Quarterstaff Acrobat Speed Master

[Goldeneye]

WF ACROBAT WIND STANCE QUARTERSTAFF BUILD

Allow me to introduce this build:
With a lot of inspiration from many people on the forums and in-game, I have been working on this idea for a while now,
the idea is a "Way of the Acrobat II", "Wind Stance II" build for maximum Quarterstaff speed, and some sweet THF/Power Attack Bonuses, as well as taking advantage of the crazy rogue back-stab bonus


Why rogue? Because Way of the Acrobat and Sneak Attack looked awesome
Why 13 Rogue? Even though you get WoTA II at 12, lvl 13 give you an extra d6 of sneak attack, and another rogue feat (Crippling Strike)

Why WF? Warforged Power Attack enhancements looked nice. (the alternative is halfling for bonus sneak attack.)

Why Monk? At level 20, I will be able to go 6 Monk, and get Wind Stance II

Why fighter? Not sure! 13 rogue, 6 monk, allowed me to get 1 lvl of fighter for a feat (Still contemplating 12 rogue/6 monk/2 fighter, but it doesn't look like I really need another feat)

Trap skills? I am still a little worried I won't be able to handle all the harder traps in the game, but I couldn't get myself to sacrifice anything to improve those skills farther

What do you think? I really like this idea, it will never have the dps of a full barbarian or a kensai fighter, but it looks like fun, and I have always wanted to make a THF / Sneak Attack Rogue / Quarterstaff master - so why not put them all in one.


Speek Softly - Quarterstaff Speedster WF Rogue / Monk / Fighter

______________________
Level Breakdown:

Warforged Lawful Good
13 Rogue / 2 Monk / 1 Fighter
level 20: 13 Rogue / 6 Monk / 1 Fighter
______________________
Stat Breakdown
Base:
STR 18
DEX 12
CON 17
INT 12 +2 tome at lvl 1
WIS 6
CHA 6

Ability Increase STR, STR, STR, STR, STR (4/8/12/16/20)
______________________
Feat Breakdown:

1 rogue (feat) Two Handed Fighting
2 rogue
3 rogue (feat) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning
4 rogue
5 rogue
6 rogue (feat) Stunning Blow (or other suggestion)
7 rogue
8 rogue
9 rogue (feat) Improved Two Handed Fighting
10 rogue (rogue) Improved Evasion
11 rogue
12 rogue (feat) 2nd Toughness? Skill Focus?
13 rogue (rogue) Crippling Strike

14 monk (monk) Toughness
15 monk (monk) Power Attack (feat) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning

16 fighter (fighter) Greater Two Handed Fighting

17 monk 3 (philosophy feat)
18 monk 4
19 monk 5
20 monk 6 (feat) Undecided: Combat Expertise? Dodge?
______________________
Skill Breakdown:

Order of Importance:

Most Important:
UMD
Search
Disable
Open Lock
Diplomacy
Bluff
Haggle
Jump
Concentration (for Ki remember, monk6 @ lvl 20)
Tumble

Lower Priority

For the rogue levels, I am able to max all of the skills above^

I have just enough int to keep UMD/Search/Disable maxed through the Monk Levels

then during the 1 fighter level, I only have enough INT to keep UMD maxed

______________________
Enhancement Breakdown:

Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost III (needed for acrobat)
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound I
Enhancement: Disciple of Breezes
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I (needed for acrobat)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV
Enhancement: Way of the Thief-Acrobat I
Enhancement: Way of the Thief-Acrobat II
Enhancement: Rogue Balance I
Enhancement: Rogue Balance II (needed for acrobat)
Enhancement: Rogue Tumble I
Enhancement: Rogue Tumble II (needed for acrobat)
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity III (needed for acrobat)
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution I
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution II
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack I
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack II
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack III

________________________________

-Inspiration from Phenx's Big F'n Stick Build (Preying Mantis) and Degraded
-Positive feedback please - I'm working on this idea, don't tell me to build an Exploiter or Kensai or anything of the sort

If you are interested, I have posted the Character Planner Export HERE (http://legionotcc.com/showthread.php?p=2847#post2847)

What is good? What is bad? What can I improve?

