LE The Monk - Specified

[EARLtheWARLORD]

Out of all the archetypal classes I've played in nearly any RPG, the Monk has always been my favorite. Morrowind and Oblivion acknowledge this class as one worthy of mention, however Skyrim has seen fit to cut the monk from the roster. I argue that this character would be a wonderful re-addition to the world of Tamriel and with some modding through the CK (hopefully soon to be released) there might be a chance to revive him.

 

While there are a vast number of concepts that carry the label of "Monk", they all seem to share a few specific characteristics:

> Armor, either light or heavy, is shunned as it inhibits the speed and movement that the monk relies on to evade and strike foes. The monk typically wears clothing: robes, hoods, and fist and foot wraps.

>Martial arts in its many forms often focuses on the manipulation of your opponents' attack - either in the form of a block, parry, or disarm. This prevents the strike from landing on the monk and keeps him or her in control.

> The monk shuns away from heavy and bladed weapons and prefers either using his or her fists or a type of staff or blunt weapon. Weapons in this category may include fist wraps, bo staves, quarter staves, light maces, or one-handed canes.

> Very spiritual, if not downright religious, the monk has a practical grasp of either healing magics or alchemical salves and poultices to heal wounds.

> Extensive training and conditioning can allow the monk to shug-off the pain from blows that occasionally do land. This can either be conceptualized as an actual thickening of the skin or a type of mental control over ones own body.

 

These points bring to light the need for actual perk trees to be added to the skill lineup - specifically a tree for Unarmored defense and a tree for Hand-to-hand strikes.

While each of these will be limited by the power inherent in the CK, I have some suggestions as to the content of each.

 

Unarmored

Unrestricted [5 ranks] (Requires: 0, 25, 45, 70, 80 Unarmored) - All perks only active if wearing no armor. Gives a [15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% ] chance to avoid physical damage.

 

Featherfall (Requires: 35 Unarmored, Unrestricted) - Receive 25% fall damage.

 

Haste (Requires: 25 Unarmored, Unrestricted) - Increase movement speed by 20%.

 

Balance [2 ranks] (Requires: 40, 60 Unarmored, Unrestricted) - Reduces stagger by [25%, 50%].

 

Centered [3 ranks] (Requires: 50, 65, 80 Unarmored, Haste) - Provides [40%, 55%, 70%] increased stamina regeneration.

 

Honed Reflexes (Requires: 80 Unarmored, Balance) - Gives a 25% chance to avoid arrows.

 

Ascendant (Requires: 100 Unarmored, Honed Reflexes, Centered) - Ignore 30% of all physical damage.

 

This tree provides similar layout to the other armor trees while having its own unique feel and utility. Of course, the values used here are merely suggestions based on surmised effects in battle.

Now, a word on Hand-to-hand strikes - for the sake of mixing up combat variety and balance, unarmed strikes should start off and generally have a lower base damage than the other weapon types (possibly hovering around or bellow a dagger?) and makes up for its low base damage through speed and critical hits (striking a vital spot on an enemy rather than just beating them in the face).

 

Hand-to-hand

Iron Fist [5 ranks] (Requires: 0, 25, 45, 70, 80 Hand-to-hand) - Unarmed strikes do an additional [20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%] damage.

 

Pressure Points [3 ranks] (Requires: 35 Hand-to-hand, Iron Fist) - All unarmed strikes have a [10%, 20%, 30%] chance to be critical hits (double damage).

 

Wind-and-Sand Stance (Requires: 20 Hand-to-hand, Iron Fist) - Power Attacks Cost 30% less stamina.

 

Quivering Palm Strike (Requires: 50 Hand-to-Hand, Wind-and-Sand Stance) - Backwards power attacks have a chance to knock-back the target.

 

Tiger Claw Strike (Requires: 60 Hand-to-hand, Wind-and-Sand Stance) - Sideways power attacks have a chance to disarm a targets weapon or shield.

 

Flying Kick (Requires: 70 Hand-to-hand, Wind-and-Sand Stance) - Forward power attack kick that has a chance to paralyze the target.

 

Ki (Requires: 100 Hand-to-hand, Wind-and-Sand Stance) - All critical strikes do an additional +100% damage. (Normal critical: +200% damage, with this perk: +300% damage.)

 

Ideally this tree would require new animations (or animations pulled from an Oblivion mod, at least 2 solid ones are floating around) for the normal attacks, power attacks, and kick.

 

Whether this is all do-able shall have to wait for the CK to be released, but I am hopeful. I'd love to hear some feedback from the community or at least those who were brave enough to read through the entire post. Thoughts?

Edited January 14, 2012 by EARLtheWARLORD