
! Alignment:
| Any non-lawful.
|-
! Base Attack Bonus:
| +5.
|-
! Skills:
| Knowledge (arcana) 6 ranks.
|-
! Feats:
| Any one of: [[SRD:Monk#Unarmed_Strike|Unarmed Strike (from Monk)]], [[SRD:Improved_Unarmed_Strike|Improved Unarmed Strike]], or [[Pugilist_(3.5e_Feat)|Pugilist]].
|-
! Spellcasting:
| Able to cast arcane spells.
|} 

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <div>{{Anchor|Table: The Mage Monk}}</div>
<p>Hit Die: d8</p>
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! rowspan="2" | Special
! rowspan="2" | [[#Spellcasting|Spellcasting]]
! rowspan="2" | Unarmed<br/>Damage
! rowspan="2" | AC<br/>Bonus
! rowspan="2" | Unarmored<br/>Speed Bonus
|-
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
|- 
| 1st || +1 || +0 || +2 || +2
| class="left" | Ability Boost
| class="left" | +1 Spellcaster Level
| 1d8 || +0 || +0ft
|- 
| 2nd || +2 || +0 || +3 || +3
| class="left" | Ki Focus, Ki Strike (arcane, 1st element)
| class="left" | -
| 1d8 || +1 || +0ft
|- 
| 3rd || +3 || +1 || +3 || +3
| class="left" | Bonus Feat
| class="left" | +1 Spellcaster Level
| 1d10 || +1 || +10ft
|- 
| 4th || +4 || +1 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | 
| class="left" | +1 Spellcaster Level
| 1d10 || +1 || +10ft
|- 
| 5th || +5 || +1 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | Ki Strike (arcane, 2nd element)
| class="left" | -
| 1d10 || +1 || +10ft
|- 
| 6th || +6 || +2 || +5 || +5
| class="left" |
| class="left" | +1 Spellcaster Level 
| 1d10 || +2 || +20ft
|- 
| 7th || +7 || +2 || +5 || +5
| class="left" | Bonus Feat
| class="left" | +1 Spellcaster Level
| 2d6 || +2 || +20ft
|- 
| 8th || +8 || +2 || +6 || +6
| class="left" | Ki Strike (arcane, 3rd element)
| class="left" | -
| 2d6 || +2 || +20ft
|- 
| 9th || +9 || +3 || +6 || +6
| class="left" |
| class="left" | +1 Spellcaster Level 
| 2d6 || +2 || +30ft
|- 
| 10th || +10 || +3 || +7 || +7
| class="left" | Ki Focus x2
| class="left" | +1 Spellcaster Level
| 2d6 || +2 || +30ft
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills ([[Skill Points::4]] + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier per level.'''<br/>
<!--class skills: simply delete those skills which your class does not have as class skills from the complete list below.  If you only allow a subsection, such as Knowledge (arcana) (religion), write it like that. -->
{{3.5e Skills|
Balance, 
Climb, 
Concentration, 
Craft, 
Diplomacy, 
Heal, 
Jump, 
Knowledge (arcana),
Listen,
Move Silently, 
Perform, 
Profession, 
Sense Motive, 
Spellcraft, 
Spot,
Tumble, 
Use Magic Device}}
|}

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the Mage Monk.

'''{{Anchor|Spellcasting}}:''' At levels 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Mage Monk, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

'''Unarmed Damage {{Ex}}:''' If you already have the improved unarmed damage of a monk, then stack your levels in mage monk with your original monk levels to determine your unarmed damage according to your previous monk class progression. If you're learning this improved unarmed damage for the first time, then use the chart provided above.

'''AC Bonus {{Ex}}:''' While unarmored, mage monks gain dodge bonuses to AC. Add the bonuses charted above to whatever dodge bonus you already have.

'''Fast Movement {{Ex}}:''' While unarmored, mage monks gain extra movement speed. Add the speed bonuses charted above to whatever movement speed you already have.

'''Ability Boost {{Ex}}:''' Your dedication in taking on this prestige class speaks volumes. You may choose to gain 2 Ability points in either Strength, Intelligence, or Charisma.

'''Ki Focus {{Ex}}:''' As a standard action, you may focus your Ki to enhance your spell casting as well as your unarmed strike damage by passing a Concentration check of DC 20.<br/> - While your Ki is focused, you may cast spells that you already know, augmented as if your caster level were one higher.<br/> - You may spend your focused Ki during an attack by using the Ki Strike (magic) as described below. Once your Ki has been spent, you must use another standard action when you want to refocus it.

