Unbalancing strike and sneak attack

[LennyDaKnife]

Hey all, I am new to the game and been reading monk posts. I read about Ramesse's sneak attack/watermonk. How can a pure monk use sneak attack? I thought only rogues could do it. I know unbalanceing strike improves a chance to pull off sneak attacks. Does it gives monks a sneak attack so halfling guile adds to damage? I did not see it in the forums but I noticed Ramesse's build has Hafling guile IV which improves sneak attack damage. Thanks

[Garth_of_Sarlona]

Non-rogues can also get sneak attack by using items with the 'backstabbing' suffix on them. I use Tharne's Goggles (+5 to attack, +8 to damage) on my monk and an unbalancing strike gives me an effective +7 to attack (+5 and the -2 AC) and +8 to damage.

Unbalancing strike only works on mobs with legs. An unbalanced mob gets a -2 to ac and sneak attacks until they save. If you're using handwraps or kamas then hitting the unbalancing strike at the right time gives you two unbalancing attacks (thus the mobs has to save twice) which is quite nice.

You will also automatically 'sneak' on a stunned mob (although the sneak attack damage is not multipled) so wearing or using backstabbing items will help you if you're based around stunning fist.

Other more accessible sneak attack items include the Set Bonus items from Korthos Island (Nimble Grasp and Nimble Brooch) - these will do well until you level up a bit.

At mid levels - the surprisingly elite Goggles of Intuition from the Bloody Crypt). Once you reach gianthold, the Backstabbers Gloves from Crucible are also nice but they use a valuable slot.

At high levels - run VOD until you get the Tharne's Goggles!

You can also get pretty decent wraps with sneak attack - I was using a +4 holy burst wraps of +1 sneak until I got the goggles from VOD.

Garth

[baddax]

For non rogue splashes unbalancing strike will allow you to add sneak attack modifiers IF your unbalancing strike was successful. ie. mob fails DC check.


Glad to hear someone else has found some quality builds from Ramesse's. He is no longer with us but his spirit lives on.

[LennyDaKnife]

Thank you for the information that helps a bunch. Sounds like a halfling water monk could be interesting and fun.

[Hasteclicky]

The halfing guile and cunning line are available to halflings of any class. That's what they mean in combination with a backstabbing item. Also anyone else in party with sneak attacks(from race/class/or item) will get them for free also against any mob failing the save vs unbalancing strike. My brother and I both run water based halfling stunners and they are the bomb.