New Monk Build

[settoloki]

Hi I have never played a monk past level 5 but it is next in-line on my completionist build. I have always loved the ideas of monks but I do want the best of both worlds high survivability and high dps, even though I know this is unlikely. I am after build suggestions on a monk to level mainly in a two man party running elite quests. I have past life sorc/wizard and a +3 tome to all stats. The build doesn't have to be for end game play as he will be TR'ed as soon as he hits 20 also his questing companion will be an artificer so I am aiming for a warforged build, but that is based on suggestions given here.

as for gear I have access to most named items pre level 18 and will take the time to farm for it on his current life if it is absolutely needed though I am hoping for some good hand wraps and +6 stat boosting items to be enough.


Thank ye all in advance for any suggestions on build ideas or if you think some feats are required for a valid monk I've heard you need TWF as a standard... Also I don't mind multi-classing as long as monk is the primary class of course :) seen a monk/wizard build but been told the 8 levels of wiz required in it nerf your tohit way to much.


look forward to reading your ideas :)

Big T

[sebastianosmith]

Hey Big T,

Not to sound flippant but if your goal is to hit 20 and TR, why not just roll up a pure monk of whatever race (HElf seems popular) with appropriate stats and go for it? The basic outline (http://ddowiki.com/page/Starting_a_Monk) can be found on DDOWiki. You'll hit 20 with little problem without running end-game content or worrying about minute stat and gear tweaking. An optimized, custom build seems counter to your goals. Just a thought.

Best of luck!

[settoloki]

Hey Big T,

Not to sound flippant but if your goal is to hit 20 and TR, why not just roll up a pure monk of whatever race (HElf seems popular) with appropriate stats and go for it? The basic outline (http://ddowiki.com/page/Starting_a_Monk) can be found on DDOWiki. You'll hit 20 with little problem without running end-game content or worrying about minute stat and gear tweaking. An optimized, custom build seems counter to your goals. Just a thought.

Best of luck!

Mainly to get the most out of being monk, and as I run in a two man party, it has to make up for being 3 players all by himself. the idea is that as two players we can two man most content on elite. We have had no problem doing this in the past, with a fvs / tank build or a sorc / wiz

And all though the goal is to hit 20 and TR I will be in no rush to do it as its still a game after all and I don't plan on rushing the content. Not to mention on a 3rd life 20 is a lot further away so I will be a monk for a while if I start to feel too squishy or like I am reliant on other people to beat enemies down it will be off putting.

the most important aspects are to survive without a healer, or heals from my arty companion (hence warforged) and not have dps that is so low we require other people.

slightly off topic but my biggest issue with ddo is requiring a certain party and not being able to get it. I work full time so my play time is precious to me I can't wait round for an hour for a healer to join etc. So me and a friend run two man parties. We run on elite because that's the level we find the game to give the right challenge to enjoyment ratio having both played since early beta we need it to be that little bit more challenging to keep interest.

Although I will probably just run a standard monk build I am really after tips to the class as I usually play casters so would be good to get input on what feats I should aim for, which enhancements are worth looking in to; is hand wraps the best option for dps or should I look into other options. It's just a class I have little experience with so to help me come up with a build would be good to get some input from people that have played alot of monks, my class of choice is fvs I have 4 of them now all built differently and can offer tips and tricks for all sorts of fvs play styles. I imagine there is people like me but with monks full of advice for me :)

[Rhysem]

Go half-elf pure monk, cleric dilly, plan to use handwraps and to hit grand master earth stance (DR + threat boost). A second grand master stance is okay. Don't push for more than that. I'd avoid air as your artie friend is well positioned to has scroll you both. You can do fine with just one grand master - that's where my first life halfling (draongmarked) monk is. When I TR him (soon as I have my fvs up to 20) he'll be following largely the plan outlined above, with the dark monk option below.

If you want dps plan on being a dark monk w/ninja spy, void4. If you want better healing and easier gear needs go light monk w/shintao.

Feats: Mandatory: TWF chain, PA, Stunning FIST, Imp crit bludg, Imp Sunder, Toughness.
Skills: Max concentration. Jump and balance handy. Tumble for fun and giggles.

If you haven't TR'd yet, see about getting some DR breaker type wraps (silver threaded, etc) out of devil assault (?) in the MP. Ditto picking up an Icy Raiment, if you think you're going AC route. Actually if you want to do AC route, better pick up all your gear for it or it'll fall apart in the 14-16 range on elites and you won't be able to easily pick up gear as you can at 20 right now.

[smithj_2020]

Feats: Mandatory: TWF chain, PA, Stunning FIST, Imp crit bludg, Imp Sunder, Toughness.
Skills: Max concentration. Jump and balance handy. Tumble for fun and giggles..

Def go Helf w/ cleric dilly, you can self scroll heal and be fine all your levels, and even heal party members.

stats:
str 16
dex 16
con 15
int 8
wis 14
cha 8

Enhancements: (just kind of a guide)
Monk Serenity
Cleric Dilly III
Human Imp recovery I
Human Versatility II
Static Charge
Way of Patient Tortoise II
Touch of Death
Fists of Iron
Porous Soul
All Consuming Flame
Eagle Claw Attack
Monk Imp Revocery II
Ninja Spy II
Void III
Unbalancing Strike
Winters Touch
Grandmaster of Storms
Grandmaster of Mountains
Adept of Fire
Adept of Rain
Racial Toughness II
Imp Jump II
Imp Tumble II
Monk Wisdom I

My recommendations since you are TRing at 20:
Drop either:
Grandmaster of Storms or Grandmaster of mountains
unbalancing strike
fists of iron
eagle claw attack
Monk Imp Recovery II

Take:
Master of Fire
Master of Sea
Void IV

Get the garments from VoD, or garments of equilibrium from siegebreaker, pair of bonus stunning wraps for leveling...

You will dps very well, heal yourself and party member and be able to stun everything in the game...very solid build...good luck

[sebastianosmith]

Mainly to get the most out of being monk, and as I run in a two man party, it has to make up for being 3 players all by himself. the idea is that as two players we can two man most content on elite.

First, let me say it's reassuring to know that some folks out there still enjoy playing the game. Most forumites who ask for a "20-to-TR" past life build are looking for the quick-n-dirty TR over a three day weekend sort of thing and couldn't care less about actually appreciating the class. So, here's to you! :)

After looking over your objectives, I think a well-rounded, general purpose monk build is what you want. I went with warforged as you specified you'll be running with an Arti through most content. He should be able to keep you alive or whatever it is WF call it. [I must profess that I don't play WF - Just don't care for them personally. I understand they have "special needs" when running with fleshies but since your pal is an Arty, I didn't include any of that.]

He (or she if you prefer) is a dark monk which means you'll be the "hammer", so to speak, as a counter to your friend's "nail gunner". You'll be spamming stunning fist, stunning blow and Touch of Death while your Arti friend plinks away at the casters in the back rank. To somewhat counter the aggro that will draw, I suggested some Brute Fighting enhancements for you.

You've got GM stances in both Earth and Wind which gives you a great deal of flexibility. Earth will provided that extra crit power for hard boss fights. Wind will give you the ability to hit with rapidity when not hasted (because that's a thing that happens when running in a duo). Both will kick in at 18 so you may not have long to test them unless you find monks to be your new chosen class - not that FvS aren't cool.

Being dark, your naturally want Ninja Spy (if only for the wicked moniker). That'll give you spooky ninja powers like fake Displacement (Shadow Fade), sneaking ki generation (The Way of The Thoughtful Crouch) and Jésus Strolling (water walking - which it useless outside of the Abbot's lair). It also provides access to short swords as "ki" weapons and a bonus to sneak attack. By the way, don't use short swords. They are a trap. Always use wraps unless there is some super special effect you need which you can only find on short swords.

So, the build is below. Use it or not. Change it to meet your needs. It's a five minute job with the basics and not much else. Oh, and I assumed that since you have +3 tomes, you have at least a single +2 dex tome around 7th level. If not, well, get one.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.12.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

One of Two
Level 20 Lawful Neutral Warforged Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 342
Spell Points: 20
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 17
Will: 17

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(36 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 24
Dexterity 15 18
Constitution 15 20
Intelligence 8 8
Wisdom 15 20
Charisma 6 6

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 6 32
Bluff -2 -2
Concentration 6 41
Diplomacy -2 -2
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -2 -2
Heal 2 5
Hide 2 20
Intimidate -2 -2
Jump 6 17
Listen 2 5
Move Silently 2 9
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 -1
Search -1 -1
Spot 2 5
Swim 3 7
Tumble 3 11
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Improved Concentration I
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Warforged Brute Fighting I
Enhancement: Warforged Tactics I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution I


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Porous Soul


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Adept of Rain


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame


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


Level 10 (Monk)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 11 (Monk)
Enhancement: Warforged Tactics II


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Master of Thunder


Level 13 (Monk)
Enhancement: Master of Stone
Enhancement: Warforged Brute Fighting II


Level 14 (Monk)
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution II


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Warforged Brute Fighting III


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III


Level 17 (Monk)
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Sunder
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Mountains


Level 19 (Monk)
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Storms


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Master of the Sea




Best of luck!

[settoloki]

First, let me say it's reassuring to know that some folks out there still enjoy playing the game. Most forumites who ask for a "20-to-TR" past life build are looking for the quick-n-dirty TR over a three day weekend sort of thing and couldn't care less about actually appreciating the class. So, here's to you! :)

After looking over your objectives, I think a well-rounded, general purpose monk build is what you want. I went with warforged as you specified you'll be running with an Arti through most content. He should be able to keep you alive or whatever it is WF call it. [I must profess that I don't play WF - Just don't care for them personally. I understand they have "special needs" when running with fleshies but since your pal is an Arty, I didn't include any of that.]

He (or she if you prefer) is a dark monk which means you'll be the "hammer", so to speak, as a counter to your friend's "nail gunner". You'll be spamming stunning fist, stunning blow and Touch of Death while your Arti friend plinks away at the casters in the back rank. To somewhat counter the aggro that will draw, I suggested some Brute Fighting enhancements for you.

You've got GM stances in both Earth and Wind which gives you a great deal of flexibility. Earth will provided that extra crit power for hard boss fights. Wind will give you the ability to hit with rapidity when not hasted (because that's a thing that happens when running in a duo). Both will kick in at 18 so you may not have long to test them unless you find monks to be your new chosen class - not that FvS aren't cool.

Being dark, your naturally want Ninja Spy (if only for the wicked moniker). That'll give you spooky ninja powers like fake Displacement (Shadow Fade), sneaking ki generation (The Way of The Thoughtful Crouch) and Jésus Strolling (water walking - which it useless outside of the Abbot's lair). It also provides access to short swords as "ki" weapons and a bonus to sneak attack. By the way, don't use short swords. They are a trap. Always use wraps unless there is some super special effect you need which you can only find on short swords.

So, the build is below. Use it or not. Change it to meet your needs. It's a five minute job with the basics and not much else. Oh, and I assumed that since you have +3 tomes, you have at least a single +2 dex tome around 7th level. If not, well, get one.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.12.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

One of Two
Level 20 Lawful Neutral Warforged Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 342
Spell Points: 20
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 17
Will: 17

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(36 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 24
Dexterity 15 18
Constitution 15 20
Intelligence 8 8
Wisdom 15 20
Charisma 6 6

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 6 32
Bluff -2 -2
Concentration 6 41
Diplomacy -2 -2
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -2 -2
Heal 2 5
Hide 2 20
Intimidate -2 -2
Jump 6 17
Listen 2 5
Move Silently 2 9
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 -1
Search -1 -1
Spot 2 5
Swim 3 7
Tumble 3 11
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Improved Concentration I
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Warforged Brute Fighting I
Enhancement: Warforged Tactics I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution I


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Porous Soul


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Adept of Rain


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame


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


Level 10 (Monk)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 11 (Monk)
Enhancement: Warforged Tactics II


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Master of Thunder


Level 13 (Monk)
Enhancement: Master of Stone
Enhancement: Warforged Brute Fighting II


Level 14 (Monk)
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution II


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Warforged Brute Fighting III


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III


Level 17 (Monk)
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Sunder
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Mountains


Level 19 (Monk)
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Storms


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Master of the Sea




Best of luck!


Maybe it is just the articulate nature of your post, but I do love the sound of this build. Now I have an even more difficult choice to make, what colour warforged should I be!

I'll be rolling this toon in a couple of weeks as still enjoying my life as a wizard, figured I'd do some epics and level another fvs ^^ but will report back on how it goes and offer any changes I felt were needed.

Thanks for the input from everyone, if I see you around I'll be sure to buy you a beer.

Stay funkeh!

Big T