I made a subclass a long while ago, revolving around the idea of a monk who wears metal gloves to do different types of unarmed damage. The core concept of the class is to be a high damage subclass, with additional defensive options, able to be a survivable frontline fighter.
There are quite a few abilities that this subclass provides, and I suspect their are some that can be reduced, removed, or combined, and that the versatility may be a little too strong. Would love for any feedback though.
Way of the Unbreakable Fist
Level 3:
Steel Fist
You don a set of metallic gloves. While wearing these gloves, you can choose to deal piercing or slashing damage when you make an unarmed strike, instead of the typical bludgeoning damage.
Unbreakable fist (1 ki) for one of the following
You apply one effect depending on the type of damage you are doing with your unarmed strike:
- Slashing - Target must make a constitution save or bleed for 1d4 - 1 + proficiency modifier each turn for one minute until healed, tended to with a healing kit, or someone applies pressure to the wound for one minute. This cannot effect creatures that don't have blood, such as skeletons or oozes. The damage goes up to 1d4 + 1 + proficiency at level 11, and to 1d4 + 3 + proficiency at level 17.
- Bludgeoning You can target a bone for your strike. The target must make a dexterity saving throw against your monk DC or suffer one of the effects based on the location:
- Arms - The target subtracts 1d4 from attack rolls. This goes up to 1d6 at level 11.
- Legs - The targets speed is reduced by 10 feet. This goes up to 20 feet at level 11.
These effects last until the target takes a long rest, is healed, or affected by a restoration spell.
Level 6
Hand Shield
Gain Proficiency in shields, and use them while still being considered unarmored for the sake of monk bonuses. Metal Glove considered a shield when considering gaining bonuses.
Unarmed Thrust
You can now cause piercing damage with your unarmed strikes. In addition, when using "Unbreakable Fist" you can apply the following effect while doing piercing damage:
- You gain additional damage equal to your proficiency bonus.
- When used against a target wearing armor, you gain advantage on the attack roll.
- If used against a target with natural armor, you do twice your proficiency bonus as extra damage instead of the normal damage bonus.
Parry
When another creature tries to hit you with a melee attack, as a reaction, you can use your reaction to add your proficiency bonus to your AC for that attack, potentially causing the attack to miss you.
Level 11
One with the Fist
The glove merges with the hand and can no longer be removed.
At will you can cast "alter self" only for hiding or showing the merged glove. This changes texture as well.
Spells such as "Heat metal" affect the glove, but does not do damage to you.
While affected by heat metal, you do 1d8 additional fire damage on unarmed strikes.
While affected by heat metal, any target you are grappling takes full damage from the spell at the begining of their turn, or immediatly if it is applied while already grappling a target.
Metal Fists of Fury (2 ki)
You can cast heat metal (at second level) on your gloves. You must concentrate on this effect.
Parry Inprovement
If the triggering attack is by an enemy with a weapon that can be disarmed, and misses, the attacker must make a strength check versus 8 + Dexterity Modifier + Proficiency bonus, or be disarmed of the weapon. The weapon falls to the ground.
Level 17
Heart pierce
As an action you can spend 4 Ki points to charge your fist with ki energy and pierce it into an enemies heart (or vital organs/core if the creature has no heart). Make an attack roll agains the target. If it lands the target must make a dexterity saving throw. If the save succeeds the target takes 5d10 + 20 piercing damage, ignoring resistances. If the save fails, the target dies if it has less than 150 Hit points or takes 10d10 + 20 piercing damage if it has more.
