Favored Monk (U5 build)

[Kayem]

copying this over from other class discussions to maximize input.

ok so these builds are based around some changes listed http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=248658

namely:

Monk Ninja Spy 1
Prereqs: Level 6 Monk, Path of Inevitable Dominion, Dodge, Monk Jump II, Monk Tumble II, and any one of: Static Charge, Porous Soul, All-Consuming Flame or Winter's Touch
Benefit: You are trained as a stealthy killer. You are considered proficinent in shortswords and treat them as Ki weapons. You gain +2 Balance, Hide, Move Silently and gain 1d6 sneak attack as if you were a rogue. While sneaking, you move 10% faster and your passive ki generation when centred is increased by 1.
Special Ability: You can expend Ki to enter Shadow Form, becoming invisible and partially insubstantial.

and

Whirling Steel Strike
Prereqs: Weapon Focus : Slashing; Proficiency in Longswords, Monk Level 1
Benefit: You treat longswords as if they were monk weapons, remaining centered when you wield them.

I proceeded to mess around with the character builder.

Note that i don't have a lot of things set in stone just looking for some input cause this character concept intrigues me.

i came up with two builds and one switches the levels around to get the longsword feat asap.

first is straight up Elf 7mnk/13FvS getting monk levels first.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Elf Male
(7 Monk \ 13 Favored Soul) 
Hit Points: 312
Spell Points: 1096 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 17
Will: 17

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    21
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               14                    18
Charisma             12                    16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+2 Tome of Constitution 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               7                    14
Bluff                 1                     3
Concentration         5                    28
Diplomacy             1                     3
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle                1                     3
Heal                  2                     4
Hide                  3                     6
Intimidate            1                     3
Jump                  6                    10
Listen                2                     6
Move Silently         3                     6
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                     1
Spot                  2                     8
Swim                  3                     5
Tumble                4                     7
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose I
Enhancement: Void Strike
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I


Level 4 (Monk)
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Monk Jump II
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Static Charge


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 8 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Diety) Favored by the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Adept of Wind


Level 9 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage II


Level 10 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Charisma I


Level 11 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack II


Level 12 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Fire
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness II


Level 13 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty


Level 14 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness III


Level 15 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Favored Soul Charisma II


Level 16 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Adept of Rain


Level 17 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Electricity
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Unbalancing Strike
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 18 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness IV


Level 19 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion II


Level 20 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Porous Soul
Enhancement: Eagle Claw Attack
Enhancement: Winter's Touch
Enhancement: Favored Soul Concentration I

this build just went for the monk levels and got the longsword feat at level 6 then went sovereign host for longsword bonus'.

alternatively you could start with 2 FvS get the first level spell buffs and be able to get whirling steel strike on your first monk level as shown here

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Elf Female
(7 Monk \ 13 Favored Soul) 
Hit Points: 312
Spell Points: 1056 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 17
Will: 17

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    21
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               14                    18
Charisma             12                    16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+2 Tome of Constitution 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               3                     4
Bluff                 1                     3
Concentration         5                    28
Diplomacy             1                     3
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle                1                     3
Heal                  2                     4
Hide                  3                     4
Intimidate            1                     3
Jump                  3                    15
Listen                2                     6
Move Silently         3                     4
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                     1
Spot                  2                    11
Swim                  3                     5
Tumble                n/a                   7
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Diety) Favored by the Sovereign Host
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage I


Level 2 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Favored Soul Life Magic I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Charisma I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I


Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose I
Enhancement: Void Strike
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 5 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Monk Jump II
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose II


Level 8 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 10 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Adept of Rain


Level 11 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Eagle Claw Attack
Enhancement: Unbalancing Strike
Enhancement: Adept of Rock


Level 12 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Fire
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage II


Level 13 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack II


Level 14 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Favored Soul Charisma II


Level 15 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty


Level 16 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Porous Soul
Enhancement: Favored Soul Concentration I


Level 17 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Cold
Enhancement: Winter's Touch


Level 18 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness III


Level 19 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 20 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness IV

the best option seeming in my opinion being this drow shortsword build.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Drow Female
(7 Monk \ 13 Favored Soul) 
Hit Points: 324
Spell Points: 1136 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 17
Will: 17

