The Jigglypath Monk...

[J1NG]

Yeah, another build being thrown about on the forum.

Name:
The "Jigglypath" Monk

For those that have been living away from the world of childrens Television, there's a kids show named Pokemon. In the first few seasons, there was a small Pokemon named Jigglypuff (appropriate trademarks and copyright as neccessary) who often came into the scene out of the blue and sang everyone to sleep. Unintentionally. This monk is a spin-off from that Pokemon, after my own monk was asked about a Charisma based monk possibility ealier in the month. Spending a quick afternoon throwing something together, I think I've come up with something amusing for those that want to play the monk in a slightly more... Ninja way...

Strengths:
Shining Star DC of 40+
High To-Hit bonus when flanking
Reasonable HP/Con ratio (366hp with Wind Stance, 426 with appropriate HP boosting gear)
Usable UMD on a Monk (39+ Extended Buffed, 41+ Short Buff)
Reasonable Saves all around with Improved Evasion
Increased Healing via Amplification (120%+ via enhancements)
Short term buffer

Weaknesses:
Heavy support role means poor solo capability
Poor DPS
Poor carrying capacity

Required:
Class: Monk
Level: 20
Race: Halfling

Items:
Greensteel Item: Lightning Guard (+1, +2, +3 Charisma Skills)
Golden Cartouche (+3 UMD)/Seven Fingered Gloves (+5 UMD)
Head of Good Fortune (+2 Luck all skills and saves)
+5 of Weighted 5% Handwraps
+6 Charisma item
+2 All Tomes (Charisma, Constitution and Dexterity are essential, others are more optional)
2x Vorpal Kama's

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.32
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Halfling Female
(20 Monk) 
Hit Points: 326
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 21
Reflex: 22
Will: 22

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength              6                     8
Dexterity            18                    22
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom                8                    12
Charisma             18                    25

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                    20
Bluff                 4                     9
Concentration         6                    35
Diplomacy             4                     7
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle                4                     7
Heal                 -1                     1
Hide                  4                     9
Intimidate            4                     7
Jump                  2                    23
Listen               -1                     7
Move Silently         4                     8
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     0
Spot                 -1                     1
Swim                 -2                    -1
Tumble                n/a                   7
Use Magic Device      6                    21

{\b {\ul Notable Equipment }} \par Charismatic Ring \par Dexterous Boots \par Ogre Power Gloves \par Health Belt of Greater False Life \par  \par Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Fortitude) I
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Reflex) I


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 4 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Will) I
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion I
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound II


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Great Fortitude
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 8 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion II


Level 10 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion III
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Fortitude) II
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound III


Level 11 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion IV


Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III


Level 13 (Monk)
Enhancement: Master of Thunder


Level 14 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning IV


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound IV


Level 16 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II


Level 17 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Fortitude) III


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Storms


Level 19 (Monk)
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Reflex) II


Level 20 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Reflex) III
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Will) II

Shining Star DC:

Base = 10
Level = 20
Charisma Modifier = 10 (30 Charisma)
Total = 40

UMD Skill

Rank = 11
Modifier = 10 (30 Charisma)
Feat = 3 (Enhancement)
Head of Good Fortune = 2 (Luck)
Golden Cartouche = 3 (Competence)
Greensteel item = 6 (Exceptional)
Unbuffed Total = 35

Greater Heroism = 4
Extended Buff Total = 39

Walk of the Sun = 2
Short Buff Total = 41

HP at Level 20

Level 20 = 160
Heroic Durability = 20
Constitution = 40 (14 Constitution in Wind Stance)
Toughness = 66
Enhancements = 20
Total = 306

+6 Constituion = 60
Greater False Life = 30
Minos Legens Toughness = 20
Draconic Vitality = 10
Total = 426 (120 + 306)

Saves:

Unbuffed
Will: 27 = 12 Base + 10 Charisma Modifier + 2 (Luck: Head of Good Fortune) + 2 Enhancement + 1 Halfling
Reflex: 29 = 12 Base + 11 Dexterity Modifier (Wind Stance) + 2 (Luck: Head of Good Fortune) + 3 Enhancement + 1 Halfling
Fortitude: 25 = 12 Base + 5 Constitution Mod (Wind Stance)+ 2 (Luck: Head of Good Fortune) +3 Enhancement + 2 Feat (Great Fortitude) + 1 Halfling

Extended Buff
Will: 31= 27 Unbuffed + 4 (Morale: Greater Heroism)
Reflex: 33 = 29 Unbuffed +4 (Morale: Greater Heroism)
Fortitude: 29 = 25 Unbuffed +4 (Morale: Greater Heroism)

Short Buff
Will: 37 = 31 + 2 (Walk of the Sun) + Up to +4 Paladin Aura
Reflex: 39 = 33 + 2 (Walk of the Sun) + Up to +4 Paladin Aura
Fortitude: 35 = 29 + 2 (Walk of the Sun) + Up to +4 Paladin Aura

To-Hit Bonus:
Halfling: 1
Dexterity Modifier: 11
+5 Weapon: 5
*Halfling Cunning Enhancement IV: 4
*Monk Faithful Hound Enhancement IV: 5
Greater Heroism: 4

Unbuffed: +17
Buffed: +21

Unbuffed Flanking: +26
Buffed Flanking: +30


How to play:

Well, since it's a concept build at the moment, especially since I don't have the slots to make another toon, I suppose the best usage of this build would be to jump in from the sides or behind of opponents that your main tank is heading towards and then spamming your many abilities to disable the enemy.

