Searching for Drow Monk Dark Path build?

[ArchStriker]

Hello, well ive been jumping all around the races for monk, and decided which one. Ive been to warforged, didnt like how it played and played halfling up to with a level 7 with a light path. The wis/dex build is too ehh boring for me and was hoping for more of a tankish type of monk like a str/con or str/dex?? I really dont care if i multiclass i just wanna stick with the monk unarmed attacks and stay centered. Thanks for your guys time and help. Looking for a drow tank monk build..thanks again

[NXPlasmid]

You can get a little more st in an elf dex build, wf are probably the best st monks then human then dwarf. Drow are just not great for monks as they get cha and int bonuses which are useless for monks (well mostly)

[Syntax42]

Drow and Elf are the two worst choices for a tankish race because their starting con is the lowest. If you want to save your cleric's spell points, make an AC build using high Dex and Wis. If you just want a lot of HPs and don't care how often you get hit, Warforged or Dwarf would be best due to their starting Con, and Racial Toughness and Con enhancements. Both have 2 Con and 40 toughness HP available through enhancements.

[heavyg25]

You guys don't seem to read very well, the OP has already stated he doesn't want to be warforged, he wants to be a Drow. I don't understand why everyone has the mindset that you have to min max every single character. Sometimes characters should be about fun and if the guy wants a Drow then quit suggesting he be something else. If your going to contribute to the thread then give the guy what he is asking for. If not then press the back button and move on.

Personally I don't see any problem with being a Drow monk, especially a dark path. If you pick up Ninja Spy, the racial bonuses to short swords will come in very handy. In fact I have been considering the very same idea. If you are considering multi classing, there are a couple options. I have read some threads that add in some levels of Palidin or Rogue. I have even seen a build that mixes monk with Pale Master but no idea how well it works. I say have fun with it and try stuff out.

[Syntax42]

If your going to contribute to the thread then give the guy what he is asking for.

I am giving him what he is asking for: advice on a build. You can't have everything you want. Get over it.

The problem is he wants two things that don't go well together. "A tankish type of monk like a str/con or str/dex" means Drow are already the worst choice due to penalties on the two main tanking stats that he wants: str and con. Also, it is pointless to have high dex if you aren't going to increase wisdom as well. You won't reach a meaningful AC without increasing both stats.

If you pick up Ninja Spy, the racial bonuses to short swords will come in very handy.

The OP stated that he didn't want to use anything other than handwraps. Now you're the one not reading well and not giving him what he is asking for.

Until you get Greensteel weapons, levels 4 through 20 will be better with handwraps than short swords. Also, I've read you have to be unarmed to use Touch of Death.



If you really want to make a Drow monk, go ahead. Nobody will stop you. Just be aware that your important starting stats will be lower on Drow than with any other race. Also, don't start with less than 14 Con if you intend to play to 20. Read this thread: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=242643. It explains how to make an end-game viable monk.

Unfortunately, there are two types of builds in this game: builds that focus on doing something well at end-game, and "flavor" builds that struggle to contribute something meaningful to the team. If you don't want to be in the latter category, take the advice of experienced players seriously.

For those who haven't experienced end-game raiding, Shroud part 4 is a perfect example of why you have to make your character do whatever you do as well as you can do it. The boss has to die as quickly as possible before an environmental effect damages everyone who is attacking him in melee. If the melees run out, they can avoid that damage, but the boss will teleport away. After he does, adds come. When those are dead, the boss comes back with healers healing him. If he doesn't die by the time he teleports away a second time, the raid will probably wipe due to healers running out of spell points. Most groups don't have a problem doing this encounter on normal difficulty. If you bump up the difficulty though, and you have too many builds that don't maximize DPS, you can understand why it is so important to not create "flavor" builds that intentionally gimp yourself.

[Mithran]

As you can see, pretty much any request for a build on DDO Forums (including those that specifically request that it NOT be warforged) will be met by suggestions that you roll warforged. Unfortunately, that's just the mindset on DDO Forums.

I'm personally partial to Drow on many builds, but the above post about elves and drow being fundamentally ill-suited to tanking builds is not incorrect. DDO tanks really need high Constitution and that's difficult for the immortal races.

I don't have any experience with Monk builds (yet), so it's difficult to advise from an informed perspective.

[Mithran]

The problem is he wants two things that don't go well together. "A tankish type of monk like a str/con or str/dex" means Drow are already the worst choice due to penalties on the two main tanking stats that he wants: str and con.

