Building a Dwarf Monk

[Sir_Chonas]

I would like to see a plurality monk build (ie the class with the highest amount of levels is monk) can be pure or not. Dwarf, str based. I've tried splashing 6 ranger for tempest, and 2 pally for saves, but I just don't know what I'm looking at and seem to be doing poorly on the character planner (these Update 3 monk things are really throwing me for a loop).

Any input would be much appreciated (in the form of char plan layouts).

[hu-flung-pu]

What does the ranger levels offer? Tempest is pointless without kamas and your unarmed would suffer, and your saves as a monk are already excellent. So the paladin doesn't quite work either.

A class that offers a bit of synergy as a dwarf monk multi-class is a rogue. Look at the "big f-in stick" on the build board.

Take a dwarven dragonmark for the boost to search enhancements and use a Q-staff.

Another option is to pick up six levels of fighter for Stalwart Defender just for the AC and stat buffs.

[Ninetoes]

What does the ranger levels offer? Tempest is pointless without kamas and your unarmed would suffer, and your saves as a monk are already excellent. So the paladin doesn't quite work either.

A class that offers a bit of synergy as a dwarf monk multi-class is a rogue. Look at the "big f-in stick" on the build board.

Take a dwarven dragonmark for the boost to search enhancements and use a Q-staff.

Another option is to pick up six levels of fighter for Stalwart Defender just for the AC and stat buffs.

This is essentially my friend's build, and he's a blast to play with.

[indigokid]

maybe pick up 6 fighter for extra feats, Kensai I, fighter enhancements (strength, toughness, criticals, etc.)

[Arkat]

I would like to see a plurality monk build (ie the class with the highest amount of levels is monk) can be pure or not. Dwarf, str based. I've tried splashing 6 ranger for tempest, and 2 pally for saves, but I just don't know what I'm looking at and seem to be doing poorly on the character planner (these Update 3 monk things are really throwing me for a loop).

Any input would be much appreciated (in the form of char plan layouts).

The best "plurality" build is a Pure Monk build.

[lanthan]

The advantages of being a dwarf a primarily axe dmg, hp, max dex bonus in armor, and combat feat DCs. Since axe dmg and dex bonuses are useless for a monk, a dwarf monk build should focus on wisdom and constitution. The dwarven tactics enhancements increase the DC of stunning fist. I dont know if it works for other monk attacks.

Starting stats would be 14str 16dex 16con 16wis. Level up stat points should go in to either con if you want a more durable character or wis for better special attacks. For feats you need to get power attack, the twf line, and stunning fist. You might want to get weapon fineness since you will have 6 more dex than str in GM wind stance.

This is not the one of the best monk builds possible but if you want to make a dwarf you should play to the race's strengths.

[jones20992]

click on my monk in my signutre check it out if you like what you see send me a pm and ill outline what my build is

[Dylvish]

Lets not forget the +5 vs spells the dwarf can attain for 'durability'. On top of the insane monk saves, having +5 more vs all savable incoming spells with imp evasion is godly nice. :)

[Sir_Chonas]

Was thinking of going the 6 ranger for granted twf feats, but I changed my mind when I realized I couldn't get kensai without putting tons into dex.

So I'm basically scrapping the idea of multiclassing (it also has to have most of its levels in monk so I get the +1 damage at reincarnation). The extra dcs would work with stunning fist and stunning blow. Both of which I intended to get and use my 5%'s with (though it doesn't work right now with stunning fist). That's why I wanted a str build, for extra stunability.

I want a monk that everyone would love to have in epic.

[rimble]

I want a monk that everyone would love to have in epic.

I'm still feeling out Epic, but so far IMO just a high +Hit and 5% Weighted is a good contribution. It's not really about getting Stunning Fist/Blow to land, it's about getting your 5% Weighted to go off.

[Hydro]

I would personally go with the starting stats of: 16 str, 16 dex, 16 con and 14 wis, with all level up points in str. The +1 ac, +1 combat dc's is going to do nothing for you in epic or elite high level quests but str always will.

