If you’re permitted non-core classes, then there are some Monk-focused Prestige Classes, some of which allow you to continue progressing some Class Features, but in Core, I don’t think there’s anything other than Shadowdancer that really works with the Monk abilities.

Sounds like you’re doing Monk right, though: quick attacks, focusing on the weak enemies… excellent!

The problem with VoP is that whilst thematatically fitting Monks, in practice it doesn’t mesh. What VoP gives isn’t what a Monk needs (VoP is cheese on a Druid because their spells and Wild Shape mean they don’t need anything). There are simply too many utility items that a Monk needs, such as something to make them Fly (or Jump *really* well).

The other problem I have with it is that VoP can mess with the DM a bit and also can hurt roleplaying in some situations.

The PHB II comments were more about Fighters than Monks… there’s not much in the PHB II for Monks.

Straight Fightery classes also lose out as the game moves into mid-late levels. Rogues’ skills and Sneak Attack makes them far more useful than either. Bards’ spellcasting keeps them relevant, and even Paladins and Rangers fare alright due to minor magic and actual class features. The big problem is that the Fighter class feature is just Feats, which becomes useless quickly, and for Monks, half their class features are useless or are 1/day.

And whilst spells are technically limited, in practice it’s not really an issue. At higher levels spellcasters simply have more than enough spells, whilst at low level you just choose the right spells and you’re fine. A well-timed Sleep or Colour Spray can instantly win an entire encounter, which is rather efficient. Only if you have a very large number of encounters per day will spellcasters start to suffer, and even then, if the party isso inclined, spells like Rope Trick can allow them to rest and rememorise spells even in hostile environments like dungeons.

Also, why not multi-class them with each other? A few levels in Monk gives some nice abilities for the Fighter, and a couple of the feats like Improved Grapple, earlier, while improving movement speed, etc; the Monk can also benefit from the Fighter class for some extra feats.

In addition, the Bard and Druid can actually be useful. The Bard gets Use Magic Device (and extra skill-points), as well as the Inspiration which can still be used while fighting, and has access to some arcane spells unique to them, while the Druid allows usage of Druid magic wands, has some nice abilities at low levels, and gives an extra language.

Hope my comments help.

Also, why not multi-class them with each other? A few levels in Monk gives some nice abilities for the Fighter, and a couple of the feats like Improved Grapple, earlier, while improving movement speed, etc; the Monk can also benefit from the Fighter class for some extra feats.

In addition, the Bard and Druid can actually be useful. The Bard gets Use Magic Device (and extra skill-points), as well as the Inspiration which can still be used while fighting, and has access to some arcane spells unique to them, while the Druid allows usage of Druid magic wands, has some nice abilities at low levels, and gives an extra language.

Hope my comments help.