The Abuser. Max Stun Build

[Impaqt]

Work In Progress:

50+ Stunning Fist and Stunning Blow. No +3/+4 Tomes, One Past Life.

This cant last can it?
Dwarven Axe DPS for Boss Fights, +10 Stunning handwraps and its lights out for just about anything else.





Level 20 Lawful neutral Dwarf Male
(12 Fighter / 2 Monk / 6 Ranger)
Hit Points: 376
Spell Points: 85

BAB: 19/19/24/2929
Fortitude: 21
Reflex: 16
Will: 13


Abilities
(34 Point)
{36/52}Strength 16 +5 Levels +2 Tome +3 Fighter +7 Item +3 Exceptional / +2 rage +2 yugo +2 Ship +8Surge +2 Rams Might
{24}Dexterity 15 +2 Tome +1Ranger +6 Item
{25}Constitution 16+2 Tome +1 Dwarf +6 Item
{10}Intelligence 8 +2 Tome
{30}Wisdom 16 +1 Monk +3 Exceptional +6 Item /+2 Yugo +2 Ship
{08}Charisma 6 8

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

Stunning Blow:
10 base
13 (Standing Strength)
1 Past Life
2 Kensai
4 Fighter Stunning Blow
3 Dwarven Tactics
10 Weighted
---
43
8 Temp Str boosts
---
51 DC

Stunning Fist
10 base
10 1/2 Character level
8 Standing Wisdom
1 Past Life
2 Kensai
4 Fighter Stunning Blow
3 Dwarven Tactics
10 Weighted
---
48
3 yugo Pot, Ship Buff, Water Stance
---
50 DC

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter

Level 2 (Ranger)

Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

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

Level 5 (Fighter)

Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons

Level 7 (Fighter)

Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Mobility

Level 10 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist

Level 11 (Ranger)

Level 12 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack

Level 13 (Ranger)

Level 14 (Ranger)

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

Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus

Level 17 (Fighter)

Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Quick Draw

Level 19 (Fighter)

Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slasshing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Dwarven Tactics I
Enhancement: Dwarven Tactics II
Enhancement: Dwarven Tactics III
Enhancement: Kensei Dwarven Waraxe Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Dwarven Waraxe Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) IV
Enhancement: Fighter Dwarven Waraxe Specialization I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III

[slimkj]

I am eyeing my dwarf Monster with the same thoughts, or even a 12Ftr/7Mnk/1x, but figured it was best to see if this made it to live or not given how sillygood it might turn out to be.

[skullzz]

Work In Progress:


Stunning Blow:
10 base
13 (Standing Strength)
1 Past Life
2 Kensai
4 Fighter Stunning Blow
3 Dwarven Tactics
10 Weighted
---
43
8 Temp Str boosts
---
51 DC

Stunning Fist
10 base
10 1/2 Character level
8 Standing Wisdom
1 Past Life
2 Kensai
4 Fighter Stunning Blow
3 Dwarven Tactics
10 Weighted
---
48
3 yugo Pot, Ship Buff, Water Stance
---
50 DC


Stunning Fists does not give you 10 for being level 20 character level.
It gives you 10 for being a level 20 monk. In the description it says DC= 10 + 1/2 Monk Level + Wisdom Modifier.
Your max stunning fist will be 39 not 48.

But its impressive you got both stuns into the 40's

[Impaqt]

Stunning Fists does not give you 10 for being level 20 character level.
It gives you 10 for being a level 20 monk. In the description it says DC= 10 + 1/2 Monk Level + Wisdom Modifier.
Your max stunning fist will be 39 not 48.

But its impressive you got both stuns into the 40's

You should familiarize yourself with the changes to Stunning fist on Lammania. New Caculation is 10+ 1/2 Character level + Wisdom +

[Ironforge_Clan]

You should familiarize yourself with the changes to Stunning fist on Lammania. New Caculation is 10+ 1/2 Character level + Wisdom +

You are correct but don't you see that is "broken". Allowing a minimal splash monk the same advantage as a full breed is wrong. If this goes live you can almost bet the farm that it will be changed back. Oh and then won't we hear the nerf screams!