There's no Strength penalty to playing elven or drow.

[Aerendil]

Elves/Drow are generally hated on for almost any melee class for one reason and one reason alone - a starting base con of 6, making it very costly to get that up to 14 or higher starting (whereas other races can easily be in the 14-18 range). And at endgame, every hp counts.

That said, for Monks, Drow aren't the most *ideal* choice for the following reasons:
- Drow stats have bonuses towards Dex, Int, and Cha. Only the Dex is useful for a Monk, really. The other 2 (the equivalent of 4 build points) are wasted.
- Further to the stat issue, a 28 point Drow will have less build points for the stats that *do* matter (str/con/dex/wis) to a Monk than any other 32-point character
- Drow have racial spell resistance, which is wasted as Monks also receive spell resistance (which is superior)
- Drow have racial enhancement boosts with rapiers and shortswords, neither of which was previously useful to a Monk. SSs will be available as of U5, however, although handwraps will still outperform shortswords in almost all areas, even with the Drow racial enhancements

Now, that said, Drow look to have a nice racial PrE coming (Scorpion Wraith) that may turn things around and stack very nicely with the Ninja Spy PrE. So at that point, Drow may become quite a viable option for Monk characters.

And, finally, this entire post is based on the *ideal* race.
If you could care less about having the most suitably perfect race for your Monk, then by all means, roll whatever you want. Remember, you're the one playing the game, so do whatever you want to have fun.

[hu-flung-pu]

Making a tank Drow monk, is very hard to do, but it's possible.

I'd recommend Dwarf if you want more of a wrecking ball type of feel and didn't like Warforged. I personally think a Dwarf is better then a Warforged monk, despite loving my Warforged's.

However, if you want Drow...

With Drow in U5, there's absolutely no reason NOT to go with a Ninja/Assassin hybrid. The monk's unbalancing strike, with darkside debuffs and assassin insta-kill means you've got a lot of toy's in your toybox to play with. You don't need a ton of strength to do a ton of damage with all the backstab damage you'll be racking up. Go something like 12 Rogue/8 Monk.

First level of ninja spy gives you Shadow Fade which is basically instant invisibility for your drow monk.

Dual wielding short swords that offers a lot of synergy with your Drow damage and to hit enhancements. Throw in the new rogue abilities and you've got an awesome offensive ninja.

[Hokonoso]

anyone who says elf/drow have too low starting con is stupid. the diff from 12 base con or 14 base con at lvl 20 is 20 hp, my drow darkside monk has 555unbuffed hp in mountain stance 2 and 515hp in wind stance 4. if you think a drow darkside monk cant be a viable tank then you rely too much on 20hp at endgame.

my suggestion to the OP since i have the char you are looking for is take as many toughness feats as you can (i took 5) and my starting stats were 15 16 12 10 15 10 with level ups in str so i save a feat by not having to take weapon finesse. ac is nice but even with nothing towards it i reach a 70 ac without chattering ring and that is more than enough with the hp and dps im putting out.

[Atoro87]

anyone who says elf/drow have too low starting con is stupid. the diff from 12 base con or 14 base con at lvl 20 is 20 hp, my drow darkside monk has 555unbuffed hp in mountain stance 2 and 515hp in wind stance 4. if you think a drow darkside monk cant be a viable tank then you rely too much on 20hp at endgame.

my suggestion to the OP since i have the char you are looking for is take as many toughness feats as you can (i took 5) and my starting stats were 15 16 12 10 15 10 with level ups in str so i save a feat by not having to take weapon finesse. ac is nice but even with nothing towards it i reach a 70 ac without chattering ring and that is more than enough with the hp and dps im putting out.

Cool.

Story.

Bro.


The difference between going Drow for a monk "tank" and a WF or Dwarf tank isn't just the base HP, it factors in the extra toughness enhancments plus the fact that at roll it's much easier to max con. Drow Monks might be able to achieve viable DPS but 555 HP in mountain isn't so hot compared to some of the Min/maxed WF builds that with the right gear that can hit 800 range. A drow wouldn;t make an optimal "tankish" monk. They might make an adequate DPS monk, but tankish they are not. A high end DPS monk is built like any other high end DPS melee class, min/maxing. Min/maxing and using "optimal" races isn't the only option to make a viable anything but if you want to focus on a specific role that's your best bet.

But hey, if being a flippant asspie works for you keep it up.

[Hokonoso]

Cool.

