So Monk is the one class we didn’t get a prior UA for, which means all the changes are totally new. I’m still wrapping my head around it. Martial Arts die increase: good. Martial Arts die not affecting weapons: bad. Step of the Wind buff: good. Stunning Strike nerf: bad but reasonable?
I feel like they knew Monks needed help, but it doesn’t really seem like they made as much effort to fix that as I think they really needed to. Anything I might be missing that saves the Class here?
I think what you’re largely missing is how the damage ceiling has come down due to the removal of many methods that optimizers would use to stack a lot of damage into a single turn.
Given that, the lack of damage increase is either fine, or only slightly sub-par.
I like the changes overall with the reduction of damage from the few optimal options with an increase for everyone else. A single good choice is really no choice. I really enjoyed the higher martial arts die since 1d4 was so too low.
Hmm, true, the bar is lower across the board, now, isn’t it? Might have to readjust my expectations.