Making each races Monk flavour unique

[Wang-argent-dawn]

This is a question I have been wondering for a while. How would you make each races Monk unique to them as a class identity and give them more distinct character than just ‘Pandaren trained’.

This is not to say you need to completely change them mechanically, but perhaps something akin to Tauren Sunwalker Paladins for example. I would be very interested to see your guys ideas.

To start, here is a few concepts I’d like to explore:

Forsaken - their monks are a branch of the Cult of the Forgotten Shadow and tap into the aspect of Dark Chi (or just Shadow). They would invoke the RPG virtues of Divine Humanism, ascension and power, respecting the balance required of the Cult between Light and Shadow. They would essentially be warrior priests, focusing on melee rather than range.

Humans - I always loved Scarlet Monk’s we saw in vanilla / MoP with characters like Brother Korloff who learned the ways of the monk through the Pandaren years ago. Korloff however put his own twist on it, making Scarlet Monks powers all about fire and Light. Crimson Monks also used bladed fist weapons.

We also know of Argent Monks, and some martial culture among the Church early on. Perhaps Humanity’s twist is all about harnessing inner Light.

Tauren - Shamelessly I’d like to bring Runemasters back, focusing on the Shamanistic side of Chi and spirit that Monk evokes.

Draenei - I always interested in Auchenai Monk’s the Draenei had in TBC. Perhaps a religious order dedicated to the dead, or as part of the Draenei religious order? Could they be connected to the martial wrestling culture of Jed’hin?

Orc - I think Orc Monk is a classic brawler. We know of of a Laughing Skull monk in WoD, and in classic there were Burning Blade and Shattered Hand brusiers. Could Orc’s invoke a more traditional brawler or a variant of a Blademaster? Even sneaky Shattered Hand styled assassins.

Blood Elf - We know of a figure called Eramas Brightblaze who appeared to use a mix of Arcane and martial arts. Perhaps this is similar to a Runemaster, or something entirely magical.

Those are the ideas I have on hand. It would be great to see what you think, and what other Monk flavours you’d add to other races.

[Brzyszcz-argent-dawn]

For me WarCraft monks are a bridge between shamanism (elementals, spirits) and druidism (nature, wild gods). So for night elfs being a monk could be alternative path of druidistic nature worship - one less focused on your inner animal & shapeshifting and more on spiritual journey & primodial forces of nature.
Also the four celestials monks worship are considered Wild Gods afterall, so a druid wishing to worship and follow one of them could become a monk.
Plus back in WarCraft 3 Druids even in their humanoid form were though melee fighters punching enemies with bear claw fist weapons.

[Wang-argent-dawn]

I didn’t know that about Night Elf druids, that’s pretty cool. Aspect of the Bear of sorts.

For Goblins I did think of a silly idea about 80’s / 90’s kung fu lessons. Goblins attending fake classes to get their belt colours, only to be shown how to be a proper monk by Pandaren.

Similarly Worgen are all about melee in their primal state, perhaps they blend Chi with this.

[Broduin-silvermoon]

@Wang-argent-dawn

or a variant of a Blademaster?

I also think Orc Monks would be a Blademaster Variant. Like a Blademaster Orc in Azeroth expanding his knowledge of Chi with Pandaren. I think it looks like the powers that Blademasters invoke are related to what Monks use

[Leaf-die-nachtwache]

I could swear in the malfurion book were druids fighting partly transformed, like just a claw. But its been probably like 10 years since I read it.

However nightelves could perfectly roll with the idea of instead of summoning the aspects of the pandaren wild gods / celesitials, they get blessings from their wild gods.

We know fist weapons arent to uncommon for nightelves either. So it shouldnt be to far of a reach to imagine some nightelves who follow drudic traditions to connect to the wild gods for their blessings but dont commit fully to the nature road.

For the tiger they have Ashmane

for the crane Aviana

for the snake Cenarius

for the cow Tortolla

[Hrig-argent-dawn]

Having played one both in RP and PvE on and off and more consistently nowadays since their MoP release, I appreciate that this is being increasingly realised. We have had different flavours of monk - even a good while of lore concerning Pandaren establishing martial artistry to other races and let them develop that it is so unfortunate that Blizzard isn’t actively pushing this ideal.

You do this old monk player’s heart wonders. Hope to see some traction! Personally, having been a Blood Elf Monk for many years now, Eramas Brightblaze is exactly the kind I would love to see more of, as well as Brother Korloff and the Jadefire Masters. The use of discipline with the Arcane as well as Elemental forces (yeah yeah, I love Earthbenders!) has been my personal vision that I love to play out.