Rockan the Boat (halfling unarmed 14 fighter/8 monk)

[Anthios888]

Rockan the Boat Baby (halfling 12 Fighter Kensei/8 monk)

BUILD OVERVIEW

Here's a ninja build to confuse your mates. This self-proclaimed gimp build I made as a 2nd TR on my journey to a 36 point level 20 monk turned out to be kind of awesome. Let me start off by explaining that this is an unarmed fighting build that plays similar to a monk. It will have a lower armor class in exchange for robust HP, DPS, and healing dragonmarks.

Kensei gives some decent bonuses to hit and damage that help make up for not having the full monk fist progression. It was designed to blend well with monks, granting +1 extra ki on critical hits and +2 ki on-hit during power surges. Leveling AC is decent despite being a strength build, especially at lower levels. With 8 levels of monk combined with the past life: monk feat (improving your fists a tier), the base handwrap damage is 2d6 at level 20. Tack on holy burst, shocking burst, weapon flags and greater banes or weighted, and you've got yourself a very nice litle DPSer. I will post a comparative DPS analysis following the build.

When I looked at my own build, I said to myself, "Rocka?"

And I said, "Yeah?"

And I said, "Rocka, what are you thinking?! More than one toughness feat?"

I had never take toughness more than once and doing so was giving me a rush as I clicked that level-up screen. Every other build I have designed has so many goals to fit in and so few feats to do it in that it was never worth the trade-offs. Yet finally, in this little punchy fighter, everything essential already fit elegantly. I suppose you could do something like intimidate, but with the halfling racial bonuses to sneak attacks, that would drop my contributions, and I get tons more damage sneak attacking, and if anything, give me aggro I don't want. Another option would be to pick up dodge and combat expertise, but CE is not worth the build points or losing power attack.

Squeezing in the extra emphasis on HP bumps the character into a different category of dps tank than a regular monk. Being able to main tank Horoth or withstand some of the epic beatings is a very attractive feature that some may find more useful than those last 12 levels in monk. For someone looking for a good melee to grind epic content, this may be the boat rockan build for you.

Before I go any further, let me mention one crippling flaw in the design of this build. Weighted from handwraps is not correctly applying to stunning blow. This has been a known bug for a long time but there is no word yet as to when it might be addressed.

For those seriously considering this build, warforged offers a very nice alternative in terms of stunning and dps. Tacial tactics enhancements and the ability to start with 18 strength would net +4 DC on stunning as well as a decent chunk of extra HP. Power attack enhancements are easy to use thanks to the generous to-hit of a kensei monk. Halfling do have a couple more AC and healing dragonmarks, so that would be your trade off. Since there are several extra feats to play with, there's a lot of room to expand this to use something like improved trip instead of the extra HP.

And here's how I'm rockan' the boat:

Following is the 34 point build I currently have at level 17. 32 points could be easily accommodated by dropping dex and wisdom each by 1 point. (A 28 point without access to +2 tomes should start with 15 STR, 16 DEX, 14 CON, 8 INT, 11 WIS, 8 CHA)

STATS
46 STR 16 base + 5 levels + 2 tome + 3 enh +6 item +1 lotd + 1 exceptional + 2 rage + 2 yugo + 8 power surge
28 DEX 16 base + 2 tome + 2 enh +7 item +1 lotd
28 CON 14 base + 2 tome +1 lotd +6 item + 2 rage + 2 yugo +1 exceptional
11 INT 8 base + 2 tome +1 lotd
26 WIS 14 base + 2 tome + 2 enh +1 lotd +6 item + 1 exceptional
9 CHA 8 base +1 lotd

HIT POINTS
20 base + 10 argo + 120 fighter + 64 monk + 30 Greater False Life + 45 Greensteel + 20 minos + 60 enhancements + 180 con + 66 toughness + 20 yugo= 635 HP
80 double madstone = 715 HP madstoned

FEATS



Level 1 (monk): Least Dragonmark of Healing, Toughness

Level 2 (fighter): Two Weapon Fighting

Level 3 (fighter): Stunning Blow, Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning

Level 4 (fighter):

Level 5 (fighter): Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning

Level 6 (monk): Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Power Attack

Level 7 (monk):

Level 8 (fighter):

Level 9 (fighter): Greater Dragonmark of Healing, Improved Two Weapon Fighting

Level 10 (monk):

Level 11 (monk):

Level 12 (monk): Toughness, Past life: Monk

Level 13 (fighter):

Level 14 (fighter): Improved Critical: Bludgeoning

Level 15 (fighter): Greater Two Weapon Fighting

Level 16 (fighter): Greater Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning

Level 17 (fighter):

Level 18 (fighter): Toughness, Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning

Level 19 (monk):

Level 20 (monk):



FOOTNOTES

GEAR

The original Rockan Robin is a pure level 20 wisdom-based monk. Link here (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=210181) includes gear suggestions and more discussion on monks. Gear changes I would make would include dropping some of the wisdom/ac focus in favor of more guard effects. Insight 4 and chaosguardes would not be neccesary for the way I roll this character. Instead, I would also try to fit in a greater potency VII rune and 20% healing amplification on dragontouched.

PRESTIGE INFO

Fighter Kensai I

Cost: 4 AP Prereqs: Level 6 Fighter, Fighter Attack Boost II, Fighter Critical Accuracy II, any Weapon Specialization feat

Benefit: You are the unrivaled master of your chosen weapon. Your focus and training grant you a +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 Unarmed Mastery I

Benefit (One handed, ranged, or thrown weapons): You gain an additional +1 bonus to hit and damage, and +2 to confirm criticals and critical damage (before multipliers) when using handwraps.

Fighter Kensai II

Cost: 2 AP Prereqs: Level 12 Fighter, Fighter Kensai I, Fighter Attack Boost III, Fighter Critical Accuracy III, any Greater Weapon Specialization feat.

Benefit: Your focus and training improve, granting an additional +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.

