Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

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Waldo52
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Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Waldo52 » Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:20 pm

I played a side character for a couple weeks who was tragically killed off by his best friend. This was my first monk, and as much as much as I disliked the class there was something cool about stunning fist.

I realize that a non-monk actually can take the feat, but I'm wondering if it would ever be considered useful or worthwhile.

Some ideas include a deep rogue who stuns people for unarmed sneak attacks and a tribal barbarian or a cleric who stuns people so his summons can murder them.

Thoughts?

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Ork » Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:25 pm

There's alot wrong with non-monk stunning fist. You receive -4AB & -4 Damage that monks don't. Stunning fist DC scales off of wisdom which non-monks don't really invest in or are rewarded in.

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Nintendo Entertainment System » Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:29 pm

The upside is that the DC relies on character level and not monk level, so it is possible to have a decent DC as a non-monk.

The downside is the WIS requirement and the AB penalty for using it as a non-monk. I wouldn't take it on a Rogue or non-shaman Tribal Barbarian, given how much that complicates your stat spread. But taking it on a tribal shaman or a cleric might be an interesting (though certainly not an optimal) idea.

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Ebonstar » Fri Jan 14, 2022 3:23 pm

stunning fist sounds cool but its so easy to avoid its not worth taking. Even monks dont use it save in pve. Discipline cancels it out
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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Nintendo Entertainment System » Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:54 pm

Discipline actually doesn't have anything to do with Stunning Fist. It's a Fort save. It actually used to be a pretty decent ability, as it was one of those saving throw based attacks that didn't check Spellcraft.

It's not as useful anymore. One, Beamdog nerfed it with Expanded Edition so the stun only lasts one round. Two, saving throws have risen across the board between the dissemination of building knowledge, easier leveling, and easier gearing.

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Waldo52 » Fri Jan 14, 2022 6:22 pm

Got it. This is a "fun" idea that won't be very powerful. I'll try it on my old shaman/tribal barbarian just for the weird factor.

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by TurningLeaf » Fri Jan 14, 2022 9:34 pm

Can you use stunning fist in elemental shape with a druid?

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Nintendo Entertainment System » Fri Jan 14, 2022 10:59 pm

TurningLeaf wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 9:34 pm
Can you use stunning fist in elemental shape with a druid?
Depends entirely on whether the shape is an 'unarmed shape,' or a shape that doesn't generate with an invisible weapon item in its mainhand slot. Not sure whether the elemental shapes in Arelith qualify.

Can always test in the PGCC!

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by TurningLeaf » Sat Jan 15, 2022 4:04 am

Nintendo Entertainment System wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 10:59 pm
TurningLeaf wrote:
Fri Jan 14, 2022 9:34 pm
Can you use stunning fist in elemental shape with a druid?
Depends entirely on whether the shape is an 'unarmed shape,' or a shape that doesn't generate with an invisible weapon item in its mainhand slot. Not sure whether the elemental shapes in Arelith qualify.

Can always test in the PGCC!
I tested it, the elementals qualify as unarmed, stunning fist works in that shape.

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Nintendo Entertainment System » Sat Jan 15, 2022 5:48 am

TurningLeaf wrote:
Sat Jan 15, 2022 4:04 am
I tested it, the elementals qualify as unarmed, stunning fist works in that shape.
That's actually good to know, thanks for posting your findings!

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by TurningLeaf » Sat Jan 15, 2022 4:59 pm

Nintendo Entertainment System wrote:
Sat Jan 15, 2022 5:48 am
TurningLeaf wrote:
Sat Jan 15, 2022 4:04 am
I tested it, the elementals qualify as unarmed, stunning fist works in that shape.
That's actually good to know, thanks for posting your findings!
Yeah I loaded up IKD and a bunch of unarmed combat feats and was just laying waste as a monolithic air elemental, no items no buffs

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Re: Stunning Fist on a Non-Monk

Post by Waldo52 » Sat Jan 15, 2022 5:56 pm

It's kinda useless for me as I don't play druids, but if my post starts a new stunning fist druid trend I'm not exactly mad about it!

Especially with the new plant shapes the flavor seems really weird and cool. Fungal shambling mounds lashing out with their tentacles or roots or whatever and stunning people!

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