Any martial class/multiclass that can realistically compete with a monk? Without (too much) cheese.

[CeciliaPhoenix]

Hello,

I replay Pillars 2 - or some of it before I get bored - from time to time, usually with my favorite class wizard, multiclassed. This is the perfect period for that, because I have to work a ****ton, so no time for gaming aside from beating up some monsters for a few hours a day. This time, for the first time, I tried out deadly deadfire - hardcore mod, and it suddenly made me much more interested in the game - suddely even the base game content is interesting. Alas, I only installed it at lvl 19, right before finishing everything on the non-DLC maps.

I'm currently playing a helwalker-blood mage, which might be my most played combos - who knows, running casually with 35 might and not so much constitution, and not really blowing up myself due to that one ring that is overpowered, no priests involved. The most ridiculious part of the monk though, especially with a class that prevents it from being hit, is just the crit resets. When not using a lance or casting, I'm running around with the sanguine greatsword with weeping wounds (two chances to crit per swing), and a casual 30 perception + dance of death, and just casually hitting things for 500+ damage who don't have excessive deflection. It would probably be even better with Saru-Sicr, just fists, and most certainly mohora tanga. Not to mention the other monk abilities, or the wizard aoe weapons...

With hardcore mod in mind, which makes enemies tougher, fights a bit longer, what other classes could come close, especially with a wizard multi? Rogue seems more appealing with dots, now that things don1t just get oneshot in the base game, and I'm thinking of trying to make berserker work (with priest support for this one, no accurracy). I'm just not sure how good blood thirst is, never seen it on anyone but Serafen and Konstanten - especially with hardcore mod, where things are harder to kill. Tactician fighter also seems more interested, even in a party, due to effectively endless resources, at least discipline - but fighter damage seems much lower than what others can do. Soulblade is also a great option, possibly....

...but monks are a bit ridiculious. 

[Chaospread]

All martial class can be sturdy multiclassed with priest or wizard (and almost the same with chanter or druid) but I think you forget the best martial class aside Monk (who is absurd in term of damage dealer): paladin. He doesn't deal great damage but become hard (or almost impossible) to tear down at high levels. And he has healing and support capabilities (for defense, ACC, etc.) that are very useful in a party.