Big F'n Stick Build

[The_Phenx]

Man, thanks for all this confirmation! Seems like it's just incredible for this kind of build, can't wait to test it all out.

Its especially effective at lower levels...and great for tripping etc..

But at the upper level when things have 2000 hp it falls flat. I do however use it on all golem fights.

Radiance is still king since that extra 60+ points of S/A damage on each hit is too hard to ignore.

[tenketsu2]

Its especially effective at lower levels...and great for tripping etc..

But at the upper level when things have 2000 hp it falls flat. I do however use it on all golem fights.

Radiance is still king since that extra 60+ points of S/A damage on each hit is too hard to ignore.

How does Earthgrab stack up to Radiance? I've seen people say Earthgrab is good for a staff build like this, but I haven't been able to find specifics on when the Earthgrab triggers and what exactly it does (such as does it have a save to avoid).

[The_Phenx]

How does Earthgrab stack up to Radiance? I've seen people say Earthgrab is good for a staff build like this, but I haven't been able to find specifics on when the Earthgrab triggers and what exactly it does (such as does it have a save to avoid).

Earthgrab is a 5% chance of a dc 35 (reflex) vs earthgrab... which enables autocrit + autosneak. Which was AWESOME, but I think it was a little too good... all the new mobs save almost constantly vs it (In shavarath) and I can only assume they will continue to do so in all new content.

Radiance is a 10% chance of a NO SAVE vs blindness which grants auto sneak.

[tenketsu2]

Earthgrab is a 5% chance of a dc 35 (reflex) vs earthgrab... which enables autocrit + autosneak. Which was AWESOME, but I think it was a little too good... all the new mobs save almost constantly vs it (In shavarath) and I can only assume they will continue to do so in all new content.

Radiance is a 10% chance of a NO SAVE vs blindness which grants auto sneak.

Well that's disappointing. I suppose there's no chance it works on Red or Purple names? If it did even a 5% of 5% chance would be great, but I just can't see them allowing it.

[FatalBagel]

I was looking at doing a WF Acrobat/monk and hoping for some input on stats and my plan from an obviously experienced Acrobat!

Basically, I was considering:

STR 17
DEX 11
CON 14
INT 14
WIS 7
CHA 11

with some early tomes.

With a Dex of 11, I will have to wait till level 3 and a +1 tome to take Monk and Disciple of Breezes, but it seems like a reasonable option. Is there something beyond the (granted: significant) loss of AC and Reflex saves that I should be concerned about?

I plan to play with a dedicated group as dps + trap guy, so wanted to up CHA and INT a bit for diplomacy and traps while saving on the UMD focus feat. Does this seem like a reasonable way to do it or am I sacrificing too much in the DEX/WIS dept?

Thanks in advance!

[The_Phenx]

Well that's disappointing. I suppose there's no chance it works on Red or Purple names? If it did even a 5% of 5% chance would be great, but I just can't see them allowing it.

Earthgrab does not work on red/purple names...against them its just a 1d8 3d6 hit 3d6 crit 3d6 on 20 of acid damage

The radiance pulls ahead there too since on a crit it deals an extra 4d6 light damage...AND it bypass all dr for evil outsiders.

IMHO you only really need three staffs @ this point in the game.

1. Radiance II

2. Mineral II

3. New staff from new stuff with a combo I havent figured out yet lol

[The_Phenx]

I was looking at doing a WF Acrobat/monk and hoping for some input on stats and my plan from an obviously experienced Acrobat!

Basically, I was considering:

STR 17
DEX 11
CON 14
INT 14
WIS 7
CHA 11

with some early tomes.

With a Dex of 11, I will have to wait till level 3 and a +1 tome to take Monk and Disciple of Breezes, but it seems like a reasonable option. Is there something beyond the (granted: significant) loss of AC and Reflex saves that I should be concerned about?

I plan to play with a dedicated group as dps + trap guy, so wanted to up CHA and INT a bit for diplomacy and traps while saving on the UMD focus feat. Does this seem like a reasonable way to do it or am I sacrificing too much in the DEX/WIS dept?

Thanks in advance!

That 17 str is whats killing you.

Id roll with a 16 str and put those points to dex...the little bit of damage you get is nothing next to your Sneak Attack damage, and having a better balanced toon will serve you better. You will gain +3 to dex from the enhancements for acro II which will help, but I would take 2 ranks of traps sense minimum to aid you there.

The other thing to think of is your reflex is not just traps its also avoiding all those nasty damage spells with evasion.

Drop cha down to a 10 or 8 and put those to Wis/Dex ac+reflex will serve you better As for UMD you will be fine when you get some items...and some levels. I rolled with an 8 cha.. and have a base umd score of 41 at 19 level... you will be a-ok.

