Talk:Way of the Martial Master (5e Subclass)

Hello everyone.

I would like to ask for the help of your experience for this homebrew Monk. I would like to have your opinion and some advice to improve it (and probably some grammar proofing help).

For this subclass I was inspired by the "Open hand" techniques and I added new ones. For 6th level I have added support spells. For the 11th level I thought that what distinguishes a martial arts master from a warrior is his reaction. So I added new reaction skills that can be combined with 3rd level martial arts. For the 17th level I have added an extra reaction.

Would be great if you have any proposals for the 3rd and 11th level techniques.

SwankyPants (talk) 14:37, 19 January 2022 (MST)

Well, the fluff and image does still tie it to Way of the Murim, so I assume something else is in the works for that part? Just a quick glance now, I'll come back with an actual review on it.

SwankyPants (talk) 07:41, 24 January 2022 (MST)

Okay, now for an actual critique.

Overall, this subclass seems very draining on ki. While the third level feature is typically based on FoB, the 6th level feature is a bunch of first level spells that cost ki. Only when you hit 11th level, the 3rd tier of the game where you start to have ki to spend, do you start gaining features that cost nothing to use.

This may be feature creep from all the other monk subclasses I've stumbled through, but I'm not sure. Otherwise, grammar and terminology seems fine.

Aanx (talk) 15:44, 25 January 2022 (MST)

I don't think the skills at 6th level drain that much ki. The spells chosen follow its own logic. Eye enhancement, movement enhancement, defense enhancement, and finally luck. Darkvision is a power that lasts 8 hours, Zephyr strike has a duration of 1 minute with concentration; the only one that could be a little draining is Absorb elements that is usable as a reaction. Guidance and magic hand are cantrip so they don't cost ki.

The idea is that the player has a combination of attack and reaction, but for the 11th level skill I should add that you can only use this reaction if you used at least 1 ki during the turn? For the 17th level skill it is understandable that it is a bit Creepy... After all it is a subclass that seeks new reactions to counterattack, the counterattack at 11th level is like giving an extra attack and giving a bonus reaction is like adding a second counterattack. My goal is that there is a combo to exploit and not every time is possible to exploit the counterattack. I'm actually still in the reflective stage of thinking about the different possible 3rd and 11th level abilities. 

I should probably stop at 3-4 martial arts for 3rd level and only 1 at 11th level? Probably the reaction techniques at 11th level should do the normal damage and maybe add some malus in movement, or reaction, or disadvantage... (something less exaggerated).

For 11th level reactions I would have to be more specific about the reaction inputs. Which would be: prone, afraid, stunned, pushed, ... any other ideas?

Aanx (talk) 15:57, 28 January 2022 (MST)

Hello, I made some changes to the different techniques of 3rd and 11th level, also decreasing the number of techniques that can be learned. I've replaced some 6th level spells because easily abused, but I'm not convinced about the disguise self spell, it doesn't make me very martial art. Any advice? I'd love to hear how you see the new changes I've made and if you have any suggestions for improving or simplifying this monk subclass.

I was wondering if it is possible to change the name of the subclass to "Way of the Grand Master".

Aanx (talk) 15:33, 31 January 2022 (MST)

Hello, I made some changes