'''Ki Strike (arcane) {{Ex}}:''' At level 2, you may choose to charge your Ki Strike with one type of elemental damage. This will be the only type of elemental damage known to you until this ability improves at levels 5 and 8.<br/> - The additional damage done in this way is added to every successful strike during one full attack. When your attack is done, your Ki focus is eliminated until you refocus it.<br/> - The types of elements and their effects are limited to you depending on your alignment, as described below.<br/>
:'''Chaotic:''' You may choose the elements of ''cold, sonic, acid'', or ''electricity''. At level 2, they each deal +1d6 damage (of their respective types).
:'''Non-Chaotic:''' You may choose the elements of ''air, water, earth'', or ''fire''. At level 2, they each deal +1d6 damage (of their respective types).

'''Ki Strike (2nd element) {{Ex}}:''' At level 5, you may choose a second element with which to charge your Ki Strike. At this level, the damage of all elements increases to +1d8.<br/> - Only one element may be charged at a time.

'''Ki Strike (3rd element) {{Ex}}:''' At level 8, you may choose your third and final element with which to charge your Ki Strike. The same restrictions still apply. At this level, the damage of all elements increases to +1d10. All elements also gain a special effect as described below.<br/> - Whereas wizards use Intelligence for their magic modifiers, sorcerers and bards use charisma. So when you see "(Ability)" written, substitute the appropriate ability of your previous spell casting class.
:'''Acid:''' At the end of a successful attack, the target must make a Fort save of DC 15 + (Ability) or it is affected by acid and an additional 1d6 damage is done for 1d4 subsequent rounds.
:'''Air:''' For one full round, beginning at the time you spend your focus, you move like the wind, giving you a +2 dodge bonus to AC.
:'''Cold:''' At the end of a successful attack, the target must make a Fort save of DC 15 + (Ability) or it is [[SRD:Slow|slowed]] for 1d4 rounds.
:'''Earth:''' For one full attack, your hands are stones of granite. You gain an additional +2 to both attack and damage.
:'''Electricity:''' At the end of a successful attack, the target must make a Fort save of DC 15 + (Ability) or it is shocked by electricity and [[SRD:Stunned|stunned]] for one full round.
:'''Fire:''' If an attack hits flesh, the target must make a Fort save of DC 15 + (Ability) or it will cause a [[Burned_(3.5e_Condition)|burn]] injury to the target. Strikes that hit metal may cause ''[[SRD:Heat_Metal|heat metal]]'' on the target's armor, shield, or weapons.
:'''Sonic:''' At the end of a successful attack, the target must make a Fort save of DC 15 + (Ability) or its inner ear is affected by sound, causing them to be [[SRD:Dazed|dazed]] for one full round.
:'''Water:''' After a successful attack, the target must make a Will save of DC 15 + (Ability) or it feels as if it may drown and is [[SRD:Shaken|shaken]] for one full round.

'''Ki Focus x2 {{Ex}}:''' At level 10, you may finally charge your Ki twice (using two standard actions). With a double focus, you cast spells that you know as if your caster level were 2 higher than it is. Furthermore, your Ki Strike may have combined charges of two different elements, resulting in combined elemental damage and effects upon release of your focus.

====Ex-Mage Monks====

Any fighting character who no longer takes levels as a mage monk gets to keep advancing their unarmed striking damage as if levels in this class stack with the levels of any compatible martial arts class.<br/>
Any spellcaster who no longer takes levels as a mage monk gets to keep advancing their spellcasting abilities as if levels in this class stack with the levels of any compatible spellcasting class.

====Playing a Mage Monk====
Mage Monks are built for versatility. They may be at the forefront of every combat situation, or they may keep to the back, casting spells to help their cohorts.

'''Combat:''' Typically, mage monks are known to cast both offense- and defense-augmenting spells on themselves and their teammates before charging headlong into the thickest parts of battle.
----
{{3.5e Prestige Classes Breadcrumb}}
[[Category:3.5e]]
[[Category:User]]
[[Category:Class]]
[[Category:Prestige Class]]
{{Navboxes}}
Article Balance	High +
Author	nolanf +
Base Attack Bonus Progression	Good +
Class Ability	Spontaneous Arcane Spellcasting +
Class Ability Progression	Other +
Fortitude Save Progression	Poor +
Identifier	3.5e Prestige Class +
Length	10 +
Minimum Level	8 +
Rating	Unrated +
Reflex Save Progression	Good +
Skill	Balance +, Climb +, Concentration +, Craft +, Diplomacy +, Heal +, Jump +, Knowledge +, Listen +, Move Silently +, Perform +, Profession +, Sense Motive +, Spellcraft +, Spot +, Tumble + and Use Magic Device +
Skill Points	4 +
Summary	Many adventurers begin as either a martial class or a spell caster and wish to learn the intricacies of the other. This prestige class allows just that, without the worry of stagnating in the original. +
Title	Mage Monk +
Will Save Progression	Good +