[Maegin]

I mean sure, acid rains new update was probably a bit strong..

But Cloudkill?
A spell very rarely used for damage on live, wasnt really upgraded on lamania, and it gets nerfed.

Burning Blood?
No one loads this ever since it occupies such a ultra important spell slot. VS the live version, it was greatly improved sure.. But at a cost of having its duration severely damaged, so it had to be refreshed often. As a single target nuke, it should be powerful... I mean considering how much power your giving to palemasters wizards with finger of death (insane damage + insta kills on nearly everything)
Single target nukes like this, taht meld well with savant.. SHOULD BE POWERFUL.

Melf acid arrow?
Ditto with burning blood. Single target nuke - SHOULD BE POWERFUL. PERIOD. .. Addtionally, it should not cap (does at 20 atm).. That totally defeats the fun of having the PrE bring up your caster level.. 2ndly, it just was not that powerful compared to other lvl2 SLAs, especially ones with 2ndary effects like Electric loop.

Seems like anytime we offer some feedback that something is good.. It gets nerfed.

Almost seems like we should just keep quiet.

I mean look at the evidence:
A few people agree earth savant is quite good (not seen anyone ever say it was overpowred except maybe 1 guy about acid rain):
Nearly all acid spells nerfed.

A guy posts a video of him doing pretty well with evocation archmage at low sp:
Evocation archmage nerfed.

.. everyone just SHHH!! Its the only way it seems.

Be careful, man.

[eulogy098]

what are the ranger levels for ?

[skullzz]

You should familiarize yourself with the changes to Stunning fist on Lammania. New Caculation is 10+ 1/2 Character level + Wisdom +

Ok, I was going off of the compendium and my 18mnk/2rog who is only getting 9 from his levels.

If its true that stunning fists are going to 1/2 character level then DDO is getting further and further from pnp.

[Waylayer]

what are the ranger levels for ?

Attack Speed from Tempest I ?

[Doomflayer]

Free two weapon feats, wand heals, Rams might, favored, and Tempest 1

[eulogy098]

Free two weapon feats, wand heals, Rams might, favored, and Tempest 1

have they changed tempst? last i knew it had no effect on fists.

and the twf feats arn't really free feats when you are stuck wasting other fests on the tempst req. line.

[Waylayer]

have they changed tempst? last i knew it had no effect on fists.

and the twf feats arn't really free feats when you are stuck wasting other fests on the tempst req. line.

The attack speed works with handwraps; but the added "Tempest AC" (Whirling Shield of Steel) does not.

At least that seems to be the consensus here : http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=295686

[eulogy098]

The attack speed works with handwraps; but the added "Tempest AC" (Whirling Shield of Steel) does not.

At least that seems to be the consensus here : http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=295686

Isnt it just additional offhand attacks then? no actual attack speed increase

[Waylayer]

Isnt it just additional offhand attacks then? no actual attack speed increase

You are correct. However, increased offhand attack is all that anyone gets. My mistake with thinking with the OLD part of my brain.

My original post should have been: "Increased offhand attacks from Tempest 1?"

[Nick_RC]

I think Warforged with PA line and 7 monk 1 rog will be stronger overall. Quite a few of us looking at these type of builds. The ranger would be nice for extended pali pl tho and 90% off hand procs.

N

[BDS]

If you are going to be including water stance in the fist buffs you should subtract it from the stunning blow as well.

[eulogy098]

Yeah i think the build would be better in every way without those ranger levels.

[voodoogroves]

Did I miss Madstone in your calcs?

[Impaqt]

You could do 18Fighter/2 Monk as well.

I choose to go Tempest since I was giving up the capstone anyway. +1 Crit range on a DA might be pretty good though.

90% offhand Instead of 80 means 10% more double stun attacks. Basically 2 saves instead of 1.

