Editing Monk (section)

=== [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]] ===
The monk class seems to be an afterthought, even appearing last in the list of classes instead of in alphabetical order in the AD&D [[PHB]]. The monk class required four ability score minimums, started with an average of (2d4 +1 CON bonus) 6 hit points and COULD NOT WEAR ARMOR... but had a natural AC of 9, which to put it in perspective was in the THAC0 days, meaning that AC went from 10 to -10 with -10 being the best. The oh-so-awesome unarmed combat licked taint, since even a magic-user could do more damage with darts, and do it at range. However, the powers they got at higher levels were over the top, with immunity to disease, poisons and eventually aging, AC that was better than plate while they're still naked, fists that counted as magic weapons for hitting ghosts and undead, nigh-invulnerability to falling damage, and the [[Fist of the North Star|quivering palm attack]] that could make your target's heart stop immediately or days later if you felt like it (fun fact: this attack originated from a legend that Bruce Lee was in actuality killed by a similar martial arts technique). Also, their fists went from taint-licking suck to ''the only d20 weapons in the game''.

In AD&D 2nd Edition the Monk is stripped down from a full class to a kit for the Priest. Appearing in ''Player's Option: Spells and Magic'' as well as ''Faiths & Avatars''. They don't get to wear armor; instead they get an AC bonus that increases as they level to a maximum of 2 at level 14 (this was the edition of THAC0, remember). They have major access to the Spheres of All, Divinations, Numbers, Thought and Guardian, and minor access  to Combat, Healing, Necromantic and Time. They cannot Turn Undead, but in return they get to save VS Spell against detection, scrying and mind reading, constant access to Free Action and don't grant a bonus to opponents when attacking them with their bare hands. Exactly how damage works depends on if you use the aforementioned Player's Option book, The Complete Fighter's or Priest's Handbook, or just the core books. This does not greatly increase their attack power, so it's best to stick with the regular Priest instead.

An alternative to the AD&D monk can be found in [[Al-Qadim]], where the [[Complete Book Series|Complete Sha'ir's Handbook]] introduced the '''Mystic of Nog'''; a warrior-wizard who sacrifices spellcasting abilities to internalize magic energy, imbuing themselves with superhuman powers that include increased martial abilities with bare hands and weaponry, increased speed, increased leaping abilities, heightened natural armor, rapid healing, and even the monk's Stunning Blow.