STR Based Unarmed TWF Monk

[The_Ick]

So I have done a DEX based monk and it is fun, but the DPS was a little light. I know they are coming out with these ‘rings” in the next raid so I am hoping that will bring their DPS up a little. Long story short I am not great with all the stats and feat reqs so I am turning to all of you for some build suggestions.

I am looking for a Min/Max STR based Monk build. Focus in TWF Unarmed for DPS and High HPs. I would like to stay Pure Monk. PP and raid loot will be a problem to get. My current Monk is dwarf and I think that match works well, but I am open to a Human or Halfling if it works for the build. If anyone has any suggestions or info, it is more then welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[rimble]

Min/Max doesn't work on any Monk build, don't do that.

Halfling

Str 14 + 5 Levels
Dex 16 + 2 Halfling Enh + 4 Stance
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 16 + 3 Monk Enh
Cha 8

TWF/ITWF/GTWF
Toughness
Stunning Fist
Stunning Blow
Power Attack
Improved Critical

[The_Ick]

Min/Max doesn't work on any Monk build, don't do that.

Halfling

Str 14 + 5 Levels
Dex 16 + 2 Halfling Enh + 4 Stance
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 16 + 3 Monk Enh
Cha 8

TWF/ITWF/GTWF
Toughness
Stunning Fist
Stunning Blow
Power Attack
Improved Critical

Thanks for the response... By Min/Max I really just meant that i wasn't looking to be well rounded or anything.


What is the dex req needed for GTWF? 17 or 19

Also, why Halfling over Dwarf (for th HP) or Human (for the HP and the feat)

[Blazer]

What is the dex req needed for GTWF? 17 or 19

ITWF and GTWF each require a 17 DEX.

[rimble]

What is the dex req needed for GTWF? 17 or 19

17. So the most you want to pinch it is a 15 and then use a +2 Dex Tome, but the 16 is cheap on the Halfling.

Also, why Halfling over Dwarf (for th HP) or Human (for the HP and the feat)

+4 Hit, +8 Damage when Sneak Attacking, which aside from just flanking, you can induce via Unbalancing Strike (on top of other things that make it occur, like other people inducing Blindness).

[The_Ick]

+4 Hit, +8 Damage when Sneak Attacking, which aside from just flanking, you can induce via Unbalancing Strike (on top of other things that make it occur, like other people inducing Blindness).

Thanks again for all the answers..

Monks get sneak attack? How so?

[rimble]

Monks get sneak attack? How so?

No, Halflings do...it's an Enhancement line.

People shy away from Halfling Strength builds, but it's only -1 Damage (since they get an automatic +1 Hit)...but much ahead of other races when Sneak Attacking.

[Aerendil]

17. So the most you want to pinch it is a 15 and then use a +2 Dex Tome, but the 16 is cheap on the Halfling.

+4 Hit, +8 Damage when Sneak Attacking, which aside from just flanking, you can induce via Unbalancing Strike (on top of other things that make it occur, like other people inducing Blindness).

Yep yep. 16 base also puts you within easy striking distance of grandmaster wind stance (18 dex required) with a +2 stat tome, which is a "must have" for 99% of monks, IMO.

Unbalancing strike is definitely very nice with Halfling enhancements. I've even seen some Monks built with a Rogue splash to take advantage of this (an extra 4-7dmg per hit in addition to the 8 dmg listed above - so + 12-15 damage per hit once your target is unbalanced, not counting any additional "backstabbing" weaponry bonuses which could provide another +5 or more dmg).
You'd want a high Wis for this to be reliable, though.

[Arkat]

Thanks again for all the answers..

Monks get sneak attack? How so?

Monks don't. Halflings do by virtue of some enhancements called Halfling Guile I believe.

[rimble]

I've even seen some Monks built with a Rogue splash to take advantage of this (an extra 4-7dmg per hit in addition to the 8 dmg listed above - so + 12-15 damage per hit once your target is unbalanced, not counting any additional "backstabbing" weaponry bonuses which could provide another +5 or more dmg).

