Way of the Tank

[MidwestMercenary]

I have started building this character in the game and so far its working pretty well but before I go all the way through this character build I would like some feedback on my build. The main thing I want to know though besides if I made the proper choices on feats is if my enhancements are correct.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.03
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Kuramon D'Dennith
Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 280
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 17
Will: 16

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Strength 13 13 13
Dexterity 15 19 20
Constitution 16 16 17
Intelligence 8 8 8
Wisdom 13 14 18
Charisma 8 8 8

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Balance 6 27 27
Bluff -1 -1 -1
Concentration 7 26 36
Diplomacy -1 -1 -1
Disable Device n/a n/a n/a
Haggle -1 -1 -1
Heal 1 8 11
Hide 2 5 5
Intimidate 1 8 17
Jump 4 21 21
Listen 1 4 4
Move Silently 2 5 5
Open Lock n/a n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a n/a
Repair -1 -1 -1
Search -1 -1 -1
Spellcraft -1 -1 -1
Spot 1 4 4
Swim 1 1 1
Tumble 3 6 6
Use Magic Device n/a n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Sentinel
Feat: (Human Bonus) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) AC Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Kama
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Shuriken
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves
Feat: (Automatic) Flurry of Blows
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Handaxe
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Club
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Dagger
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Heavy Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Light Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Quarterstaff
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Unarmed
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) The Way of Air
Feat: (Automatic) The Way of Fire
Feat: (Automatic) The Way of Earth
Feat: (Automatic) The Way of Water
Feat: (Automatic) Unarmed Strike


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Weapon Finesse
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Feat: (Automatic) Meditation
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Diehard
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light
Feat: (Automatic) Fast Movement
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves: Path of Harmonious Balance (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves: Path of Inevitable Dominion (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Still Mind


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Automatic) Ki Strike: Magic
Feat: (Automatic) Slow Fall


Level 5 (Monk)
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Purity of Body


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Adept of Forms


Level 7 (Monk)
Feat: (Automatic) Wholeness of Body


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX


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


Level 10 (Monk)
Feat: (Automatic) Curse of the Void
Feat: (Automatic) Ki Strike: Lawful
Feat: (Automatic) Moment of Clarity


Level 11 (Monk)
Feat: (Automatic) Diamond Body


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical
Feat: (Automatic) Abundant Step
Feat: (Automatic) Master of Forms (ALL)


Level 13 (Monk)
Feat: (Automatic) Diamond Soul


Level 14 (Monk)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Quivering Palm


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Automatic) Ki Strike: Adamantine


Level 17 (Monk)
Feat: (Automatic) Timeless Body


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Grandmaster of Forms (ALL)


Level 19 (Monk)
Feat: (Automatic) Empty Body


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Automatic) Perfect Self
Feat: (Automatic) Shining Star
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Defense Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Deneith Dragonmark Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Focused (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Focused (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Focused (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Human - Action Surge: Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Action Surge: Dexterity (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Human - Lesser Dragonmark of Sentinel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Action Surge: Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Ambidexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Ambidexterity (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Ambidexterity (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Human - Greater Dragonmark of Sentinel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Henshin Mystic (Mnk) - Riddle of Fire (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Henshin Mystic (Mnk) - Way of the Patient Tortoise (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Protection from Tainted Creatures (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Hand (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Argent Fist (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Touch of the Void Dragon (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - To Seek Perfection (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Ki Shout (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Exemplar (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Exemplar (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Exemplar (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Instinctive Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Instinctive Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Instinctive Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Violence Begets Violence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Meditation of War (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Empty Hand Mastery (Rank 1)

[Mahalko128]

Quick tip about that program. You can actually, at each level, take a certain amount of enhancements to show which enhancements to pick each level. Say you start up level two, it'll now give you four points to use for that level in the enhancements. A formatting choice much which makes looking at your build much easier to the eyes!

[Ancient]

Quick tip about that program. You can actually, at each level, take a certain amount of enhancements to show which enhancements to pick each level. Say you start up level two, it'll now give you four points to use for that level in the enhancements. A formatting choice much which makes looking at your build much easier to the eyes!

I like having the feats in an easy to read list. The tendency to spam the skills into the middle of the feats is one of my biggest issues with the typical layout.

[Mahalko128]

I like having the feats in an easy to read list. The tendency to spam the skills into the middle of the feats is one of my biggest issues with the typical layout.

Twas speaking of enhancements, but the same would apply for feats, seeing as a build is made up of not only which enhancements/feats to take, but when to take them.

[MidwestMercenary]

Twas speaking of enhancements, but the same would apply for feats, seeing as a build is made up of not only which enhancements/feats to take, but when to take them.

