Optimized Shaolin Monk in a Western

[Tomsdad]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Many real world places in the 19th century American west had laws against carrying guns when in town. So it wouldn't always be stick vs. gun fight.

True, but if he's going going up against bad guys doing bad things (shooting at people) than I'm not sure he can rely on city ordnances to protect him.

I.e if I'm going to rob a bank then obeying local weapons ordnances is going to be way down my list of priorities. Also even if the setting's bad guys do obey such ordnances he's going to be limited to those areas (but hey if it's largely set there than fine).

So that said I see 3 general ways to go with this:

1). Stealth Build (as has already been suggested)

2). Hide in plain sight, he's not going to register as an obvious threat in this setting, if the GM is willing he might get some mileage out of this (IIRC this is how the protagonist in "Kung Fu" got away with it). He'll likely need a good Move stat to allow him to surprise foes by getting into C/1 reach quickly. He's got 8 already and that's not bad. He'll also need combat tactics that include a lot of movement

3). If he's really going to go toe to toe, make him a serious dodge monkey with enhanced dodge. This may skirt the no exotic advantages once you go past a certain level. All out Dodge, Acrobatic dodge, Retreat and slip will be your friends. The build currently has a dodge of 12