Yep, I had that in the plan until the Level 20 Monk stuff was announced...gimme that DR!

And don't get me wrong, the full line of Halfling Enhancements aren't cheap...but I've fit them all in and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything else terribly significant.

[The_Ick]

No, Halflings do...it's an Enhancement line.

People shy away from Halfling Strength builds, but it's only -1 Damage (since they get an automatic +1 Hit)...but much ahead of other races when Sneak Attacking.

Ahh, never knew that. So let me ask you this then. Is it worth building a STR based monk or should i just pile on the Dex, go finesse and rebuild my current monk as a halfling.

Seems like the STR isn't going to get me much more and the halfling is where the benefit really lies...

[rimble]

Ahh, never knew that. So let me ask you this then. Is it worth building a STR based monk or should i just pile on the Dex, go finesse and rebuild my current monk as a halfling.

Seems like the STR isn't going to get me much more and the halfling is where the benefit really lies...

As I like to always say, this is just one guys opinion:

I don't like Finesse Monks.



Here's how I see it:

Halfling Finesse Monk, usually 12 Str, 18 Dex.
Halfling Strength Monk, usually 14 Str, 16 Dex.

After your 5 level ups, and being in Wind Stance (+4 Dex) all the time:

Halfling Finesse Monk, 12 Str, 27 Dex.
Halfling Strength Monk, 19 Str, 20 Dex.

Everything else they both will have the same (items, stat enhancements, etc).

It's a difference of +3 or +4 Hit/AC/Reflex (and a Feat) on the Finesse build versus +3 or +4 Damage on the Strength build. That's not really a very big difference between the two, so keep in mind we're talking pretty minor differences.

However, I personally feel that Damage is always better, because it always works. My Hit is already really good. AC only matters if you're being attacked. More Reflex is nice, but not a big deal.

[Maegin]

id only consider halfing for a specific build in mind, but human for generalization and balance.

If you really wanna try going for consistant dps, consider wf.

[The_Ick]

id only consider halfing for a specific build in mind, but human for generalization and balance.

If you really wanna try going for consistant dps, consider wf.

What would Warforge bring to the table?

[Arkat]

What would Warforge bring to the table?

A WF Monk with the WF immunities, a ton of hitpoints, and enough Healer's Friend, Monk Recovery, and Healing Amplification brings ultimate survivability especially in the Subterrane. The 10/Epic DR for reaching 20th level only adds to that.

Come to Khyber, group with me, and see for yourself!

[bobbryan2]

A WF Monk with the WF immunities, a ton of hitpoints, and enough Healer's Friend, Monk Recovery, and Healing Amplification brings ultimate survivability epecially in the Subterrane. The 10/Epic DR for reaching 20th level only adds to that.

Come to Khyber, group with me, and see for yourself!

And +3 damage per hand with WF power attack.

[twoton]

a wf str based monk in windstance starting at 16 str with ending str at 26 or 28 str with +2 tome. Could end up with a 21 to 22 base dmg (+8 or +9 from str, +8 from pa, +5 handwraps.) just remember you will end up doing more dps (damage per second in windstance than you will in fire stance)

[Luxmus]

Thanks for the response... By Min/Max I really just meant that i wasn't looking to be well rounded or anything.


What is the dex req needed for GTWF? 17 or 19

Also, why Halfling over Dwarf (for th HP) or Human (for the HP and the feat)

Halfling get self-healing (dragonmark feat)

[unbongwah]

Impressive Thread Necro roll there.

[yannakis]

hey i have a lvl 12 WF monk but im not rly satisfied.
I die a lot while my dps is pretty low
stats:
str 21
dex 22
con 18
int 10
wis 23
cha 8

dunno if its me or the race i selected or level but considering to roll a halfing
i dont have 32pt build
no tomes atm but can buy a couple of +2

i use most of the times wind stance and when needed earth stance.
my heal is very low and even with with fortification i still take plently of dmg