I apologize =( ill redo it and post as a comment

[MidwestMercenary]

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.03
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Kuramon D'Dennith
Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(20 Monk)
Hit Points: 280
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 17
Will: 16

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 13 13
Dexterity 15 20
Constitution 16 16
Intelligence 8 8
Wisdom 13 19
Charisma 8 8

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 6 27
Bluff -1 -1
Concentration 7 34
Diplomacy -1 -1
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -1 -1
Heal 1 11
Hide 2 5
Intimidate 1 17
Jump 4 21
Listen 1 4
Move Silently 2 5
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 -1
Search -1 -1
Spellcraft -1 -1
Spot 1 4
Swim 1 1
Tumble 3 6
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Sentinel
Feat: (Human Bonus) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Henshin Mystic (Mnk) - Riddle of Fire (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Henshin Mystic (Mnk) - Way of the Patient Tortoise (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 1)


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Diehard
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Protection from Tainted Creatures (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 2)


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Ki Shout (Rank 1)


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Exemplar (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 3)


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Hand (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Exemplar (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 1)


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Defense Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Exemplar (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Wisdom (Rank 1)


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Wisdom (Rank 1)


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 3)


Level 10 (Monk)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Instinctive Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Instinctive Defense (Rank 2)


Level 11 (Monk)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Instinctive Defense (Rank 3)


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical
Enhancement: Human - Ambidexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Ambidexterity (Rank 2)


Level 13 (Monk)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Meditation of War (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Empty Hand Mastery (Rank 1)


Level 14 (Monk)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Argent Fist (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Violence Begets Violence (Rank 1)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Human - Deneith Dragonmark Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Action Surge: Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Enhancement: Human - Lesser Dragonmark of Sentinel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Greater Dragonmark of Sentinel (Rank 1)


Level 17 (Monk)
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Deneith Dragonmark Focus (Rank 2)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Human - Deneith Dragonmark Focus (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Human - Ambidexterity (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Touch of the Void Dragon (Rank 1)


Level 19 (Monk)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Enhancement: Human - Focused (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Focused (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Action Surge: Dexterity (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - To Seek Perfection (Rank 1)

[Rhysem]

Instinctive at 3 is a waste. If you're helpless you've already lost. 1 pt there for Violence if you want it, no more. You skipped the Kukan-Do line, which is a mistake -- much more powerful/useful than either exemplar or conditioning. I don't care that it's a cha based skill, because it is a will save you can slap the big melee tank types silly with it at a nearly 100% hit rate.

Reed in the wind is weak at best. 9% dodge 30% of the time in perfectly ideal circumstances and provided you hit the ability... or you could go get acrobatic in ninja spy for 3% dodge ALL THE TIME. As a side bonus that gets you nearer shadow fade, which is a must-have.

You might want contemplation 3 out of Henshin for ki regen -- or not, depends on your style. I dig it while leveling. At 20 and going into epic, especially starting in GMoF, maybe it is less fabulous.


While I was leveling my HE Monk20 I reset enh's multiple times as needed. My path was: full Ninja Spy for shadow fade, then Henshin for contemplation. As I neared 10, I reset Henshin and pushed up the HE tree for my cleric dilly and heal scrolls. After that I (re-)branched out to Henshin for contemplation, then finally ran Shintao up till 20.

[lugoman]

You should splash some monk.

[TeacherSyn]

Some thoughts:

1) Don't waste any points in the cross-class Intimidate. Ki Shout should do the same thing and uses Concentration as the check.
2) STR still determines your character damage with a tanker Light Monk. It's too low as I see it here. While you'll want a good DEX for Reflex saves, your STR should be higher to help in damage.
3) Your CON is OK but you'll need more to be durable. Your saves will only go so far.
4) Your WIS is problematic in that you'll have less ki and weaker DCs to stun or use other Monk abilities. Try to make this your second stat priority (STR, WIS, CON) using items and enhancements as required.
5) The skill points into Heal may help in healing, but maximizing your Shintao and human healing amplification as well as items with Devotion should allow you to put these points elsewhere. More people should get their Hide and Move Silently scores up so as to be able to situate themselves to dictate where a fight can go. For a tanker you needn't get them very high, but 20 in each (with items) not only helps in tactics but maybe in escapes (you can escape a chasing mob with good skills).
6) Don't know what your Dodge is, but ensure you get it to 16% or better to help with avoiding some damage. You should have at least 40 PRR by level 20, more is helpful of course.

[kned225]

I only read down to the part it said "Monk". Your character will be fine

[Todkaninchen]

I only read down to the part it said "Monk". Your character will be fine

I don't know...

Had a guildie make a Henshin that was squishy as heck.

Turns out, they maxed STR, dumped DEX AND WIS(!) and only ran in Fire...

The thinking was "STR for stick damage, don't need DEX without 2-weapon fighting, and had enough ki generation in fire..."

Gimped along to 20, instantly TRed it and they brought it back as a fighter/eldritch night combo which is doing decently.

Likewise, I have another guildie--that probably influenced the first--in the tendency to dump most DEX and only run Fire.

While I understand the reason why and how that could lead to a gimp, fragile Henshin, it sort of misses the point.

Personally, I tend to start with only enough STR (13) for power attack, 14 CON, and most of the rest in DEX/WIS. I know I won't be top of the pack DPS--as far as monks go--with tomes and gear, I can reliably stun and take things down a little slower running in Wind without taking enough damage from anyone (in combo with dodge/blur/incorporeality) to get put out of the fight, and usually not enough to even require additional heals other than Wholeness of Body between fights, the GMoF clicky, and a potion or two now and then.

But that's my choice.