GS Kama's

[Reyjak]

Since there are no GS handwraps, Whats the best thing to put on a GS kama *expecially if leveling with TR*? is there a best thing? are GS Kama's worth it or should we stick to handwraps? Thanks

[Uska]

I find a pair of gs min II's somewhat useful

[phreek]

Depends, would think that overall damage would be better with handwraps. Especially if you get the ToD rings with Holy/Acid burst on them.

IMO you could do with a Min 2 Acid/Good Burst Kama with +2 exceptional WIS for that extra AC point in one hand, and Min 2 Holy/Acid Burst Kama with +4 Insight AC on the off hand.

I tend to focus a bit on the defensive side, but if you don't want to, than go Min 2 Acid/Good Burst/Acid Blast - Holy/Acid Burst/Good Blast.

[rest]

My kama using tempest-monk will be building Dust II kamas. I have a holy silver and a metalline of PG already, so the min II wouldn't be too much of an upgrade.

As I have low DPS because of the use of an inferior monk weapon (kama) I wanted something with a large burst of occasional DPS, and didn't want lightning II just because I wanted to be different (and the dust II damage is untyped).

I have a few other GS items to build ahead of those kamas for some other toons, so I can't say it will be soon that I build them, but I am most definately looking forward to it

[Delt]

My kama using tempest-monk will be building Dust II kamas. I have a holy silver and a metalline of PG already, so the min II wouldn't be too much of an upgrade.

As I have low DPS because of the use of an inferior monk weapon (kama) I wanted something with a large burst of occasional DPS, and didn't want lightning II just because I wanted to be different (and the dust II damage is untyped).

I have a few other GS items to build ahead of those kamas for some other toons, so I can't say it will be soon that I build them, but I am most definately looking forward to it

Ahhh, there is another gimp tempest monk running around out there...on the plus side, no one is faster....so if we need to run away because of lack of DPS, sprint boost+monk speed+abundant step for the sorta-win

I made two 3x earth kama's (insight/exc wis) for my general use. It's good for solo (earth clickie army, procs cc decent, acid damage) and I couldn't stomach spending dual shards on a character that should be rerolled....if it wasn't so fun to play.

Earth is a good cheap option if you have other weapons to deal with bypassing DR.

[rest]

Ahhh, there is another gimp tempest monk running around out there...on the plus side, no one is faster....so if we need to run away because of lack of DPS, sprint boost+monk speed+abundant step for the sorta-win

I made two 3x earth kama's (insight/exc wis) for my general use. It's good for solo (earth clickie army, procs cc decent, acid damage) and I couldn't stomach spending dual shards on a character that should be rerolled....if it wasn't so fun to play.

Earth is a good cheap option if you have other weapons to deal with bypassing DR.

Hey nice avatar!

Honestly, the low DPS is only a problem for me when soloing quick regen monesters (the end fight in Jeet's Mind is AWFUL!) I agree that this build is super fun to play, but why would you wanna reroll him? Not everything has to be super-DPS-to-the-ultimate-max-only-focused-on-the-numbers. I play to have fun, not crunch numbers

I'd say that Niikolai solo'd 90% of the way to level 20. That was kind of my focus. Solo survivability. And I tell you what, he did great! Obviously, twinkage in the form of sweet kamas and tome usage had a lot to do with my success. Wounding kamas and vorpal kamas ROCK! I managed to solo both madstone and crucible at level 14 which was a big deal to me personally, as I had never done that before.

Here's the link to his MyDDO page If you, or anyone else for that matter, is interested.

Of course in a few weeks I'll probably build another character that puts the fun of this one to shame, and I'll regret 2x dual shard kamas. But hey I'm having fun now!

[Delt]

I agree that this build is super fun to play, but why would you wanna reroll him? Not everything has to be super-DPS-to-the-ultimate-max-only-focused-on-the-numbers. I play to have fun, not crunch numbers

Realistically speaking, the ranger splash payoff (tempest, wands, Rams, few enhancements, etc) isn't worth the cost associated (locked into kamas, no tier III PrE, no dr 10/epic, lose the highest tier wind stance, etc).

It really doesn't matter how you do the math, it is just not even close to a good trade off. Better off and more powerful as a pure monk if you are a group player or a smaller splash of something else (self healing beyond FoL) if you solo.

But like I said, I like the character. If I didn't, I woulda rerolled...or at least TR'd. Great survivability, unmatched movement speed (seriously, I do like this!) and mediocre damage. Like you, heal spammers/regens can occasionally cause issues but there still isn't anything I can't solo on norm (a few raids aside).

If you are curious: my tempest monk

I like him, I don't want to scrap him, I'd never recommend anyone build anything similar and I feel uncomfortable investing anything further. It's a funny place to be.

[Reyjak]

So if I get devout handwraps (+2 Metalline of pure good) would that pretty much make it unnessasary to get the GS kama's since after TR the level 20 fists would be 2D12 or am i missing something? And why cant there be GS handwraps?

[rest]

So if I get devout handwraps (+2 Metalline of pure good) would that pretty much make it unnessasary to get the GS kama's since after TR the level 20 fists would be 2D12 or am i missing something? And why cant there be GS handwraps?

