Cleric/Monk Advice needed

[Bones400]

I know there's already a couple Monk/Cleric build discussions going, but I'm unsure on the etiquette of jumping in and asking advice for a similar but different build, so I thought I'd throw my own up.

My goals for this build are:

1. Be as competent healer as possible.
2. Use wraps for weapons
3. Max Wis for spell and Stunning fist DC's, as well as AC

Here's what I came up with on my first try of trying to create my own build (the enhancements are a very rough draft, there's definitely changes to be made there, as well as feat selection/order).

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

Level 20 Lawful Good Halfling Male
(3 Monk \ 17 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 242
Spell Points: 1238 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 13
Will: 22

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             12                    12
Dexterity            16                    19
Constitution         12                    12
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               18                    26
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                     9
Bluff                -1                     2
Concentration         5                    25
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                  4                     8
Hide                  3                     6
Intimidate           -1                    -1
Jump                  5                     8
Listen                4                    12
Move Silently         3                     6
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                    -1
Spot                  4                     8
Swim                  1                     1
Tumble                4                     5
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Monk Concentration I


Level 2 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot I


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom I


Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 5 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery I


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Fist
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Healing I
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning I


Level 7 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Vitality I
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning II


Level 8 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot II


Level 10 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II


Level 11 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III


Level 12 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Halfling Guile III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II


Level 13 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV


Level 14 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot III


Level 15 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II


Level 16 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning III
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery II


Level 17 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot IV


Level 18 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Vitality II


Level 19 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom III


Level 20 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Void Strike
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Vitality III

I chose Halfling for Guile, Cunning and AC bonus. I wouldn't be apposed to going Human or Elf either. The Human bonus to skill points is especially enticing. I would like to stay away from Dwarf. WF doesn't seem like a good fit.

I want a finesse build that would depend on Monk strikes (primarily the Dark Path strike) and Sneak attack to put out damage. Is that viable? Would I be better of going with a centered weapon? I know I'm not going to be a DPS monster, and don't want to be. I just want to provide decent melee DPS to help out and solo once I get BB.

The new Cleric PrC would be nice, but I haven't looked into what the pre-reqs are and have no idea if it would fit well on this build.

So, any advice would be very welcome, even if it's to just say this build concept blows and I shouldn't even try. :P

[bucyrus]

1. You will be disappointed by the Stunning fist DC as it will be based on your Monk level 3. The wraps die damage will also be based on your low level.

2. If you are taking three levels of monk you should go light for the W-P-W => Finisher Cleansing the Heavens for a 20% reduction in your SP cost

3. Fit in empowered healing (which you have) and select the Radiant Servent PrC gives very useful sustained healing without SP

4. Change Empowered to Maximise to give you BB a bit more bit. Change the Stunning Fist to Quicken as this will keep you alive and make Mass Heal workable

5. A key advantage of going halfling is to be able to boost your dex and reflex saves so that you can enjoy your evasion

[Bones400]

1. You will be disappointed by the Stunning fist DC as it will be based on your Monk level 3. The wraps die damage will also be based on your low level.

2. If you are taking three levels of monk you should go light for the W-P-W => Finisher Cleansing the Heavens for a 20% reduction in your SP cost

3. Fit in empowered healing (which you have) and select the Radiant Servent PrC gives very useful sustained healing without SP

4. Change Empowered to Maximise to give you BB a bit more bit. Change the Stunning Fist to Quicken as this will keep you alive and make Mass Heal workable

5. A key advantage of going halfling is to be able to boost your dex and reflex saves so that you can enjoy your evasion

Thanks for the response,

1. Ah, I completely forgot monk level was part of the DC for Stunning fist, I'll take that feat out. Perhaps going Monk 4 and getting 1d8 unarmed damage would be worth it?

2. I figured dark would be a better path due to increase dps along with the fact I really didn't see a big need for any of the light finishers. I suppose 20% decreased SP cost would be nice, but not sure if it's worth it.

3. Radiant servant is now a build goal. Just need to nail down the most efficient order of getting enhancements in order to unlock.

4. Noted

5. What would you recommend to give me more dex?

[bucyrus]

1. Ah, I completely forgot monk level was part of the DC for Stunning fist, I'll take that feat out. Perhaps going Monk 4 and getting 1d8 unarmed damage would be worth it?

Personally I wouldn't drop below 17 levels of cleric as you would be trading L9 Cleric spells for an additional 1 damage per hit. (1d8 - 1d6 = 4.5 -3.5 = 1). I use my cleric to melee single mobs and blade barriers to kite groups of trash. Dont forget that vorpal kamas will take care of a fair amount of trash.

As for light path vs dark path, in my view for a light splash with a casting class there is really no choice. WPW = 20% more spell points, APA = blur, EPE = stun immunity. Using these will make you character a bit more versatile. Now if you were aiming for Touch of Death for the dark monk line it would be a different issue

[Bones400]

Hmm, I just found Valiance's build, 17Cleric/2 Monk/1 Rogue. That's pretty similar to what I'm going for actually aside from the Kama usage and Rogue level. Think I might try to take his and turn it into 17 Cleric/3 Monk. I would lose out on the option of Rapiers and UMD, but would gain either light or dark path, whichever I end up taking.

Would Kamas be a better choice than wraps with three levels of Monk? They would be the same damage/crit threat, but unarmed is faster isn't it?

Btw, the build I'm talking about is here:
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=164323

*edit* Ok, how's this look? Still not decided on going Kamas or Wraps. I think I will hit the reqs for Radiant Servant I and II as early as possible (lvl 9 and 15). I will have to rework final enhancements to fit in the Radiant Servent enhancements, since they aren't in the version of the character planner that I have, but that shouldn't be too hard.

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

Level 20 Lawful Good Halfling Male
(3 Monk \ 17 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 242
Spell Points: 1212 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 13
Will: 21

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             12                    12
Dexterity            16                    19
Constitution         12                    12
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               18                    25
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                     9
Bluff                -1                     2
Concentration         5                    24
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                  4                     9
Hide                  3                     6
Intimidate           -1                    -1
Jump                  4                     7
Listen                5                    12
Move Silently         3                     6
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                    -1
Spot                  4                     7
Swim                  1                     1
Tumble                4                     5
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Cleric)


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Weapon Finesse


Level 5 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound I
Enhancement: Cleric Heal I
Enhancement: Cleric Heal II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom I
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Vitality I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery I


Level 10 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot II
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II


Level 11 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III


Level 12 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


Level 15 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 16 (Cleric)


Level 17 (Cleric)


Level 18 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III
Enhancement: Halfling Guile III
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot III
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot IV
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom III