How's this Dark, Str-based Peck look?

[Marmaduke]

Been striving to come up with a halfling-based monk build to get me interested in DDO again. I was flirting with a Dex build, but from what I see, they're generally regarded as subpar these days.

How does this strength build look? Do people not take mobility & spring attack anymore? The BAB is -2 compared to a comparable Dex build - would it be a good idea to pick up weapon focus for +1 ?


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 Lawful Good Halfling Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 336
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 18
Will: 16

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 15 22
Dexterity 16 20
Constitution 16 18
Intelligence 8 10
Wisdom 11 16
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 3 5
Bluff -1 3
Concentration 3 14
Diplomacy -1 2
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -1 0
Heal 0 3
Hide 3 9
Intimidate -1 0
Jump 2 10
Listen 0 5
Move Silently 3 7
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 0
Search -1 0
Spot 0 3
Swim 2 6
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 4 (Monk)
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Monk Jump II


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane II
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Porous Soul


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Winter's Touch


Level 8 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Adept of Rock


Level 10 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II


Level 11 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I


Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Touch of Death


Level 13 (Monk)
Enhancement: Master of Stone


Level 14 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Halfling Guile III
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires


Level 16 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom III


Level 19 (Monk)
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Mountains


Level 20 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Grandmaster of the Sun

[Marmaduke]

For reference this is the dex build. Nothing really out of the ordinary, but halfling just jives with a dex build so much better. ...

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Darrian Vanderfoot
Level 20 Lawful Good Halfling Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 302
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 21
Will: 18

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 12 14
Dexterity 17 26
Constitution 16 18
Intelligence 8 10
Wisdom 15 20
Charisma 8 10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+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 31
Bluff -1 3
Concentration 7 37
Diplomacy -1 2
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -1 0
Heal 2 5
Hide 3 12
Intimidate -1 0
Jump 4 29
Listen 2 7
Move Silently 3 10
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 0
Search -1 0
Spot 2 17
Swim 1 2
Tumble 4 11
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 4 (Monk)
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Monk Jump II
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane II
Enhancement: Porous Soul


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Winter's Touch


Level 8 (Monk)
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Rock


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Touch of Death


Level 10 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II


Level 11 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II


Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II


Level 13 (Monk)
Enhancement: Master of Thunder
Enhancement: Master of Stone


Level 14 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 16 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Guile III


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Storms


Level 19 (Monk)
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Mountains


Level 20 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom III

[Goldenadult79]

Been striving to come up with a halfling-based monk build to get me interested in DDO again. I was flirting with a Dex build, but from what I see, they're generally regarded as subpar these days.

How does this strength build look? Do people not take mobility & spring attack anymore? The BAB is -2 compared to a comparable Dex build - would it be a good idea to pick up weapon focus for +1 ?

The build looks ok. I wouldn't go with halfling, but if halfling; then I would go with 15/16/16/9/10/8 At level 3 take a +1 int tome. that would give you an extra 1 skill point to use. 16 total on the way to 20. Might not seem like much but its the difference between maxed jump/spot/ something else and none of it. You also dont really need to spend Enhancement points on the wisdom line. Get it to even and leave it there for a strength build.

Mobility is only useful for tumbling, ever kill something while tumbling? Yeah me either.
Spring attack? Monks have a limited range. Using fists means you must to be in the mobs face. Moving often times means=not even getting a swing roll in the first place. You wont even be missing because you wont be rolling an attack roll in the first place.
Weapon focus? the +1 to hit is great for low levels! After that +1 doesn't matter so much. Once you start getting some decent strength your to hit is going to be much higher than that +1. The feat slot is better served going to toughness or something.

[twoton]

dump dodge for either wf bludg, or another toughness. other than that build looks good

[Marmaduke]

Thanks for the response. Isn't the Wisdom DC modifier somewhat important for the Dark Path debuffs?

Twoton: unfortunately need dodge for the Ninja Spy enhancements.

I ported a strength build over to human and it looks more promising than halfling... but I hate being tall ;) I need to give it some more thought.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 324
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 16
Will: 15

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 24
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 16 18
Intelligence 8 10
Wisdom 10 16
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 3 4
Bluff -1 0
Concentration 3 14
Diplomacy -1 4
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -1 0
Heal 0 3
Hide 3 4
Intimidate -1 0
Jump 3 9
Listen 0 3
Move Silently 3 4
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 0
Search -1 0
Spot 0 3
Swim 3 7
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow
Feat: (Human Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 4 (Monk)


Level 5 (Monk)


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Mobility
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 7 (Monk)


Level 8 (Monk)


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Monk)


Level 11 (Monk)


Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 13 (Monk)


Level 14 (Monk)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Monk)


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Wisdom I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane I
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane II
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane III
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane IV
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Touch of Death
Enhancement: Porous Soul
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Winter's Touch
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Master of Stone
Enhancement: Adept of Flame
Enhancement: Grandmaster of the Sun
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Jump II
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom III


Level 19 (Monk)


Level 20 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Mountains
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II

[Goldenadult79]

Thanks for the response. Isn't the Wisdom DC modifier somewhat important for the Dark Path debuffs?

