Is there a monk noob guide?

[Skeelol]

I'm just not gettin the basics.

[Skeelol]

Ok, since there is no noob guide I guess I will just ask. First, what is up with Ki? I never have anymore than 10 at a time, and it depeletes practically instantly. And what is the +/- number for at the end? I'm lucky to get off one strike here and there because I usually have no Ki. I don't understand the point of meditation as it's doing nothing for me. And the finishing moves...I have never been able to activate one. It always says 'you missed the opportunity' to use this move or something. Also, how do you know what you are near the limit of items you can carry in your inventory?

Is this stuff never explained you are just sposed to figure it out? :P

[CrescentCalling_5]

No offense intended here, but the only guide for noob monks is to TR yourself a few times as a fighter, barbarian, and rogue before you play the monk class >>

it's kinda a mix of those three in some senses.

[Spiderwight]

Ki is what powers your monk special strikes and finishing moves, as I guess you've figured out. You start with a (fairly small) amount of it, but you can generate more by hitting things (1ki per hit, 2 if you're in fire stance) or by meditating. If you have more ki than your base amount, it will drain away - that's what the -number is; it's how many ki will drain each 6 second round. So generally you need to punch things enough to generate enough ki to get off special attacks.

Your base level of ki and how fast it drains away is based on your concentration skill - it sounds like maybe you haven't maxed that out. Put as many points in Concentration as you can, have a reasonable Con stat, obtain a +? Concentration item, and things may go easier for you.

Other obvious stuff which may not be obvious - don't wear armour, don't use weapons aside from handwraps, staffs, kamas or shurikens, don't get more than lightly encumbered. Do any of those and you'll prevent yourself from using you monk powers. Your inventory screen should say that you're on, for example, 120/550lb, which would mean that you were carry 120lb and when you reach 550lb you'll become encumbered.

Your inventory has 20 slots per bag - you start with three bags, and can earn another two in game through Coin Lord favour. Your inventory screen will tell you how many slots you have remaining, in the top right.

[Skeelol]

Ok seems simple enough. The thing that's throwing me off is this Thief Acrobat build. http://my.ddo.com/phyrewire/rogue-thief-acrobat-build/

This is what I have started with, so far 1 level of rogue and 3 levels of monk. What I'm not understanding about the build however is he has practically no points in concentration. So I figured you are meant to play this build as a rogue that takes advantage of some monk benefits, but then he's talking about wind stance and handwraps in the summary. Maybe someone could shed some light on this build and how I would go about playing it?

[HumanJHawkins]

Is there a monk noob guide?

No, almost all monks find it easy to be noob. So, no guide is necessary.

[Jaid314]

Ok seems simple enough. The thing that's throwing me off is this Thief Acrobat build. http://my.ddo.com/phyrewire/rogue-thief-acrobat-build/

This is what I have started with, so far 1 level of rogue and 3 levels of monk. What I'm not understanding about the build however is he has practically no points in concentration. So I figured you are meant to play this build as a rogue that takes advantage of some monk benefits, but then he's talking about wind stance and handwraps in the summary. Maybe someone could shed some light on this build and how I would go about playing it?

the basic concept is most likely that you aren't supposed to ever actually use your ki for anything, so my advice to you is to not worry about ki.

stances don't cost ki, and you probably only have the monk levels so you get bonus feats with all the monk perks; if there weren't a bunch of cool options that only monk gets, you would likely be taking fighter levels instead.

[Carpone]

Ok seems simple enough. The thing that's throwing me off is this Thief Acrobat build. http://my.ddo.com/phyrewire/rogue-thief-acrobat-build/

No wonder you're confused. That's a terrible build that has very little to do with being a monk (improved crit: piercing?!) He takes 6 monk, but doesn't have Ninja Spy I. 14 rogue is suboptimal as you get nothing at that level as a rogue; should be 13 rogue and 1 fighter.

[Jaid314]

yeah, that build is terrible. i would agree with the 13/6/1, and the stats seem a little weird. that seems like more int than is needed to me, for example, and even with wis to AC i don't think i'd invest very heavily in it.

start cramming in multiple toughness feats (which just feels like a waste, you really mostly want to open the enhancements... and if he'd put points into constitution to begin with, he wouldn't need it), skill focus: UMD (also feels like a waste, but i suppose maybe he's assuming you don't have the gear to pull it off with just ranks and charisma), and no improved evasion in the rogue feat selection (i'd go improved evasion and opportunist, personally, well before skill mastery x 2) balance at full ranks, diplomacy left at none? full ranks in jump when you can use extremely common stuff for +20 to jump (jidz-tetka + air stance, jump potion clicky) or even +40 with a friendly sorc/wiz/ranger or with a clicky, or even up to +35/55 if you get a +15 jump item (which shouldn't be too hard)

i'm also unclear why he's recommending this as an acrobat build instead of assassin.

finally, enhancements: haste boost 2? really? you want haste boost 4. if it existed, you would want haste boost 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. also, in this build... all those dex and wis enhancements feel... expensive. i guess maybe he's obsessing over the 55 AC?