advice on monks

[ripugg]

Just about to start BGII for the first time. (i can't seem to get the search to work, so I couldn't look in the archives for posts on this)

I am way into Hong Kong cinema and the legend of the Monks of Shao Lin. So I am drawn to the idea of playing a monk. However, they don't seem to be the most useful. Has anyone played a monk and found it worthwhile?

I wish the monks could become master swordsmen; afterall the traditional monks were (thing of the classic Swordsmen Saga).
It would also be cool if they had ninjas as well as monks, and if they made it such that were they in the same party they would always be skeptical and distrusting of one another.

I'm thinking of starting with a 2 or 3 member party (i'm playing single player), so I have more than one character to control, but still have room to add others.

[masteraleph]

First time around, I'd definitely go with single player, as there's better NPC interaction.
On the monk, he can be very powerful. He gets cool abilities as he levels up (i.e., 11th level he's immune to poison, 12th his hands are +2 weapons, etc.). Especially of note is the 13th level ability Quivering Palm, for which whoever you hit must save vs. death or die.
As for sword specialization, the closest you can get to that is a kensai. Pick something like long sword (katana, aside from one, is too limited).
And if it's your first time around, I might go with an Undead Hunter, vampires are nasty and the hunter (it's a paladin kit) is very good against them.

[Lifetime]

Heh The monk In BG2 doesnt do Shaolin Monks justice man. Just look at Jet Li when he's really serious about practicing his craft..I agree with you about Monk Specialisation, since most martial artists in Chinese Kung Fu dont just stick with one weapon. Maybe give the Monk bonuses for weapons like the QuarterStaff and the Spear. I have yet to see effective use of these weapons.
And on Your first time through, I'd go with having lots of party members and NPCs. Otherwise you'll miss out on a lot of stuff.

[Rikard_OHF]

Monk are good characters But i tend to avoid them due to the "no fun" factor in warriors including monks
But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them

Just one thing
Chinese dudes Rock

hehe Rikard is a bit of a Mage fancier like me...(watcha all lookin at me like that for...they rock) I have had the game since the day it came out and I like to consider myself a veteran of it...well I have played it through to the end 5 times, but I have never yet played as a monk. Damn I think I will try it this week sometime. I have herd good things about monks though, like the aformentioned quivering parm (kill firkrag with one hit...lol )and I do belive that monks become imune to non-magical weapons at 21st level. Im not sure about the last ability but I think its correct.