I built this subclass because I felt monks had no truly S tier subclass combat options or many options that did not require burning all the already limited ki resources available.
Is this subclass, more effective in combat on average compared to something like Way of the Open hand, or way of Peace? Is it too strong in combat? Not strong enough? I balanced the Freeflow focus to Monk level as I feel like it can be very easy to lose, and somewhat tricky to enter. I have been wanting to playtest the class but I haven't gotten the chance and I would like some crowd feedback/review/critique to improve my understanding of the game.
I am not concerned about mobility because the only thing Monks don't have better for mobility than other classes is flight which I have granted in a limited capacity. My main focus is the combat effectiveness and damage capacity of the class.
They will fear you.
Vigilant Tool Kit
3rd-level Way of the Vigilant feature
You gain proficiency in the Stealth and Investigation skills, and you gain proficiency with the disguise kit. You also gain a special mask, which you often wear when using the features of this subclass. You determine its appearance or generate it randomly by rolling on the Secret Identity table.
Secret Identity
d6 Mask Appearance 1 Robin 2 Plain Black Eye Mask 3 Full Cowl 4 Plague Hood 5 Skull 6 Tight Fit Hood Freeflow Focus
3rd-level Way of the Vigilant feature
Your iron will to enforce justice enables you to focus your attacks into a single unending chain.
Upon successfully hitting 3 attacks in a row, you enter a state of Freeflow Focus, causing every strike to land true, harder and further away until your next attack is missed, you take damage or the combat ends. While in Freeflow you gain the following benefits:
- Your monk weapon attacks deal an additional martial arts die per attack
- You double your proficiency modifier when rolling to attack.
- When landing an attack, you can freely jump 15 feet to hit a different enemy, without provoking opportunity attacks.
You can enter this feature a number of times equal to your monk level per long rest.
Vigilante tools
6th-level Way of the Vigilant feature
Extensive training in the ways of your sect has taught you the secret crafts of the master vigilant tinkerers.
You gain proficiency in Tinker's tools and learn a number of unique crafting recipes for gadgets used by your Monk sect in the pursuit of justice. Upon gaining this feature a Way of the vigilant monk may obtain one of the following items for free.
Hands-Free Grappling hook
Crafted by using 5 Gp worth of steel, 100gp worth of complex machinery and at least 50 feet of rope.
This tool allows you and any allies to scale any vertical surface equal to or less than the length of the rope used to craft it. When climbing using this tool regular movement speed is used, and your hands are considered free for the sake of making attacks or using items, additionally, anyone using this tool may stop moving and remain still while climbing without falling.
Vigilant Throwing Weapon
Crafted using 5 Sp Each
This tool allows a vigilant monk to use an action to make an attack to a range of 60ft dealing its martial arts die in damage, additionally, a single stunning strike may be performed per enemy using a ranged Vigilant throwing weapon. Multi-attack and flurry of blows can be used in conjunction with the throwing weapon.
Bladed Gauntlets
Crafted using 300 GP worth of specialist materials.
This tool allows a Vigilant monk to catch enemy melee weapons in their bladed gauntlets and disarm the enemy with their reaction when they miss an attack by half of your proficiency bonus rounded down.
Glider Suit
Crafted using 400 GP worth of specialist Fabrics.
When slow falling a vigilant monk may instead choose to open their glider suit and gain a hands-free glide, allowing them to move their movement speed in any direction but up, land without taking any fall damage, and attack using ranged weapons and abilities. This glide can maintain height endlessly and can be lifted by strong winds.
Once obtained, any of these gadgets can be used for as long as they aren't damaged. Upon becoming unconscious, roll a D4, the result determining which gadget does or does not become damaged.
Redirect Blow
11th-level Way of the Vigilant feature
Whilst in Freeflow, if an attack would hit you you can direct it to any other enemy in range you can see and add a martial arts die to the damage up to a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.
Counterblows
17th-level Way of the Vigilant feature
Your mastery of the free flow prevents any physical harm from coming to you.
If an enemy would hit you with a melee attack whilst you are in freeflow mode, you can use your reaction to instead redirect all damage back to the attacker and attack them using an unarmed attack twice a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier per long rest.
