Based on the observation that Flurry of Blows is not disabled when raging, unlike a lot of other abilities. So you can get a monk who is resistant to almost all damage (Bear aspect) and can still pump out Flurry of Blows for 4 attacks a round.
Barbarian Wildheart Bear level 4; Monk Open Hand level 8; must take Tavern Brawler. This balance (instead of 3/9) still allows 3 feats. You can go 6/6 if you are OK with having 1 less feat and it will give you 4 rages.
Choose the standard Barbarian stats - STR highest, then CON. Why? You are ditching Unarmored Defense and Unarmored Movement because Unarmored Defense will never get an AC as good as wearing solid Medium armor and a shield and there are multiple ways to get more movement. You can still use unarmed attacks even wearing a shield. If you can commit to giving the character a Potion of Hill Giant or Cloud Giant Strength every long rest and give them one of the better sets of medium armor, you can go with CON>DEX (or DEX>CON if they get exotic medium armor) and push their walking around AC up to 22 or better fairly easily.
At the beginning of fights, start raging. Each turn after you get 2 (regular) + 2 (Flurry of Blows) = 4 unarmed attacks at some of the best to-hit and damage numbers in the game thanks to Tavern Brawler. All the while protected by the Bear aspect. The Way of the Open Hand at level 6 gives extra damage in a choice of 3 types and allows recovery of up to 6 Ki points so you can keep punching all day.
There are several bracers that do automatic extra damage for unarmed attacks and several pieces of equipment that do extra effects when the target takes radiant (Manifestation of Soul) damage. That can stack both effects and extra damage quickly.
Last edited by RBarbare; 22/03/24 11:46 PM.