Kensai Power Surge

Benefit: You may expend a Fighter attack boost to focus your energy and spirit, gaining a +8 Insight bonus to strength for a short period of time. If you possess the ability to generate Ki, you generate an additional 2 ki on successful attacks during your surge.

Kensai Unarmed Mastery II

Cost: 1 AP Prereqs: Level 12 Fighter, Fighter Kensai II, Fighter Unarmed Specialization I, Kensai Unarmed Mastery I, Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning

Benefit (One handed, ranged, or thrown weapons): You gain an additional +1 bonus to hit and damage, and +2 to confirm criticals and critical damage (before multipliers) when using a <weapon>.

Benefit (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 an increased chance of applying magical weapon effects when using handwraps.

[maddmatt70]

I prefer the beocth slapper 12 fighter 7 monk 1 rogue (Dark-Star is the poster) over this build although the builds are similiar. Several of my guildies (5 or so) have beotch slappers of varying levels including one who has capped his. That build is a very fun build to play with the combination of stunning blow and stunning fist more fun than a level 20 monk according to the player who capped his and also has a level 20 monk. I prefer the 1 level of rogue over the 8th level of monk.

[valorik]

dear rockan, you can never be complete without shining star, please reincarnate back into a pure monk immediately.

[Anthios888]

I considered 1 level of rogue but I felt it threw it off a bit. 8th level monk gives you a size increase for your handwraps, which I value a bit more. So far, I have not missed UMD on this build and it is probably my only character without that.

Stunning fist is an option, but I would rather beef up the HP. Stunning fist's DC is just too heavily affected by number of monk levels, and takes up a lot of KI for an ability that doesn't work.

I will let you know how I think this really compares to a level 20 monk as soon as I get capped, but what I can say now is that they are similar in the fighting style but different in the feel. Two different ways to be effective. I suspect missing out on Shining Star will be a huge downer for me because omg EARTH WIND FIRE!!!

Note: I just realized that I did not post the HP totals etc, and I will do that now.

[maddmatt70]

I considered 1 level of rogue but I felt it threw it off a bit. 8th level monk gives you a size increase for your handwraps, which I value a bit more. So far, I have not missed UMD on this build and it is probably my only character without that.

Stunning fist is an option, but I would rather beef up the HP. Stunning fist's DC is just too heavily affected by number of monk levels, and takes up a lot of KI for an ability that doesn't work.

I will let you know how I think this really compares to a level 20 monk as soon as I get capped, but what I can say now is that they are similar in the fighting style but different in the feel. Two different ways to be effective. I suspect missing out on Shining Star will be a huge downer for me because omg EARTH WIND FIRE!!!

Note: I just realized that I did not post the HP totals etc, and I will do that now.

Yeah I need to look at dark-star's build again they may not use stunning fist at all. Anyway Shadowsteel is levelling the character right now after tring into it from his level 20 monk - he can speak to how he feels about it.

[Anthios888]

edited

[rest]

I feel a little proud that a build maker like you posted something I mused about with my guildies recently. Maybe my build ideas and concepts aren't as hare-braned as I think. But maybe they are :p I'll never post them, but knowing that someone else has similar ideas is pretty awesome.

[yynderjohn]

Ooo I like this build. So what feat changes would you swap out if rolling up a warforged?

[Anthios888]

Thanks for the comments!

Warforged loses the 3 dragonmarks, freeing up 3 feats:

To keep a similar style, I'd opt for either 3 toughnesses or 2 toughness and another weapon focus: bludgeoning if you are worried about your to-hit. You could get pretty close to 900 HP with this method and that is an exciting thing for an unarmed build.

If you are looking for a very tactics-oriented build, I would raise your INT to 11 and pick up Combat Expertise and Improved Trip and spend some action points on the tactics enhancements. Tripping isn't as cool as stunning because it doesn't kill them outright, but a lot of people love it for immobilizing.

Personally, I'd go for the "monk barbarian" and amp up my HP and DPS. With evasion and stunning blow, that warforged build is going to have a unique feel.

Warforged is a better choice from a power standpoint. You're tacking on some amazing immunities, tons of HP, tactics enhancements (net +4 DC on stunning blow), and power attack boosters. You may even have some extra Action Points for a couple of DR through enhancements.

For those with fewer resources, the halfling is going to be a little easier to play just due to the self-healing. Healing dragonmarks give you a lot of staying power, and sneak attacks make up the DPS gap. My decision to go halfling also owed itself to the theme of my original build, a halfling who likes to dance epic mobs and make Valorik very jealous.

[yynderjohn]

Thanks for the comments!

Warforged loses the 3 dragonmarks, freeing up 3 feats:

To keep a similar style, I'd opt for either 3 toughnesses or 2 toughness and another weapon focus: bludgeoning if you are worried about your to-hit. You could get pretty close to 900 HP with this method and that is an exciting thing for an unarmed build.

If you are looking for a very tactics-oriented build, I would raise your INT to 11 and pick up Combat Expertise and Improved Trip and spend some action points on the tactics enhancements. Tripping isn't as cool as stunning because it doesn't kill them outright, but a lot of people love it for immobilizing.

Personally, I'd go for the "monk barbarian" and amp up my HP and DPS. With evasion and stunning blow, that warforged build is going to have a unique feel.

Warforged is a better choice from a power standpoint. You're tacking on some amazing immunities, tons of HP, tactics enhancements (net +4 DC on stunning blow), and power attack boosters. You may even have some extra Action Points for a couple of DR through enhancements.

For those with fewer resources, the halfling is going to be a little easier to play just due to the self-healing. Healing dragonmarks give you a lot of staying power, and sneak attacks make up the DPS gap. My decision to go halfling also owed itself to the theme of my original build, a halfling who likes to dance epic mobs and make Valorik very jealous.

Thanks so much Anthios! I'm just returned to DDO after an 18 month absence (a new child will eat up your time!!!!) and really looking to run a Warforged Monk. I think this will fit the bill nicely. I'm also trying your rockan robin build. I normally hate halflings as they look terrible to me, but in honor of Weng Weng I decided to give it a go.

