Unorthodox Monks
From: The Le Games
Reviewed by: Travis Lee
Unorthodox Monks is a new Downloadable D20 Sourcebook from The Le Games. The Le Games Pocket Sourcebook series seeks to provide new ways for gamers to experience their favorite character class. Monks provides the reader with several whole new classes based on the standard monk, which provide interesting new powers and styles.
From page # 2:
“Traditionally, monks are trained to guard and control their emotions. This control, however, is not vital to all the disciplines of the monk.”
Unorthodox Monks is anything but traditional. It starts off with the Chaos Monk class, warriors able to channel their blinding rage into powerful attacks. Through her fury the Chaos Monk may turn her fists into Chaotic weapons, berserk Barbarian style, and strike with blazing speed. Its the perfect introduction to the book.
Monks doesn't let any fat get in the way of its information. Aside from minor illustrations for each class there is nothing but bare facts for each of the following classes. Sort of like the no-nonsense monk's bare fists.......
The Lasserator
These warriors, while practicing the traditional Monkish arts, also dedicate themselves to the study of a single weapon, perfecting it's use to undreamed of levels. This is the class for those of you who've always wanted to be Chow Yun Fat in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Along with the numerous ways to improve the chosen weapon, there's Arrow blocking, inhuman leaping, and jumping atop your opponent's weapon for attacks of opportunity against your startled foes.
Shadow Warrior
This turns the Monk into a deadly Ninja. Shadow Warriors have access to numerous Rogue abilities. Even better, they may hide practically in plain sight, pass through walls, and turn their sneak attacks into deadly Constitution removers.
Snake Master
Masters of their Ki and the knowledge of pressure points, the Snake Master is a potent class indeed. These warriors may drain their opponent’s abilities and strike and hard and fast like their reptile namesakes.
Spiritual Defender
Rounding off the bunch is the monk turned Paladin. Spiritual Defenders utilize their absolute dedication to the cause of Good to smite undead and deflect evil.
From page #6:
“Small bands of spiritual warriors instead choose favored weapons, and train solely with those until their skills become supernaturally good.”
Supernaturally and Good are definitely the Key Words for this supplement. These Monk classes are definitely not for those who want a 'realistic' game setting. Some of the powers might be unbalancing, but most of the truly spectacular powers are reserved for those characters above tenth level where PCs should be pretty hard core in any case.
Also, some DMS might be concerned with the fact that this book allows monks to duplicate several other classes, in fact to surpass them. This is the only real flaw I can see, and its easily corrected by proper control of who and what gets into any particular game.
In conclusion,
Definitely a book for those who want hard core, two fisted action. If you like your martial artists with numerous options and your games to feel like Hong Kong action movies, this is definitely the supplement for you. Its cheap, and so conveniently designed that it even comes with a rich text version for easy printout. Check it out, you just can't lose.
For more details on The Le Games and their new Downloadable D20 Sourcebook “Unorthodox Monks” check them out at their website http://www.TheLeGames.com, and at RPGNow.com
(Product Summary)
Unorthodox Monks
From: The Le Games
Type of Game: Downloadable D20 Sourcebook
Written by: Russel Lowe
Cover Art by: Brad McDevitt
Additional Art by: Character Portraits: Fantasy Heroes (Mongoose Publishing)
Number of Pages: 30
Retail Price: $ 2 (US)
Email: TheLeGames@yahoo.com
Website: www.TheLeGames.com
Reviewed by: Travis Lee