2 Favorite Enemies.. Evil Outsiders and Take yer pick according to what content you plan on running the most.

Rams Might provides +2 Str and +2 more to damage. On every hit....

Wand usage is handy in many situations.

As for the "Shhhhh! Dont tell"

meh... THis SHOULD change.... Its simple not right for a 2Monk splash to have a significantly better Stunning first attack that any monk build could possibly achieve. Maybe it'll be around a Mod or 2. Maybe they will leave it alone and finally provide monks some stunning enhancements...

[Impaqt]

If you are going to be including water stance in the fist buffs you should subtract it from the stunning blow as well.

I just showed water stance as a "Max" not as a standing number. I think not using water stance will probably be fine


Yeah i think the build would be better in every way without those ranger levels.
Then post your build. I like the versatility the ranger levels offer. I never sad theres no other options. 18 Fighter would certainly work. But it seems to me the 10% offhand, Rams Might, and Fav Enemy boosts are a little better than what Kensai III offers over Kensai II.



Did I miss Madstone in your calcs?

Yup, No +4 Tomes either. Certainly room to improved those numbers even more. Just wanted to get the base posted as I work on all the details.

[chodelord]

Looks sweet, good job.

I did one up as past life monk WF 12 fighter 4 ranger and 4 monk.

4 ranger gives rams might which is just about the best melee buff in the game and devotion 2 to get a couple of more points out of trip light finisher

4 monk gives d8 handwrap damage, and light monk for the finishers

the build has room for 3 toughness feats and past life monk active to bump the handwrap damage dice

[Impaqt]

I think Warforged with PA line and 7 monk 1 rog will be stronger overall.


Possibly.... this version can be a lot more self sustaining though. Kind of a give and take there. I also think 12/8 is a good split since 8 Monk bumps up your unarmed die as well... Kensai Unarmed 12/8 could be a very effective build as well.



Quite a few of us looking at these type of builds. The ranger would be nice for extended pali pl tho and 90% off hand procs.

N

extended pali pl?

[Balkas]

extended pali pl?

Past Life: Soldier of the Faith

You recall more about your past life as a paladin. You have +2 to your Heal skill, and can invoke Divine Favor upon yourself 3 times per rest. (Activate this paladin ability to call upon the strength and wisdom of a deity to grant a +1 luck bonus on weapon attack and damage. This bonus is increased by +1 for every 3 caster levels beyond level 3, maximum +3 luck bonus. About 2 minutes per use.)

Extended +3 attack/+3 damage Divine Favor.

:)

[slimkj]

Pali Past Life feat for the bump to hit and dmg, with the Ranger blue bar giving access to Extend, is I think what Nick is getting at.

Edit: Well done, quicker Balkas above :)

[phalaeo]

Sorry for the derail, but as a woman reading this, I'm not a huge fan of the name, especially considering what the build does. :(

[slimkj]

I assume it's meant in the way of abusing odd game mechanics rather than what you've inferred from it.

[kernal42]

If you want to max stun, you might replace 6 ranger with 6 Favored Soul:Angel of Vengeance. Your aura will debuff their saves by -2, which is better than the +1 DC from ram's might.

Okay, so maybe it's not ideal, but I really like the idea of a 6 FvS splash ;).

-Kernal

[Impaqt]

Past Life: Soldier of the Faith

You recall more about your past life as a paladin. You have +2 to your Heal skill, and can invoke Divine Favor upon yourself 3 times per rest. (Activate this paladin ability to call upon the strength and wisdom of a deity to grant a +1 luck bonus on weapon attack and damage. This bonus is increased by +1 for every 3 caster levels beyond level 3, maximum +3 luck bonus. About 2 minutes per use.)

Extended +3 attack/+3 damage Divine Favor.

:)

Ah... THat would be nice.. Hmm.. If I had the patience to do a Paly life before this build, that would be pretty sweet. I have a hard enough time staying focused on a second life toon though.



