Drow Monk Build Suggestions?

[tethan]

Well, I'm fairly new to the game. I have a lv8 Cleric, but otherwise am rather noobish. I'm a fairly good twitch gamer, with tons of MMO experience.

I'll be starting a new toon with a bunch of friends in a few weeks. Monk really appeals to me, due to overall coolness.

I don't have a 32point build, so I figured I would go with a Drow.

Str 14
Dex 16
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 14
Cha 10

Does that look correct for starting stats?

For feats, I figured I would take...

-Toughness
-2 Weapon Fighting (Is that what it's called?). Or... Dodge?

Anyway, I figured I would go with a dex build (I can get weapon finesse at lv3 correct?).

Also, I should pour all my stat points recieved through leveling into dex? If my assumptions are correct, what feats should I go for? I know opinions differ, but some general advice would be good. I'm not serious about high level content at this point, but would like a character that isn't gimp as well.

Basically I'm looking for a generally agreed upon to be decent, drow-monk build

Thanks in advance!

[RhapsodieInBlue]

Why do you want to be a drow? There are no racial enhancements that are good for a monk, and the extra 2 cha and int are rather moot.

28 point halfling

12 str
16 dex
14 con
8 int
16 wis
8 cha

Two weapon fighting will grab you extra attacks and you can choose from dodge or toughness

[Uska]

Why do you want to be a drow? There are no racial enhancements that are good for a monk, and the extra 2 cha and int are rather moot.

28 point halfling

12 str
16 dex
14 con
8 int
16 wis
8 cha

Two weapon fighting will grab you extra attacks and you can choose from dodge or toughness

My drow monk did fine and the extra int made taking CE easier of course she isnt a drow anymore I tr'd her but she made 20 easy peasy and did better for me then some whimpy hobbit wantabe yeah I tried a 28pt halfling monk and it wasnt fun for me.

[RhapsodieInBlue]

Oh. Right. Combat Expertise. Have fun clicking it a lot. ;P

Anyways...I just personally do not see the benefit of the drow monk.

You need Dex to be at least 16 so with a +2 tome you can get the 18 innate dex required for GM Wind Stance, and a +1 tome by 15 for GTWF.

Higher wisdom means higher DCs on both quivering palm and stunning fist if you take it, as well as fort saves and AC and the ability to do wisdom runes solo.

Int - means combat expertise when you get the tome to back it up..5 AC for clicking it after everytime you use a monk ability. Joy, right?

Cha - meh.

[Uska]

Oh. Right. Combat Expertise. Have fun clicking it a lot. ;P

Anyways...I just personally do not see the benefit of the drow monk.

You need Dex to be at least 16 so with a +2 tome you can get the 18 innate dex required for GM Wind Stance, and a +1 tome by 15 for GTWF.

Higher wisdom means higher DCs on both quivering palm and stunning fist if you take it, as well as fort saves and AC and the ability to do wisdom runes solo.

Int - means combat expertise when you get the tome to back it up..5 AC for clicking it after everytime you use a monk ability. Joy, right?

Cha - meh.

only after a finishing move do you need to reset and drow have higher str then halflings and no more problems getting dex then halfilng so I dont see your point about dex also halfling cant get any higher wis then drow so another pointless rattle

[Impatiens]

only after a finishing move do you need to reset and drow have higher str then halflings and no more problems getting dex then halfilng so I dont see your point about dex also halfling cant get any higher wis then drow so another pointless rattle

Halfling racial enhancements are more beneficial to monks than Drow ones though. I'm not saying don't play a Drow if you want to. I'm all for playing whatever race you like the best. But if the OP is only choosing a Drow monk because of the extra stat points since he doesn't have 32 point builds yet there is really no point since those stat points do so little for a monk.

[tethan]

So....

12 str
16 dex
14 con
10 int
16 wis
10 cha

This would be a better choice for me? Keep pouring all stat points I gain through leveling into dex?

Also, what is the earliest level i can get weapon finesse at? On top of that, can I get some more feat suggestions?

[Uska]

So....

12 str
16 dex
14 con
10 int
16 wis
10 cha

This would be a better choice for me? Keep pouring all stat points I gain through leveling into dex?

Also, what is the earliest level i can get weapon finesse at? On top of that, can I get some more feat suggestions?

put your stat points into wis for stunning blow, you will only need a +1 dex tome to get all the twf abillities and you can get finiese at lvl 3

[Uska]

Halfling racial enhancements are more beneficial to monks than Drow ones though. I'm not saying don't play a Drow if you want to. I'm all for playing whatever race you like the best. But if the OP is only choosing a Drow monk because of the extra stat points since he doesn't have 32 point builds yet there is really no point since those stat points do so little for a monk.

yes they are but I didnt like the reduced str or carrying capacity.

[Impatiens]

So....

12 str
16 dex
14 con
10 int
16 wis
10 cha

This would be a better choice for me? Keep pouring all stat points I gain through leveling into dex?

Also, what is the earliest level i can get weapon finesse at? On top of that, can I get some more feat suggestions?

You want to put level up points in Wisdom for the DCs on your abilities. Eat a +2 tome eventually to get grandmaster wind stance. I would say the only absolutely vital feats for a monk are the twf line. As long as you have that things become a bit more open. Power Attack is always a good option.

[NEUROTHYMIA]

Here's my take on a drow monk.

As you can see i went with the Dex/Wis TWF Finesse route.