[sinedist]

Actually, Anthios, if you want, I ran all of the numbers for this exact build but in Warforged if you would find it helpful.

I had debated TRing my monk into the WF version of this a few months ago trying to make a hate-monk, and as a result I came out with a build that I could post here or even send to you in private. It includes everything from tactic DCs to saves and HP, AC, build philosophy, etc. etc. etc..

I had even calcuated the damage that the build can do vs. 100% fort./DR enemies, 50% fort. enemies while tanking, and generic mobs... both with full boosts and without... since I am, apparently, OCD.

But the last thing I would want to do is take away from your build with a very lengthy post, so let me know if you'd like me to send you some of my results in private or if you'd like to collaborate on alternate versions of this build.

Excellent work, ma'am. The build is, indeed, a blast to play.

[ChaelaAnne]

Dear Rocka:

You know that I love you, but having conversations with yourself about multiple toughness feats is generally considered a sign of DDO induced insanity.

Love,
Treaka

PS. Don't like the looks of the new arcane archer stuff.

[Anthios888]

Actually, Anthios, if you want, I ran all of the numbers for this exact build but in Warforged if you would find it helpful.

I had debated TRing my monk into the WF version of this a few months ago trying to make a hate-monk, and as a result I came out with a build that I could post here or even send to you in private. It includes everything from tactic DCs to saves and HP, AC, build philosophy, etc. etc. etc..

I had even calcuated the damage that the build can do vs. 100% fort./DR enemies, 50% fort. enemies while tanking, and generic mobs... both with full boosts and without... since I am, apparently, OCD.

But the last thing I would want to do is take away from your build with a very lengthy post, so let me know if you'd like me to send you some of my results in private or if you'd like to collaborate on alternate versions of this build.

Excellent work, sir. The build is, indeed, a blast to play.

Two things:

1: Ma'am, not sir.

2: Awesome! I'd love it if you posted your WF version here. I'm glad to see that this is a more accepted idea. Hijack the thread to your heart's content. My focus has really been on being an adorable, lovable, halfling, and I'll continue posting about my adventures with that. But the wonderful thing about DDO is how you can personalize your experience. Ten people could "copy" this build and end up with really different products.

Time to go home and grind out level 18 so I can enjoy Kensei II :D

[Anthios888]

Dear Rocka:

You know that I love you, but having conversations with yourself about multiple toughness feats is generally considered a sign of DDO induced insanity.

Love,
Treaka

PS. Don't like the looks of the new arcane archer stuff.

If I don't talk to myself about toughness, what will I talk to myself about...? Hrm...

[Diarden]

You know, im running out of slots to try out these new character builds. Killin' me Rock, killin' me.

[kaidendager]

And I said, "Rocka, what are you thinking?! More than one toughness feat?"


Two toughness feats and a level 22?



I can't help it.

Don't Rockna the boat, baby.

Just kidding, looks like a fun build

[sinedist]

Two things:

1: Ma'am, not sir.

2: Awesome! I'd love it if you posted your WF version here. I'm glad to see that this is a more accepted idea. Hijack the thread to your heart's content. My focus has really been on being an adorable, lovable, halfling, and I'll continue posting about my adventures with that. But the wonderful thing about DDO is how you can personalize your experience. Ten people could "copy" this build and end up with really different products.

Time to go home and grind out level 18 so I can enjoy Kensei II :D

1. Oh mai. Most sincere apologies! I'm sure to deserve some negative rep. for that. ^_^.

2. Will do once I get home, ma'am.

[Inspire]

Double Madstoned only grants 80 hitpoints, not 160.

[Anthios888]

Ah, I was under the impression madstone granted 2 STR / 4 CON ( 8 con = .... oh ****, duh...)

[sinedist]

I've now received a couple of PMs regarding the Warforged angle on this build I alluded to in this thread, so to let those who are interested know... my build is now up up up:

The Godhand (Warforged Fighter 12/Monk 8) (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=228369
)

Still, keep your eyes on Rockan the Boat! It's an excellent build.

[newroticslob]

I'm a noob and was wondering where you placed your skill points/lvl and enhancements/lvl? I'm making a cache of builds to see which works best with my style of play or am I able to adapt w/o being a deficit to the group.

Thanks for creating and sharing an interesting build.

With respect,

[notroh]

Hello Anthios888:

Having read some of your other build post, I was wondering about your enhancements, especially the monk's, as well as the Halfling's and Fighter's, though I think I have figured out some, but not all of them.

If you will please allow me, the Least Dragonmark comes first at level 1 and the Lesser Dragonmark comes at level 6. You just have them switch around.

I take it that at Level 7 you ate all of your +2 tomes and you took for your Philiosophy - Path of Harmonious Balance as your class feat.

If one cannot take Past life: Monk - would Dodge be ok?

I was also wonder where did you put your skill points since not many will be granted.

I will miss the extra experience that the rogue skills give you for doing certain rogue things.

Thank you for posting this build - I know you mention it in Rockin Robin build post. Hope you will post more details about this build.

Tcare,
Notroh

[Anthios888]

Notroh and Newroticslob,

You're not the first to ask about enhancements and skills, so I'll address that now.

Leveling enhancements change every couple of levels and should be reset several times in the leveling process to even out stats, gain access to new abilities and PrEs, etc. Everyone is going to have different items, tomes, and variations that make it impractical to post leveling enhancements. It does not take long to learn which enhancements are good and which are garbage.

Let me give some guidelines for enhancements on this build that you would want to pick up. Use halfling dex / fighter str / monk wis to even out your stats, and then use your best judgement from there about which you feel would help you most.

