Considering leveling a monk

[Neversoul]

I want to make a melee dps character. I like the fighting style of the monk over the other melee classes, but I also want to contribute top notch dps. I have heard everything from "monk's are only a novelty class, they can't compete in end game dps" to "a well built monk has more consistent dps than any other class."

I imagine the truth is somewhere in between, but where exactly?

What other things can a monk do end game besides dps? Do they have any noteworthy utility?

Should I just forget the monk and play a tempest ranger or berserking barb?

[TPICKRELL]

These are my opinions, so gather more info and others thoughts before you jump off the deep end...

The main issue for a monk's DPS is equipment... The monk is very limited in weapon selection, and there are no monk weapons with a good Crit range/Multiplier combo. The monk can do solid DPS, but you have to buy/grind out a lot of equipment from specific quests (Devout Handwraps from Shadow Crypt, ToD rings...) The standard DPS answer for most classes is GreenSteel, but their are no GS handwraps... And GS kamas just don't cut it.

All that being said, if the monk appeals to you, it is a blast to play and if well designed and equipped can do solid DPS. If you like to solo or run in short groups, the monk is great.

If you aren't willing to do the grind and DPS is your primary concern, then I'd suggest looking at the Tempest Ranger. I'm in the process of building a DPS Tempest Ranger and so far through level 12 the route to DPS is both clearer and easier.

Back to the monk front, the picture could change considerably next month, with update 3 to DDO. There are a lot of changes in store for the Negative Path monk, that may make it a very viable high DPS option.

[lyeman]

The "monks can't DPS" meme comes from all the dex/wis monks who are, granted, tough to kill, but are completely useless against things that they cannot sneak attack or stun. Some also comes from monks who get locked in to certain weapon sets or fighting styles, and the lack of flexibility impairs their effectiveness.

A true, max-dps WF monk is actually the highest DPS build against fortified opponents, and can keep up with your exploiter builds on most everything else, at the cost of some substantial amount of AC (4-8, depending on the details).

High str elves do not do as much DPS, although still respectable, but they get a better AC; only 2-3 points behind a solid dex/wis halfling.

Strictly speaking, handwraps have the highest DPS potential, but as with everything in game, it is situational. Against crit-able opponents (and especially if you are WF), Rahl's might can come out ahead of even a fully ToD spec'd handwrap monk, so I spec for both.