Monk
The Monk is a member of an ascetic order dedicated to the perfection of one's body and soul through the discipline of the martial arts. Monks start with only a simple weapon and a robe. When they choose a god for the first time, their spiritual training gives them a piety boost. |
Contents
Preferred Races
Hill Orc, Merfolk, Gargoyle, Troll, Demonspawn, Palentonga and Deep Dwarf are the recommended races if you pick a Monk Background.
Racial Restrictions
Demigods cannot be Monks, as they refuse to worship a god.
Starting Equipment
Some species may receive different items based on their unique restrictions.
- +0 robe
- +0 weapon of choice (hand axe, spear, short sword, falchion, mace, or unarmed)
Starting Skills and Stats
These are adjusted by your species' aptitudes.
Choosing Monk adds 3 to your starting Strength, 2 to your starting Intelligence and 7 to your starting Dexterity.
Special
- Monks do not start with a god, but automatically gain ** piety when they first convert to a god. The following gods have special properties with monks:
- Ashenzari: Monks are provided the first set of curses much sooner.
- Gozag: Monks skip the entry fee.
- Ignis: Monks receive an additional 25 piety (for an effective ~155 piety).
- Ru: Monks are immediately given a set of sacrifice options to make upon conversion.
- Xom: No effect.
- Yredelemnul: Create multiple allied derived undead to reach ** piety.
Strategy
The main appeal of this background is the piety boost you gain upon choosing a god, especially when worshiping a god who offers bonuses at 1* or even 2* of piety, such as Okawaru or Makhleb. On the other hand, surviving until you find a suitable god to worship can be more challenging than with better-equipped backgrounds like Fighter or Gladiator.
The Monk bonus does not stack with that of a faded altar; the monk bonus takes precedent.
History
- Prior to 0.19, monks could not choose a starting weapon - instead they always started with unarmed combat.
- Prior to 0.10, there was no piety bonus gained upon choosing a god.
Backgrounds | |
---|---|
Warriors | Fighter • Gladiator • Monk • Hunter • Brigand |
Zealots | Berserker • Chaos Knight • Cinder Acolyte |
Warrior-mages | Warper • Hexslinger • Enchanter • Reaver |
Mages | Hedge Wizard • Conjurer • Summoner • Necromancer • Fire Elementalist • Ice Elementalist • Air Elementalist • Earth Elementalist • Alchemist |
Adventurers | Artificer • Shapeshifter • Wanderer • Delver |