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Junts
06-19-2009, 03:50 AM
This is my new toy; its coming along nicely so far. I have it up to 11 and I'm pretty happy with it to this point. This post is both to share and get some endgame eq feedback. I've got some decisions to make about which item and slot to craft first, and how to work my stuff in when I'm still getting consolidation gear.

This character's a monk that's sacrificing the (considerable) benefits of monk 20 and possibly the (less considerable) benefits of monk 19 in exchange for greater flexibility, survivability, and dps output. Its working well so far but intended more for module 9 as a fast autocrit/dpser with an ac mode. While halfling, it is a strength build, though I expect it will usually have slightly higher dex than str (due to the use of master/grandmaster wind stance), it's not a weapon finesse build.

I may splash in a fighter level in the last 4 going to 20; this depends what enhancements monks get at level 19 and how important the level works out to be. The extra fighter feat would be a significant benefit and would let me work in a variety of other options to this build, including full halfling dragonmarks (I think..depending on the minimum level for lesser dm of healing).

A handy side benefit for this build is that, as long as it's getting enough to-hit (eg raidbuffed) it has no problem whipping out non-monk weapons for pure dps situations, though it's going to be blunt specced, it will probably be pitfiend beating with rapiers for a while (ic or not).

Caelana, lawful neutral 1 rogue / 15 monk.

rogue 1, monk every other level (if splashing fighter, its level 17)

Wind stance 90% of the time or more.

strength: 14 (+2 tome, +6 item, +4 levels, +1 litany of the dead, +3 master stance) = 30 (32 at 20)
dexterity: 16 (+2 tome, +2 enhancements, +6 item, +1 litany, +3 master wind) = 30 in stance, 32 with +3 tome and +4 grandmaster stance
constitution: 14 (+2 tome, +6 item, +1 litany, usually -2 stance) 21/23 (+3 tome evens)
intelligence: 12 (+2 tome, +6 item, +1 lotd)
wisdom: 14 (+2 tome, +3 monk, +1 lotd, +6 item) = 26
charisma: 8 (+2 tome, +6 item, +1 lotd) = 17

Litany and +3 tomes will do a ton for this build statistically

1: two weapon fighting
2m: toughness
3: flexible: right now, skill focus: umd just for the bump
3m: stunning fist
4path: harmonious balance
6: power attack
7m: combat expertise
9: improved two weapon fighting
12: improved critical: bludgeon
15: greater two weapon fighting
18: ?

With the fighter level to move gtwf off to and free up the 15-18 feats (plus the flexible lv 3 feat), least lesser greater dm of healing would fit in just fine, though the character will not struggle to reach 39 umd and will have considerable concentration also.

This character is primarily a windstance user though I'll probably also carry all of fire (or at least up to master, since the last point isn't needed statwise, depending what else grandmaster fire does), and it has adept of water for unbalancing strike. Sneak attack damage is 1d6 + 3 (rogue) + 8 (halfling) + 8 (tharnes), 20-25 sa damage. It's worth noting that autocrit mobs are also autosneakattacked.

This character can do traps as well (3 sp/level are available for rogueskills), I would be interested in being informed as to how many ranks in search and disable I should shoot for in order to be effective at both in endgame from an informed rogue player (this is my first trap-capable toon).

Here's my perfect 16 equipment layout:

eyes: tharnes goggles, spot/search/truesight/sneak attack
head: shroud crafted (mineral 2: acid resistance, 15 hp, 20 hp, protection 5, heavy fortification)
neck: constitution
cloak: shroud crafted (concordant opposition: 10 hp, 2 cha skills, 3 cha skills, 6 wisdom, etc)
belt: belt of brute strength (gfl, str)
hands: seven-fingered gloves(umd)
feet: striding, kundarak delving boots, possibly dexterity situationally
Wrist: chaosgarde, dexterity or armor (depending on need)
ring1: chattering ring
ring2: dexterity (tumbleweed) or concentration

dragontouched robe:
eld: resist 5
tem: cha 6
sov: insight 4

DT is set up that way to allow for effective ac when using handwraps (no insight handwraps) and maxing umd in that mode (the lower ac mode: though still useful 60s, breakdowns below), while not containing any essential effects to worry about when the dt robe is taken off for icy raiment.

Rainment mode: rainment on, armor bracers on, dexterity boots on, concentration ring on, insight kama on. (net ac gain here is 3, 4 with armor 8 bracers), however, its more likely to be 8-9, as the character will usually be in power attack when it's not swapped into ac gear.

high-end ac breakdown:

10 base
8 wisdom
10 dexterity
7 armor
4 rainment
3 chattering ring
4 monk centered
5 protection
4 insight
5 barkskin
5 combat expertise
1 halfling size
4 inspire heroics
1 haste
4 shield wand
75 (76 with armor 8s, 78 with recitation, more with paladin)

without the 3 ac gain from rainment mode, ce or heroics, ac is 63, still useful. I might have missed a few points of ac, but I think I got it pretty close

16 and 20 umd breakdowns:

16:

19 ranks
3 charisma
5 shroud
5 titan
4 greater heroism
3 skill focus
---
39 umd without short buffs (walk of the sun is always available, too) or luck trinket

20:

23 ranks
3 charisma (could be 4)
5 shroud
5 titan
4 gh
---

40 umd without short buffs

concentration = 44-49ish with item, not only allowing for high ki storage, but synergistically permitting scrolls to be cast easily even when taking up to 30 damage per swing from mobs, with no failure chance.

I'm undecided which item to craft first (there's ways for me to make both concordant and min2 work with all the proper effects worked in as the first item). Am i better off with 35 hp / easier ac mode, or with 5 umd/10 hp? I'm leaning towards the umd, as the ac on this build is gonna take quite a while to mature, whereas the umd can easily be high 30s with cartouche involved with the shroud item.

I also need to know how many ranks of search and disable I need to shoot for, right now I have 13 search ranks and 8 disable at level 11. The character has been able to handle roguing at largely appropriate levels (eg, it could do elite deleras 4 at 7 but not at 6, etc). I don't know the target dcs well enough to know what I need. I'd like the character to be a fully functional rogue, though I don't care about doing elite cabal or anything .. I do want to be able to do elite vod and rainbow in the dark and monestary of the scorpion.

Ota
06-19-2009, 04:51 PM
You taking intimidate with that AC and the rogue splash?

Junts
06-19-2009, 07:39 PM
You taking intimidate with that AC and the rogue splash?

I thought about it but it was intimidate or trapskills; I went with the trap option, because I'd rather not have aggro to get my sneaks.

If you wanted to forego traps you could easily work it in.