Story.

Bro.


The difference between going Drow for a monk "tank" and a WF or Dwarf tank isn't just the base HP, it factors in the extra toughness enhancments plus the fact that at roll it's much easier to max con. Drow Monks might be able to achieve viable DPS but 555 HP in mountain isn't so hot compared to some of the Min/maxed WF builds that with the right gear that can hit 800 range. A drow wouldn;t make an optimal "tankish" monk. They might make an adequate DPS monk, but tankish they are not. A high end DPS monk is built like any other high end DPS melee class, min/maxing. Min/maxing and using "optimal" races isn't the only option to make a viable anything but if you want to focus on a specific role that's your best bet.

But hey, if being a flippant asspie works for you keep it up.

considering i have to curb my dps in order to not pull aggro in every raid on the game regardless of the tank, i think i do fine for dps. anymore min/maxing and it would only be worse, and there isnt a raid in the game that tanking with 555hp isnt enough, if you are having problems with that # then you need to find better healers not change your race...

[Atoro87]

considering i have to curb my dps in order to not pull aggro in every raid on the game regardless of the tank, i think i do fine for dps. anymore min/maxing and it would only be worse, and there isnt a raid in the game that tanking with 555hp isnt enough, if you are having problems with that # then you need to find better healers not change your race...

Riveting.

Tale.

Chap.


I don't have a problem with your HP, or the Op's desire to run a drow monk. I do have a problem with your general attitude and lack of reading comprehension. That's all.

The point of my previous post was that using a drow is possible but not optimal for a "tankish" monk because, despite your point that starting con at 12 (drow) or 14 (non-drow) makes for a 20 HP difference, most "tankish" monks, hell even most monks that I know, start with much higher con, say 16 for a halfling (who gets only 2 levels of racial toughness) and 17-18 for a dwarf/WF (who get 4 levels of racial toughness). These levels are much easier to hit for then mentioned races, leaving more points to go in other stats and leaving you with significantly more endgame HP when gearing is all said and done than somebody with 12 starting con. So maybe healers don't hate you for having 555, but I'm willing to bet they'd be even happier to have someone with 700s-800s.

It also opens up the option of taking GM: Earth, which with it's DR and natural armor bonus makes the monk who has it and say WF Brute Fighting an acceptable option as a main tank, and Strike of the Enduring IV, probably the best monk ability, in terms of DPS, outside of ToD.

But hey, I made the point that using a min/maxed Dwarf or WF was going to be easier and more viable than attempting a drow build as far as the Op's desired role/concept in my last post.

Honestly if at 20 you have no GM Earth, which 12 con at roll makes impossible without completionist or burning level ups into con (2 levels and a +4 tome or all 5 levels and a +1 tome I believe), and you need to "curb your DPS" to keep aggro on a main tank, which would infer you can't sustain a long term beatdown regrdless of healer, you have a fundamental lack of understanding of what "tanking" refers to.

Aside from that your hitpoints aren't impressive, I'm just at 14 and wearing only a basic +6 con item and a Minos and I'm at base 325, 345 in Earth 3 and near 400 depending on the buffs. 6 more levels, some GS, madstone, argo-favor, and anything else I pick up that helps contribute and that's easily and sustainably eclipsed.

But, and now we get to the meat of it, since none of your characters are public and from some of the base ignorance of your statements I'm calling ******** on you. Maybe next time simply post that you have a drow monk and enjoy playing it instead of puffing your chest out and being obnoxious about "anyone who says elf/drow have to low starting con is stupid." (which, by the by, no one said at all). If you try to match wits someone is bound to find you wanting.

[Doganpc]

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.18
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 1 Lawful Good Drow Male
(1 Monk) 
Hit Points: 30
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 0
Fortitude: 4
Reflex: 2
Will: 4

                  Starting          
Abilities        Base Stats         
(28 Point)       (Level 1)          
Strength             16             
Dexterity            10             
Constitution         14             
Intelligence         10             
Wisdom               15             
Charisma             10             

This is why Drow won't cut it as a STR/CON Monk. You need to dump INT & CHA (4pts) and put those 4pts into STR or WIS (I would go WIS so the DC's on your Finishers are more likely to stick). A 32pt Elf can hit 16/12/14/8/16/8 which means your finishers are stronger and your DEX is closer to what you need for the TWF chain. With +3 Supreme tome... 15/14/14/8/16/8 couldn't tell you where to place the leveling points but the fact is clear. Drow = DEX/WIS Monk anything else is shooting yourself in the foot.