If you plan on using handwraps, yes GS kamas are not needed. With the metalline of PG handwraps you'll bypass a lot of DR. Add in burst and blast effects from ToD rings and you'll be doing much more DPS than you would with kamas.

Also, set your monk's end rewards to be based on class. Yesterday I pulled a plain jane set of +1 metalline of pure good handwraps as an end reward for Rainbow in the Dark. I have pulled plenty of cool 5% weighted handwraps as well, which are both useful and sell well on the AH.

As far as why there are no GS handwraps, I think its because the damage your monk does is based off your monk level not off the handwraps he uses. Its why when you 'examine' a monk, you see the handwrap effects where you see what buffs are cast on them. Handwraps are coded funky.

[Reyjak]

My rewards have always been set for class and i normally get +3 **** handwraps of lameness or something like that.

[rest]

Eventually they'll get better.

The new Dreaming Dark series is extremely solo friendly and quick. Plus they're level 19 quests so your pool of available prefixes and suffixes is much better. That's where I pull the bulk of my awesome monk stuff.

[Junts]

dont make mineral2 kamas!

run tod and get rings :P

[Uska]

dont make mineral2 kamas!

run tod and get rings :P

I had mine before ToD and will use them on my way to cap again or at least until I can get flagged for ToD again and get some rings.

[Junts]

Yeah but for a new monk, you will get tower rings long, long before you can save up 48 larges for a pair of kamas you'll never use the day you get a metalline handwrap and a holy burst ring. Its just a bad way to spend your larges.

[Uska]

Yeah but for a new monk, you will get tower rings long, long before you can save up 48 larges for a pair of kamas you'll never use the day you get a metalline handwrap and a holy burst ring. Its just a bad way to spend your larges.

Speaking from experience I can say you are correct, If I had to start now I would farm shadow crypt until I got those or some other good handwraps then farm tod the rings wouldnt take to long. those larges could be better used on hp items or something else.

[Reyjak]

Speaking of ToD, i've heard of it, and was wondering how hard is it to get your hands on some of the rings in there?
i've seen people complain about the drop rates for certain classes/spec's so are the rings class specific or do they have something extra for people with that class and PRE, also how does a monk get the rings enchanted with the bursts and blasts and whatnot?

[Judo]

the only possible reason to make kamas, is for the +4 insight bonus to ac, keep in mind, hw do way more damage, especially with a tod ring, which you would pretty much have to put holy/*acid* burst on, you could have 2 rings, but then chattering ring is not an option

best equip for monk is:

dragontouched with:

+4 insight
stat +6
other

and chattering ring

if you have no luck, like me, then icey raiment (real easy to get), chattering ring, tod ring with holy burst, youll still have plenty ac to matter when ac matters (epic obviously excluded)

gs kamas do less damage in the end, and is not remotely worth the extra 4 ac*

(* solo questing excluded, im not one to judge, but i do just fine solo without the +4 insight)

i guess im saying that you shouldnt get sucked into the gs kamas, metaline of pure good hw, or simple metaline with a good aligned i.e. holy burst effect added on, are more dps, and by this stage, your ac should be fine, especially with bard and ranger buffs

ive been debating whether or not to make them myself for the +4 insight, only because the devil scales are burning a hole in my pocket, but dont feel its necessary

[rest]

My whole character was built to use kamas, so I won't be using handraps aside from weighted 5% in epic and holy of GUB for giant skellies.

I fully admit I am low DPS. But I couldn't care less. I have a blast with him and none of the groups I have been in (the few times I have grouped) have complained.

However my next project is a monk reincarnated as a monk to get the extra unarmed damage

[Reyjak]

the only possible reason to make kamas, is for the +4 insight bonus to ac, keep in mind, hw do way more damage, especially with a tod ring, which you would pretty much have to put holy/*acid* burst on, you could have 2 rings, but then chattering ring is not an option

best equip for monk is:

dragontouched with:

+4 insight
stat +6
other

and chattering ring

if you have no luck, like me, then icey raiment (real easy to get), chattering ring, tod ring with holy burst, youll still have plenty ac to matter when ac matters (epic obviously excluded)

gs kamas do less damage in the end, and is not remotely worth the extra 4 ac*

(* solo questing excluded, im not one to judge, but i do just fine solo without the +4 insight)

i guess im saying that you shouldnt get sucked into the gs kamas, metaline of pure good hw, or simple metaline with a good aligned i.e. holy burst effect added on, are more dps, and by this stage, your ac should be fine, especially with bard and ranger buffs

ive been debating whether or not to make them myself for the +4 insight, only because the devil scales are burning a hole in my pocket, but dont feel its necessary

I was looking around, which rune can you get 4 insight with? and would it be better to put +3 dodge on the robe and get 2 ToD rings with bursts instead of getting a Chattering ring?

[Judo]

I was looking around, which rune can you get 4 insight with? and would it be better to put +3 dodge on the robe and get 2 ToD rings with bursts instead of getting a Chattering ring?

insight is the sovereign, same as dodge +3, you get 4 more ac if you wear the icey raiments, along with the chattering ring, but if your lucky enough to get +4 insight on your dt, youd have the same ac, just different bonus, also making available other spots to put things i.e. dex/str/wisdom

and yes, 2 tod rings are very ideal for dps, but 4 more ac is also pretty sweet