Twoton: unfortunately need dodge for the Ninja Spy enhancements.

I ported a strength build over to human and it looks more promising than halfling... but I hate being tall ;) I need to give it some more thought.

Wisdom is used for the DC's. But those debuffs aren't going to be used very often. About the only reason to click them is to cast them on a boss mob. Otherwise you wont have time. The mobs are going to be dying too fast and you have better things to spend your Ki on.

[Fafnir]

Stunning Fist however is awesome and based off a Wisdom DC.

[Goldenadult79]

Stunning Fist however is awesome and based off a Wisdom DC.

On a strength based monk stunning blow is also awesome and costs ZERO KI.

[Dylvish]

Thanks for the response. Isn't the Wisdom DC modifier somewhat important for the Dark Path debuffs?

Twoton: unfortunately need dodge for the Ninja Spy enhancements.

I ported a strength build over to human and it looks more promising than halfling... but I hate being tall ;) I need to give it some more thought.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 324
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 16
Will: 15

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 24
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 16 18
Intelligence 8 10
Wisdom 10 16
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 3 4
Bluff -1 0
Concentration 3 14
Diplomacy -1 4
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -1 0
Heal 0 3
Hide 3 4
Intimidate -1 0
Jump 3 9
Listen 0 3
Move Silently 3 4
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 0
Search -1 0
Spot 0 3
Swim 3 7
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow
Feat: (Human Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 4 (Monk)


Level 5 (Monk)


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Mobility
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 7 (Monk)


Level 8 (Monk)


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Monk)


Level 11 (Monk)


Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 13 (Monk)


Level 14 (Monk)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Monk)


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Wisdom I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane I
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane II
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane III
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane IV
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Touch of Death
Enhancement: Porous Soul
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Winter's Touch
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Master of Stone
Enhancement: Adept of Flame
Enhancement: Grandmaster of the Sun
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Jump II
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom III


Level 19 (Monk)


Level 20 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Mountains
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II





Just an idea, but take a look at dwarf too, if you hate being tall. Great str build, and some not too shabby racials for monk (tactics for your stun DCs, +3 additional save vs all spells, + vs poison and knockdown, more con and hps enhances). I loved my light side dwarf monk. Figure dark path will be similar in effectiveness.

[sephiroth1084]

On a strength based monk stunning blow is also awesome and costs ZERO KI.
Str build w/ Stunning Blow:
18 Str (assuming non-halfling and disregard for other stats) + 5 lvls +6 item +2 rage +2 madstone +2 tome +3 exceptional = 38 (+14)
DC: 10 + 14 Str +10 wraps = 34

Dex build w/ Stunning Fist:
15 Wis (kind of the norm) +6 item +2 tome +1 exceptional +2 enhancements = 26 (+8)
DC: 10 + 8 Wis + 10 (half monk lvl) + 10 wraps = 38

So, the trade-off here is fewer stat points and more AP spent for a higher DC. Now, the Str-based build is bringing some more DPS, so that is a different consideration, but I'm still not convinced that Str-based is the way to go for DPS anyway. As it is, the difference is only about 5 points of damage per hit between a Str and Dex build.

[Marmaduke]

I ended up going with something of a strength-heavy dex build. I don't feel too confident in it, but I still feel better about it than the myriad of other builds I tried. Strength builds look promising but I'm reticent about giving up so much, especially on a halfling.

I was looking at the Rockan Robin build as well, but while I think it's cool, I don't think it's lesser dps would appeal to me. ...oh well, there's always a lesser ressurection.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Darrian Vanderfoot
Level 20 Lawful Good Halfling Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 314
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 21
Will: 17

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 14 16
Dexterity 16 24
Constitution 15 18
Intelligence 10 12
Wisdom 14 18
Charisma 8 10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+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 5 18
Bluff -1 3
Concentration 6 37
Diplomacy -1 3
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -1 0
Heal 2 4
Hide 4 27
Intimidate -1 0
Jump 4 20
Listen 2 6
Move Silently 5 27
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 0 1
Search 0 1
Spot 6 27
Swim 2 3
Tumble 4 10
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 4 (Monk)
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Monk Jump II
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane II
Enhancement: Porous Soul


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Winter's Touch
Enhancement: Adept of Wind


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I


Level 8 (Monk)
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Adept of Rock


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Fists of Iron


Level 10 (Monk)
Enhancement: Touch of Death


Level 11 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II


Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II


Level 13 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II


Level 14 (Monk)
Enhancement: Master of Thunder
Enhancement: Master of Stone


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 16 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Guile III


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 19 (Monk)
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Storms


Level 20 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Reflex) I
Enhancement: Way of the Elegant Crane III
Enhancement: Unbalancing Strike
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Mountains
Enhancement: Adept of Rain