Dogan
My foot hurts, don't be me.

[connerj]

well, with U17 coming close(not really, like 3-6 months) but still! the TEMPEST PRe for drow makes drow monk seemingly powerful. i think. with Grnadmaster Earth, OC, vorpal strikes, GMoF, your criticcal willl be like 17-20 X(4-5) at tiems with your earth strike. must basically be a 3rd lifer, light monk for DR's and kukan is good. also tomb and banish. anyway, the DPS output for the drow monk with OC and vorpal 3rd life even without drow tempest, is pretty epic, i mean hitting crits 400+ and hitting very quite often while maintaining easily 7-900 HP and 60+ DC's on stunning fist and kukan and QP, this build relies on AC, DEX, CON, STR, and WIS, which actually add up on this build quite well, with gear and buffs, easily maintainable 40 STR WIS and CON DEX only around 30 though. still epic saves and AC.

[Jasparion]

The difference between going Drow for a monk "tank" and a WF or Dwarf tank isn't just the base HP, it factors in the extra toughness enhancments plus the fact that at roll it's much easier to max con. Drow Monks might be able to achieve viable DPS but 555 HP in mountain isn't so hot compared to some of the Min/maxed WF builds that with the right gear that can hit 800 range.

The difference between Drow and Dwarf is maybe 6 Con (-2 vs +2, and going for 2 Con from Enhancements) and 2 or 3 Toughness feats (Im working on the assumption that you dont spend every single point boosting Con/HP because as well as tanking you'd want to be able to do things like DPS and attract/keep aggro)? So its less than 100 HP?

If the WF can get 250 HP ahead of Drow does that mean it gets 150 HP ahead of Dwarf? Does this mean it is mostly a gear thing?

Edit: Ah... this was a Necro'd thread. Probably none of this matters.

Sorry.

[K_0tiC]

[Uhtred_Stark]

If you want to make a drow monk I would suggest you look at a rogue/monk build. This is particularily attractive for drow because all the drow bonuses (dex/cha/int) are useful for rogues. Depending on whether you want to go more rogue or more monk some good combinations are 13 rogue/6 monk/1 fighter (I would go assassin 2 and dark monk here) 12 monk/6 rogue/2 fighter or 12 monk/8 rogue.

There are quite a few named epic short swords now that make a drow monk short sword build intriguing. You really can do a lot of things with some of the above builds, tons of versatility and some really high sneak damage with lots of feats. I wouldn't worry too much about HPs, every HP doesn't count in epics, you have an overload of them and with monk/rogue builds you have a good ability to have a high dodge, AC, shadow fade without even really trying much so you'll be pretty hard to hit. Not every character has to be a 900 hp meat sack slugging around.

I know this doesn't address your desire for a tank, just another option to consider. If you want to stick with the drow monk tank idea, consider 10 paladin/9 monk/1 rogue split. Incrediably hard to kill.

[TeacherSyn]

If you want to make a drow monk I would suggest you look at a rogue/monk build. This is particularily attractive for drow because all the drow bonuses (dex/cha/int) are useful for rogues. Depending on whether you want to go more rogue or more monk some good combinations are 13 rogue/6 monk/1 fighter (I would go assassin 2 and dark monk here) 12 monk/6 rogue/2 fighter or 12 monk/8 rogue.

There are quite a few named epic short swords now that make a drow monk short sword build intriguing. You really can do a lot of things with some of the above builds, tons of versatility and some really high sneak damage with lots of feats. I wouldn't worry too much about HPs, every HP doesn't count in epics, you have an overload of them and with monk/rogue builds you have a good ability to have a high dodge, AC, shadow fade without even really trying much so you'll be pretty hard to hit. Not every character has to be a 900 hp meat sack slugging around.

I know this doesn't address your desire for a tank, just another option to consider. If you want to stick with the drow monk tank idea, consider 10 paladin/9 monk/1 rogue split. Incrediably hard to kill.

Agree here. As others have noted, a Drow really isn't the best option for tanking. But they can be VERY powerful infiltrators. Why be a "meat sack" when you slip in from behind and one-hit-kill what you need with little to no damage at all?

Have fun, but remember that the game mechanics encourage you to play to a class or race's innate strengths. Anything else that goes with the flow eventually may back up on you.

The optimal races for tanking Monks (and in Earth Stance) are Humans, Dwarves, and Half-Orcs.