Ranger / Rogue - adding monk worth it?

[lunaticcat]

I have a Ranger / Rogue and am concidering adding a level of Monk to boost his AC with the wisdom bonus. I am not very familiar with the monk abilities at all and wonder if this will be worth it or not.

Currentl runs Icy Rainments, Bracers AC 7 etc... and uses Rapiers.

Stats: with items etc
STR: 21
Dex: 28
Con: 13
Int: 16
Wis: 16 could boost 4 more with item
CHA:18

I dont want to move away from his rapier build, but am not sure if i add the monk class if using the weapons will dirupt any advantages I get.

Looking for input and appreciate any comments.

[redraider]

Well, the long term question is "What will be the BAB for the mobs and bosses in Mod 9 and will it change from the Lamania preview?". It doesn't look like a monk wis AC bonus nerf is in the cards, so that should be OK.

Anyone got a handle on the BAB on Lamania? Unscientifically, I think a 60 AC will get you basically autohit in the new content mob areas. I imagine the raid bosses will autohit 70+.

Based on that, unless your lvl of Monk gets you over 70 AC, I'm not sure it would be worth it, but that all depends on your build and playstyle.

[Demoyn]

Do a forum search for the "exploiter build". You'll thank me later.

Edit: I realize you already have the character built and partially leveled, but outside of that horrific 18 charisma (seriously... what the hell were you thinking?) you can still apply the theories from that build to yours.

Second edit: I notice that your stats are posted after items (don't do that, it gives a false picture). If your character has a 13 constitution AFTER items just go ahead and reroll right now; icy raiments or not.

[Thanimal]

Yep. Slap on the mentioned +4 WIS item and take a Monk level and you'll instantly get +6 AC (including the +1 "centered bonus" that actually doesn't require you to be centered), a bonus feat, and a nice bump to all your saves.

No worries about using Rapiers -- the Monk level is MORE than worth it without ever using a stance, a Kama, or handwraps.

Somewhat sadly, a Monk splash into a Ranger/Rogue build is a total no-brainer right now.

[Leyoni]

Question is, how many rogue levels?

I run a ranger/rogue/monk with 2 levels each in rogue and monk. If I were to do it again (and I am) I would not run the rogue levels at all.

The AC boost is worth it but the trade-off could be L18 ranger enhancements.

If you've already taken enough rogue levels to make L18 enhancements unreachable and if you have L12 ranger still open to you then I'd recommend taking the monk levels. Or, if you only have 1 level of rogue then I'd recommend 1 level of monk.

Sort of build dependent though.

[Leyoni]

Yep. Slap on the mentioned +4 WIS item and take a Monk level and you'll instantly get +6 AC (including the +1 "centered bonus" that actually doesn't require you to be centered), a bonus feat, and a nice bump to all your saves.

No worries about using Rapiers -- the Monk level is MORE than worth it without ever using a stance, a Kama, or handwraps.

Somewhat sadly, a Monk splash into a Ranger/Rogue build is a total no-brainer right now.

Not entirely true. The centered bonus requires 2 levels of monk.

[lunaticcat]

Question is, how many rogue levels?

I run a ranger/rogue/monk with 2 levels each in rogue and monk. If I were to do it again (and I am) I would not run the rogue levels at all.

The AC boost is worth it but the trade-off could be L18 ranger enhancements.

If you've already taken enough rogue levels to make L18 enhancements unreachable and if you have L12 ranger still open to you then I'd recommend taking the monk levels. Or, if you only have 1 level of rogue then I'd recommend 1 level of monk.

Sort of build dependent though.

Currently a 13 ranger / 3 rogue build.

[Club'in]

Have you eaten a +1 Wisdom tome?

Currently with your 20 wisdom you'd gain 6 AC. 5 from the Wisdom bonus, 1 from Monk. After mod 9, you'd lose the 1 from Monk if you aren't centered. You could get this back by taking 2 levels of monk, using the 2nd level Wisdom enhancement, and eating a +1 tome.

Have you taken Combat Expertise? Your intel is high enough that you could take that as your Monk bonus feat. (and maybe Toughness for the second monk level bonus feat). This would give you 11 or 12 total improved AC from your 2 monk levels.

*edit - doh, just notice you were 16 with items, you need 13 intel without items to be able to take Combat Expertise

[Demoyn]

Currently a 13 ranger / 3 rogue build.

Yeah... just reroll now. You're going to be extremely disappointed in the next mod.

[lunaticcat]

Do a forum search for the "exploiter build". You'll thank me later.

Edit: I realize you already have the character built and partially leveled, but outside of that horrific 18 charisma (seriously... what the hell were you thinking?) you can still apply the theories from that build to yours.

Second edit: I notice that your stats are posted after items (don't do that, it gives a false picture). If your character has a 13 constitution AFTER items just go ahead and reroll right now; icy raiments or not.

Sorry for the confusion:

Stats:
STR 14 base, 1 inherent
Dex 18 base, 1 inherent, 3 feat
Con 12 base, 1 inherent
Int 15 base, 1 inherent
Wis 12 base, 2 inherent
Cha 12 base,

[Demoyn]

Con 12 base, 1 inherent

The good news is that a 12 base con is workable. The bad news is that you're a level 16 character without a con item (and yet you have a +6 charisma item...).

[Thanimal]

Yeah... just reroll now. You're going to be extremely disappointed in the next mod.

On the other hand, if you keep this guy the decision just got even easier. It's already the case that you can never qualify for Tempest III (at Ranger 18), so I really can't see ANY reason not to take a Monk level (assuming you're Lawful!).

[Leyoni]

On the other hand, if you keep this guy the decision just got even easier. It's already the case that you can never qualify for Tempest III (at Ranger 18), so I really can't see ANY reason not to take a Monk level (assuming you're Lawful!).

That is correct. You should absolutely take at least 1 level of monk. Your split is rather awkward, IMO, as I would never have taken the 3d rogue level. Too late now.

Now the question is 1 monk and 3 rogue for a L6 rogue enhancement (not much there, but up to you) or 2 monk and 2 ranger. Personally, I'd suggest 2 monk and 2 ranger. You'll benefit from the AC boost and the WIS enhancement. Eventually toss a +3 WIS tome to go with that enhancement.

Definitely take CE if you don't already have it. You are not going to be missing much anyway and the +5 to AC is a big jump.