ENHANCEMENTS

Kensei II
Fighter Critical Accuracy III (required for Kensei II)
Fighter Attack Boost III (required for Kensei II)
Extra Dragonmark Usage
Racial Toughness and Fighter Toughness
Tier II monk stances in the following order of priority: wind, earth (water, fire handy but optional)
Fighter Tactics: Stunning Blow
Halfling Cunning and Halfling Guile (significant DPS booster - max if possible)
Monk Healing Amplification
Fighter Haste Boosts
Monk Wisdom
Halfling Dexterity
Fighter Strength


Take these in whatever order you want, but don't take any Fighter Critical Accuracy or Fighter Attack Boost until levels 6 and 12 and take only exactly enough to qualify for the PrE.

SKILLS
1 rank in tumble at level 1
Max Concentration on monk levels. It will lag from levels 12-18 but top off at 19 and 20.
Fighter levels put points in jump (10-15 max)
Extra points in Balance
Those who eat a +2 INT tome should definitely consider maxing UMD every level to gain access to shield wands and race required items.

FEAT QUESTIONS

I changed the typo with least/lesser dragonmarks in the original post to ease any confusion.

You are correct that at monk level 3 you would pick up Path of Harmonious Balance (the path of light that lets you use healing Ki and monk finishers).

TOMES

On my build, I ate only a handful of +1 tomes as I pulled them, since I planned to reroll. I think it goes to show you that many builds can be made without those expensive add-ons and then upgraded later. The only minimum stat requirement on this build is a 17 DEX for Improved Two Weapon Fighting, which a halfling gets easily with a +1 tome and a 16 starting DEX. Someone with +2 tomes would likely eat them at level 7.

If you do not have past life: monk, either dodge or toughness would be great feats for keeping in the same theme as this build. The AC in later levels is not designed to be super high, but if you really wanted to push things in that direction, sinedist has shown that you can get a sort of workable armor class with grinding. What I would do is take dodge at lower levels where your AC is good and then switch it out with your free feat exchange for another toughness :D

Since True Resurrection is currently unavailable, I may stay at level 20 for a while and eat some tomes to even out stats. I've really enjoyed the build and I would like a chance to experience it at endgame.

[gott_ist_tot]

Hail and well met!

Having just made a similiar build, I noticed something is not quite right with feats.
I'm a bit shy to suggest an experienced player is wrong, myself being only a newb, maybe
reincarnates follow some other feat advancement path?

Anyway, here is my take at this as a non-TR'ed, 32 point build.
The level progression is optimized to keep concentration skill maxed.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.10
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Steamgirl
Level 20 Lawful Neutral Halfling Male
(12 Fighter \ 8 Monk)
Hit Points: 330
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 18\18\23\28\28
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 15
Will: 13

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 22
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 14 16
Intelligence 8 10
Wisdom 12 14
Charisma 8 10

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 7 20
Bluff -1 0
Concentration 6 23
Diplomacy -1 0
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -1 0
Heal 1 4
Hide 3 6
Intimidate -1 0
Jump 3 14
Listen 1 4
Move Silently 3 6
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 0
Search -1 0
Spot 4 5
Swim 3 6
Tumble 4 5
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Monk Path) Philosophy - Path of Harmonious Balance


Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow


Level 5 (Monk)


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing


Level 7 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Healing


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Critical


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 19 (Monk)


Level 20 (Monk)




I hope this allows me to take kensei at appropriate levels, I haven't found strength
to spec enhancements yet. I also hope the game lets me to take weapon focus/specialization
at the same level.

As to taking more than one toughness feat... well, given monk's saves, I daresay toughness
are the only feats that make sense at all with such a build. Probably the only kamas I'm ever
going to use will be vorpals, and IC:S won't improve instakill chance on these. Could probably take
dodge. Can you take it twice for +2AC? I don't think two weapon defense works with unarmed.

Anyway, great build.
Since joining 3 months ago, my main character and 4 others were halfling monks! I love this
combination.

[Anthios888]

Hail and well met!

Having just made a similiar build, I noticed something is not quite right with feats.
I'm a bit shy to suggest an experienced player is wrong, myself being only a newb, maybe
reincarnates follow some other feat advancement path?

Anyway, here is my take at this as a non-TR'ed, 32 point build.
The level progression is optimized to keep concentration skill maxed.

I hope this allows me to take kensei at appropriate levels, I haven't found strength
to spec enhancements yet. I also hope the game lets me to take weapon focus/specialization
at the same level.

As to taking more than one toughness feat... well, given monk's saves, I daresay toughness
are the only feats that make sense at all with such a build. Probably the only kamas I'm ever
going to use will be vorpals, and IC:S won't improve instakill chance on these. Could probably take
dodge. Can you take it twice for +2AC? I don't think two weapon defense works with unarmed.

Anyway, great build.
Since joining 3 months ago, my main character and 4 others were halfling monks! I love this
combination.

Hey, I looked at your build and I can't figure out what you mean by a problem with the feats. I leveled up this build with no issues, although I did put off improved critical: bludgeoning until later as a matter of personal taste. I used this guide as an outline for my own level-ups and ran into no issues. Can you please elaborate on what is wrong with them?

I wanted Kensei III as soon as possible after taking monk 3 for fists of light / 10% healing amplification. I can see how you would want to go for your monk levels earlier. That just rearranges the levels at which you get feats, since fighters get feats at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 and monks get feats at 1, 2, and 6 in addition to the normal granted feats at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18.

As far as skills, I can say that I have had no problems maintaining ki on this character, and Kensei II will help even more.

Dodge can only be taken once and two weapon defense does not apply to unarmed attacks.

Glad you found the build to your liking! Halfling power!

[gott_ist_tot]

Can you please elaborate on what is wrong with them?

Uh, I was a bit too fast with posting, sorry. My level progression is different, and I misread your 2nd level as being monk.


I can see how you would want to go for your monk levels earlier.

I can see how you'd want your kensei as soon as possible :) Well, that's perhaps just me being still fresh
and not so good with ki management. It's just that holding fighter till lvl7 gives me full points in concentration,
balance and one free - and then, after eating a tome I can put 2 0.5 concentration increases per fighter level.