[Sir_Chonas]

I would personally go with the starting stats of: 16 str, 16 dex, 16 con and 14 wis, with all level up points in str. The +1 ac, +1 combat dc's is going to do nothing for you in epic or elite high level quests but str always will.

That's along the lines of what I was thinking, but I was thinking 16 wis/str/con and 15 dex then a +2 tome for the twf line.

What do you think of that (also those devouts are a pain to get).

[Hydro]

Unless you can hit an 18 natural dex you will not be able to take master windstance which is pretty incredible. I guess you could start with those stats and put 1 level up point in dex but then you loose 1 point of str so you can't easily hit a 30 str with +1 exceptional str bonus.

In my opinion wisdom is a seriously overrated stat for endgame, in any elite/epic content you will still get hit on every swing with almost an ac and you will never be able to get your combat dc's high enough to hit anything. My barb has a dc 47 stunning blow and I think it only went off 3 times in epic Von 1.

30 str monk in master windstance spamming earth strikes (max out earth and wind stance) with weighted 5% wraps will be very effective in epics. Also since you actually have 30 Str your Dps won't be bad on bosses either.

[Sir_Chonas]

What about the 6 level fighter multi-build mentioned above?

How effective do you think it would be in epic (since ac is pointless).

[Hydro]

Monks in my opinion are either a pure class or a splash class (2 levels) I cannot think of any reason to multiclass a monk with 6 levels of anything. Grand master wind stance, grand master earth strike, dr 10, +1 ki generation and + 10 concentration is just huge compared to any minor benefits you could get from multi classing.

[Sir_Chonas]

Alrighty then, just checking. I really wish I could get a higher int for more skill points, but at least now I have what I'm looking for.

[Hydro]

Jump, concentration, balance, and 1 point in tumble is all you need. I would also of liked to keep spot and tumble maxxed also but I ate a +2 int tome at 7 so I could still have a decent jump and be able to do flips.

[Sir_Chonas]

The tumble is what I was looking forward to. Oh well.

[NXPlasmid]

The tumble is what I was looking forward to. Oh well.

I can't understand why anyone puts more than one tick into tumble, ok it's fun to do backflips but it doesn't help your gameplay in any way. Also, FWIW either 2 levels of monk or 20, really anything in between is probably going to suffer compared to other possible builds....

[hu-flung-pu]

I can't understand why anyone puts more than one tick into tumble, ok it's fun to do backflips but it doesn't help your gameplay in any way. Also, FWIW either 2 levels of monk or 20, really anything in between is probably going to suffer compared to other possible builds....

It helps me tremendously as a monk, or any other agile type melee build.

Just because I don't have to pause and take the slow way down if needed, I can jump off the tallest perches and land next to a mob and he's dead before the group has a chance to get there.

I also love tumble not for the back flips, but because in water stance, I'll tumble in to a group and stand my ground and recieve my AC bonus. The higher the tumble the farther the ground you can cover.


By being able to go where ever I need to and not worry about hit point loss helps phenomenally in this game. 1 point of tumble just won't cut it for my play style.

[Shaamis]

Take it from Shaamis, you wasnt to go 20 monk.

I TR'ed Shaamis because I want to maximize my Strength, while maintaining my other stats.

I'd plan on at least +2 tomes to all stats except charisma.

a 13 Int for Combat expertise is necessary in my mind, because Monks are about AC, and saves.

Monk Handwraps are what I would do, but your playstyle might choose otherwise.

at 15th level Shaamis has a 30 strength, 27 dex (in wind stance), 22 Con, and 23 Wisdom.

I Use Icy Burst Maldroit handwraps of stunning 5% and go to town.

Dwarven monks rule.

[Sir_Chonas]

Shaamis would you mind posting your build w/ the char planner (assume a fighter past life)?

[Shaamis]

At work now, but I can post the details here for the important parts.

