Looking to make a monk..need help.

[Saziel]

I have absolutely no idea where to start. I've read a few pages but I'm lost. It'll be a 28 pt build since I'm still around 850 favor away from unlocking 32 point builds. I want to go a fist path for damage but I have no idea what I'm doing. >.>

[AylinIsAwesome]

Step 1: Get that 850 favour. You'll really need it.

Step 2: Pick a race. Halflings get +8 SA damage (if you can fit in all the enhancements, otherwise +6) but -2 STR, Warforged get +3 damage/-3 attack from Power Attack enhancements, and Humans get an extra feat (and can get to ~250% healing amp, it's crazy).

Step 3: Pick what you wanna do. Are you going for AC, or are you going for pure DPS? Halfling is best for AC, and Warforged and Halfling are both good for DPS, though which one is better depends on the situation. Humans are a little middle of the road, they can get a good AC and good DPS, but their main asset is the versatility from being able to GM 3 stances (and a good amount of HP over the Halfling). For AC you'll want to focus on DEX and WIS, and for DPS you'll want to focus on STR. Either way you'll need to hit 18 CON with a tome, so starting with 16 is a must. Another option I've seen is the WIS-based Monk, mainly Human from what I know, and it focuses on Dark monk debuffs.

Step 4: If DPS, pick a stance. Some people say Fire is better and others say Wind. Fire gives you +4 STR and extra Ki, but Wind gives you more attacks. If Human just GM them both and use whatever is better for the situation. Either way you'll need to GM Earth stance.

Step 5: Choose an animal path. Crane is essential for Wind stance users, and Monkey and Tortoise are good choices for Fire.

Step 6: Choose Light or Dark path. Light path gives you some nice buffs that will help you get into ToD later, but Dark path offers Sneak Attack and Touch of Death. Many people like Dark better for that reason.

Step 7: Choose stats. I started with 16 STR, 16 DEX, 16 CON and 10 WIS on my Human Monk, going for DPS. This will be heavily impacted by race.

Step 8: Roll it up.

Step 9: Enjoy

[Saziel]

Thank you very much. Extremely helpful. :)

[Tumarek]

Also consider using weapons.

You can use kama's and quaterstaffs as a normal monk.

You get short swords as a nija spy and longswords with the feats Weapon focus and wirlwind of steel or something like that.

[bandyman1]

Also consider using weapons.



Why???

[Crinos]

Also consider using weapons.

You can use kama's and quaterstaffs as a normal monk.

You get short swords as a nija spy and longswords with the feats Weapon focus and wirlwind of steel or something like that.

Using weapons as a pure monk is a bad idea, even ones that count as centred. Your DPS will be far superior with handwraps.

[Tumarek]

Why???

Agreed most weapons are worthless: quaterstaff and kamas will do less DPS then your fists. Swords most of the time too.

Longsword and short swords have a higher crit range. The dream edge (level 18 kama from the Inspired quaters with great stats) has a higher crit multiplier.

If you are out for crit hits for effects like banishing the crit range will help alot.

Also if you wanna multiclass like ranger 6 for tempest or kensai for weapon specialisation a weapon can be more effective.

Don't get me wrong: fists are probably the best weapons in most situations. But since the swords need one pre or feats it is wise to conisder taking them or not before you start building and dont have to spend massive sib shards to change it later on.

[bandyman1]

Agreed most weapons are worthless: quaterstaff and kamas will do less DPS then your fists. Swords most of the time too.

Longsword and short swords have a higher crit range. The dream edge (level 18 kama from the Inspired quaters with great stats) has a higher crit multiplier.

If you are out for crit hits for effects like banishing the crit range will help alot.

Also if you wanna multiclass like ranger 6 for tempest or kensai for weapon specialisation a weapon can be more effective.

Don't get me wrong: fists are probably the best weapons in most situations. But since the swords need one pre or feats it is wise to conisder taking them or not before you start building and dont have to spend massive sib shards to change it later on.

If you're going for on-crit effects, Ninja Spy + shortswords will get you everything you've ever needed, no additional expenditures required.

Longswords and whirling steel strike are a bust. It's two wasted feats for a x2 crit mod that accomplishes absolutely nothing other than to see your DPS take a noise dive.

Handwarps > Kamas. Dream Edge's " great stats " aren't so great when you consider loss of 2d10 ( to 2d14 depending of feats and gear ) base damage, ToD ring burst effects, + certain monk special moves.

Don't get me started on Qstaves, lol.

[AylinIsAwesome]

Also consider using weapons.

You can use kama's and quaterstaffs as a normal monk.

You get short swords as a nija spy and longswords with the feats Weapon focus and wirlwind of steel or something like that.

There are only a few times you should use weapons:

Vorpal (kamas)
Banishing (shortsword)
Bypassing DR


There is no other reason to use weapons.