Sorry for the derail, but as a woman reading this, I'm not a huge fan of the name, especially considering what the build does. :(


I assume it's meant in the way of abusing odd game mechanics rather than what you've inferred from it.

It is indeed a play on "Exploiter". I do not advocate abuse of women in any way.




If you want to max stun, you might replace 6 ranger with 6 Favored Soul:Angel of Vengeance. Your aura will debuff their saves by -2, which is better than the +1 DC from ram's might.

Okay, so maybe it's not ideal, but I really like the idea of a 6 FvS splash ;).

-Kernal

I'm gonna leave the debuff aura to the FvS's. I dont think they will be hard to find in Update 9.

[Emili]

Ok, I was going off of the compendium and my 18mnk/2rog who is only getting 9 from his levels.

If its true that stunning fists are going to 1/2 character level then DDO is getting further and further from pnp.

Actually they're bringing such in line of DnD... Stunning Fist is not a "monk only" feat, is nicer on a monk because they may use it more often in DnD but the DC is not monk class based.


This material is published under the OGL

Stunning Fist [General]
PrerequisitesDex 13, Wis 13, Improved Unarmed Strike, base attack bonus +8.

BenefitYou must declare that you are using this feat before you make your attack roll (thus, a failed attack roll ruins the attempt). Stunning Fist forces a foe damaged by your unarmed attack to make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Wis modifier), in addition to dealing damage normally. A defender who fails this saving throw is stunned for 1 round (until just before your next action). A stunned character can’t act, loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, and takes a –2 penalty to AC. You may attempt a stunning attack once per day for every four levels you have attained (but see Special), and no more than once per round. Constructs, oozes, plants, undead, incorporeal creatures, and creatures immune to critical hits cannot be stunned.

SpecialA monk may select Stunning Fist as a bonus feat at 1st level, even if she does not meet the prerequisites. A monk who selects this feat may attempt a stunning attack a number of times per day equal to her monk level, plus one more time per day for every four levels she has in classes other than monk.

A fighter may select Stunning Fist as one of his fighter bonus feats.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Actually they're bringing such in line of DnD... Stunning Fist is not a "monk only" feat, is nicer on a monk because they may use it more often in DnD but the DC is not monk class based.



I think you quoted the wrong person, this guy was whinging a lot more:


Ok, I was going off of the compendium and my 18mnk/2rog who is only getting 9 from his levels.

If its true that stunning fists are going to 1/2 character level then DDO is getting further and further from pnp.

Outcome is the same, thanks for setting them straight.

I think the strategy to balance this change to stunning fist is to give monks an enhancement line for stunning fist identical and exclusive with fighter stunning blow enhancements (except allow stunning fist to qualify for it instead).

[Emili]

I think you quoted the wrong person, this guy was whinging a lot more:



Outcome is the same, thanks for setting them straight.

I think the strategy to balance this change to stunning fist is to give monks an enhancement line for stunning fist identical and exclusive with fighter stunning blow enhancements (except allow stunning fist to qualify for it instead).
That would work to balance things out some... bring the monks up a little more, it would possibly be nice also to add some reduction to Ki costs on such enhancements for it on a monk. They are not suppose to stun any better on average but they are suppose to be able to do so more often in a given day...

I can see no issue with adding some KI kick-back to a tactical stunning enhancement line for monks as part of the kensie PrE does exactly the same - the synergy for a kensie/monk vs just monk would be within range with one another.

[Thorzian]

bah! monk stuns are pathetic anyway. 32 point fighter single rage, single madstoned 56 stun dc with a +10 weapon (ratkiller is my choice) .. 53 after titangrip wears off. no yugo's no house d's no +4 tomes.

props to you though if you can get it done with the monk attack speed your dps will definately soar.. that is once you switch to actual dps handwraps, something else fighters can pull off much easier with all the free feats to fit in quickdraw.

in fact, if you can pull off the stunning fist dc, why waste the feat on stunning blow at all?

as much as i love monks, imho the way to pull off a stunning build is a dwarf or warforge fighter.. 18/2 if you're after evasion.