[Kraak]

Got one that's 13/3 right now and will most likely be 13/7 Rogue/Monk. Stole the idea from Clay. Its a great build. Personally though - I would skip the fighter levels. Already have enough feats.

[Goldeneye]

Got one that's 13/3 right now and will most likely be 13/7 Rogue/Monk. Stole the idea from Clay. Its a great build. Personally though - I would skip the fighter levels. Already have enough feats.

- Very good point, there really isn't much I get out of the fighter, so I might was well go for the Monk abilities at lvl 7

[Sillk]

By taking a level of fighter, you can use other weapons. Assuming you don't mind losing your stance, and your extra speed, you can - situationally - use a greataxe, or something depending on the circumstance. But most importantly you get a number of first tier enhancements - Toughness, Trip I, Stunning Blow I being what I took. Then pair that with the Warforged Tactics enhancements and you've got a little crowd control while you're whacking away at light speed.

I posted a build yesterday, linked below, that follows some of the same things you're trying to do, however I'm planning ahead on taking Acrobat III. Your build is probably something you'll be able to enjoy now because Acrobat III (I don't think) will be in MOD 9.
http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p=2168367&postcount=11

Check it out for comparison.

[spifflove]

What do you lose/gain from flip flopping the monk and fighter levels going 6 fighter/1 monk? (Kensai I)

[Goldeneye]

What do you lose/gain from flip flopping the monk and fighter levels going 6 fighter/1 monk? (Kensai I) - Actually a pretty good idea, to buff up output damage a little


By taking Fighter 6 I would get the following benefits:
"Fighter Kensai I -+1 bonus to Bluff, Concentration, Diplomacy, and Intimidate skills, Combat Feat DC's, saves against magic, and number of Action Boosts per day. If you possess a Ki bar, you gain 1 additional Ki on criticals and when meditating. You can select a single weapon type as your signature weapon. "

Kensai Quarterstaff Mastery I - (Two handed weapons): You gain an additional +1 bonus to hit, +2 to damage and to confirm criticals and +4 to critical damage (before multipliers), as well as improved glancing blows that have a chance of applying magical weapon effects when using a <weapon>.

-Kensai is very nice, however I don't know if I have the AP for Kensai + Acrobat II

In addition, I could get Fighter Strength 2, as well as fighter enhancements, and weapon specializtion: bludgeoning


However, by going monk 1, I would miss out on Monk Wind Stance II, and the many cenetered -monk benefits



all in all, a good idea to consider

[comotose]

By taking Fighter 6 I would get the following benefits:
"Fighter Kensai I -+1 bonus to Bluff, Concentration, Diplomacy, and Intimidate skills, Combat Feat DC's, saves against magic, and number of Action Boosts per day. If you possess a Ki bar, you gain 1 additional Ki on criticals and when meditating. You can select a single weapon type as your signature weapon. "

Kensai Quarterstaff Mastery I - (Two handed weapons): You gain an additional +1 bonus to hit, +2 to damage and to confirm criticals and +4 to critical damage (before multipliers), as well as improved glancing blows that have a chance of applying magical weapon effects when using a <weapon>.

-Kensai is very nice, however I don't know if I have the AP for Kensai + Acrobat II

In addition, I could get Fighter Strength 2, as well as fighter enhancements, and weapon specializtion: bludgeoning


However, by going monk 1, I would miss out on Monk Wind Stance II, and the many cenetered -monk benefits



all in all, a good idea to consider

I am currently leveling this build. I do really like the 6 fighter levels for kensai 1. Between specialization and the kensai bonuses it just seemed better than what I would gain with the monk.

[Venar]

Ok, this will sound like an oxymoron, but here goes, it's the best advice i can give to anyone trying for a staff build:

However fast you swing, it's still a Staff.


If barbarians could get a bonus 10% attack speed if they used greatclubs, do you think they would drop their axes and mauls?

[epochofcrepuscule]

You get your last feat at lvl 18, not lvl 20.

