Monks: Best of the Best

[Alcapone13]

So I've been away from the game for a while only to come back and discover there's a monk class (its been a while). Of course I immediately want to play it, but before I put the cart before the horse and make a gimped character, with terrible feats and stats, because of lack of knowledge I came here to ask for opinions. Monks seem to be a versatile class so I have a few questions.

For the following questions please list, Race, Stats, and essential abilities/feats and recommended weapons/armor:

Best build for DPS monk?

Best build for Tank/Defensive fighting monk?

Best Supporting Build?

Best Solo Build?

I don't expect that everyone will have answers to all of these questions so feel free to answer as many as you feel confident in. Please keep this informative. Thanks!

[SolarDawning]

So I've been away from the game for a while only to come back and discover there's a monk class (its been a while). Of course I immediately want to play it, but before I put the cart before the horse and make a gimped character, with terrible feats and stats, because of lack of knowledge I came here to ask for opinions. Monks seem to be a versatile class so I have a few questions.


For the following questions please list, Race, Stats, and essential abilities/feats and recommended weapons/armor:

Best build for DPS monk?
Halfling- Essential Abilities and equipment: Halfling Guile enhancement line. Tharne's Goggles. Enjoy +16 sneak attack damage on each hit. If solo, use Unbalancing Strike enhancement ability to render the enemy sneak-vulnerable.
Viable with dark or light path. Dark is preferable at higher levels for Touch of Death.
Stats:
Start with at least 12 strength. (20 at level 20 is perfectly fine for this build. That includes +2 tome)
Dex: Start with at least 16. Need 18 eventually for Grandmaster Wind Stance, which is your DPS stance. Tome, gear, and racial enhancements to raise as high as you like. Use Weapon Finesse to pad your attack bonus.
Con: Aim for 18 base by level 20. Earth strikes are the best damaging elemental strikes, so you want your fourth rank in that one.
Wisdom: However much you care for. Level points here if you want the AC bonus and high DC's on Stunning Fist, Quivering Palm, or Dark finishers. Otherwise, level points on STR for slight damage boost, or DEX for to-hit and AC.
Int: 8 is fine.
Cha: 8


Warforged:
Warforged power attack line.
As high strength as possible.
At least 18 base dex and con by max level for grandmaster earth and wind.


Best build for Tank/Defensive fighting monk?
Halfling, dex and wisdom based, Grandmaster Earth stance, combat expertise.
19 blocking DR at level 20. Not as good as tower shield blocking tanks, but you'll have high AC to go with it, as well as imp evasion and a solid chunk of HP. (500+ in Earth stance is easy.)


Best Supporting Build?
Any build with Light path. Take all the enhancements up to Rise of the Phoenix.
This allows you to do group mass cures with your FoL finisher, and have individual enhancements to cast Remove Curse, Remove Blindness, Remove Disease, Lesser Restoration, and Raise Dead.


Best Solo Build?
Any. A properly geared monk can solo at-level on hard with little trouble.


I don't expect that everyone will have answers to all of these questions so feel free to answer as many as you feel confident in. Please keep this informative. Thanks!

Keep in mind, there's as many different ways to play monks as there are different players. These are merely some of my suggestions, and I am not claiming that they are the "best" or only ways to play monks. I do, however, hope that this helps and gives you some ideas of your own. Good luck and happy monking.

[Arvess]

IMO, its far less about your build and more about your gear and playstyle. As long as you don't overdo any stat (too low STR)

Best DPS:

Depends where you are. Shocking (burst) of pure good or any of the damage on the prefix and suffix type weapons will do good at the early to mid levels. Constantly enhance your attacks with earth and then whatever elemental attacks work best. At the higher levels, weighted 5% works very good. In popular raids, high STR builds with proper gear can get the most out of monk dps.

Best Tank:

I dunno. I suppose some monks are able to hold aggro but generally they don't.

Best supporting:

level 10 ish - you can get paralyzers. great crowd control. works up to amrath. After that weighted 5%. Dark monks can blind, nauseate or shaken targets. light monks can do the align the heavens to lessen SP usage.

Best Solo:

Any build but esp. the dex wis builds. I like to use weakening handwraps otherwise its a race to out dps your opponent.

[Alcapone13]

I made a drow monk just to mess around with to kinda get a hang of the play-style and early abilities. I'm sure I may have made some errors because I'm having trouble with taking damage on hard and elite modes. (unless its supposed to be that way) Keep in mind I'm coming from playing a tower shielded level 7 fighter with 35ish AC. This monk is only 2nd level and I have a mere 15 AC. I have +8 attack in flame stance. Stats are 20 str, 15 dex, 8 con, 10 int, 12 wis, and 10 cha. My gear sucks, I really dont have anything decent to passdown to this character the only bonuses I have on gear is +1 dex and +1 attack. I dont seem to have trouble hitting anything, but I do take damage and have to use pots on hard and elite low level quests.

Also as far as weapons go... for dps is it better to use wraps, TWF, or THF with a staff?

Enhancements... they all seem kinda crappy at level 2. monk spot, monk tumble, monk balance.... monk concentration seemed to be the only one worth spending the points on... holding out to 3rd level to see if something better unlocks.

