Drow Ninja Assassin/Rogue Assassin (by request)

[sigtrent]

Build Name: Vulkoor Assassin
Author: Sigfried Trent
Requester: EL8582
Last Updated: 11/29/10

Key Words [Assassin, Ninja, Drow, Shortsword]

Objectives
The requester was looking to make a drow ninja (specifically the ninja assasin prestige class) specializing in short swords and focused primarily on DPS performance. He was having difficulty finding a build that would not simply be better using a different weapon.

Indeed that is a problem since most builds will do better damage unarmed or using a rapier. The only way unarmed is weaker is if you find a reason to not take lots of monk levels and the only way short sword is better than rapier is if you use the monks stances to some good effect.

Design
The only plausible solution I could find was to go heavy in rogue levels. This puts the DPS emphasis on sneak attack damage which benefits most from attack speed increases. It also encourages maximizing non monk levels and rewards the bonuses from air stance fairly well.

I built to pick up the monk levels early to get the Ninja Assassin enhancement asap and get the theme rolling. Feats are fairly focused in DPS both via accuracy and straight damage. Getting the order right is pretty key in this build. Thanks to the three monk bonus feats you get more to work with than most assassin builds and not needing oversize two weapon fighting also makes room for feats. I used the “extras” to take additional toughness and to get quick draw, which is nice for weapon switching and quicker activation of haste boost which really cranks the damage on this build when activated.

Interestingly no stat boosts are purchased as enhancements. Instead its all about sneak attack amplification, and direct adds to combat bonuses. I’d have liked more enhancements on this build but it works out pretty well.

Skills are quite full for a rogue although you have some dead spots in early levels where your skills are a bit weak due to the big block of monk.

Defenses are decent except for HP which lags a little due to this being a drow with now high hit dice classes. The extra toughness helps a little and I didn’t skimp on the Con up front. With work you should be able to get up around 400. AC is not meant to be stellar on this character but you could work it up if you were determined.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.7.2
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Drow Male
(7 Monk \ 13 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 288
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 17
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             15                    22
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         14                    16
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma             10                    12

Tomes Used
+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               7                    11
Bluff                 0                     5
Concentration         2                    28
Diplomacy             0                     1
Disable Device        6                    27
Haggle                0                     1
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  7                    31
Intimidate            0                     1
Jump                  6                    13
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         7                    31
Open Lock             7                    26
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                2                     3
Search                6                    28
Spot                  3                    24
Swim                  2                     6
Tumble                7                    10
Use Magic Device      4                    24

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+5)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Improved Hide I
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently I


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I


Level 5 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 6 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Quick Draw
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II


Level 7 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I


Level 9 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+3)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Improved Hide II
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently II


Level 10 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+3)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II


Level 11 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Adept of Rock


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+3)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II


Level 13 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin I


Level 14 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I


Level 15 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing II


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III


Level 17 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV


Level 18 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin II


Level 19 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost IV


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack II

Play
Agro management could be tricky. This build hits pretty hard and doesn’t invest in much subtle backstabbing. Finding a good agro magnet in your party is pretty important and try to learn not to rush into the fight if you can help it. Until UMD kicks in you should be in the habit of carrying potions to heal up with.

Variations
If you don’t want full rogue skills you can short int although the return isn’t going to do all that much for you. You could also take this into the finesse build zone which would increase accuracy but lower DPS in most situations. I don’t recommend it.

[elixer1]

I like it,

I would make the following changes though....

- take the TWF feats much earlier, you'll notice a big difference in DPS.
- Don't take weapon focus Piercing, use that as a slot to fast track your TWF feats and Improved critical.
- I personally hate power attack, and wouldn't put it in my build, but I see why you chose it, your BAB and your strength along with drow short sword enhancements may offset the PA penalty, but I wouldn't choose it.
- Why adept of Rock?
- Did you specifically decide to go for Assassin II rather than touch of death (Monk 9)?

I dig monks with weapons (I don't like Kamas), Monks with weapons only work if their unarmed damage doesn't progress past a certain point, Monk 9 would definitely complicate that calculation.

I think it's a good build, but I think it has room for improvement also.

Those are my thoughts after a quick once over.

my first post ever, please be nice.

I'm a fan.

[sigtrent]

I like it,

Thanks

I would make the following changes though....

- take the TWF feats much earlier, you'll notice a big difference in DPS.

I would if I could but the BAB requirements mean that's when you have to take them. At 6 I only have 4 BAB and at 15 only 10.

- Don't take weapon focus Piercing, use that as a slot to fast track your TWF feats and Improved critical.