Whether by weighted wraps, vorpal kama swipes, or the Shining Star finisher itself. You can easily help out without being the main tanking force in an assault.

If things go wrong, you can easily take up a support healer, reconstructor role too. With an extended UMD of 39, you can use Heal or Reconstruct scrolls with no failure rate. Or even on yourself if you need to kite.

If anyone's interested in trying it out, let us know the results, but from a quick view, I'd say it's an OK fun build.

What are everyone else's thoughts?

J1NG

[Taimasan]

I like it!! +1

[Eurytos]

6 STR? Low DPS is right, might as well play a caster at that point. You get dance, buffs, dps, everything. Not just dance and sit there being useless.


Why not go with a Human build like this:
STR16 + 5 levels + 2 tome + 1 litany + 6 item +1 exceptional + 2 rage + 2 yugo +1 human = 36
DEX16 + 2 tome + 6 item = 22
CON14 + 2 tome + 6 item = 22
CHA14 + 2 tome + 1 litany + 1 human + 7 epic cloak of silver concord + 1 exceptional = 26

That will give you a DC of 38 (2 less than your build), and you will be a normal, good dps, full functional monk...

Besides, you'll have human versatility for even more UMD.

[J1NG]

6 STR? Low DPS is right, and with that to-hit, you won't even be able to hit anything. Might as well play a caster at that point. You get dance, buffs, dps, everything. Not just dance and sit there being useless.

Why not go with a Human build like this:
STR16 + 5 levels + 2 tome + 1 litany + 6 item +1 exceptional + 2 rage + 2 yugo +1 human = 36
DEX16 + 2 tome + 6 item = 22
CON14 + 2 tome + 6 item = 22
CHA14 + 2 tome + 1 litany + 1 human + 7 epic cloak of silver concord + 1 exceptional = 26

That will give you a DC of 38 (2 less than your build), and you will be a normal, good dps, full functional monk...

Besides, you'll have human versatility for even more UMD.

Think I mistyped it there Eurytos and confused you a bit.

That to-hit bonus I listed has not added the BAB on top yet. So its +20 on top at least. A caster can't hit as well on a long term basis, and even your own suggested change would have a hard time keeping up when flanking an opponent. (If I didn't mess up my maths quickly looking at your suggestion )

I've tried to restrict too much grinding material to make this build work (especially as a proof of concept build), so the absolute most was the Head of Good Fortune and the one Greensteel item. Exceptional Stat items and difficult to obtain Raid or Epic items (non common Raid loot like the Litany and the Seven Fingered Glove, or even Yugoloth pots) I excluded from the build to make it easier to be realistically buildable and obtainable. I only listed the Seven Fingered Glove in case anyone wants to see a higher UMD rating.

If I really wanted to, there would of course be a more in game functional type of build to take advantage of the stats and skills, but just wanted a fun and uncommon build to play around with that was highly survivable without relying on too much temporary boostings to make things happen.

Do let me know if you can see any mistakes in what I wrote Eurytos (Or anyone else. I only quickly typed that up in a jiffy after making the build so not checked all the numbers and such. But should be fine. )

Or indeed other suggestions.

J1NG

[Calebro]

A Monk with a 6 starting Strength!
*giggles*

I'm not trying to flame.... not at all.... but I stopped reading right then and there bro.



OK, I went back and read a little. It's meant to be amusing! Well done!

[J1NG]

A Monk with a 6 starting Strength!
*giggles*

I'm not trying to flame.... not at all.... but I stopped reading right then and there bro.



OK, I went back and read a little. It's meant to be amusing! Well done!

lol thanks! It's not supposed to be a serious build for running Epic Raids and whatnot, just something interesting and different from everything else you see run around the place and can still function (to an extent) in Epic content if it WAS made.

And of course, a full joke spin on the Pokemon reference.

J1NG

[Eurytos]

Yea, I caught myself and saw you didn't add BAB yet and edited my post. That being said, I would reduce CHA to 16 and get STR to at least 12. At least then you would be functional in the melee category, and can carry your loot

[AmberV]

A Monk with a 6 starting Strength!
*giggles*


OK, I went back and read a little. It's meant to be amusing! Well done!

Well, everyone keeps saying monks are bad dps.