As far as skills, I can say that I have had no problems maintaining ki on this character, and Kensei II will help even more.

Yeah, kensei 2... maybe I'm too conserative about putting a full point into concentration each level.


Dodge can only be taken once and two weapon defense does not apply to unarmed attacks.

Glad you found the build to your liking! Halfling power!

So, toughness it is. Finally I can get more of it and not feel guilty.
Halflings rule! (And Quarterlings even more).

[sinedist]

Halfling power, indeed! I love those little dudes and dudettes... running around with all those bonuses to saves, ac, and to-hit... and sneak attack bonuses... If I'm not building a WF I pretty much only roll with halflings. ^_^

[newroticslob]

Thanks, Anthios! I will incorporate these into the build and use my best judgment!

[notroh]

Hello Anthios888 :

I wish to thank you for posting a guide to Enhancements, Skills and Tomes. I can now use them as a better guide line to the character build.

I did roll one up and just did some of the basic Island stuff on normal especially Cannith Crystals, because that is normally difficult even on normal difficulty.

What I find difficult is all the key pressing or mouse clicking. - I think my basic attact will be earth while in wind stance until I get fists of light.

Did you take uncentered strike?

Again I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Tcare,
Notroh

[GoganTX]

On the WF vs Halfling race decision, do you feel that the Halfling with the dragonmarks would be better at soloing over the WF version? Is either of them really able to solo all the way to 20, or do they start having issues soloing at certain levels and really need to be grouped past a certain point?

[Anthios888]

Halfling with dragonmarks is much easier to solo. In the end, if I was playing this build full time, I would probably go with a warforged version for the added tankiness -- I play with others all the time, anyway. The halfling is more versatile and self-sufficient, while the warforged is a huge mana sponge. Either way, I'm not unhappy with this character now that I have her capped. It's too much fun -- I might never reroll!

[sinedist]

Anthios!

I'm leaving DDO, which means the Godhand is going to collect dust in my absence. If you're interested, I'd love for you to take it over... update it, address any questions that you feel should be addressed, leave it to rot if you can't be arse'd...

It's up to you, mate, but you clearly know your way around this sort of stuff and I can't think of someone better suited.

(And... if the first tier of Monk PrEs are awful, promise me you'll come out with a 12/8 MONK/FIGHTERorROGUEorPALLY build that will keep the multi-class monk love coming? Or maybe even a 12/7/1 build that takes up that lovely 7 damage/hit from going 1 level of Rogue? Pretty please???)

[Anthios888]

Don't leave DDO, just quit your server and start playing on Ghallanda! It's like a new game, because I'm there!

[sinedist]

Hah! Well if there was ever a time to join a new server it would be now. I just tossed all of my items, ingredients, plat, and loot to friends in the game... leaving me with nothing. It's tempting, Anthios... I'll give you that.

Most MMOs can't hold my attention for longer than six months, so I'm peached that DDO took me to the 7 month mark. Aside from becoming bored with the game, my PhD proposal was accepted, so I'm going to have to, I don't know, work on that? ^_^

[Lleren]

The funny thing about this build to me, is that at level 8 I'm doing some group healing in instances when we don't have a "healer type" along.

[Anthios888]

Hey all! Here's a bit of an update on Rockan the Boat. I am level 20 and staying level 20 while I work on TRing my battlecleric. To be honest, this character was too fun not to enjoy a while (even as much as I loved monk 20). Now, being level 20 and being a character to powerlevel to cap are a slightly different story. I realized that it was time to suck it up, read my +2 tomes, and spec for endgame.

So what does that mean for me? Leveling up, I liked to keep a decent armor class, because it made questing smoother and cost me relatively little, especially considering the hand-me-down gear I had set up from my past life as a monk. At level 20, I was more interested in having enough hit points to tank Tower of Despair and survive the beatings of epic quests. Even with raid buffs, my armor class was not much higher than 60, which rendered it near-useless in the majority of the content I'm running (epic and elite difficulty raids and epic quests). And in easier content, monsters don't get much of a chance to hit me, anyway, since I'm going nuts on them with my weighted handwraps!

Drop AC. Check. Wis dropped from 14 to 9 (or 8, I need to check because math is failing me right now) and Dex from 16 to 15. All of those points went straight into CON.

Next, I did the unthinkable: I dropped stunning blow for yet another toughness! Stunning blow was really handy while leveling, but until the devs fix the major handwrap issue with weighted not applying from handwraps to tactical feats, I was better off with the extra HP. When the DDO developers fix the issues with weighted applying to stunning blow and stunning fist, I will definitely fit it back in, as this will be a huge strength of this build.

I wear a weighted weapon on every monster that is not red named. (For those who ask, I alternate between +1 holy, +2 shocking burst, +3 flaming burst, and +1 maladroit of weighted 5%, all with icy burst applied). If you play this character and you're not using weighted, you're missing out on a lot! Crits are where it's at!

Oh, and I forgot to mention the healing. I have superior ardor clickies from amrath as well as a few backup pots, so I always have extra devotion going to boost my dragonmarks and mass heals. Wow do they rock! I wouldn't say that this build is completely self-sufficient (as compared to many of my other characters), but it can definitely contribute to its own wellbeing.

Here's the result of my lesser reincarnate. I'm still missing a couple of things -- Litany of the Dead, Shintao Necklace, and a decent dragontouched robe to replace the +4 insight one I was using. I have a +3 wis and +3 dex tome I am saving for when I decide to reincarnate again.