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             15                    21
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence         10                    10
Wisdom               14                    18
Charisma             12                    16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+2 Tome of Constitution 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               7                    14
Bluff                 1                     3
Concentration         5                    28
Diplomacy             1                     3
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                1                     3
Heal                  2                     4
Hide                  3                     4
Intimidate            1                     3
Jump                  5                    28
Listen                2                     6
Move Silently         3                     4
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     0
Search                0                     2
Spot                  6                    16
Swim                  2                     5
Tumble                4                     7
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Void Strike


Level 4 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Jump II
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II


Level 5 (Monk)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Static Charge


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Adept of Wind


Level 7 (Monk)
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 8 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Diety) Favored by Vulkoor
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 9 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage II


Level 10 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack II


Level 11 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose II
Enhancement: Adept of Rock


Level 12 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Fire
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Unbalancing Strike
Enhancement: Adept of Rain


Level 13 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Vulkoor's Avatar


Level 14 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness I


Level 15 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Eagle Claw Attack
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 16 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Winter's Touch
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness II


Level 17 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Electricity
Enhancement: Porous Soul


Level 18 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness III


Level 19 (Favored Soul)


Level 20 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Favored Soul Concentration I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Charisma I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Charisma II

the ninja spy enhancement makes shortswords Ki weapons and vulkoor gives additional shortsword benefits.

this also frees up some feat slots allowing different feat choices.

the playstyle for all three of these is generally the same, buff up with divine buffs such as divine favor/power, bless, recitation. and then spam ki abilities like mad.

now for all three of these i kind of just generally picked up all stances and stuff since i'm not sure which would be more beneficial to this build.


critiques away!

[hethyba]

Just curious as to which ki abilities you are thinking you'll find particularly useful. With only 7 levels of monk and dark path, you'll have access to tier 2 elemental strikes and some low-DC debuffs. Maybe I'm missing something, not knowing much about high level play, but will that really be enough to rely on at higher levels? The Longsword feat and going light path instead would give you all sorts of buffs that are useful even with only a few levels of monk -- most splash builds I've seen go light path instead as a result.

[Matuse]

I just doubt that any benefits you get from Ninja-Spy will even vaguely offset what you lose in FvS abilities.

I'd be curious to see an 18/2 able to use centered longswords/shortswords to good effect (however this adds 2 feats to an already feat-stuffed build). But this seems like too much monk.

[ArichValtrahn]

Im not seeing the benefit of the monk levels here. Sure you can generate ki with your swords, but what is it youre going to use the ki for? None of the monk strikes, since they cant be done when you have the swords equipped.

[Carpone]

I just doubt that any benefits you get from Ninja-Spy will even vaguely offset what you lose in FvS abilities.

I'd be curious to see an 18/2 able to use centered longswords/shortswords to good effect (however this adds 2 feats to an already feat-stuffed build). But this seems like too much monk.

Ditto this.

[Kayem]

Im not seeing the benefit of the monk levels here. Sure you can generate ki with your swords, but what is it youre going to use the ki for? None of the monk strikes, since they cant be done when you have the swords equipped.

we will start with the two quotes i put in the beginning.

in update 5 there will be a feat for making longswords monk weapons and an enhancement that makes shortswords monk weapons.

the 12 FvS was actually for the free weapon specialization feat but i was also thinking recently that since the elf part of the build would also give bonus damage and the ninja spy adds at least 1d6 of sneak attack just going at least 9 monk instead for the touch of death.

the biggest idea i had for this build is taking advantage of the free weapon based feats and the divine buffs at least up till divine power.

but i would generally be spamming any ki strikes necessary since i would like to be able to use one on every attack.

Just curious as to which ki abilities you are thinking you'll find particularly useful. With only 7 levels of monk and dark path, you'll have access to tier 2 elemental strikes and some low-DC debuffs. Maybe I'm missing something, not knowing much about high level play, but will that really be enough to rely on at higher levels? The Longsword feat and going light path instead would give you all sorts of buffs that are useful even with only a few levels of monk -- most splash builds I've seen go light path instead as a result.

dark path was for the ninja spy for shortsword (mostly for the drow build) centered and sneak attack damage