Anymore input would be helpful.

[Fafnir]

Unless you are twinked out, you will get smacked around a lot on hard and elite. This is where FOL etc is handy as it allows you to endure and quickly recover. It is also the reason why you need fortification gear to avoid large criticals and high balance to avoid being on the ground a long time and not recovering hps by wailing away on a mob with FOL on it.

[Arvess]

I made a drow monk just to mess around with to kinda get a hang of the play-style and early abilities. I'm sure I may have made some errors because I'm having trouble with taking damage on hard and elite modes. (unless its supposed to be that way) Keep in mind I'm coming from playing a tower shielded level 7 fighter with 35ish AC. This monk is only 2nd level and I have a mere 15 AC. I have +8 attack in flame stance. Stats are 20 str, 15 dex, 8 con, 10 int, 12 wis, and 10 cha. My gear sucks, I really dont have anything decent to passdown to this character the only bonuses I have on gear is +1 dex and +1 attack. I dont seem to have trouble hitting anything, but I do take damage and have to use pots on hard and elite low level quests.

Also as far as weapons go... for dps is it better to use wraps, TWF, or THF with a staff?

Enhancements... they all seem kinda crappy at level 2. monk spot, monk tumble, monk balance.... monk concentration seemed to be the only one worth spending the points on... holding out to 3rd level to see if something better unlocks.

Anymore input would be helpful.

your build is off. Your build/stance makes for weak AC which is compounded by weak hitpoints. I am not a huge fan of the drow monk because of the CON hit. I would sort of recommend this: 14 STR, 16 DEX, 14 CON, INT 10, WIS 14, CHA 10. Put two level ups into DEX, 2 into CON and 1 into WIS.

Go handwraps all the way with the full TWF line. Skills: Concentration, balance, 10-15 jump and 15 ish spot.

I am playing (slowly) a WF strength monk but most of my monks are halfling dex wis monks.

[Alcapone13]

Unless you are twinked out, you will get smacked around a lot on hard and elite. This is where FOL etc is handy as it allows you to endure and quickly recover. It is also the reason why you need fortification gear to avoid large criticals and high balance to avoid being on the ground a long time and not recovering hps by wailing away on a mob with FOL on it.

FoL is only when you choose path of harmonious balance though right? Which is less dps than the dark path? Do monks have any healing ability if they dont choose the pos path?

[Arvess]

At level seven, all monks get wholeness of body. it costs 10 ki and regenerates most your hitpoints. I use it all the time on my dark monk. very little on my light.

[Alcapone13]

Seeing that you have both which do you prefer and why? Also which does more DPS?

[Nahual]

I made a human monk and I love it

16 str
14 con
16 dex
14 will
10 int
8 cha

it is a 34 point build so your int should be 8 also if you have 32 points. Really no loss there.

she get to lead in kills in all quest even elite solo any level appropriate quest in hard some in elite.

Human versatility enhancement for more Ac and Damage and skills boosts for umd

Totally versitile and great to play two wepon fighting line.

[Alcapone13]

Nahual:

Did you got dark or light path? Also did you take weapon finess? I'm trying to figure out which stance/stat are priority. I went 18 str on my build because I was under the impression that fire would be best because of the consistant Ki generation. Is that wrong? Also is the TWF better than just using hand wraps or does that allow you to use multiple hand wraps?

Also which animal path is the best for dps?

Sorry if any of these questions seem newbish...

[Ellyll]

Halfling- Essential Abilities and equipment: Halfling Guile enhancement line. Tharne's Goggles. Enjoy +16 sneak attack damage on each hit. If solo, use Unbalancing Strike enhancement ability to render the enemy sneak-vulnerable.

I thought max guile + tharne's was +13? Am I missing somethin? (8 guile IV + 5 tharne's)

[Alcapone13]

Any answers to the above questions would be appreciated... bump for more input.

[Shima-ra]

tharne's is +5 tohit and +8dmg sneak attack

But all that has been said pretty much sums it up

if you want damage : wf +str + dark path
survive anything: human improved recovery, HV and an extra feat
balanced : halfling companion, high AC and hit, sneak attack dmg

All good options really, but whatever you choose, your build and gear must be perfect. A weakness at any point will really hinder you.

[Dylvish]

Race you forgot to mention up there... Dwarf :)

Great str / con, avg dex,
Tactics
+5 save vs all spells on top of monk saves + imp evasion = love
+4 balance (just some gravy)
More health enhances

I was hesitant when I made mine at first but he has become my favorite of my 3 monks so far. Couple of points shy of the 1/2lings AC, but much more surviveable, both with taken hits, and when the nukes are flying. DPS comes out similar (which surprised me to be honest), does higher dps vs constructs, etc that are immune to the sneak.

Some swear by the WF, just not my style and the synergy feels wrong.

My personal opinion,

Go 1/2ling, human, or dwarf. Drow can be ok, but dont really offer anything to help the class itself as a race. Same with elf.

