Monk with Rogue splashed (need advice)

[Hikaro676]

I have decided to play a Rogue 2/Monk 18 and need some info and advice.

I am making a halfling so that I can take the healing dragonmark. (unless everyone tells me that it is useless)

My stats are:
STR - 12
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 14
WIS - 14
CHA - 8

(Thank you GreyDeath for the stat distribution advice)
I am going to use a plus 1 str tome to get Power attack prereq. i will put all my level up points into DEX (I am going weapon finesse)

I Took my first level as a Rogue. That was suggested me me to get the extra stuff at creation.

I put 4 points into these skill upon creation:
Balance
Disable Device
Hide
Jump
Move Silently
Open Lock
Search
UMD

I put 2 points into
Swim
Spot

i put 4 points into (which equaled 2 points since it is cross class)
Concentration

I am planning on going handwraps and super ac (best I can for 18 monk levels). I will take the healing dragonmarks as I go up.

Questions I have are these:
-What are the best feats to take from the 2 rogue levels? Are there some that can only be taken on the rogue levels?
-When should I take rogue level number 2?
-If I start with a rogue level is my ac still going to be based off of WIS (when I take monk) or is it different....not sure how it works with multiclass.
-Any advice on Feats....I can't seem to pick em. I will take weapon finesse and the healing dragonmark...not sure where to go from there and what order to take em. Was thinking Power attack and toughness...

Also any advice you can think of that I didn't ask about would be awesome.

Thank you for taking your time to share you wisdom.

[RATRACE931]

Yeah if you make a Monk its my devoted opinion that you DONT multiclass it... *sigh* but since i know u will neways kuz its what u want... lets work on your stats first. My healing mark Halfling Monk stats are as follows

12 STR
18 DEX
10 CON (Yes its low bear with me)
11 INT
16 WIS
8 CHA

Now that is a pure class, so not much UMD to speak of, but i dont need it at because i have Healing Marks. Great AC, good DC's on special abilities and more than enough healing capabilities. on to ur questions
If you have to take rogue levels take 1 lvl first and the 2nd very last as this will maximise your UMD. There arnt any Rogue Only feat so ur good on that department, as soon as u take a monk lvl your Wisdom will be added to our AC as long as u are centered and not burdened. Feats i recommend are , Weapon Finese, Greater TWF, Stunning Fist, Healing Marks, PA and CE (At lvl 20 im pretty sure u will have room for these feats) Toughness is not needed with your AC and Healing marks though it would be nice.

[Greydeath]

I have decided to play a Rogue 2/Monk 18 and need some info and advice.

I am making a halfling so that I can take the healing dragonmark. (unless everyone tells me that it is useless)

My stats are:
STR - 12
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 14
WIS - 14
CHA - 8

(Thank you GreyDeath for the stat distribution advice)
I am going to use a plus 1 str tome to get Power attack prereq. i will put all my level up points into DEX (I am going weapon finesse)

I put 2 points into
Swim
Spot

No prob, glad to help.

The two points in Swim are probably unnecessary, and would work better in Spot.

Another skill to consider would be Intimidate since you have access to it; however, you would have a hard time keeping it maxed given you want the other Rogue abilities as well.

The only other suggestion/option would be to move two points from STR to DEX. This would require a +3 tome for Pwr Attack, but would improve your tohit and AC by 1.

You get 7 character and 3 class feats. Ratrace's list is good, but I would forgoe Stunning Fist for Toughness. Also some dislike taking multiple stance feats (CE & Pwr Atk) in which case feel free to switch one out.

No need to wait until lvl20 to take your second Rog, merely long enough to be able to effeciently spend those skill points. That is go Rog1, then Monk2+ putting points into Concentrate, Search and Disable and then around lvl8 you will be able to put all your Rog skill points into Rog skills (DD/Search and bringing UMD up to par).

Finally, are you firm on the Monk18/Rog2 split?

[Aerendil]

Finally, are you firm on the Monk18/Rog2 split?

Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing. Rog 2 is generally for Evasion, and you'll have Improved Evasion anyways.
The +1 Dex from the lvl 2 enhancement is neglible, really. You go Rogue for skill boosts / some trapfinding skills / 1d6 + 3 sneak attack damage.

So the question then becomes, is that worth the tradeoff for losing your final fists damage improvement, slow fall - any distance, your final +1 AC, and DR 10/epic? Tough call.
There's also something on the Compendium at Monk 20 called Shining Star, but I'm not sure what that's about - haven't heard anything about it, so it could simply be an early testing thing. So let's ignore that for now.

If you're aiming for some Rogue levels, I'd stick with 1, personally. But I'm with Grey on this one - pure 20 Monk is looking to be pretty darn good.

[Greydeath]

If you're aiming for some Rogue levels, I'd stick with 1, personally. But I'm with Grey on this one - pure 20 Monk is looking to be pretty darn good.

Indeed it does, but I can understand the desire to be trap capable - it does open up additional grouping options and is certainly nice when soloing.

However, more it was from the perspective that other splits might be more beneficial:
Rog19/Mnk1
Rog18/Mnk2
Rog13/Mnk7
Rog12/Mnk8
Mnk13/Rog7

just for example - there are other options as well obviously.

[Kriogen]

Skill cost at monk levels:
+1 Concentration (class)
+1 Spot (class)
+2 search (cross class)
+2 disable device (cross class)
+2 UMD (cross class)
+1 open lock (is +2, but as locks dont explode, 1/2 will do ok)
= 9

You get: 4(monk) +2(int bonus) +1(int tome) = 6 or 7. Your are 2-3 points short.

At rogue level:
+2 Concentration (cross)
+1 Spot (class)
+1 search (class)
+1 disable device (class)
+1 UMD (class)
+1 open lock
= 7
You get: 8 + 2 = 10 (11). So 3-4 points left.

I'd go Monk13/Rogue7 or something like that. With only 4 skills/level its tricky to max rogue skills with only 1-2 splash. And if you don't max them, why even bother with rogue. With more then rogue 2 its easier, but then no rank 3 for PrE, so you can just got 13/7, 12/8, etc...

[Aerendil]

^^ Yeah, that's problem #1. It's the same issue I'm having trying to plan a Bard/Rog mix. Too many cross class skills. Especially with a class like Monk where you have 4 other stats you already want semi-high, you're not going to have room for a high Int as well (unless you go Drow and have a +2 INT tome sitting around).

The other issue is, as Grey pointed out, if you're going to give up the level 20 goodies, you may as well *really* multiclass. Rogue12(acrobat)/Monk8 or Rog18/Monk2 with quarterstaves is currently one of the more popular setups, but there are others as he pointed out.

Something to think about

[Greydeath]

Skill cost at monk levels:
+1 Concentration (class)
+1 Spot (class)
+2 search (cross class)
+2 disable device (cross class)
+2 UMD (cross class)
+1 open lock (is +2, but as locks dont explode, 1/2 will do ok)
= 9

Currently he gets 6sp a level.

He should focus on these:
+2 search (cross class)
+2 disable device (cross class)
+2 UMD (cross class)

And use his Monk levels to up Conc until his 2nd Rog level maxes out the Rog skills. Then he has to just keep them maxed.

Conc with items and shroud +CON skills does not NEED to be maxed... it just helps out, especially at the lower levels.

Conversely, raising UMD at half rate would be ok given the generous boost it gets from the full Rog levels - this would allow Conc to be maxed. In any event, to be a trap Monk Search and Disable need to be maxed.