Rockan Robin, pure monk build and philosophy

[CountHenri]

I decided to change to crane path instead of tortoise (hp) or hound (flanking to-hit) because it generates a lot of extra ki. Because this is a focused stunning build, ki on-crit allows you to build ki much more quickly in order to keep the punches going. This is more noticeable past level 9 when you get Touch of Death or level 15 when you get Quivering Palm. The goal is to manage your ki so you can keep all 3 of these on timer at all times.

Ahhhh it makes sense now I wasn't thinking far enough ahead...

Thanks again for this excellent build

[CountHenri]

Well now he's got Touch of Death going I see how the Crane stance helps a lot

Looking at the GS gear - the Radience II cloak proc would give auto sneak on hit right?

Wondering if a triple Earth with Earthgrab for auto crit would be a good choice as well?

It'd certainly be cheaper on mats (2 Large scales vs 6!)...

Again not sure how the 2 compare in pratice so any advice helpful...

[Anthios888]

Well now he's got Touch of Death going I see how the Crane stance helps a lot

Looking at the GS gear - the Radience II cloak proc would give auto sneak on hit right?

Wondering if a triple Earth with Earthgrab for auto crit would be a good choice as well?

It'd certainly be cheaper on mats (2 Large scales vs 6!)...

Again not sure how the 2 compare in pratice so any advice helpful...

Yep, radiance guard gives 4d6 light damage and blindness. Blindness reduces mobs DEX bonus to AC (meaning they're easier to hit) and makes sneak attacks autoland. Earthgrab is also excellent. If I were doing it again, I'd make Mineral II to allow me to put toughness on any epic robe and free up my helm slot. Epic Helm of the Mroranon, epic crappy helm in house D, and Epic Red Dragonhelm come to mind. But... earthgrab is a great and cheap option as well.

[Fafnir]

Hi - what did you put in the blue slot on your red dragonscale robe? It seems you lament a few gearing quirks. Thinking of putting good luck into mine.

[rodallec]

ummm dont make radiance boots cos all your dark stuff works while madstoned
i know nothing has been said about it but just warning people not to make my mistake haha -.-

[Anthios888]

Hi - what did you put in the blue slot on your red dragonscale robe? It seems you lament a few gearing quirks. Thinking of putting good luck into mine.

Nothing yet. There is currently a BUG where you cannot dispel the augments on epic dragonscale robes. I won't be slotting it until I'm absolutely sure. I had been considering luck 2 / natural 4, but I'll probably hold out in case I need the heavy fort/toughness (like if I decide to move minos to cloak or belt or bracers or ring or something).

Just hit 20 cap yesterday again and I am soooo pleased =)

[Fafnir]

Well done on 20 (again). Good work.

Thanks for the tip on the bug. I didn't know of it. This conversation also reminded me I haven't put the alchemical bonus onto my red robe. I totally forgot about it and presumably it works fine...

...and presumably Natural 4 doesn't stack with barkskin?

[ArtosKincaid]

Nothing yet. There is currently a BUG where you cannot dispel the augments on epic dragonscale robes. I won't be slotting it until I'm absolutely sure. I had been considering luck 2 / natural 4, but I'll probably hold out in case I need the heavy fort/toughness (like if I decide to move minos to cloak or belt or bracers or ring or something).

Just hit 20 cap yesterday again and I am soooo pleased =)

I was unaware you could dispel augments in the first place. How exactly do you do that? Does it work on ToD rings too?

[Anthios888]

I was unaware you could dispel augments in the first place. How exactly do you do that? Does it work on ToD rings too?

You can clear up your slots on epic items by throwing the item in the epic altar with 3 dungeon tokens. It does not work on ToD rings.

Natural armor +4 does not stack with other natural bonuses like barkskin.

And... thanks for the reminder to add ac ritual to my robe!

[ArtosKincaid]

No problem, and thanks for the info!

[Dionice]

I recently made a new monk. I almost immediately re-rolled it 3 times and then I found this thread. Loved the build idea and went with it. Only having one problem and I don't know why, but I know it's pretty major.
I see more misses than hits on half of the mobs. (Level8)
Also I am easily one hit by disintegrate, but I don't know if that is realistic or not. (Level8)

For example, I recently did a VoN2 run. It was.....not fantastic. Two out of the three beholders insta-killed me with disintegrate. Also, I couldn't even touch any Thaarak hounds that came by. Could barely hit the mephits by the silver mirror as well..

I am worried..And feel underpowered with all the missing. I would really really appreciate any help I could get. I took adept of fire to have more ki at my disposal, but am going to switch to wind when I can.

On any mob I can actually hit, I feel extremely powerful. Stunning fist isn't even that helpful for now - things die to fast when I can hurt em. Most of the red names I've faced I could barely touch.

I am a dark monk, but I do not believe that effects the hits. For a Weapon Finesse build it is Dex, correct?
I would greatly appreciate any help anyone could give me as to why I am not hitting so much.