STATS

46 STR 16 base + 5 levels + 2 tome + 3 enh +6 item +1 lotd + 1 exceptional + 2 rage + 2 yugo + 8 power surge
28 DEX 15 base + 2 tome + 1 enh +7 item +1 lotd + 2 wind stance
28 CON 17 base + 2 tome +1 lotd +6 item + 2 rage + 2 yugo -2 wind stance
-- INT 8 base +1 lotd
18 WIS 9 base + 1 tome + 2 enh +1 lotd +6 item
-- CHA 8 base + 1 lotd


HIT POINTS
20 base + 10 argo + 120 fighter + 64 monk + 30 Greater False Life + 45 Greensteel + 20 minos legens + 50 enhancements + 180 con + 89 x4 toughness + 20 yugoloth= 668 HP without madstone rage

FEATS:


Level 1 (monk): Least Dragonmark of Healing, Toughness
Level 2 (fighter): Two Weapon Fighting
Level 3 (fighter): Toughness, Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning
Level 4 (fighter):
Level 5 (fighter): Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning
Level 6 (monk): Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Power Attack
Level 7 (monk):
Level 8 (fighter):
Level 9 (fighter): Greater Dragonmark of Healing, Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Level 10 (monk):
Level 11 (monk):
Level 12 (monk): Toughness, Past life: Monk
Level 13 (fighter):
Level 14 (fighter): Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
Level 15 (fighter): Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Level 16 (fighter): Greater Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning
Level 17 (fighter):
Level 18 (fighter): Toughness, Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning
Level 19 (monk):
Level 20 (monk):

ENHANCEMENTS

Action Points are super tight, so dropping stuff like monk wisdom, stunning blow, and halfling dexterity was a blessing when I decided to re-spec. Fighter Haste 4 for sure. I only fit in 3 tiers of halfling cunning and a couple of tiers of punches, because once you have kensei and its pre-reqs, healing amplification, etc. it's hard to find space for more. I generally do not take any animal path unless I need it for progression or to level off AP at the end. After playing the build, you'll get a feel for which aspects of the enhancements work for you and your playstyle.

[Gunga]

Don't rock the boat, baby.

[Darsith]

Anthios wanted to give you +1 for yet another amazing build, but I must spread more around -.-

I am glad to hear that this is a viable build. I am wanting to TR a few times to make a crazy super monk with passive past life feats (3 fighter, 3 monk, 3 paladin, 3 barb, 3 ranger). Thank you for all of your work and dedication to providing excellent builds for us nubbies out there ^^

[Bowser_Koopa]

Does anyone else feel I don't know neutered on this build now?

The slowness factor from pre-update 5 to post update 5 just makes me feel odd about this build now. I love the hp's I love my stunning blow dc and I still punch great during haste boost but the non haste boosted swings are just painful looking to me.

I'm debating TR'ing this build into a pure monk dark build but wanted to see how anyone else felt about this build as a Warforged version after the changes. I also debated respeccing my enhancements to take fire stance before I TR and wondered if anyone had thoughts and ideas on that too.

[Anthios888]

Does anyone else feel I don't know neutered on this build now?

The slowness factor from pre-update 5 to post update 5 just makes me feel odd about this build now. I love the hp's I love my stunning blow dc and I still punch great during haste boost but the non haste boosted swings are just painful looking to me.

I'm debating TR'ing this build into a pure monk dark build but wanted to see how anyone else felt about this build as a Warforged version after the changes. I also debated respeccing my enhancements to take fire stance before I TR and wondered if anyone had thoughts and ideas on that too.

You know, I did end up TRing back to dark monk because my wife needed someone to TR with, but I didn't really feel this build had lost a lot with u5 (and I thought it would). The biggest thing was not having weighted 5 proc constantly - so I saw 40% fewer weighted stuns. In exchange, I picked up stunning blow, which seemed to never fail. So overall, I think I was seeing more stuns.

A friend is debating between this build (warforged) and a strength build warforged monk. Taking toughnesses on this 12/8 instead of dragonmarks pumps up the HP to nearly 700 unbuffed. Add in the 25% concealment for dark monk (losing the light finishers), and you're much harder to kill than your typical barb fighter type. He's pretty excited about it and I can't think of any reason not to recommend it.

I'd personally stick with wind stance, even though it's only affecting your main hand. The main argument for fire stance is ki and to-hit, and this build never runs out of either. I have never played a toon with such a high hit roll. Even though your swings might feel kind of slow compared to what you're used to seeing for a monk, they're still so much faster (about 15%) than your baseline dual wielding character. And that's before haste boost.

Question, do you use kensei or stalwart set for extra haste boosts? I felt like I only ran out in quests like epic ADQ, and even then, it wasn't a huge deal.

Sorry you're not enjoying it... of course there's no reason not to reroll!

[Bowser_Koopa]

Like I said I don't know if it's psychological or what I just feel so much slower but over all I like the build. I do need to get it some more gear.

During Haste boost i do feel like what this build felt like pre-update 5 so it's an odd conundrum I wonder if perhaps it's all just in my head. But I do like the near obscene amount of HP's and the near no fail stunning blow as you said previously. I guess I can just raid some more pick up some gear and re-evaluate and compare it to the pure wf dark monk I plan on making eventually. Also I can dream that the devs will do some more "tweaking" of the changes like they did when they removed the 5th attack and slowed down all fighting all together.

Thanks for the build still and your insight.

[TreknaQudane]

Stunning fist is an option, but I would rather beef up the HP. Stunning fist's DC is just too heavily affected by number of monk levels, and takes up a lot of KI for an ability that doesn't work.


I respectfully disagree.

As an example without Fighter Stunning...
34 DC = 10 Base + 10 Stunning + 4 Monk Levels + 8 Wisdom + 2 Kensei
While it will not land every time on Epic, it's more than doable most other times. Adding in 4 ranks of Fighter Stunning kicks it up to 38, which does work on epic enough times to be helpful there. The DC is also less dependent on short term buffs.

Fully buffed your Stunning Blow is what...

40 DC = 10 Base + 10 Stunning + 18 + 2 Kensei

Of course if you don't have Rage or Surges left it drops down to 36, which is only a two point difference from that useless Stunning Fist.

The ability to chain stun or stun a small group quickly is definitely worth the cost of 22 HP.

[Anthios888]

I respectfully disagree.