I found plenty of builds around the forums, but they were either halfling or human and I'm not a fan of either so i pieced together this build after looking at alot of human/halfling builds.

Currently about 30k off 16 and going strong.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.14
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Avaena Shade
Level 20 Lawful Good Drow Female
(20 Monk) 
Hit Points: 302
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 17
Will: 19

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             12                 14                   14
Dexterity            17                 19                   21
Constitution         14                 16                   16
Intelligence         10                 12                   12
Wisdom               14                 21                   24
Charisma             10                 12                   12

Tomes Used

+2 Tome of Strength used at level 13
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 13
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 13
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 13
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 13
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 13

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               7                 28                   30
Bluff                 0                  1                    1
Concentration         6                 26                   42
Diplomacy             0                  1                    1
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                0                  1                    1
Heal                  2                  7                    7
Hide                  3                  5                    5
Intimidate            0                  1                    1
Jump                  5                 25                   26
Listen                2                  7                    9
Move Silently         3                  5                    5
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                  1                    1
Search                0                  1                    3
Spot                  2                 14                   16
Swim                  1                  2                    2
Tumble                7                 28                   29
Use Magic Device      n/a               n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Disciple of Breezes
Enhancement: Disciple of Candles
Enhancement: Disciple of Puddles


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Monk Path) Philosophy - Path of Harmonious Balance
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Fists of Light
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Monk Balance I
Enhancement: Monk Concentration I


Level 5 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose II


Level 6 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Mobility 
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Fist
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Rain
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 7 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II


Level 9 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II


Level 10 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose III
Enhancement: Difficulty at the Beginning


Level 11 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Concentration II


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Master of Thunder
Enhancement: Master of Sea


Level 13 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Adept of Flame
Enhancement: Monk Balance II


Level 14 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Void Strike


Level 15 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose IV


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom III


Level 17 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I


Level 18 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Storms
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Oceans


Level 19 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery III

The +2 to all stats tome isn't needed but is nice to have if you have the points spare to spend, although a few enhancements maybe need to be changed if you don't use the +2 to all tome. And also you'd have to take something other than Power Attack unless you get a +1 Strength tome. I would recommend getting the +2 to all if you can though.

Hope this has been of some help.

Her myddo link below.

http://my.ddo.com/character/sarlona/avaena/

[tethan]

Looks good Neuro!

Only thing, is taking the 2wis loss for the 1dex(17) really worth it?

Also, wouldn't toughness at lv1 instead of dodge come out better in the long run (slightly I know) ?

With skills, I see it's fairly spread out. I know Balance and Concentration are the obviously important ones. Otherwise, whatever? :P

Thanks for the info, if you guys can answer the questions here I think I'm about ready to create!

[NEUROTHYMIA]

Honestly if i could redo it id probably drop dex to 16 and up wis, but at the time i didn't know if i'd like playing a monk so i didn't plan on using any tomes. Turns out i love playing her. haha

And yea i think toughness at level one would've been better, so it can always be changed around.

As for skill points, Balance and Concentration as you said. and i just did jump and tumble cause well, who doesn't like jumping super high and tumbling around like an acrobat? lol

[LAWPRE]

Dex is a MUST for Monk. So, you could easily argue for halfling or Drow

Cha not needed but the automatic 10 makes putting points elsewhere (Wis, anyone) that much easier.

Int is highly needed if you are a tactics playstyle. Hide, Move Silent, Tumble are just a few skills that are useful. I LOVE sneaking up on an opponent with my Monk, hit and tumble and hit. IF NOT, you can leave at 10 in order to pump up Dex and/or Wis.


Also, Drow gets SR 11 automatically. This can be extremely helpful (it is done differently than PnP but...) in order to avoid damage.

[Demoyn]

I was SOOOOO gonna come in this thread and blast drow, but it seems that so many people beat me to the punch that I'm just making a guest appearance.

[Demoyn]

Also, Drow gets SR 11 automatically. This can be extremely helpful (it is done differently than PnP but...) in order to avoid damage.

Really? You realize that SR doesn't work against damaging spells in this game, right? I suppose avoiding that web spell through SR could technically lead to a reduction in damage, but seriously, you could have just stepped around it in the first place.

[z0mbyjr]

I play halfling monks... not drow. Although the reduced Carrying Capacity is a pain...
More fun than getting complained at for playing a drow. =P

[tethan]

Would it be more worth my time to buy a 32point build then? What level would you estimate being able to have a 32point build doing it normally? I hate the idea of people not thinking I'm even worth partying with because I'm not a halfling monk... ugh...

I have more money than patience..... So buy it, or earn it? I have a lv8 char atm. =\

[AylinIsAwesome]

Really? You realize that SR doesn't work against damaging spells in this game, right? I suppose avoiding that web spell through SR could technically lead to a reduction in damage, but seriously, you could have just stepped around it in the first place.

On my Drow Paladin the SR helped at the lower levels with getting held.

Not being held at level 4 means not getting auto-critted, which means not getting hurt.


Helpful at low levels, but means nothing at higher levels (obviously). Still, it's useful for a new player.

[Uska]

I play halfling monks... not drow. Although the reduced Carrying Capacity is a pain...
More fun than getting complained at for playing a drow. =P

I took my drow monk up to 20 and didnt get any complaints about her. Yeah she is human now but I still had lots of fun playing her.