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

Thoughts about the concept and features

First of all, I really like the stance concept and the solution to the bonus action problem by combining the 3 bonus action options from Ki with the stances.

Wooden Limb. The wording of "Whenever you can replace any unarmed strikes you are able to make on your turn with attacks using a spear" seems a bit off. After reading it 5 times I think I now understand what you mean, but I would change it to "While carrying a spear, when a feature allows you to make an unarmed strike, you can use your spear instead". I'm not sure if this isn't too strong considering the existence of magic weapons. This with Flurry of Blows has the potential to be stronger than Action Surge from fighter while having a lot more uses per short rest.

Spear Versatility. Nice flavor, but for all practical uses probably useless.

Spear Stance.

Aggressive Stance. Why would I use this stance (other than when I use Flurry of Blows) instead of using Martial Arts to make an additional unarmed strike, meaning another spear attack thanks to Wooden Limb?

Sentinel Stance. That's a combination of the Polearm Master feat and the Sentinel feat, a combination that's already strong but at least takes two feats.

Flowing Spear. Has the potential to be really strong, maybe too strong. Imagine you use the Attack action, use Flurry of Blows as a bonus action, assume the Aggressive Stance as part of the same bonus action, make 4 spear attacks and after the first hit, you switch the stance to the Sentinel Stance, meaning an additional spear attack if a creature enters your reach, potentially reducing it's movement to 0.

Stance Master.

Aggressive Stance. This needs to be an action like the Whirldwind Attack option from the Hunter Ranger.

Spear Master. Sounds very strong, but should be in line with other level 17 features from monk subclasses.

--Kevidiffel (talk) 08:21, 20 July 2022 (MDT)

Answer

Thanks for all the feedback! Now, to the points made:

Wooden Limb. The language is a bit confusing yeah, i'll change that. Now, for being stronger, i believe it probably is on a second look. I tend to usually make my monk subs a bit on the stronger side, because the monk core is so underpowered. I guess the problem with the Wooden Limb is less being too strong, and more being given to early...i'll try to rework that.

Spear Versatility. This is meant to be useless, so that's fine, hehe.

Spear Stance.

Aggressive Stance. The idea is that you can use this at the same time as wooden limb. But on a second look now, this feature just seems like "more damage". I'll rethink that stance.

Sentinel Stance. Is a combination of portions of those two feats. I guess being limited by the ki usage, combined with the fact that monks usually will be using their ki with flurry of blows or stunning strike, balances this a bit. After all, this give some good benefits, but they are not active by default: you must plan ahead and both spend your precious ki and sacrifice your damage output for the turn. I believe is strong, but with also high price. Does this change your mind on it?

Flowing Spear. That's very true, this ability really is stronger than i first anticipated. I could possibly nerf this feature to have a number of uses a day, equal to your proficiency bonus.

Stance Master.

Aggressive Stance. True, i'll do that.

Spear Master. Maybe making this cost no ki, but be usable once a day, would make it more reasonable? Anastacio (talk) 08:30, 24 July 2022 (MDT)