As an example without Fighter Stunning...
34 DC = 10 Base + 10 Stunning + 4 Monk Levels + 8 Wisdom + 2 Kensei
While it will not land every time on Epic, it's more than doable most other times. Adding in 4 ranks of Fighter Stunning kicks it up to 38, which does work on epic enough times to be helpful there. The DC is also less dependent on short term buffs.

Fully buffed your Stunning Blow is what...

40 DC = 10 Base + 10 Stunning + 18 + 2 Kensei

Of course if you don't have Rage or Surges left it drops down to 36, which is only a two point difference from that useless Stunning Fist.

The ability to chain stun or stun a small group quickly is definitely worth the cost of 22 HP.

Hey hey. The point I was trying to make was that it's not just the one feat. Also, the WIS modifier is not 8, it's 3. The "hit point tradeoff" means dropping con back down to raise WIS to raise that DC. I initially leveled with 14 WIS and I dropped this down to 8 to get more hit points -- at the time, this really made a difference in what I was able to handle as a tank. Unless you start with a decent wisdom (something you only use for stunning fist), your WIS modifier is only going to be +3 or +4 maxed out, dropping that DC down to 30-31. I didn't mean to say that stunning fist is worthless, but the HP are a consideration when you might be talking about 65 or more hp instead of 32. Now, say on a warforged build, where you also have stunning tactics enhancements to boost it up.. I'd say the trade-off from hp to stunning is very worthwhile and it would be a great feat to pick up. Here, you could do it and it might be pretty uber, but there are some trade offs in the other things I promoted about the build. If the changes bring you below 500 HP, its specs starts looking a lot more like a typical strength monk a fighter/monk.

[ragwa1]

Rockan the Boat Baby (halfling 12 Fighter Kensei/8 monk)

BUILD OVERVIEW

Here's a ninja build to confuse your mates. This self-proclaimed gimp build I made as a 2nd TR on my journey to a 36 point level 20 monk turned out to be kind of awesome. Let me start off by explaining that this is an unarmed fighting build that plays similar to a monk. It will have a lower armor class in exchange for robust HP, DPS, and healing dragonmarks.

Kensei gives some decent bonuses to hit and damage that help make up for not having the full monk fist progression. It was designed to blend well with monks, granting +1 extra ki on critical hits and +2 ki on-hit during power surges. Leveling AC is decent despite being a strength build, especially at lower levels. With 8 levels of monk combined with the past life: monk feat (improving your fists a tier), the base handwrap damage is 2d6 at level 20. Tack on holy burst, shocking burst, weapon flags and greater banes or weighted, and you've got yourself a very nice litle DPSer. I will post a comparative DPS analysis following the build.

When I looked at my own build, I said to myself, "Rocka?"

And I said, "Yeah?"

And I said, "Rocka, what are you thinking?! More than one toughness feat?"

I had never take toughness more than once and doing so was giving me a rush as I clicked that level-up screen. Every other build I have designed has so many goals to fit in and so few feats to do it in that it was never worth the trade-offs. Yet finally, in this little punchy fighter, everything essential already fit elegantly. I suppose you could do something like intimidate, but with the halfling racial bonuses to sneak attacks, that would drop my contributions, and I get tons more damage sneak attacking, and if anything, give me aggro I don't want. Another option would be to pick up dodge and combat expertise, but CE is not worth the build points or losing power attack.

Squeezing in the extra emphasis on HP bumps the character into a different category of dps tank than a regular monk. Being able to main tank Horoth or withstand some of the epic beatings is a very attractive feature that some may find more useful than those last 12 levels in monk. For someone looking for a good melee to grind epic content, this may be the boat rockan build for you.

Before I go any further, let me mention one crippling flaw in the design of this build. Weighted from handwraps is not correctly applying to stunning blow. This has been a known bug for a long time but there is no word yet as to when it might be addressed.

For those seriously considering this build, warforged offers a very nice alternative in terms of stunning and dps. Tacial tactics enhancements and the ability to start with 18 strength would net +4 DC on stunning as well as a decent chunk of extra HP. Power attack enhancements are easy to use thanks to the generous to-hit of a kensei monk. Halfling do have a couple more AC and healing dragonmarks, so that would be your trade off. Since there are several extra feats to play with, there's a lot of room to expand this to use something like improved trip instead of the extra HP.

And here's how I'm rockan' the boat:

Following is the 34 point build I currently have at level 17. 32 points could be easily accommodated by dropping dex and wisdom each by 1 point. (A 28 point without access to +2 tomes should start with 15 STR, 16 DEX, 14 CON, 8 INT, 11 WIS, 8 CHA)

STATS
46 STR 16 base + 5 levels + 2 tome + 3 enh +6 item +1 lotd + 1 exceptional + 2 rage + 2 yugo + 8 power surge
28 DEX 16 base + 2 tome + 2 enh +7 item +1 lotd
28 CON 14 base + 2 tome +1 lotd +6 item + 2 rage + 2 yugo +1 exceptional
11 INT 8 base + 2 tome +1 lotd
26 WIS 14 base + 2 tome + 2 enh +1 lotd +6 item + 1 exceptional
9 CHA 8 base +1 lotd

HIT POINTS
20 base + 10 argo + 120 fighter + 64 monk + 30 Greater False Life + 45 Greensteel + 20 minos + 60 enhancements + 180 con + 66 toughness + 20 yugo= 635 HP
80 double madstone = 715 HP madstoned

FEATS



Level 1 (monk): Least Dragonmark of Healing, Toughness

Level 2 (fighter): Two Weapon Fighting

Level 3 (fighter): Stunning Blow, Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning

Level 4 (fighter):

Level 5 (fighter): Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning

Level 6 (monk): Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Power Attack

Level 7 (monk):

Level 8 (fighter):

Level 9 (fighter): Greater Dragonmark of Healing, Improved Two Weapon Fighting

Level 10 (monk):

Level 11 (monk):

Level 12 (monk): Toughness, Past life: Monk

Level 13 (fighter):

Level 14 (fighter): Improved Critical: Bludgeoning

Level 15 (fighter): Greater Two Weapon Fighting

Level 16 (fighter): Greater Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning

Level 17 (fighter):

Level 18 (fighter): Toughness, Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning

Level 19 (monk):

Level 20 (monk):



FOOTNOTES

GEAR

The original Rockan Robin is a pure level 20 wisdom-based monk. Link here (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=210181) includes gear suggestions and more discussion on monks. Gear changes I would make would include dropping some of the wisdom/ac focus in favor of more guard effects. Insight 4 and chaosguardes would not be neccesary for the way I roll this character. Instead, I would also try to fit in a greater potency VII rune and 20% healing amplification on dragontouched.

