Monk Build - For Review

[Maldavenous]

I'm sure it's not anything too different from stuff that's been posted but wanted to make sure I didn't miss something as this is my first true monk.

Human Monk 20

Attributes:
STR - 14 +2 tome, +6 item, +2 level
DEX - 15 +2 tome, +6 item, +1 Human, +2 level
CON - 14 +2 tome, +6 item
INT - 12 +1 tome
WIS - 15 +2 tome, +6 item, +3 Monk, +1 Human, +1 level
CHA - 8
EDIT: No longer requires +3 tome for STR to get GM Sun by moving Human enhancement to WIS.

Feats:
1L. Two Weapon Fighting
1H. Dodge
1M. Stunning Fist
2M. Power Attack
3L. Toughness
3M. Path of Light/Dark (still need to decide)
6L. Skill Focus: Concentration
6M. Combat Expertise
9L. Improved Two Weapon Fighting
12L. Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
15L. Greater Two Weapon Fighting
18L. Discipline/Toughness/Stunning Blow (one of these)

Primary Stances:
Water
Fire

Skills:
Concentration
Other Stuff

Equipment:
Normal Raid Gear and Stuffs (chattering ring, minos, DT robe, madstone boots, GS prot+5/heavy fort/45HP, tumbleweed or new raid ring, etc.)

[BlackRage]

Attributes:
STR - 13 +2 tome, +6 item, +1 Human, +2 level (+3 tome for 18 and Grandmaster Sun)
DEX - 15 +2 tome, +6 item, +1 Human, +2 level
CON - 14 +2 tome, +6 item
INT - 11 +2 tome
WIS - 16 +2 tome, +6 item, +3 Monk, +1 level
CHA - 8

Generally not great to split your level ups like that.

Feats:
3. Toughness
6. Skill Focus: Concentration
18. Discipline/Two Weapon Defense/Toughness/Stunning Blow (one of these)

Only need one toughness and SF: Conc is unnecessary

[mzprox]

I dont know too much about monks, but the starting stats are not optimal.

Take min 1 from wisdom, thats two more point to spend: 1 str 1 int for example. Now put one lvl up into wis instead of str, you will have the same stats in the end except you gained +1 int, which is 1 extra skillpoint/lvl

[Aerendil]

Couple of quick comments:
- if you're going Sun/Water-based, commit to those stats. Putting some level ups into DEX doesn't make sense, as you won't be using it much. Go with STR/WIS for level ups (can split the points up if you like, but do try to aim for a 30ish WIS by endgame if you're planning on using Stunning Fist / QP).

- is this a "flavor" build? If not, do consider DEX/WIS. I know it's what everyone is, but there's a reason for that - it's because STR stance sucks currently. You'll have more ki than you'll know what to do with even without Sun stance, and it doesn't add anything better to that. Wind stance's haste so far trumps everything. More hits = more ki.
Also keep in mind if you Stunning Fist a target, what will do more damage? Fire stance or Wind? (answer = wind. more swings that will auto-crit = significantly more damage).
That said, if you want to go with STR/WIS, I respect that. Just pointing out that there are people who will call you "gimp".

- the feats are a bit weird, although you do have the right ones in the right spots (i.e. ITWF at 9, GTWF at 15).
SF:Conc, a second toughness, etc. are all unneccessary, but generally speaking they're all yours to play with so I won't be too harsh on them. You've got all the essentials (TWF line, one Toughness, Power Attack, Stunning Fist, CE) which generally leaves a monk with 2 or 3 feats to play with - more if you're Human. So take whatever you like, really. Also, the improved crit: bludgeoning is somewhat useful, but less so than on other builds. As mentioned above, Stunning Fist if it connects, renders auto-crits on a mob, so your threat range becomes meaningless at that point. It's a good feat for trash mobs though.

[Mobeius]

My opinion is that Wis needs to be raised and you can drop skill focus: Concentration and Weapons Finesse is only to hit, You wont have an issue hitting end game. As to what you should swtich two, i am not sure since your monk is different in style. I would reccomend die hard for the baby levels and swap out later. Your feat list is little off to me, seems like you have either too much, or using monk bonus feats for any old feat choice. I am missing I have the same feats except for Improved Crit, Weapons Finesse and Skill Focus and looking at my monk right now trying to see what I have that you dont. FYI Two Weapon Defense and Blocking does NOT work for monks and unarmed combat.

I disagree str sucks by other posters. each str is + to hit and damage.

Your human is different than mine as I am fcoused on Water Stance and Windstance, even though I also have Sun and Earth stance.

I would try to figure out how to have atleast an 18 in all primary stats (Wis, Dex, Str and Con) with +3 tomes mind at best and it might take awhile. Just for the express purpose that if you want to "fix" your monk later on, all you need is feat and AP swaps maybe.

Let me know how it works for you, Sun is the only one I really cant see a reason taking 1 or 2 ranks max. I recently dropped it only one rank of Sun and Dropping eagles claw for other AP's

Splitting your level ups, is generally bad news, but monks are so MAD, I dont think you can really go wrong placing them, except MAYBE Charisma

[baddax]

No Ranger Levels?!?!
What kind of monk build is this?
Thumbs down!! Way Down!!

[Maldavenous]

No Ranger Levels?!?!
What kind of monk build is this?
Thumbs down!! Way Down!!

I'm going to assume this is sarcasm

[Maldavenous]

My opinion is that Wis needs to be raised and you can drop skill focus: Concentration and Weapons Finesse is only to hit, You wont have an issue hitting end game.