Dwarf
15 Monk

34 point build

S: 30: 18 base, 3 lvls +6 item, and +3 tome.
D: 28: 16 base +2 tome ( +4(?) for ultimate winds stance) +6 item
C: 20: 10 base +2 tome, +2 race, +2 race enh., -2 (wind stance), +6 item
I: 13 : 10 base, +3 Int tome
W: 24: 12 base, +3 tome, +3 monk enh. , +6 item
Ch: 6 : 8 base, -2 race

With 1 toughness feat @ lvl 15 I have 317 HP
With CE and one barkskin pot I have a 53 AC
with a +5 rr:dwarf resist cloak I have +22 to all my saving throws.

Shaamis isnt optimal, but I have a TON of fun playing him.

Check out My DDO, look up Shaamis on Khyber

[Sir_Chonas]

you say he's not optimal, what changes would you make to make him optimal?

and do you have stunning blow AND fist, or just one of them?

[Hydro]

At work now, but I can post the details here for the important parts.

Dwarf
15 Monk

34 point build

S: 30: 18 base, 3 lvls +6 item, and +3 tome.
D: 28: 16 base +2 tome ( +4(?) for ultimate winds stance) +6 item
C: 20: 10 base +2 tome, +2 race, +2 race enh., -2 (wind stance), +6 item
I: 13 : 10 base, +3 Int tome
W: 24: 12 base, +3 tome, +3 monk enh. , +6 item
Ch: 6 : 8 base, -2 race

With 1 toughness feat @ lvl 15 I have 317 HP
With CE and one barkskin pot I have a 53 AC
with a +5 rr:dwarf resist cloak I have +22 to all my saving throws.

Shaamis isnt optimal, but I have a TON of fun playing him.

Check out My DDO, look up Shaamis on Khyber

10 Con? Really...
No top tier Earth Punches and reliance on a +3 tome for CE?

I am a big advocate for STR on a monk but the sacrifices to get a 18 starting str vs. 16 str. just seem way to high.

HP seems a little low, my 13 WF Monk has 350 hp, with only one toughness enhancement...

[NXPlasmid]

It helps me tremendously as a monk, or any other agile type melee build.

Just because I don't have to pause and take the slow way down if needed, I can jump off the tallest perches and land next to a mob and he's dead before the group has a chance to get there.


Dude, you're a monk, you have slow fall after something like level 6 you barely take any damage from falling and after lvl 12 or so you dont take any. Monk+tumble= waste of skill points.


At work now, but I can post the details here for the important parts.

Dwarf
15 Monk

34 point build

S: 30: 18 base, 3 lvls +6 item, and +3 tome.
D: 28: 16 base +2 tome ( +4(?) for ultimate winds stance) +6 item
C: 20: 10 base +2 tome, +2 race, +2 race enh., -2 (wind stance), +6 item
I: 13 : 10 base, +3 Int tome
W: 24: 12 base, +3 tome, +3 monk enh. , +6 item
Ch: 6 : 8 base, -2 race

With 1 toughness feat @ lvl 15 I have 317 HP
With CE and one barkskin pot I have a 53 AC
with a +5 rr:dwarf resist cloak I have +22 to all my saving throws.

Shaamis isnt optimal, but I have a TON of fun playing him.

Check out My DDO, look up Shaamis on Khyber

I wouldn't worry about CE personally, but meh... your choice, probably better spent attribute points into Con...

[hu-flung-pu]

Dude, you're a monk, you have slow fall after something like level 6 you barely take any damage from falling and after lvl 12 or so you dont take any. Monk+tumble= waste of skill points.

Your slow fall helps, but no way in hell does it work like you say it does. Jumping from the bridge in giant hold and taking no damage is just for starters. When you need to get somewhere fast and don't want to float to the bottom while your Mage is getting wailed on is another example of how good tumble works for you.

The only time you don't need tumble is at 20 when you get perfect slow fall.