I would skip the fighter level as well personally-it doesn't do anything for you besides a feat you don't need. monk lvl 7 would give you more skill points, bab +1, and wholeness of body (which in ddo just lets sit and restore hp for a Ki cost). Far more useful then just the 1 feat and +2 fort save. Rogue would be better as well. Course-u can always take 1 wiz/sorc for no failure on arcane wand usage seeing as yer WF. I know, you have umd.. but its amazing the times though 1's show up..... It may also suit you to keep 1 rogue lvl for the last lvl-just to make sure all skills that you desire to keep maxed are topped off.

[Brandiwyne]

It does give you access to the first tier of tactics enhancement to increase the DC of your stunning blow, plus a toughness enhancement.

Not saying that it's the end-all be-all, just that there is a benefit to taking it besides the extra feat.

I have a dwarven monkrobat build myself, and have not yet decided whether it will be a 13/7 split, or 13/6/1.

[epochofcrepuscule]

It does give you access to the first tier of tactics enhancement to increase the DC of your stunning blow, plus a toughness enhancement.

Not saying that it's the end-all be-all, just that there is a benefit to taking it besides the extra feat.

I have a dwarven monkrobat build myself, and have not yet decided whether it will be a 13/7 split, or 13/6/1.



True, but if he wanted to maximize the eefect of tactics he would take the wf enhancements for it. His build has the fighter lvl but not the fighter tactics enhancement. So I left that out as the tactic enhancements are not part of his build. Toughness is a whopping 10hp? He will survive without it.

[Comfortably]

I'd go LN, for lotd....which is better than the Bloodstone.

[wrath13]

Any reason you took all of the rogue levels first? Seems like you would get more out of your skill points if you mixed it up....but I bl0w at creating characters so I have to ask.

[kamimitsu]

I considered a very similar build... then decided to go 19/1. Now (at level 13) I'm wondering which way to go. I'm thinking of just stopping at 14 (13/1) and waiting for AcrobatIII info to come out. Until then, I'll be in a holding pattern.

[rimble]

Any reason you took all of the rogue levels first? Seems like you would get more out of your skill points if you mixed it up....but I bl0w at creating characters so I have to ask.

This. Move your levels around. You probably at least want to finish up with Rogue at 19 and 20 to wrap up some skills.

This is part of the problem of splashing your main class level down to 13, especially on a Rogue. If you care at all about your skills you'll save some Rogue levels for levels 18, 19, and 20 to wrap up some skills...and that delays certain Rogue benefits until level 20, which hurts a bit. If you don't care too much about some skills then don't worry about it, but you should at least work it out and realize what you're doing.

I have a feeling Acrobat III will be worth the wait, but this is a good build for what we know definitively right now.

[VKhaun]

Ranger 1 instead of fighter 1, IMO. Grab a boss FE and the 1pt damage enhancement. Put 1pt sprint on your primary bar for zipping around. Free bow STR for ***** and giggles. More skill points to keep up your stuff, vs fighter.

[Plutocracy]

Id go fighter over monk, but both good.

Fighter 6 advantages over monk:
1) +5 or +6 more damage per swing (+2 STR enhancement,Weapon Specialization, Kensei)
2) +4 more to hit (+2 BAB, +2 STR enhancement, kensei)
3) in addition to Weapon Specialization, 2 feats for whatever else (improved trip, another toughness)
4) 12 more HP from normal levels, + toughness enhancements opened
5) DCs for Stunning Blow/Improved Trip could be increased

BUT, the wind stance and extra zip in movement is nice to.

[decease]

i would put rogue level at the beginning and the end, to gain more skill point on the skill you need the most.

[Jevern]

Consider cleave and possibly also great cleave for the extra feats which you haven't placed yet. You get sneak attack with cleave, which makes it very attractive in a large group of mobs. With a high enough diplo you can usually jump into a group and cleave/great cleave, then diplo any aggro you get away, then rinse and repeat.


I would agree with the assessment that you should swap some of the levels around so that you're not overtaxed for skill points at the end. 12 int should be way more than enough to keep everything maxed out.

