Ki Focus/saved posts
HSN Tier-up Bonus
Topic: Unarmed Combat
Message #: 830
Author: GS4-FINROS
Date: 07/28/2015 08:57 PM EDT
Subject: HSN: Ki Focus Combat Maneuver Update
The Ki Focus combat maneuver, available to monks, has been revised to grant an unarmed combat tier-up bonus in lieu of its previous bonus to AS/UAF. The maneuver is now invoked to grant a 33% chance per rank of gaining an immediate tier-up on the next unarmed strike, assuming that it is successful. If the strike is successful but does not grant an immediate tier-up, the probability of earning a tier-up strike is significantly increased for all subsequent strikes at that tier.
Topic: Unarmed Combat
Message #: 833
Author: GS4-FINROS
Date: 07/28/2015 10:44 PM EDT
Subject: Re: HSN: Ki Focus Combat Maneuver Update
>Cool! One question. How does this work with Krynch?
The two maneuvers don't have any interaction. Krynch is the very last check when determining tier, and, if applicable, brings you up to a carried-over tier from a previous attack. Ki Focus is at the start, sharing precedence with automatic tier-up attacks (the two are mutually exclusive). The lucky tier-up chance is in the middle, and is always evaluated if a tier-up is possible.
Topic: Unarmed Combat
Message #: 838
Author: GS4-IXIX
Date: 07/29/2015 09:43 PM EDT
Subject: Re: HSN: Ki Focus Combat Maneuver Update
<<Does Ki Focus count as an offensive CMAN for Second Wind ability? >>
Yes, although without an offensive CMAN attack roll (like you'd see with say, Groin Kick) it won't affect the effectiveness of Ki Focus, just the stamina cost.
Ixix
Topic: Unarmed Combat
Message #: 839
Author: GS4-FINROS
Date: 07/29/2015 10:25 PM EDT
Subject: Re: HSN: Ki Focus Combat Maneuver Update
>Is the continuing bonus applied to the chance of generating an opening or the lucky tier up or something else?
The former. There's a decent chance that the same strike that fails to achieve an automatic tier-up will still yield a tier-up opening. (And if it doesn't, the bonus will continue to apply on subsequent tier-up opportunities).
>Does this mean that using ki focus between a decent jab that created a punch opening and punching the critter, just wastes stamina?
Right. You still may get from tier one to tier three from a lucky tier-up in conjunction with an automatic tier-up strike or a Ki Focus strike, but the latter two don't combine to give you an automatic two step jump.
Otherwise, you are correct that UAF boosters aren't terribly useful for monks. I'm aware of the weakness of Dragonclaw in that reward, but don't forget that it also offers spell-bypassing flares that negate a target's magical UDF boosters. I grant that it isn't so useful against unspelled creatures, all things considered.