[Impaqt]

bah! monk stuns are pathetic anyway. 32 point fighter single rage, single madstoned 56 stun dc with a +10 weapon (ratkiller is my choice) .. 53 after titangrip wears off. no yugo's no house d's no +4 tomes.

props to you though if you can get it done with the monk attack speed your dps will definately soar.. that is once you switch to actual dps handwraps, something else fighters can pull off much easier with all the free feats to fit in quickdraw.

in fact, if you can pull off the stunning fist dc, why waste the feat on stunning blow at all?

as much as i love monks, imho the way to pull off a stunning build is a dwarf or warforge fighter.. 18/2 if you're after evasion.

You have to have Stunning Blow in order to take the Fighter Enhancements.

[wax_on_wax_off]

bah! monk stuns are pathetic anyway.

Stunning Fist with a cooldown of 6 seconds is vastly superior to the cooldown of 15 seconds on stunning blow in most contexts.

Also, if you are using epic ratkiller then you are only forcing a save vs, at best as a pure fighter, ~1.1 stun attempts. Compare that with the ~2 saves for unarmed per proc and when you combine the 2 factors - ~2 saves/proc, every 6 seconds + additional ~2 from stunning blow every 15 seconds vs the single save every 15 seconds and more mobs will stay stunned more consistently with both options even if you sacrifice a point or two off stunning blow by working in stunning fist.

It's a good build. The real question for me is figuring out the new sweet spot for stun DCs in U9 balancing investment vs success rates. This build will be good to find that sweet spot as you'll have some versatility with enhancements (don't need it so high? Drop tactics III and stunning blow IV or pick them up again).

[Nick_RC]

Yah the extended (12min+) is uber. Obvious feats are GWF and oversize 2wf. Averages same too hit but +3 dmg on top. If the goal was to make it just a 34 point build I'd do the pali life instead of the fighter. Why are u taking the chosen fighter pl anyway? It's a less than optimal choice. I'm a big advocate of sap on a tactics melée...some people think it's junk but I think it's one of the most underutilized feats in the game. Let's u tackle one more mob infinately. I'd replace the ftr pl with this personally.

Il post my version tomorrow for u. I considered this version too but decided to go another route instead. With regards to 7monk/1rg vs 8 monk the rog wins in my minds-basically more dps in all situations except 100% fort and full umd to act as counter to being wf.

N

[Nick_RC]

It's a good build. The real question for me is figuring out the new sweet spot for stun DCs in U9 balancing investment vs success rates. This build will be good to find that sweet spot as you'll have some versatility with enhancements (don't need it so high? Drop tactics III and stunning blow IV or pick them up again).

I havnt been on llamania but I have spent alot of time between 45-50 withought weighted and 55-60 with weighted. For me 50 is what I'm comfortable with on live to get 90% of epic trash. With a saves increase I would want to be sitting at a 50 personally-something il be shooting for.

N

[SpiritBoy]

Ok, I was going off of the compendium and my 18mnk/2rog who is only getting 9 from his levels.

If its true that stunning fists are going to 1/2 character level then DDO is getting further and further from pnp.

Huh?
http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Stunning_Fist
If anything, this makes it closer to PnP.

[Carpone]

Dwarven Axe DPS for Boss Fights
Does the math support using Dwarven Axes for raid bosses instead of handwraps+ToD rings? Even with the new crafting system debuting?


{36/52}Strength 16 +5 Levels +2 Tome +3 Fighter +7 Item +3 Exceptional
Where are you putting +2 exceptional strength? ToD rings will be bursted. Epic Cape of the Roc? Also, no +3 profane STR bonus from 3pc Abishai? I'm wondering where you're going to put that +7 STR item: head or gloves?

I'd like to see the accompanying gear list.