+1 for a fun post

[J1NG]

Yea, I caught myself and saw you didn't add BAB yet and edited my post. That being said, I would reduce CHA to 16 and get STR to at least 12. At least then you would be functional in the melee category, and can carry your loot

Another optional to that would be of course looting that +4 Charisma Tome in ToD in full view of the Sorcerors there.

Have your Charisma AND Strength!

And incure the ire of everyone by saying "Need over Greed". Yes, I NEED THAT TOME!!

J1NG

[Darkrok]

Yeah, 16cha instead of 18 gets the str at least passable and then this is a fairly fun build. As suggested though, humans can get even higher w/ versatility line, at least on the UMD.

[ripperj]

you traded str for cha? nuf said

[JollySwagMan]

Heheheheh

Would the ki generation of a level 20 Monk provide enough to pull off this build, or would you rely upon critical hits?

[J1NG]

you traded str for cha? nuf said

Yes? And? What is "nuf" in this case? No one plays fun builds?

You boring wannabe DPS monks.

Would the ki generation of a level 20 Monk provide enough to pull off this build, or would you rely upon critical hits?

Well, very little Ki is required, since you're using Weighted, or Vorpal Kama's only. And the Ki required to dance can be used on the Tier 1 Strikes. So that's only 30 Ki needed ever for 1 opponent (5 per strike and 15 for the Finisher). More than enough. No criticals required really.

Seriously though, no one is brave enough to try something different like this for real? I keep seeing the mentality of (Monk) Max DPS whilst "trying" to have high Shining Star, high UMD AND High survivability vs Hostile situations (High saves). But none clearly for when it's for those crazy fun times build.

Really though, you guys are laughing (mockingly in some posts it appears) about this low Strength high Charisma build, yet I remember times when Fire Stance, Earth Stance was mocked and laughed at in comparison to the Wind Stance. Yet some monks got them to work. Where is that adventure spirit now? Where's the diversity and fun?

Oh well, guess I'll just have to work in some points to make this myself to play around with on Thelanis at some point. It should keep me amused for quite a while on Thelanis setting up battles for others and then turning part time healer for the boss battles.

J1NG

:: edit ::

OK, not really "mockingly" but certainly dismissive by cookiecutting the build straight away as no str or no dps = fail.

[byzantinebob]

75% carrying capacity of 6 STR sounds like a scary thing to deal with. I can't imagine how hard it would be to stay centered.

[ripperj]

Yes? And? What is "nuf" in this case? No one plays fun builds?

You boring wannabe DPS monks.

thers nothing wrong with not doin dps, but str is important in many aspects, you couldv dumped another stat
like con or something :P

yes i know what people are thinkin, but my monk has con as a dumpstat, still sits at 400 in windstance
and i only have 2 toughness feats
its all a matter of making up for it elsewhere, and you cant make up your lack of str elsewhere
so you get hit by one enfeeblement and your screwed:P

[J1NG]

Well, I think I might be seeing the problem here. I've been wondering why people are only talking about the starting stat and not the end buffed and equiped stat. The export option didn't include any +6 items. Oh well.

Er, anyway there's supposed to be a +6 Str Item and a +2 Str Tome used along the way guys. Bringing it to a total of 14 Strength at the end. Still not great but definately not only 75% of 6 Strength only.

:: edit ::

Oh and the centeredness shouldn't be too much of a problem, since it's a VERY lean item character. Only two types of weapons to carry. Totalling 3 different weapons at the end or on the way to the end. 1x +5 Weighted of 5% HW, 2x Vorpal Kama's. If you're carrying anything else, it's vendor trash. The rest should be scrolls and temporary consumables only; low weight items. Haven't really worked out the weight, but should easily be carryable from my past experience with a Halfling Monk and typical gear at level 20. Or even low levels.

:: /edit ::

And a quick look at the stats, I suppose for a start up 32 point build, that Charisma DOES end up being 25, so we could start with the following stats instead without dropping the Charisma focus (still reaching 30 at the end). Although I do prefer the idea of a min DPS monk instead. Jigglypuff in the show was a small round ball of fluffiness that doesn't really hurt.

Strength: 9
Dexterity: 18
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 8
Charisma: 18

With the Tomes and Enhancement items, can hit 17 Strength. Which is more than capable of running ToD mind. Since my original monk only had 19 Strength (20 with a ToD ring) and she did well.

As for staying centered, if you're a typical monk player, I can see your fears, as most monks typically run around or ahead without worry of problems due to resistances, immunities or saves (well... mine does anyway... ). In this particular case, well, it's a support character. If you're running solo, yeah, you're MORE than screwed.

So just think to the side a bit, it's always with others who can remove the strength loss. Anyone else able to see problems with the build? I should be able to hit enough points for a character slot sometime next month to play this around with on Thelanis.

J1NG

[entropiccanuck]

This would be interesting to try as a LR, but I wouldn't want to level this build since it's primarily based around a level 20 ability. Even its main weapons (vorpal, weighted 5%) are level 10. Before then every orc caster will have its Kryptonite: ray of enfeeblement.