[Halock]

Race you forgot to mention up there... Dwarf :)

Great str / con, avg dex,
Tactics
+5 save vs all spells on top of monk saves + imp evasion = love
+4 balance (just some gravy)
More health enhances

I was hesitant when I made mine at first but he has become my favorite of my 3 monks so far. Couple of points shy of the 1/2lings AC, but much more surviveable, both with taken hits, and when the nukes are flying. DPS comes out similar (which surprised me to be honest), does higher dps vs constructs, etc that are immune to the sneak.

Some swear by the WF, just not my style and the synergy feels wrong.

My personal opinion,

Go 1/2ling, human, or dwarf. Drow can be ok, but dont really offer anything to help the class itself as a race. Same with elf.

Much as you were hesitant to try the dwarf monk, the WF works exceptionally well as well.

[t0r012]

Nahual:

Did you got dark or light path? Also did you take weapon finess? I'm trying to figure out which stance/stat are priority. I went 18 str on my build because I was under the impression that fire would be best because of the consistant Ki generation. Is that wrong? Also is the TWF better than just using hand wraps or does that allow you to use multiple hand wraps?

Also which animal path is the best for dps?

Sorry if any of these questions seem newbish...

1. finesse only if your dex is a lot higher than your str
2. twf still only lets you wear one pair of wraps at the same time, but it does grant you extra attacks.
3. if you strike with any monk for more than 0 base damage you will generate ki. fire just gets you more of it.
4. 18 in any stat on a monk is generally a waste. you have way too many important stats to be spending those expensive 3 build points for 1 point of str.
5. wind stance allows you to attack faster and give you dex for more AC. the usual preferred leveling stance.

[Hendrik]

1. finesse only if your dex is a lot higher than your str
2. twf still only lets you wear one pair of wraps at the same time, but it does grant you extra attacks.
3. if you strike with any monk for more than 0 base damage you will generate ki. fire just gets you more of it.
4. 18 in any stat on a monk is generally a waste. you have way too many important stats to be spending those expensive 3 build points for 1 point of str.
5. wind stance allows you to attack faster and give you dex for more AC. the usual preferred leveling stance.

What?

WHAT?!?!

SO GM stances are generally a waste too?!?!

:confused:

[Emili]

What?

WHAT?!?!

SO GM stances are generally a waste too?!?!
:confused:
Any GM is accesible with lvl up from 16 and tomes...

[Alcapone13]

So is it generally better to take TWF using handwraps or investing in weapons? If weapons which type?

[BLAKROC]

So is it generally better to take TWF using handwraps or investing in weapons? If weapons which type?

handwraps and you will do more damage, vorps kamas with wind stance and your a whirlin dervish of death.................

[jones20992]

I made a drow monk
i have seen one in action and am still speechless about this build. the fact that someone would actually admit on the forums that they have one is just too much.

it reminds me of the wiz8/rouge6/sorc3 build lol

[Xeraphim]

So is it generally better to take TWF using handwraps or investing in weapons? If weapons which type?

TWF Handwraps.

Ages ago, a build was born from my brain that I rather enjoy(Babypuncher, the Halfling AC Monk... the 6th in the line of Test Builds... the first 5 were on Risia). This (http://my.ddo.com/character/argonnessen/whitecrane/) is an example of its long term goal.

A different build (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=186754), made for DPS, came later with Heal Amp to ignore the AC race.


The only Kamas you will ever need are +1 Vorpal.

Of course, if Punchy pulls out a kama with a Holy effect on it, it's his triple pos Heal Amp kama to boost the total over 300%(At this point, CSW pots hit for around 90-100 each).

[Delacroix21]

Different race monks seem to play differently (if that makes any sense).


My main monk is a halfling Dex build with 3 dragon marks and can drop 500pt heals on himself with monk healing amp + sup pot 6 kama + shroud healing amp kama. Is also darkside for added dps. This guy has great AC and is my favorite ddo character of all!


My secondary monk is a human with no AC (well its near 50) but with a TON of hp and strength and a DT outfit with 10/20% healing, monk 30%, human 30%. He gets healed for 380 from casters with 110pt heal scrolls. He is max strength and can put out great dps numbers with power attack. Good for epic where ac no longer matters.


Another monk (i do not have but want) is a WF. They fit into a class of their own with having a great AC with DT armor, WF immunites (level drain is a biggie since there is no save), and some really nice docent choices. Before their Wis penalty gets you down= WF tactics effects stunning blow DC (but not quivering palm). Personally I could care less about quivering palm because at endgame the DC is to low.

[jones20992]

i like my dwarf monk iam hoping to have about 450-500 hp at level 20 with about a 60 ac

right now in gient hold he hits for about 45hp, 1 dex a punch

the link to his page is in my signature if you have any questions feel free to shoot me a pm

[t0r012]

What?

WHAT?!?!

SO GM stances are generally a waste too?!?!

:confused:

sorry i didn't give it enough context meaning STARTING with 18 in a stat is generally a waste.
not so much a waste as a poor use of starting resources. the 3 points from 16 to 17 and 3 more from 17 to 18 are just killers.

the only time you should even consider it is with a race with a bonus to a prime start dex for halfer & drow and con for a dwarf.

but I am sure you were able to glean what i meant in the original post if you actually read it.