Its the weakest feat in the group although its partly there to help offset the lower BAB and power attack.

- I personally hate power attack, and wouldn't put it in my build, but I see why you chose it, your BAB and your strength along with drow short sword enhancements may offset the PA penalty, but I wouldn't choose it.

Power attack is the strongest DPS feat you can take, that is if you can reliably hit while it is turned on. That will depend on how challenging the quest you are in is and if you are reliably getting sneak attack which helps a bit on accuracy. I only rarely make combat builds without it any more. In DDO you tend to hit more reliably than in D&D proper.

- Why adept of Rock?

To get access to fists of iron which is one of the better monk strikes. Granted I'm not sure if that one is fists only or not. My experience actually playing monks is pretty limited to be honest. Most of my choices are based on what I see others doing with monk builds or reports from guildies.

- Did you specifically decide to go for Assassin II rather than touch of death (Monk 9)?

I dig monks with weapons (I don't like Kamas), Monks with weapons only work if their unarmed damage doesn't progress past a certain point, Monk 9 would definitely complicate that calculation.

Yep. The requester had rejected a number of builds because "unarmed would be better" which would be true here if I went for Monk 9. Its only the shortsword theme that makes me split this way.

I think it's a good build, but I think it has room for improvement also.

I agree. A lot of my request builds have that, neat ideas but not quite optimal because I'm building to the request first and to the game mechanics second.

my first post ever, please be nice.

I'm a fan.

It was very insightful commentary. Thanks!

[AylinIsAwesome]

What about 1 Fighter instead of 7 Monk? It's my understanding that you only gain Wholeness of Body, but then you can just scroll Heal instead.

[sigtrent]

What about 1 Fighter instead of 7 Monk? It's my understanding that you only gain Wholeness of Body, but then you can just scroll Heal instead.

I don't see any down side although not a whole lot of up side either. I'm not sure if there is much you could do with another combat feat. Ahh you could get +10 HP off a toughness enhancement, that may be worth while. All said that last level could be nearly anything you like that fits the alignment. Paladin is often my go to filler level.

[elixer1]

I would if I could but the BAB requirements mean that's when you have to take them. At 6 I only have 4 BAB and at 15 only 10.

Of course, I see.

Its the weakest feat in the group although its partly there to help offset the lower BAB and power attack.

I guess you need every bonus you can get, if you go with PA.

Power attack is the strongest DPS feat you can take, that is if you can reliably hit while it is turned on. That will depend on how challenging the quest you are in is and if you are reliably getting sneak attack which helps a bit on accuracy. I only rarely make combat builds without it any more. In DDO you tend to hit more reliably than in D&D proper.

Strongest DPS feat? I would go with the TWF chain and THF chain for that, but I guess in a single feat, you are correct (Improved critical...). I still think this feat should be reserverd for the STR centric, BAB 20 @ 20 class builds and even then I would only take it on a THF, as that way I lose 5 off my attack for a +10 to damage. But I digress.

To get access to fists of iron which is one of the better monk strikes. Granted I'm not sure if that one is fists only or not. My experience actually playing monks is pretty limited to be honest. Most of my choices are based on what I see others doing with monk builds or reports from guildies.

I've never used fists of Iron, I always use Sun and Wind stances. Now I'm curious.....

Yep. The requester had rejected a number of builds because "unarmed would be better" which would be true here if I went for Monk 9. Its only the shortsword theme that makes me split this way.

Short sword wielding monk is way cool, but at two die steps off from short sword, it would be hard to go pure short sword. I've had great results from a longsword wielding monk, 6rgr/7mnk/7fig and, monk speed with vorpals, is just deadly against anything short of quest and raid bosses.

I agree. A lot of my request builds have that, neat ideas but not quite optimal because I'm building to the request first and to the game mechanics second.

[Tsuarok]

Strongest DPS feat? I would go with the TWF chain and THF chain for that, but I guess in a single feat, you are correct (Improved critical...). I still think this feat should be reserverd for the STR centric, BAB 20 @ 20 class builds and even then I would only take it on a THF, as that way I lose 5 off my attack for a +10 to damage. But I digress.

I really don't think one should ever build a melee of any type without PA... It's like giving 10+ strength whenever you will reliably hit with it. And you should usually be able to keep it on. I can't see passing that up.

I've never used fists of Iron, I always use Sun and Wind stances. Now I'm curious.....

You can use Fists of Iron in sun/wind stance. Adept of Rock also gives the earth II strike, which gives +8 dmg making it the strongest of the Adept strikes; it also allows you to fire off the earth finisher faster, which should help quite a bit for dps.

