Any elf monks using rapiers?

[Angelus_dead]

It occurs to me that since elves and drow have natural rapier proficiency (and accompanying enhancements), that it might be a good idea for a pure or mostly-pure monk of those races to turn to a rapier when fighting high-level DPS-only bosses, such as Arraetrikos or Suulomades.

I suppose the most convincing case would be if you were a Drow. Spending 12 AP on weapon enhancements (and switching your Imp Crit feat to match) would let you TWF with 15-20/x2 and 17-20/x2 crits, instead of the 19-20/x2 gotten from Kamas. All attacks would be at +2 damage, and only a net -2 attack rolls (because being uncentered reduces from 16 to 12, but the enhancement adds +2). Activate Madstone Boots and your BAB returns to 16 regardless of weapon choice.

Alternatively, an elf monk could keep Imp Crit slash to work with kama, but equip a longsword into the mainhand for similar kinds of benefits. Dwarf monks could try it with handaxes, or monks of any race that have splashed fighter, rogue, or paladin might attempt it (but without supporting enhancements). I haven't done the math on how much DPS would be gained, or compared it with how much benefit is lost from the monk specials you can't use.

But I wonder if anyone has already tried this substitution.

[Dark-Star]

When I was initially building my monks these were my thoughts as well. It turned out to be a slippery slope as I started questioning what a monk really offered over a monk-splashed melee with a full time focus on one of the superior weapons. With three monk levels, you could essentially get the two main monk raid buffs, and cast healing curse, then swap back to rapiers (or whatever) 95% of the time.

For me it looked like AC was the same, DPS was higher, and I was able to add more raid utility through a hybrid.

I don't want this to turn into a monk hate thread please, just wanted give a perspective to A_D's question.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

I have sent good weps that my monk was proficient in to my monk, even though they make him uncentered.
Handaxe, Crossbow.......dagger. And a rapier to my drow monk.

I duel weilded the Ugly stick and a dagger of pure good in Delera's against ghostly skellies for instance. And the crossbow getes some use on occasion.

Not sure about the rapier yet. It would depend on the situation really.

All of a monks advantages come when centered.....so I would only consider other weps for special situations IMO.

[Angelus_dead]

With three monk levels, you could essentially get the two main monk raid buffs, and cast healing curse, then swap back to rapiers (or whatever) 95% of the time.

That won't really work. Using non-monk weapons means you can't retain any Ki, and those buffs last 60 seconds at most. To switch to rapiers would mean giving up nearly every Ki-using power for the rest of that battle.

[Guildmaster_Kadish]

Problem is that you become uncentered and can't use any KI abilities... so you're better off being a ranger with a splash of monk and getting the buffs and damage.

[Gratch]

That won't really work. Using non-monk weapons means you can't retain any Ki, and those buffs last 60 seconds at most. To switch to rapiers would mean giving up nearly every Ki-using power for the rest of that battle.

I could see in Part 4 of the shroud:

Initial phase: Kamas to build up ki and kill mobs
Start of PF: Release Ki buffs to group
Rest of PF: Switch to Rapiers for higher damage output

Devil/gnoll phase: Kamas to replenish ki.

Part 5 doesn't present any red-named downtime so you'd have to cycle between Kamas/Rapiers as needed.

Though given you'd probably want green-steel items... that would be a lot to build for a small dps advantage on a crit resistant boss.

I could probably moreso see having IC: pierce for banishing/smiting/puncturing rapiers for any character with GTWF... almost regardless of class... when the situation arises to use those weapons and you have access to them. Though I currently have 6 green steel items (half tier 3) and 0 WoP rapiers... making access a key word.

[Angelus_dead]

Part 5 doesn't present any red-named downtime so you'd have to cycle between Kamas/Rapiers as needed.

The value added by your Ki buffs probably doesn't outweigh the DPS you'd surrender by switching back and forth to kama.