Q159:In Unearthed Arcana, Monks have the option of selecting alternate fighting styles, changing their base feats that they would get by virtue of being a Monk 1, 2, and 6.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#monkVariantFightingStylesOne of the last sentences in this entry reads: "A monk can abandon her fighting style by
selecting a different bonus feat at 2nd or 6th level; however, if she does so, she loses the bonus on skill checks gained at 1st level and never gains the bonus ability of the fighting style (even if she meets the prerequisites). " I have bolded the most important part of that sentence for this question.
What other "bonus" feats can the Monk select from here? I have used this trick a lot in the past, and now I am wondering how it really works. There are a few possibilities as I see it:
1) The monk can select a different bonus feat from this list that he must meet prerequisites for AND that corresponds to the same level slot that he ditched the previous feat from. Example: if the Monk took Stunning Fist at level 1 (part of the Hand and Foot style) he can take either take Deflect Arrows from Hand and Foot, or Combat Reflexes from Denying Stance, or anything else that had a level 2 slot.
2) The monk can select a different bonus feat from this list that he meets prereqs for and that comes from ANY level of the other combat styles. Example: if the Monk took Stunning Fist at level 1, he can take Improved Grapple (normally Level 1 from Denying Stance) instead of the usual Deflect Arrows (Hand and Foot Level 2).
3) The monk can select ANY BONUS FEAT PERIOD that he qualifies for. Example: Monk can ditch Deflect Arrows at level 2 and take, say, Expeditious Dodge, even though this is not on the monk list.
I am on the side of (3), because most of these feats are taken without prerequisites anyway, and because it seems to be implied by the wording of "bonus feat" [from the lists].
I would prefer a RAW answer and not an RAI answer. Thanks.
-ktkenshinx-