[dlsidhe]

A kind of random question - would taking the 7th level of monk at the 8th character level (to gain earlier access to Wholeness of Body, which is ridiculously useful) throw off any of the character progression? And would the U9 earth stance enhancements to critical multiplier work with the short swords?

[unbongwah]

An old thread, I know, but since someone bumped it up, what the heck...

My approach was a bit different: Finesse-based (yes yes I'm gimping my DPS and wasting a feat and blah blah blah - but dammit, ninja assassins should be nimble, not brawny!); a bit more WIS & CE for higher AC; and added Stunning Fist due to the DC changes in U9 (you have to switch to handwraps to use it). I staggered out the levels a bit more to maximize my skill pts; I also took monk 7 a lot sooner than the original build, which has the advantage of letting you take GTWF @ lvl 15 (BAB 11 from monk 7 / rogue 8 vs BAB 10 from monk 6 / rogue 9 in sigtrent's build).

Thematically I wanted max Hide & MS (ninja assassins are sneaky bastards!); but if you don't care about stealth you could put those pts elsewhere, like Spot, Balance, Jump, Open Lock, etc. Also, while I built it with a +2 Supreme for comparison purposes, the only one required is +1 INT for CE - and that can be delayed until lvl 17 - making it pretty easy for someone with limited resources to build.

My biggest complaint is that enh pts end up really tight due to the Ninja & Assassin pre-reqs. Would've liked to squeeze more DEX & drow weapon enhs in, but something else has to be squeezed out.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.2
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Drow Female
(7 Monk \ 13 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 266
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 20
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    16
Dexterity            16                    24
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom               12                    14
Charisma             10                    12

Tomes Used
+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                    10
Bluff                 0                     5
Concentration         2                    28
Diplomacy             4                    24
Disable Device        5                    25
Haggle                0                     1
Heal                  1                     2
Hide                  7                    38
Intimidate            0                     1
Jump                  4                     7
Listen                1                     4
Move Silently         7                    36
Open Lock             7                    11
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     2
Search                5                    27
Spot                  5                    18
Swim                  2                     3
Tumble                4                    10
Use Magic Device      4                    24

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+5)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse


Level 4 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Disable Device (+3)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)


Level 5 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness


Level 6 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 7 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+3)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)


Level 9 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+3)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Rogue)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+3)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)


Level 11 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+2)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+5)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist


Level 18 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise


Level 19 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing II
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing III
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin I
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV
Enhancement: Improved Hide I
Enhancement: Improved Hide II
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently I
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II

BTW, does anyone know how double-strike bonuses stack (if at all)? Ideally this build gets 3% (Opportunist) + 5% (Wind II) + 6% (Cutthroat's Smallblade) = 14%. But I'm not sure if that's actually how it works out.

[diablo92589]

i thought using short sword uncentered you now how can you use any monk stances

[unbongwah]

Ninja Spy I makes short swords ki weapons.

[diablo92589]

Build Name: Vulkoor Assassin
Author: Sigfried Trent
Requester: EL8582
Last Updated: 11/29/10



Design
The only plausible solution I could find was to go heavy in rogue levels. This puts the DPS emphasis on sneak attack damage which benefits most from attack speed increases. It also encourages maximizing non monk levels and rewards the bonuses from air stance fairly well.

the problem here is you can not use Air Stance using Short Swords there for you loose all of the bonuses from the piercing stuff do to the fact that you would need to be using a Kama or Unarmed

[diablo92589]

Ninja Spy I makes short swords ki weapons.

ok thank ...sorry ignor my second post i didnt see this

[Doganpc]

I too built one of these in the Dex (cheap for Drow) Wis + CE route but what Sigtrent built looks good too. I was scratching my head at the selection of Quick Draw, but have since educated myself on the full wording of the feat. I thought it was a ranged weapon swap speed boost. Currently mine is at level 11 and Wholeness of body makes a huge difference in survivability, one of these days I'll have to make a pure monk just to see how abusive they really are!

Dogan
Its nice to see someone with Rep, build something that looks like something I built

[sigtrent]

I too built one of these in the Dex (cheap for Drow) Wis + CE route but what Sigtrent built looks good too. I was scratching my head at the selection of Quick Draw, but have since educated myself on the full wording of the feat. I thought it was a ranged weapon swap speed boost.

Thanks!

Quick draw is mostly to speed up the timing of the haste boosts. It really helps optimize DPS for longer fights and its just really handy to have when changing weapons for whatever reason. This build didn't have a lot else to take at that level (6) so it seemed a good fit.