Fighter/monk thoughts

[Hamlin]

Hi guys. I've never had any interest in this type of build before, but I'm almost done my first completionist and I need to get fighter life done and out of the way. Most of my gear is specialist stuff (short swords, rapiers, daggers, etc) and I'm finishing a monk life (ninja spy). I figured I'd take advantage of the gear I already have and roll up a kensai fighter/monk dude. Thing is, I know nothing about them. Class mix, stats, etc I have no idea how to build one. So I need help.

The goal of this build is to get me a fighter life. That's it. I don't care if it can't solo god on EE. If I do any epics at all, I'll probably fill up Legendary Dreadnaught and then TR. I know there are well established builds already out there. But they're old and buried (I looked for some and came up empty). If anyone can point me towards one and maybe even opine on why they think it's a good one, I'd much appreciate it. Thank you.

[unbongwah]

While you could go for the classic monk / kensei approach, my suggestion (given that you appear to have mostly Finesseable weapons) would be to go the bard / ftr approach instead; Swashbuckler DPS bonuses are a lot more front-loaded than monk / kensei. You could do something with ftr 12 for Power Surge + extra feats (e.g., Jack Dancer); or do something more heavily MCed since you only need 8 ftr lvls for ftr PL (e.g., ftr 8 / bard 7 / rog 5 for Evasion, trap skills, and some extra SAs).

[Hamlin]

Thanks unbongwah, you bring up a good point. I was only thinking about the dumb synergy between fighter kensai and monk. I am open to bard or rogue levels. Maybe cleric for some self heals, who knows. The jack dancer is okay but I'm not 100% sold on it because I was kind of focused on twf, but I could be persuaded to switch to swf. Are there any builds out there with that 8/7/5 split? That looks interesting.

[Hamlin]

Okay unbongwah, you intrigued me with the 8/7/5 split so I decided to roll something up. This is a first draft.

Quibble Tagglefoot
8/7/5 Fighter/Bard/Rogue
Neutral Good Halfling


Level Order

1. Rogue. . . . . .6. Bard. . . . . .11. Bard . . . . . 16. Fighter
2. Bard . . . . . .7. Fighter . . . .12. Rogue. . . . . 17. Fighter
3. Bard . . . . . .8. Fighter . . . .13. Bard . . . . . 18. Fighter
4. Bard . . . . . .9. Bard. . . . . .14. Fighter. . . . 19. Fighter
5. Rogue. . . . . 10. Rogue . . . . .15. Fighter. . . . 20. Rogue


Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt. . .Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 10 . . . +6. . . .4: DEX
Dexterity . . . 18 . . . +6. . . .8: DEX
Constitution. . 16 . . . +6. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . 14 . . . +6. . . 16: DEX
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . . +6. . . 20: DEX
Charisma. . . . 14 . . . +6. . . 24: DEX
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: DEX

Skills
. . . . . R .B. B .B. R .B. F .F. B .R. B .R. B .F. F .F. F .F. F .R
. . . . . 1 .2. 3 .4. 5 .6. 7 .8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Disable . 4 . . 1 .1. 2 .1. 1 . . 1 .2. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. . . . . .4. 23
Bluff . . 4 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. . .1. 2 .1. 1 .1. 1 . . 1 . . 1 . . . .5. 23
UMD . . . 4 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Perform . . .5. 1 .1. . .2. . . . 3 . . 2 . . 2 . . . . . 1 .2. 2 .1. 22
Search. . 4 . . 1 .1. 2 .1. ½ .½. ½ .2. 1½ 1. 1 . . . .1. . . . . . . 17
Spot. . . 4 . . . . . 4 . . . . . . .5. . .2. ½ .½. . . . . . . . . . 16
Open Lo . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5. . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Balance . 4 .1. 1 .1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Jump. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Move Si . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tumble. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .40 .8. 8 .8 10 .8. 5 .5. 9 11. 9 11. 9 .5. 6 .6. 6 .6. 6 12


Feats

.1. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.3. . . . : Precision
.6. . . . : Least Dragonmark: Healing
.7 Fighter: Dodge
.8 Fighter: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
.9. . . . : Empower Healing Spell
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Piercing
15. . . . : Extend Spell
15 Fighter: Greater Single Weapon Fighting
17 Fighter: Power Attack
18. . . . : Mental Toughness
19 Fighter: Cleave
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Magical Training
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting


Spells

1. Cure Light Wounds, Focusing Chant, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall
2. Blur, Cure Moderate Wounds, Invisibility, Heroism
3. Cure Serious Wounds, Displacement

Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

1. Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III
2. Momentum Swing III, Damage Boost II
3. Lay Waste, Critical Damage III, Haste Boost III
4. Volcano's Edge
5. Devastating Critical
6. Master's Blitz

Thoughts?

[count_spicoli]

That does seem like fun heroic build and reflex save looks good. That build would not be functional in ee IMO but since you are just grinding a ftr life will be fun to get thru heroic levels.

[Hamlin]

Thanks count_spicoli. The more I like look this up and down, the more I think I'm going to go with it. I think I'm set on the class mix race stats enhancements etc. Might change the feat order.

Note to anyone reading this: I'm not crazy. Power Attack and Cleave near the end of my feats are solely to be able to use Momentum Swing and Lay Waste while grinding through dreadnaught. No other reason. Well I don't know. Maybe I'll cleave once or twice to see what happens. I might be surprised.

Note #2: I threw mental toughness/improved mental toughness in there for lack of any other ideas. I'm open to feat suggestions.

Below I'm posting the same exact build in Ron's Character Builder, the tried and true, the one we've all been using for years. For comparison to the output in post #3.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.23.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 28 Neutral Good Halfling Male
(8 Fighter \ 5 Rogue \ 7 Bard \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 422
Spell Points: 574 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 25
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             10                    16
Dexterity            18                    35
Constitution         16                    22
Intelligence         14                    20
Wisdom                8                    14
Charisma             14                    20

Tomes Used
+6 Tome of Supreme Ability used at level 23

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 28)
Balance               8                    29
Bluff                 6                    34
Concentration         3                    13
Diplomacy             2                    12
Disable Device        6                    36
Haggle                2                    12
Heal                 -1                    14
Hide                  4                    24
Intimidate            2                    12
Jump                  4                    18
Listen               -1                    11
Move Silently         8                    26
Open Lock             8                    29
Perform               n/a                  35
Repair                2                    13
Search                6                    29
Spellcraft            2                    12
Spot                  3                    25
Swim                  0                    10
Tumble                8                    26
Use Magic Device      6                    36

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Selected) Single Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Bard)
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Precision
Spell (1): Focusing Chant


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Single Weapon Fighting


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Spell (1): Feather Fall
Spell (2): Invisibility


Level 10 (Rogue)


Level 11 (Bard)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Bard)
Spell (2): Heroism
Spell (3): Cure Serious Wounds
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 14 (Fighter)


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Single Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX


Level 17 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 19 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Cleave


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Enhancement: Halfling - Halfling Luck (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Jorasco Dragonmark Focus (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Halfling - Acrobatic (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Halfling - Cunning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Lesser Dragonmark of Healing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Nimble Reaction (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Greater Dragonmark of Healing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Confidence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Swashbuckling (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - On Your Toes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Blow By Blow (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - En Pointe (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Sword Dance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doublestrike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Dashing Scoundrel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Resonant Arms (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Swift Strikes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Slap in the Face (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Thread the Needle (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Coupe De Grace (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Exploit Weakness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Knife in the Darkness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Shiv (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Venomed Blades (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Light Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Improved Mental Toughness


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Blinding Speed


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting