I enjoy magic users, and always have several in my group. However, that doesn't mean that the main character has to be a magic user. Monks are fun, but I like to combine them with having other magic users too. IMHO, it's about having a balanced party, not having one superhero main character.

I've just started a multi game with me in control of 6 characters - no NPCs this time. I wondered what it would be like to do the game IWD style! I am also breaking another of my 'trends' by dual classing, which I don't normally use.
It is early days yet, but my party consists of:

Fighter/Cleric (dualled at level 7)
Swashbuckler
Fighter/Mage (dualled at level 7)
Kensai (will dual to thief at level 9)
Skald
Archer

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Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

Epona of The Laughing Hyenas