A 14 int is more than enough ... your diplo will be a-ok . Even without the top diplo score in the game I have no issues shedding aggro.

My $.02

[FatalBagel]

That 17 str is whats killing you.

Id roll with a 16 str and put those points to dex...the little bit of damage you get is nothing next to your Sneak Attack damage, and having a better balanced toon will serve you better. You will gain +3 to dex from the enhancements for acro II which will help, but I would take 2 ranks of traps sense minimum to aid you there.

The other thing to think of is your reflex is not just traps its also avoiding all those nasty damage spells with evasion.

Drop cha down to a 10 or 8 and put those to Wis/Dex ac+reflex will serve you better As for UMD you will be fine when you get some items...and some levels. I rolled with an 8 cha.. and have a base umd score of 41 at 19 level... you will be a-ok.

A 14 int is more than enough ... your diplo will be a-ok . Even without the top diplo score in the game I have no issues shedding aggro.

My $.02

Thanks for the advice!

I picked the 17 STR to mirror the 15 halfling str (at -2). I appreciate the perspective on Charisma and will probably drop that to 7 or 9. Dex is probably better for the WF considering the several of will-based immunities and lack of WIS-Based DC checks for a level 2 monk, so I think I'll take your advice and go:

16
14
16
14
7
9

Any major changes to your build that you would recommend for a WF with a dedicated group? (Other than skipping the dragonmark build!

[Mangloid]

Interesting build. Confused as to why you took the 2nd monk level. Was it for the feat? Seems Like a 19/1 would give you a little extra sneak attack damage,

Also what do you think about a 13 rogue/ 6 ftr/ 1 monk combo? adds 2 feats, adds 2 str, adds 2 more toughness levels, more HP, increases the BAB to 15 from 14, and gives you access to Kensai I.

[Feynt]

Evasion is very worth it, I feel.

[t0r012]

yeah you have me thinking about that 2nd monk level now. sure you get to pick up a bonus feat and an animal path but I don't know if that is worth giving up the extra lvl of SA damage you would get at 19 rog.

the other option is go 3 monk for fist of light and harmonious balance plus and opens up the light buffs. aligning the heavens which the casters love you for and the light, fire, light whos name eludes me atm but the bonus to hit, saves and skills is nice.
plus throw in still mind for +2 save vs enchantments as just a little bit extra.

yeah I'm going either 1 or 3. (btw I did reroll as a halfling)

[t0r012]

Evasion is very worth it, I feel.

you get evasion @ thief 2 already

[eddie_storm]

Any suggestions for weapon choice while leveling up? I am currently 2rogue 2monk and using the pillar of light which I am quite happy with but wondering where to go from there?

[CyberWyld]

Any suggestions for weapon choice while leveling up? I am currently 2rogue 2monk and using the pillar of light which I am quite happy with but wondering where to go from there?

A leveling gear guide would be badass for this build. )



hasta

[CyberWyld]

Hey I had a question on Ki-attacks for this build as well. Currently I'm really struggling to get over 7-8 Ki to do a single attack. I'm not missing, I'm beating the hell out of stuff with this stick, but I'm not generating any Ki. Am I doing something wrong?



hasta

[Feynt]

Have you been raising your Concentration stat?

[CyberWyld]

Have you been raising your Concentration stat?

No I have not. What is a good # to get your Concentration to to not really be missing Ki? Also the build didn't call for it at all, so I didn't figure it was that important for this particular workup?



hasta

[Feynt]

If you want to exploit monk attacks, maxing out Concentration is a must. Your Concentration is like a balance point for your ki, go over that point and your ki value drops down towards it again. The further over the value, the faster it drains away.

[CharlieStubbs]

I have also been wondering about the monk levels. 2 levels seems to give you +1/1/1 resistances and the extra feat. Not too shabby for trading 1d6.

I've been trying to lay out a 15/3/2 rogue/pali/monk but am running into attribute difficulty. Either I live with a low (10 dropping to 8 with wind stance) con in exchange for +1 resistance cha aura (or +1 ac monk wis) and +2 halfling guile SA dmg, or juice a 14 con (12 wind) for the +2 fort and 40 hp @20 and lose the above and -1 umd

any one roll this build find that you're having issues with hp or resistances ?

Secondly, aren't we limited to doing at most 10 pts of attr damage now? If so this disables auto-crit on helpless feature of Critical Strike, no?

[Feynt]

Recent testing (two weeks ago) of a Dex damaging weapon with a friend revealed I could indeed lose 16 Dex and become helpless. I imagine if Dex can take a dive, Str can too.