Character name: Minimiight
Alignment: Lawful Good (Will probably change)
Path: Inevitable Dominion (Dark)
Level at time of post: Just turned level 8
Server: Thelanis

Thats all the info I have at the moment, I can tell you the current Stats with the bonuses when I can log onto DDO (I cannot at the moment)

Thanks

[Anthios888]

I recently made a new monk. I almost immediately re-rolled it 3 times and then I found this thread. Loved the build idea and went with it. Only having one problem and I don't know why, but I know it's pretty major.
I see more misses than hits on half of the mobs. (Level8)
Also I am easily one hit by disintegrate, but I don't know if that is realistic or not. (Level8)

For example, I recently did a VoN2 run. It was.....not fantastic. Two out of the three beholders insta-killed me with disintegrate. Also, I couldn't even touch any Thaarak hounds that came by. Could barely hit the mephits by the silver mirror as well..

I am worried..And feel underpowered with all the missing. I would really really appreciate any help I could get. I took adept of fire to have more ki at my disposal, but am going to switch to wind when I can.

On any mob I can actually hit, I feel extremely powerful. Stunning fist isn't even that helpful for now - things die to fast when I can hurt em. Most of the red names I've faced I could barely touch.

I am a dark monk, but I do not believe that effects the hits. For a Weapon Finesse build it is Dex, correct?
I would greatly appreciate any help anyone could give me as to why I am not hitting so much.

Character name: Minimiight
Alignment: Lawful Good (Will probably change)
Path: Inevitable Dominion (Dark)
Level at time of post: Just turned level 8
Server: Thelanis

Thats all the info I have at the moment, I can tell you the current Stats with the bonuses when I can log onto DDO (I cannot at the moment)

Thanks

Having played this character to cap several times, I want to say maybe you're doing something wrong? A wis-based toon will have slightly lower to-hit than a dex-based toon, but really not by all that much at your level. Here are a few ideas:

Anger's set bonus from Korthos (+2 to-hit)
Sneak attack ring from the Red Fens, or Sneak attack goggles from Bloody Crypt
Goggles of Insight from Korthos (+1 to-hit)
Make sure you have a dex item
Do you have the weapon finesse feat?
Wind stance gives you dex - which is to-hit
Halfling dexterity will boost to-hit
Halfling cunning boosts to-hit while you are flanking
What weapon are you using? I.E. Consider a +4 or +5 frost handwraps over a +1 icy burst handwraps.

[Dionice]

Having played this character to cap several times, I want to say maybe you're doing something wrong? A wis-based toon will have slightly lower to-hit than a dex-based toon, but really not by all that much at your level. Here are a few ideas:

Anger's set bonus from Korthos (+2 to-hit)
Sneak attack ring from the Red Fens, or Sneak attack goggles from Bloody Crypt
Goggles of Insight from Korthos (+1 to-hit)
Make sure you have a dex item
Do you have the weapon finesse feat?
Wind stance gives you dex - which is to-hit
Halfling dexterity will boost to-hit
Halfling cunning boosts to-hit while you are flanking
What weapon are you using? I.E. Consider a +4 or +5 frost handwraps over a +1 icy burst handwraps.

Maybe. I don't have angers or the sneak attack ring/goggles, I have the Goggles of Insight and a dex item. I am currently following the feats you took on Rockan Robin, so yes, I have weapon finesse. I also am taking enhancements like cunning and dexterity. I took Fire Stance, because I thought it would help with stunning more often. I was wrong and so I am going to redo enhancements. Currently I am using Devotion handwraps, from Delera's. I haven't seen any handwraps I like in the Auction House...Seems like people just npc them
Gonna check the brokers and the auction house commonly though. I didn't think the +1/2/3/etc. mattered for to-hit, probably because I played a sorceror before this. It is a 32 point build, so I have plenty of extra skill points. (I put 10 points into balance and jump and 1 point into tumble, and am maxing concentration and use magic device, so now I just put them in umd, concentration, hide and move silently.) Also I found a +2 Strength tome in my shared bank so I used it.(That's how I got fire stance)

I'll try getting those items and wind stance and see if it helps anymore. Thanks a bunch

[Dionice]

Maybe. I don't have angers or the sneak attack ring/goggles, I have the Goggles of Insight and a dex item. I am currently following the feats you took on Rockan Robin, so yes, I have weapon finesse. I also am taking enhancements like cunning and dexterity. I took Fire Stance, because I thought it would help with stunning more often. I was wrong and so I am going to redo enhancements. Currently I am using Devotion handwraps, from Delera's. I haven't seen any handwraps I like in the Auction House...Seems like people just npc them
Gonna check the brokers and the auction house commonly though. I didn't think the +1/2/3/etc. mattered for to-hit, probably because I played a sorceror before this. It is a 32 point build, so I have plenty of extra skill points. (I put 10 points into balance and jump and 1 point into tumble, and am maxing concentration and use magic device, so now I just put them in umd, concentration, hide and move silently.) Also I found a +2 Strength tome in my shared bank so I used it.(That's how I got fire stance)

I'll try getting those items and wind stance and see if it helps anymore. Thanks a bunch

