I was hoping to create an unarmed melee build (think DnD monk) for my next playthrough but just wanted to gather some ideas on how to do it. I know you can learn Lightning Fist from the monkey boi at the gym in Hawkethorne but is there any other abilities/weapons in the game that could replicate a fist build?
Unarmed Build
- Thread starter Iorveth
- Start date
No, it is a completely unviable build and in fact impossible since even if you unequip your weapons your character will equip a bad default weapon.
I more meant to ask if there were more powers accessible in the game similar to Lightning Fist, or if there were weapons that could simulate an “unarmed”/monk build as closely as possible. I know unequipping all your weapons gives you the Rusty Knife.
Apologies, I probably should’ve phrased my post better.
It kind of depends on exactly what the restriction is you're giving yourself. Questions that come to my mind are
1. Is "unarmed melee" a game mechanical category you have in mind, or just vibes? Some combination?
2. If the former, what does that mean more specifically? Are you allowed to use anything that has the melee tag and not the weapon tag? Are spells allowed? Are charms? Do you want just the rusty knife in your main hand, or is a stat stick of some kind okay? What about your off hand? etc
3. If it's vibes, how specific are we trying to be? You mentioned Lightning Fist. Are we only using moves that specifically refer to punches/strikes with limbs? Are we allowed charges, tackles? Can we use things that aren't physical strikes but are still sufficiently martial arts flavored (Kiaijutsu, for example)?
4. How much are you willing to bend your rules for the sake of convenience? I'm particularly thinking you'll have an easier time if you allow yourself Mirror Stance than if you don't, for instance
5. Is the scope of your restriction just the combat relevant stuff like powers and equipment, or something broader? If your monk is obligated for rp reasons not to play nice with certain NPCs that could help you, not use some consumable items or drinks and so on that would probably impact how you want to build.
In any case I think the obvious starting point for you at least early game is probably setting up camp at Zo's until you have the Silver Mask and a flexible suite of at-wills at least.
1. Is "unarmed melee" a game mechanical category you have in mind, or just vibes? Some combination?
2. If the former, what does that mean more specifically? Are you allowed to use anything that has the melee tag and not the weapon tag? Are spells allowed? Are charms? Do you want just the rusty knife in your main hand, or is a stat stick of some kind okay? What about your off hand? etc
3. If it's vibes, how specific are we trying to be? You mentioned Lightning Fist. Are we only using moves that specifically refer to punches/strikes with limbs? Are we allowed charges, tackles? Can we use things that aren't physical strikes but are still sufficiently martial arts flavored (Kiaijutsu, for example)?
4. How much are you willing to bend your rules for the sake of convenience? I'm particularly thinking you'll have an easier time if you allow yourself Mirror Stance than if you don't, for instance
5. Is the scope of your restriction just the combat relevant stuff like powers and equipment, or something broader? If your monk is obligated for rp reasons not to play nice with certain NPCs that could help you, not use some consumable items or drinks and so on that would probably impact how you want to build.
In any case I think the obvious starting point for you at least early game is probably setting up camp at Zo's until you have the Silver Mask and a flexible suite of at-wills at least.
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Ideally, there could be weapons that support that style—something like handwraps or a cestus.
They’d function just like any two-handed weapon in the game, which would make it the easiest way to enable a monk playstyle.
That way, you could use any [Weapon]-tagged power to play as a monk.
Edit:
Sorry, I zoned out for a bit. I think the others have already given some good answers.
Zo (in Harvest Valley after level 3) and the Monkey are your main sources for Monk-like powers.
Kohaku at the Kitsune Den also has a bunch of traditional Japanese gear that might fit your concept.
It's probably more ninja-themed than monk-themed, but it’s still something to work with.
They’d function just like any two-handed weapon in the game, which would make it the easiest way to enable a monk playstyle.
That way, you could use any [Weapon]-tagged power to play as a monk.
Edit:
Sorry, I zoned out for a bit. I think the others have already given some good answers.
Zo (in Harvest Valley after level 3) and the Monkey are your main sources for Monk-like powers.
Kohaku at the Kitsune Den also has a bunch of traditional Japanese gear that might fit your concept.
It's probably more ninja-themed than monk-themed, but it’s still something to work with.
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