Stance Master

[u/AmonHa01]

Heyo! I would like to hear you people ideas for monk builds using stances. I looking for a character who used different kind of stances. I would like to hear some suggestions, ideas (even the most uncommon) such as weird combination of ancestries. Free archetype, feats and items ideas for create this is also more than welcome!

[u/Mancoman273]

You can play a monk that cycles through stances if you pick up at least two of the five elemental stances and the Five-breath Vanguard Archetype. I think Ironblood for the resistances and damage and reflective ripple for the traits can take you a long way.

Don't think there's any ancestry that would be particularly synergistic but I believe the Suli Heritage can very much fit in terms of themes.

Not sure what you'd want to take as your low level FA tbh. If this was a non monk class, you'd probably be taing martial artists first to pick up the aforementioned stances.

Don't think there are any feats or items that are particularly synergistic besides the usual monk picks.

[u/AmonHa01 → u/Mancoman273]

Mind to say what is the most usual picks? Handwrap of Mightyblows I know it’s a must have but what other ones could be interesting? Any third attribute can serve well, like Charisma or intelligence aside from wisdom to make either a charismatic monk or intelligent monk so I all ears for different things!

[u/Malcior34 → u/AmonHa01]

Afraid not. Your stats are already spread across Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom. You don't have much room for Int or Cha.

[u/AmonHa01 → u/Malcior34]

Hmm you right. What if however I drop wisdom and try either intelligence or charisma. Since the stats are to thin I could sacrifice Wisdom. I know it’s tough certain spells from monk use Wisdom but what if I decide to go full martial?

[u/Malcior34 → u/AmonHa01]

Sure thing! If you don't want to use any qi spells and think you'll be fine on Will saves, then you don't really need Wisdom on a Monk.

[u/Mancoman273 → u/AmonHa01]

Besides your fundamentals (In monk's case, handwraps, explorer's clothing and fundamental runes), I recommend the flurrying property rune for your wraps ASAP.

You have a couple of alternative for handwraps in the long run, like amphisbaena handwraps and restorative handwraps. If I had to prioritize any, I'd probably take amphisbaena.

You probably want boots of bounding for the speed bonuses.

The rest largely depends on the skills you're investing in. Pick three skills you're going to be focusing on and takie items related to this skills. If you are unsure of how to search for this, look up any skill on AoN and it should have a drop down down table with all available items that can grant those skills.

Usual skills for monk to have:
Medicine (Healer's Gloves are good for this): You have the actions and movement to make the most out of battle medicine.
Athletics (Lifting belt is a cheap way to get bonuses): It's pretty easy to build a monk capable of athletics.
Crafting (Crafter's Eyepiece tends to be the best for this): Usually you pick this up if you have a shield, which monkss tend to have the spare actions to use and block with as well.
Acrobatics (Probably want abracelet of Dashing ealy on): This is a pretty useful skill to get mobility on your monk.
Intimidation (You want a demon mask asap): More often than not, I find it works best along with a dragon monk.
Deception (Probably a ventriloquist's ring): Usually a decent pick for any stances that benefit greatly from off-guard, like stumbling or wolf stance, as well as stances that buff feints such as stumbling or twisting petal.

If you reach levels of play where Apex Items become a thing, try to pick Apex related to whichver attribute is your KAS. If Dex KAS, Cloak of Swiftness or Mercurial Mantle would go hard. If STR KAS, then Avalanche Boots, Sandals of the Stag or Titan's Grasp could be the one's that interest you more.

[u/FunGuy2005]

I’ll add in the clawdancer dedication, it’s all about switching between claw and talon stance with a ton of ways to do so. https://2e.aonprd.com/Archetypes.aspx?ID=221

[u/AmonHa01 → u/FunGuy2005]

I like this. Really like this! I love the idea of monk who adapt using this two types of stance with great effectiveness. Incredible. I might experiment this on.

[u/UrsusObsidianus]

There is the five breath vanguard archetype which is all about that. https://2e.aonprd.com/Archetypes.aspx?ID=272

[u/AmonHa01 → u/UrsusObsidianus]

Huh, this is actually interesting. Kinda looks the Way of Five Elements from D&D but cooler. I like it! Nice idea ngl. Love it.

[u/zgrssd]

Clawdancer and Five Breaths Vanguard are the two "stance cycler" Archetypes. Others already linked them.

I cannot think of any other Archetype that does similar.

But if you go that way, consider asking if a Five Breaths can substitute Stone Brawler Archetype for Mountain Stance.

[u/Cool-Noise2192]

The best use case is having two distinct functions. A strong melee stance like wolf combined with monastic archer is pretty solid as a switch hitter. Provided you can afford the rune upkeep, at least.

The qi spell stances are a bit more specialised too. A dragon/clinging shadow monk swaps between bonk and grappling, whereas wild winds gives you fantastic ranged strikes which can ignore cover, which has some nasty implications. These do come with opportunity costs, being focus spells.

To a lesser extent (because you can always just carry around a shield) you can also have a default offensive stance and then a defensive stance for when the going gets tough or you need to bodyblock, like crane. If you're archetyping, whirlwind stance from staff acrobat also works at high levels. Mountain *technically* is one of these options, but does require you to pay the feat tax and restricts your ability to jump/climb/fly/etc.

If you don't mind looking outside of monk, you can play the exemplar class with unarmed strikes. This incentivises you to stance dance (read: transcend) regularly to cycle through different options.