I notice that this build seems to be built for maximum DPS, and am curious why you didn't take a monk PrE with the 6 levels of monk that you have. Ninja Spy adds 1d6 sneak attack damage to your attacks, and also offers you a very attractive 25% incorporeal buff (shadow fade) which stacks with a lot of other buffs. The enhancements required also tend to overlap some with those needed for acrobat, and for the extra AP you could probably drop sneak attack IV for an overall benefit in DPS anyway (extra 1d6 from Ninja Spy I) Alternatively, the light path adds some versatality to your builds since light monk buffs always add to a party.

Also consider one or two levels of scroll mastery, which adds effectiveness to your own reconstruct scrolls at very little cost.

[wax_on_wax_off]

In my own musings about how I'd build an acrobat I've come to the conclusion that building for DPS will never be successful (due to the shortcomings of quarterstaff).

However, DPS isn't actually important in most content. Playing to the concepts strength you can maximise Crowd Control, Speed and Defense and end up with a character that excels at quests, challenges and niche roles in raids (kiting, tanking and tank healing with wand and scroll mastery).

In light of this, the feat list that I'd start with is:
Combat Expertise
Improved Trip
Hamstring
Stunning Blow
Improved Sunder
Toughness
Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
Power Attack
Dodge
Sap
Cleave

It'd be great to fit in Great Cleave too; I hear great things about grabbing a large mob with intimidate and then hitting Diplomacy before Cleave to get AoE SA's.

Half-elf would be my racial preference for healing amp (important for tanking) and fighter dilettante (DCs/strength) but the feat list above assumes a bonus feat from Fighter so not sure how to reconcile that.

I'm not particularly interested in monk 7 for this build, offers less than 1 fighter or 1 ranger (spring boost) I think.

All that said, the next Acrobat that I roll up will be an Arcane Archer (13 rogue/6 monk/1 artificer).

[delsoboss]

Lol, the necromancer got 2 fresh bodies with this thread ... ugh not feeling so well ... oh **** got me too .... urgh ..... BRAAAAAIIIIINNNNSSSSS!!!!!

[wax_on_wax_off]

Lol, the necromancer got 2 fresh bodies with this thread ... ugh not feeling so well ... oh **** got me too .... urgh ..... BRAAAAAIIIIINNNNSSSSS!!!!!

Oh gawd, how did I not see that? Javern planned this, drew me in! Well, ah, we'll call it a guild bonding experience.

Necromancy; bringing people together since '12.

[voodoogroves]

OP: On your original build I'd drop DEX and put more into INT.

Also, ensure your monk and fighter level(s) come earlier so you can use the rogue levels to make up the skills gap. If starting at 7th. When I've leveled these and other splits,


In my own musings about how I'd build an acrobat I've come to the conclusion that building for DPS will never be successful (due to the shortcomings of quarterstaff).
Agree with WOWO completely. If you're building a non-pure rogue aimed to acrobat, tactics or other components should be part of your decision. Some options:

Monk 3 / Rogue 13 / something 4 ... light monk finishers and traps

If your "something" is artificer, you get a small boost to other areas, including an additional door opener / lever puller. Your extra feat could be augment summoning, making you a real utility player.

Fighter 6 ... tactics on a tactics or STR race.

In addition, don't just look at Kensai ... you qualify for SD with Combat Expertise, which opens the door to Improved Trip and on a WF the Spare Hand and Blademark's docent (epic) give you a pretty significant trip boost. Your SD stance gives just about the same benefit as Kensai, plus you're sturdier.

Monk 6 gives ninja spy; Shadow Fade is very strong.




All that said, the next Acrobat that I roll up will be an Arcane Archer (13 rogue/6 monk/1 artificer).
Mine will be a TWF AC toon. Possibly even Finesse based.

[voodoogroves]

Oh gawd, how did I not see that? Javern planned this, drew me in! Well, ah, we'll call it a guild bonding experience.

Necromancy; bringing people together since '12.

Gah. Make that 3.

See, I saw YOU post and followed suit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLSL8E-FLrQ