[D&D][PC Building]Monkey Business

[akiko]

Ok, so I am making an awakened Monkey PC. And I am reading the SRD on how to determine racial ability adjustments and I just don't get it.

Here is a monkey's ability scores in the MM entry <Link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/monkey.htm)>:
Str 3, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 5

So using the minus 10/11 route I thought the adjustments were as follows <Link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monstersAsRaces.htm#abilityScoresforMonsterPCs)>:
Str -8, Dex +4, Int -8, Wis +2, Cha -6

Now I realize that -8 is irrelevant because awakened makes my int 3d6 but I figured I would use the -8 to determine my point buy scores. I put a 10 there to get the 2 that a normal monkey has. But then I kept reading on the page about the -10/-11 method that I linked to above and it says its different to determine the modifier of an abiility less than 10, which I don't understand the process at all. Does anyone understand and if so what would be the racial ability score adjustments of a monkey? Help!

[Mercutio]

Okay, the way I read that. The monkey would get a -8 to str, +4 dex, int doesn't matter, +2 wis, -6 cha +1d3.

Take the monkey's base intelligence and add the 3d6 to determine his int.

[Black Plauge]

For ability scores less than 10 you need to use the tables.

So, let's start by looking at Str. If we look at the second table, the third colum is for ability scores of 2 or 3. So what you first need to do is find in this column the strength score that you want (you can't point buy your way to higher than 10). Next find the entry in the same row in the first column. This is the score you need to pay for in point buy.

Charisma works the same way, except that you use the fourth column (for 4-5 ability scores) instead of the third.

Int, however, is the hard one. The seperate table for Int takes into account that normally player races are scentient and cannot have Int scores lower than 3. You, however, are playing a non-scentient race to which an awaken spell is being applied. As a result, you shouldn't use the Int table, but instead should treat the monkey's average Int as 10 for point buy purposes (that is, after all, the average of a 3d6 roll). This way you have to buy exceptional Int, just like a normal character, and don't get to skimp on the Int in character creation to take advantage of the die roll.

That's how I'd do it.

[Mercutio]

That confuses the crap out of me. The numbers in the table are the point buy equivalent? So a monkey with a 3 strength, you only pay 2 points in the point buy system to get him to 10 strength? I'm confused.

[Black Plauge]

No, no, no.

For a creature with 2-3 in an ability score normally (such as a Monkey's strength):
If you pay for an 8 (i.e. 0 pionts), you get a 2.
If you pay for an 11 (i.e. 3 points), you get a 3.
If you pay for a 12 (i.e. 4 points), you get a 4.
If you pay for a 13 (i.e. 5 points), you get a 5.
If you pay for a 14 (i.e. 6 points), you get a 6.
If you pay for a 15 (i.e. 8 points), you get a 7.
etc.

For a creature with 4-5 in an ability score normally (such as a Monkey's charisma):
If you pay for an 8 (i.e. 0 pionts), you get a 4.
If you pay for an 11 (i.e. 3 points), you get a 5.
If you pay for a 12 (i.e. 4 points), you get a 6.
If you pay for a 13 (i.e. 5 points), you get a 7.
If you pay for a 14 (i.e. 6 points), you get a 8.
If you pay for a 15 (i.e. 8 points), you get a 9.
etc.

The point buy equivalent is in the first column. What you actually get is in the column labled by the average score for a member of that race.

[Mercutio]

Oh. That makes more sense now. I'm sure it's better explained in the MM (or at least I hope it is, because the SRD was confusing as all get out.)

[akiko]

Exactly. I couldn't tell heads or tails of that table in the SRD. Thanks guys.

[Xaden]

You know, I've always wanted to try a game with just awakened animals. Something along the lines of a druid awakening many animals and then one day she dies or something and the animals have to figure out why and how and all that jazz. Though if I did ever run such a campaign, I'd probably disallow monkeys and apes and other things with useful thumbs just cause it'd make for a slightly differnt sort of campaign (when something as simple as a closed door becomes a (minor) challenge, it can make for some really interesting situations). Though if you're just playing an animal in a more normal campaign, then some sort of primate would almost be neccissary (or at least, the thumbs would help a fair amount).

[akiko]

Hey this concept started out as an awakened squirrel. Then mouse, then weasel, then ferret and finally monkey. The previous incarnations were protectors of the forest. Up until the monkey it was a ninja. Then I figured out I could make a more effective ninja using monk and rogue since the competition I am entering him calls for level 24.

[Xaden]

Yes! Now that's awesome! Go monkey ninja!!! So what's the Favored Class of a monkey? :fun:

[nightinverse]

I would say Rogue.

[akiko]

I said any, but I am not truly planning on playing him (its for a contest). Because of this, I don't worry about multiclassing penalties and he is a Monkey2/Rogue10/Monk12. So he has 4d6 sneak attack, greater flurry of blows and underfoot combat/confound the big folk. He is be able to enter and fight from within the square of a medium or larger character without AoOs.

[Doomsmile]

The only way this monkey could get any more awesome is if you maxed out disable device and gave him a wrench.

[akiko]

I planned on the disable device, but did not think of the wrench. Good idea, thanks! I can see it now, his intelligent thieves tool is a wrench.

[Xaden]

So you're monkey has a monkey wrench, now all he needs to be is an eco-terrorist with several wives (seldom-seen). "Free the water!"

[akiko]

Okay so I have 36 points. I know they get a +4 Dex, +2 Wis.

Ok, so Int will cost me no points I guess. I am buying the 2 without getting anything in return. Then roll the 3d6 for a 10. Sound right? Here's what I got. Adding tomes and belt of magnificence soon.
Str: 6 (14, 6 points)
Dex: 15 (8 points) [19]
Con: 11 (3 points)
Int: 12 (4 points)
Wis: 16 (10 points) [18]
Cha: 7 (13, 5 points)

EDIT: Readjusted. Damn I have some harsh MAD here. I think I care about all except CHA.

[Black Plauge]

Like I said, I'd force you to pay for Int just like you were a human in this case. Thus, your Int of 10 would cost you 2 points.

[akiko]

I can live with that. Thanks BP. Took me forever just to calculate those even with your little tutorial. Very helpful though. Thanks again.

[Linklegacy77]

Just don't put him up against Darksoul, I'd hate to see your monkey's head explode.

[akiko]

His head would indeed 'asplode. He is not meant for combat against everyone (though his saves are decent) but he is good against the little monk children he schools regularly. Where do you think they got the 'monkey style' from?

[Linklegacy77]

He's a good little monkey fighter, but unfortunately, your monkey is incapable of harming the permanently incorporeal Darksoul.

Want to team up? Darksoul will assume form into a human with a hurdy-gurdy, and your monkey can go around collecting cash. Anyone who doesn't pay, gets K-O'ed by you, and has their gems and such taken.