I don't have and don't plan on having Weapon Finesse. I used Skill Focus: Concentration as a filler to some extend, seemed it'd be the most useful to a monk planning on using a lot of skill attacks and Ki. My Dex isn't much higher than my STR so really no need for Weapon Finesse, also I don't plan on using Wind Stance too often more likely to use water to land my monk attacks and get AC vs. normal creatures then Sun Stance for more damage and more ATK on bosses. Wind Stance will help with the 10% bonus on top of haste at Grandmaster and I may have it but my stats will allow me to grandmaster everything with a +2 tome or less except earth which would take a +4 tome.

Your feat list is little off to me, seems like you have either too much, or using monk bonus feats for any old feat choice. I am missing I have the same feats except for Improved Crit, Weapons Finesse and Skill Focus and looking at my monk right now trying to see what I have that you dont. FYI Two Weapon Defense and Blocking does NOT work for monks and unarmed combat.

Thanks for the tip on Two Weapon Defense. The feats list should be correct:
Human Monk - Level 1 Human Feat, Monk Feat, Level 1 Feat. Level 2 Monk Feat. Level 3 Monk Path, Level Feat. Level 6 Monk Feat, Level Feat. Level 9 Level Feat. Level 12 Level Feat. Level 15 Level Feat. Level 18 Level Feat (the difference between your monk and mine is most likely that mine's human and assuming a feat at level 18 that you can't have yet.)

I disagree str sucks by other posters. each str is + to hit and damage.

I agree about STR. I don't want to do a heavy DEX build for a few more AC at the cost of damage and using a feat for Finesse that isn't really necessary.

I would try to figure out how to have atleast an 18 in all primary stats (Wis, Dex, Str and Con) with +3 tomes mind at best and it might take awhile. Just for the express purpose that if you want to "fix" your monk later on, all you need is feat and AP swaps maybe.

With my level up distribution and starting feats I'll get an 18 in everything except CON with a +2 tome or less. +4 for CON.

Splitting your level ups, is generally bad news, but monks are so MAD, I dont think you can really go wrong placing them, except MAYBE Charisma

Yeah, I wouldn't have done this with any other class but I wanted to hit 18 in STR/DEX/WIS and have good AC and monk bonuses.

[Maldavenous]

Only need one toughness and SF: Conc is unnecessary

Any thoughts on feats that would be better? Toughness is extra HP which is more useful than most other feats that I know of.

[Maldavenous]

I dont know too much about monks, but the starting stats are not optimal.

Take min 1 from wisdom, thats two more point to spend: 1 str 1 int for example. Now put one lvl up into wis instead of str, you will have the same stats in the end except you gained +1 int, which is 1 extra skillpoint/lvl

I definitely went through that. 1 more STR and 1 INT/CHA is all I could get from that. 11 INT is the most I'd want, I'd go with 10 if I thought I could easily get a +3 tome (I know I can eventually but I don't have to be sitting around at level 20 waiting on my 40th Shroud/Hound/Reaver run for a +3 tome.) So I'd be losing 1 WIS, points off Will Save, AC and Saves for my attacks for 1 STR that would put me odd until I find a +3 tome anyway.

[BlackRage]

Any thoughts on feats that would be better? Toughness is extra HP which is more useful than most other feats that I know of.

Mobility & Spring Attck are nice, but Wpn Focus & Stunning Blow would be good too.

I definitely went through that. 1 more STR and 1 INT/CHA is all I could get from that. 11 INT is the most I'd want, I'd go with 10 if I thought I could easily get a +3 tome (I know I can eventually but I don't have to be sitting around at level 20 waiting on my 40th Shroud/Hound/Reaver run for a +3 tome.) So I'd be losing 1 WIS, points off Will Save, AC and Saves for my attacks for 1 STR that would put me odd until I find a +3 tome anyway.

Not quite. He is saying that you could have the same END stats, but pick up a free bump to INT. It is a more efficient point buy that does not change your final stats. This gets you more skill points or saves you a +2 INT tome... Conversely you could move the INT points somewhere else and grind for the +3, but I hear you on having to waiting to get it...

[Maldavenous]

Not quite. He is saying that you could have the same END stats, but pick up a free bump to INT. It is a more efficient point buy that does not change your final stats. This gets you more skill points or saves you a +2 INT tome... Conversely you could move the INT points somewhere else and grind for the +3, but I hear you on having to waiting to get it...

Oh right right, I'll move a level up point from STR to WIS and end up in the same spot. Okay, good catch then . The 1 extra skill point per level isn't totally vital though seeing I'm already using skill points on some pretty useless stuff. Thanks for correcting me there.

[Mobeius]

Well I am a level 16 Human Monk. I need +3 tomes for str and dex to have access to GM level and I need a +4 con tome for GM earth. I focused on Wisdom affects my stunning fist, QP and other things like Unbalancing Strike I


My feats are

TWF. ITWF, GTWF, Dodge, CE, PA, Stunning Fist, Quiv Palm, Path of Light and Toughness.

like 10 feats total IRCC. Dont forget the bonus monk feats are not like bonus fighter feats, your selection is limited.

[BlackRage]

Oh right right, I'll move a level up point from STR to WIS and end up in the same spot. Okay, good catch then . The 1 extra skill point per level isn't totally vital though seeing I'm already using skill points on some pretty useless stuff. Thanks for correcting me there.

No prob. Monks really have some good skill options though. Consider maxing the following for Mod9:
Balance
Concentrate
Hide
Jump
Move Silently
Spot

Pull a point from Balance or Jump to get one rank in Tumble.