Stunning Fist
10 base
10 1/2 Character level
8 Standing Wisdom
1 Past Life
2 Kensai
4 Fighter Stunning Blow
3 Dwarven Tactics
10 Weighted
---
48
Fighter Stunning Blow enhancements affect Stunning Fist? Or is that an error?


Stunning Fist with a cooldown of 6 seconds is vastly superior to the cooldown of 15 seconds on stunning blow in most contexts.
In this build, SF works because you're not spending ki on anything else because there aren't other ki-sinks for 2 levels of monk. In other monk builds, YMMV with having enough ki when you're using Fists of Light or Touch of Death.


If its true that stunning fists are going to 1/2 character level then DDO is getting further and further from pnp.
Just the opposite. Turbine implemented Stunning Fist incorrectly as 1/2 monk level. In PnP, it's 1/2 char level.

[Impaqt]

Yah the extended (12min+) is uber. Obvious feats are GWF and oversize 2wf. Averages same too hit but +3 dmg on top. If the goal was to make it just a 34 point build I'd do the pali life instead of the fighter. Why are u taking the chosen fighter pl anyway? It's a less than optimal choice. I'm a big advocate of sap on a tactics melée...some people think it's junk but I think it's one of the most underutilized feats in the game. Let's u tackle one more mob infinately. I'd replace the ftr pl with this personally.

Il post my version tomorrow for u. I considered this version too but decided to go another route instead. With regards to 7monk/1rg vs 8 monk the rog wins in my minds-basically more dps in all situations except 100% fort and full umd to act as counter to being wf.

N
Cant wait to see what ya come up with.

I have to admit, the primary reason its Fighter Past Life is because thats what I have right now to TR. It does seem Pali would be a solid choice as well.


Does the math support using Dwarven Axes for raid bosses instead of handwraps+ToD rings? Even with the new crafting system debuting?


Where are you putting +2 exceptional strength? ToD rings will be bursted. Epic Cape of the Roc? Also, no +3 profane STR bonus from 3pc Abishai? I'm wondering where you're going to put that +7 STR item: head or gloves?


I will have multiple TOD RIng sets, but primarily, just as I do with my monk now, I will have Exceptional Stats to shore up Stunning as needed.

I have a set of CC GLoves for the STR



I'd like to see the accompanying gear list.

WIll work on that soon.




Fighter Stunning Blow enhancements affect Stunning Fist? Or is that an error?

not an error. It works.




In this build, SF works because you're not spending ki on anything else because there aren't other ki-sinks for 2 levels of monk. In other monk builds, YMMV with having enough ki when you're using Fists of Light or Touch of Death.


Just the opposite. Turbine implemented Stunning Fist incorrectly as 1/2 monk level. In PnP, it's 1/2 char level.

[Phidius]

I went ahead and rolled up a 12 fighter/7 monk/1 rogue (only human and no PL feat, so I'm down by 4). For once, I wanted to play a "flavor of the month" before it gets nerfed, rather than after.

Here's to hoping they take a while to nerf it, instead of 1 week after the release.

[MeToo]

It's close to what I've been planning for my fighter's next life. I'd been thinking Dwarf 18/2 with WSS for faster ki gen and khopeshes for bosses since the fists will be such low dice and crit range and I'll have khopeshes already crafted.

Others may scoff at the choice of past life but I think +1 to hit and +1 to stuns is going to be very useful with U9's increased saves and helpless changes.

As for getting nerfed, who knows? While that's certainly a possibility, I don't see anything overpowered about a Kensei being good at stunning since their strength is supposed to be tactics anyway. I've always wanted to get some use out of that ki gen bonus Kensei gives and maybe I'll get a chance for at least an update or two.

There are certainly a lot of trade-offs (monk DR/AC/damage/HP/saves/imp evasion/stances and finishers/abundant step/etc...) that are made to buy the stuns and the value of stunning is somewhat diminished in U9 anyway. The character will not be overpowered as a soloer, but should be a nice complement to well balanced groups - something I'd hope Turbine encourages.