Well, getting better handwraps helped a bit. I still miss all the time on red names. When I hit I'm not hitting for as much, though. I can lesser reincarnate in 6 days, so I was wondering if maybe you could write out something and I can look at it and see if I need to lesser reincarnate.
Base stats are:
Str: 12
Dex: 16
Con: 14
Int: 12
Wis: 16 (+2 levels)
Cha: 8

[Anthios888]

Well, getting better handwraps helped a bit. I still miss all the time on red names. When I hit I'm not hitting for as much, though. I can lesser reincarnate in 6 days, so I was wondering if maybe you could write out something and I can look at it and see if I need to lesser reincarnate.
Base stats are:
Str: 12
Dex: 16
Con: 14
Int: 12
Wis: 16 (+2 levels)
Cha: 8

Those are my base stats. I really don't know why you're having so many issues with hitting. Are you running quests appropriate to your level? Are you taking advantage of items like heroism and haste potions? Every little bit helps.

It could be that you're simply coming across bosses that have high armor class. Every melee has these moments from time to time, but I never felt particularly challenged leveling this toon. Most of the feedback I have gotten from others has also been that it's been a breeze to level.

[Dionice]

Those are my base stats. I really don't know why you're having so many issues with hitting. Are you running quests appropriate to your level? Are you taking advantage of items like heroism and haste potions? Every little bit helps.

It could be that you're simply coming across bosses that have high armor class. Every melee has these moments from time to time, but I never felt particularly challenged leveling this toon. Most of the feedback I have gotten from others has also been that it's been a breeze to level.

It is pretty easy to level. I think I am coming across bosses with higher armor class to. I am using haste and heroism potions.
I also have started having problems with ki. Of course I try using a stunning fist, it sometimes hits, and then I can't get my ki back enough to use it again. The toon is working great, but I feel I messed up somewhere. Should I be worrying about breaking DR?
Also I die very fast. A normal trash mob comes up to me and hits me, and I feel like the healer is always targeted on me.
Maybe it's just me, thinking I messed up somewhere. Maybe it's the weapon. I don't know, but what I do know is often when I hit I hit 20s very fast and then a 40 critical.

My new question is: Am I supposed to be so squishy? :/

Other than all that I love this character, fastest I have ever leveled to. Heh, maybe it is just my mind thinking I'm doing something wrong because I'm not hitting as high as I think the melee's hit when I played my sorceror.

It might just be the way I'm playing the character - I'll try playing it a few different ways, see which I like.

[Quikster]

It is pretty easy to level. I think I am coming across bosses with higher armor class to. I am using haste and heroism potions.
I also have started having problems with ki. Of course I try using a stunning fist, it sometimes hits, and then I can't get my ki back enough to use it again. The toon is working great, but I feel I messed up somewhere. Should I be worrying about breaking DR?
Also I die very fast. A normal trash mob comes up to me and hits me, and I feel like the healer is always targeted on me.
Maybe it's just me, thinking I messed up somewhere. Maybe it's the weapon. I don't know, but what I do know is often when I hit I hit 20s very fast and then a 40 critical.

My new question is: Am I supposed to be so squishy? :/

Other than all that I love this character, fastest I have ever leveled to. Heh, maybe it is just my mind thinking I'm doing something wrong because I'm not hitting as high as I think the melee's hit when I played my sorceror.

It might just be the way I'm playing the character - I'll try playing it a few different ways, see which I like.

If you dont have heavy fort, that will help. Also getting some of the gear for ac will help as well. This build seems tight on AP up front so getting the extra toughness points may have been put off, if thats the case they will help as well.

Are you using sun stance? That will help generating ki when leveling.

[Dionice]

If you dont have heavy fort, that will help. Also getting some of the gear for ac will help as well. This build seems tight on AP up front so getting the extra toughness points may have been put off, if thats the case they will help as well.

Are you using sun stance? That will help generating ki when leveling.

I have a robe of heavy fort, and +4 armor bonus bracers. I did get 1 racial toughness so far. Currently I use wind stance because of the dexterity and this is a dex build. I also like the speed. I read up on some of the pages and saw that path of the crane is helpful because when you stun it generates auto-crits and that generates ki if you have path of the crane. I have tortoise for now though, until I can change my enhancements.

[Quikster]

I have a robe of heavy fort, and +4 armor bonus bracers. I did get 1 racial toughness so far. Currently I use wind stance because of the dexterity and this is a dex build. I also like the speed. I read up on some of the pages and saw that path of the crane is helpful because when you stun it generates auto-crits and that generates ki if you have path of the crane. I have tortoise for now though, until I can change my enhancements.

I understand the difference between the stances. I also understand that when leveling, sun stance is where its at if you want ki.

At level 8 sun stance will generate a lot more ki than wind stance. Give it a try.

[Dionice]

I understand the difference between the stances. I also understand that when leveling, sun stance is where its at if you want ki.

At level 8 sun stance will generate a lot more ki than wind stance. Give it a try.

Alright. I'm thinking path of the crane and sun stance for now, thanks