Need balanced fighter bld teaming with 18rang/1monk/1rogue

[Mojofizznut]

Hi all -
My son and I play together always, and after trying several classes, he has settled on the 18 ranger/1monk/1rogue duel wielding dps.

I was following behind him with a favored soul healer, but we are both now thinking I should be leading with a balanced tank/dps and together we can dps and clear faster/more fun.

I'm looking for a build for me (with enhancements please!) that will be able to dish out good dps with trash mobs when we are running instances together, but could easily fill in as main tank in a group for harder elite and end game fun. For dps I don't really care twf or thf.

I have a few questions:

1) Why do folks think 2 lvls of monk will help, evasion only works if you have a successful reflex save (so higher dex needed), and is worthless unless you are in light armor. At end game, lvl 20 tanks are running around in light armor? Is 'mithral plate' light armor classed? Is there some other reason folks are splashing 2 monk?

2) After two weeks of play time now and several low level rolls, after watching and reading about the ranger in action, isn't dodge/mobility and spring attack a staple for fighters? I've noticed in the game mechanics, the mobs are very wily and constantly moving, and I'm constantly moving for positioning to avoid being flanked. Brilliant ai of mobs I must say, makes the combat so much more challenging than any other mmporgs we've played, but what I'm seeing in fighter builds is these are rarely there! Why not? Spring attack for combat would seem essential for any melee -

3) Is there any good thread explaining how armor penalty and armor dex bonus works? I'm not getting how the enhancements I see in fighter and dwarf race for armor agility work - what is the game plan for progression? Do you pump dexterity when you take these because the armor penalties are reduced so you can get higher ac?

4) For skills, is balance not important to a fighter? It's only a .5 skill for fighter, thought it would be a main skill.


Thanks for help, links to a build that would suit our needs.