PRESTIGE INFO

Fighter Kensai I

Cost: 4 AP Prereqs: Level 6 Fighter, Fighter Attack Boost II, Fighter Critical Accuracy II, any Weapon Specialization feat

Benefit: You are the unrivaled master of your chosen weapon. Your focus and training grant you a +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 Unarmed Mastery I

Benefit (One handed, ranged, or thrown weapons): You gain an additional +1 bonus to hit and damage, and +2 to confirm criticals and critical damage (before multipliers) when using handwraps.

Fighter Kensai II

Cost: 2 AP Prereqs: Level 12 Fighter, Fighter Kensai I, Fighter Attack Boost III, Fighter Critical Accuracy III, any Greater Weapon Specialization feat.

Benefit: Your focus and training improve, granting an additional +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.

Kensai Power Surge

Benefit: You may expend a Fighter attack boost to focus your energy and spirit, gaining a +8 Insight bonus to strength for a short period of time. If you possess the ability to generate Ki, you generate an additional 2 ki on successful attacks during your surge.

Kensai Unarmed Mastery II

Cost: 1 AP Prereqs: Level 12 Fighter, Fighter Kensai II, Fighter Unarmed Specialization I, Kensai Unarmed Mastery I, Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning

Benefit (One handed, ranged, or thrown weapons): You gain an additional +1 bonus to hit and damage, and +2 to confirm criticals and critical damage (before multipliers) when using a <weapon>.

Benefit (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 an increased chance of applying magical weapon effects when using handwraps.

Looks to me likeyou copied the Godhand build, replaced Wf with halfling and lessened your dps by taking DMs.

[Potvin]

Looks to me likeyou copied the Godhand build, replaced Wf with halfling and lessened your dps by taking DMs.

Newsflash - earlier in the thread, Sine said he posted HIS version of this - a day after the OP began this thread.

[ragwa1]

Newsflash - earlier in the thread, Sine said he posted HIS version of this - a day after the OP began this thread.

Troll attempt - miserable failure.

Heresay.

Don't troll me.

[Dawnsfire]

Heresay.

Don't troll me.


I've now received a couple of PMs regarding the Warforged angle on this build I alluded to in this thread, so to let those who are interested know... my build is now up up up:

The Godhand (Warforged Fighter 12/Monk 8) (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=228369
)

Still, keep your eyes on Rockan the Boat! It's an excellent build.

Ahemmm.....

[jennick52]

I was wondering if you have done a build with 12(13) monk / 6(7) fighter / 2(1) rogue? I was looking for something like that, and have yet to find one. I want the rogue splash purely for open lock as there arent enough skill points for the full trap monkey suite, without having to drop more important stats for int.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Anthios888]

I was wondering if you have done a build with 12(13) monk / 6(7) fighter / 2(1) rogue? I was looking for something like that, and have yet to find one. I want the rogue splash purely for open lock as there arent enough skill points for the full trap monkey suite, without having to drop more important stats for int.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I have not posted one of these builds, but it would sure be possible. The haste boost and sneak attack would be quite good, and the feats would give you more HP than most monks if you spend them on toughness.

[jennick52]

I was trying to do a modified version of your fighter/monk build with the halfling dragon marks, so not really sure how many extra feats there would be for toughness, once all the prereqs are taken for kensi and path of light, plus the twf line.

[dredre9987]

You know, I did end up TRing back to dark monk because my wife needed someone to TR with, SNIP!



Two things:

1: Ma'am, not sir.

SNIP!

O.o Um so which is it? sir or ma'am?

[Anthios888]

O.o Um so which is it? sir or ma'am?

ma'am. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesbian)

[dredre9987]

ma'am. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesbian)

Eh I was just messin with ya ;) Build still works great btw :)

[kublaikhanx]

Any thoughts on making this as 12monk/8fighter as a HO. (ninja spy/kensai)

Debating on benefits of 12 monk/8fighter or 12fighter/8monk....anyone have an opinion???

[Anthios888]

Any thoughts on making this as 12monk/8fighter as a HO. (ninja spy/kensai)

Debating on benefits of 12 monk/8fighter or 12fighter/8monk....anyone have an opinion???

12 fighter / 8 monk is really nice. And h-orc all the way -- you'll love all the haste boosts you get.

You won't have the touch of death, but you'll be a really heavy hitter/dual stunner and a decent tank, too, since you'll have so many extra feats to spend on toughness.

If the OP doesn't reflect it, I'd probably go ninja spy these days for the nice front-loaded abilities like shadow fade.

I'm currently doing a TR life with Rockan 12 fighter / 6 ranger / 2 monk unarmed (... and arcane archer...) with kinda the same idea. I'll have a lot fewer HP than you could manage, though!

[bnugier]

I am thinking of doing Half-Elf with Cleric DIL. What do you think of this idea? And if ok, then what would you replace the dragonmarks with? More Toughness?

[StrixAluco]

I am thinking of doing Half-Elf with Cleric DIL. What do you think of this idea? And if ok, then what would you replace the dragonmarks with? More Toughness?

I second that! I've been loving my little Rockan Robin so far, but being a very old halfling 28pt-version with Combat Expertise that I never use her stat leaves a lot of room for improvement (got all +2 tomes and +3 dex & wis though) and being almost done slotting the TOD rings I believe it will soon be time to move on to get some fun fighter lives done. If only I knew what the master recommends... :)