Strength Build, Treasure Finding, Human Monk

[Keplih]

Build Name: Treasure Finder Human Monk
Author: Keplih
Last Updated: 01/26/11

Key Words [Monk, 28pts, Domination, Ninja Monk, Human]

Objectives
To make a 28 pt Monk with Treasure Finding as fast as possible, who will use the Chitin Bracers' function of extra healing in Fire Stance, while still being able to function in a party.

Summary Haves
- Drow
- Monk
- Warforged
- 28 pt build
- Ability to change feats (limited)
- Ability to change enhancements

Summary Have-Nots
- 32 pt build
- Stat Tomes
- Gear farmed from a higher level character (point of this character build)

Design
The original build did not fit with my original objective, so they were both scrapped. This is a slightly different build, though not by much. Still, I think that for what it's intended for, it works well.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.0
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(20 Monk) 
Hit Points: 302
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 16
Will: 16

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

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 17
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 17
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 17
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 17

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               5                    11
Bluff                -1                    -1
Concentration         6                    40
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    10
Heal                  2                     4
Hide                  6                    19
Intimidate           -1                    -1
Jump                  5                    10
Listen                2                     4
Move Silently         6                    19
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                    -1
Spot                  2                    10
Swim                  2                     5
Tumble                4                     7
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Hide (+3)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Move Silently (+3)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Least Dragonmark of Finding
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+3)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II


Level 5 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II


Level 6 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1.5)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Finding
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 7 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1.5)
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Winter's Touch


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1.5)
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 9 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Finding
Enhancement: Porous Soul


Level 10 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Touch of Death


Level 11 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise III
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II


Level 13 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires


Level 14 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II


Level 15 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise IV


Level 17 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 18 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Grandmaster of the Sun


Level 19 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom III

Argonnessen: Kepmyr // Keplih // Kepshia // (TBA) Cannith: (none) Ghallanda: (none)
Khyber: Kepliah Orien: Static RP Sarlona: (none) Thelanis: (none)

[Phidius]

Build Name: Drow Wizard Pale Master
Author: Keplih
Last Updated: 12/13/10

Key Words [Monk, 28pts, Pale Master, Domination, Ninja Monk, Human]
...

I'm all confused... you mention Drow Wizard Pale Master, but then post a Human Monk.

What's with the key words?

[Keplih]

Ack! Thought I corrected that stuff. I'm using a template for posting that I found on other people's builds. I should really write a blank one somewhere. Ok, fixed.

As for the key words, I don't know. Just something I saw on Sig's builds, and I haven't questioned the logistics of them, however for now I'm putting them in. *shrugs* Might take them out later.

[t0r012]

If you want self sufficient I would suggest going light path, FoL helps a ton.

I also don't care for the D-marks, if you want to do that go fighter too expensive for way too little.

Now on to the rest, I strongly suggest going Dex/Wis with a 28 pointer. It helps by reducing the crazy 4 main stat dependency that monks have. I also find it less of an issue with monks than it is with other classes since you aren't stuck with the junky "light weapons" that only do 1d4 or 1d6 base damage. As your fist damage increases with level you feel much less gimp with a Weapon finesse monk than other classes. Would it be nice to have Str , you bet. But it isn't as much of a draw back as you would think for a monk, a 28 pointer even more so.

IMO Dex/Wis finesse lets you get the most "monkness" out of a 28 pointer. You get all the AC you can, still get to kick and things real , real hard. your stunning fist hits more (I.e. EASY BUTTON) ditto for the quivering palm.

I'd prefer to see a dex based race since I say skip the Dmarks there isn't much keeping you attached to humans after that.

human I would go 12/16/12/8/16/8
drow would be 12/17/12/10/16/10
Elf the same as drow just with 8's in Cha and Int
Same for halfer 12/17/12/8/16/8
Dwarf 12/16/14/8/16/6

is the Con a bit light? yeah, but you are a 28 pointer and have to give up something. With monk AC, Saves, evasion and a little later, improved evasion I find the HP required for a monk to be a bit less demanding than most other classes. Besides that the difference between 12 con and 14 con at 20 is only 20HP. Like I said would i like more sure , who wouldn't but you can get away with 12 on a monk.

for skills Concentration maxed, balance maxed, 1 point in tumble at level 1 then jump for the rest. if human or drow just max all 4 of the above or if you prefer stick with 1 tumble and diplomacy the rest.


Feats are the usual. TWF/iTWF/gTWF (@ 1,9,15) 1 or 2 Toughness, Weapon finesse (@ level 2) stunning fist (level 6 is a good spot) Improved Critical bludgeon at level 12. I used to say power attack was required and I would still suggest swapping it in when you catch a +1 str tome down the line but truth be told I rarely if ever turn on PA. FoL works better when you don't use it , and I prefer to not have a great chance of missing a stunning fist. the -5 for PA coupled with the -4 from moving tends to be a bit much. beyond that once you have something stunned , it is your ki battery you get more ki by not using PA.

[ekniff]

Personal opinion follows:

Casters are better at earning money. Your monk will need lots of money to buy toys: the 10 different greater bane wraps for e.g. In comparison, a caster will be pretty good with just the simple gear.

EDIT: also, out of curiosity, could you share your experiences with the dragonmark of finding?

[Keplih]

*blinks* Oh boy.

@toro: Instead of just putting a bunch of 'yes' all over, I'll just put a *facepalm* and be done with me being an idiot.
I really wanted to try the Dragonmarks and.. i did.

I was less interested with SS, and more interested with 'treasure', which the final Dragonmark of Finding will give me. This is where I answer in ekniff's question. I'm level 4 now, and it is abhorent!!!! Seriously. When I read the description and it said 'temporary but potentially useful', I thought it would be 1 shot potions of barkskin, with maybe some extra duration. What I got was a Wand of Fox's Cunning. I'm not a mage, and the UMD requirement means that I can't use it until maybe level 8. Then I found a breastplate +1! Aren't these supposed to be temporary?!? Yes they are. All these items get dropped at the end of the dungeon. O.o So I can't keep any, vendor any or give any to alts. I can give it to people I'm running the dungeon with, but that assumes they 1) want it 2) will remember to use it. So, the least DM of Finding, imo, needs to be reworked. Seriously, who's going to use a temporary breastplate +1? The hireling? My hopes are that the Knock spell works like the arcane version allowing me to open locks. The problem I'm realizing is that some locks take 2-3 tries on my wizard... and I'm only going to have a few attempts on my monk. *facepalm* The last in the chain is the ability to increase the treasure in chests. My build has that at level 18. *cries* So in fact, I'm not sure of the true value of this chain of DragonMarks.

Perhaps if the knock spell was an automatic 20 roll + thief equivalent level...
AND perhaps if the temporary items didn't include things your class can't use, or allowed your character to use them regarless of class? (Wand of CLW that a monk can use?) However, I recognize the unbalancing nature of both these statements. It's simply that the current effects of these feats do not match things like TWF, PA or Die Hard.

And with my current experiences with DragonMarks, toro's statements become much more valid for my build. However, I've already done a post on 'halfling vs drow dex based monks' and I've come to realize that drow/elf have little to add to a monk, whereas halflings have more to offer.

Well, at least I'm only level 4.

Re money makers: Wizards need to buy spells and the inscribing materials. It's expensive. Maybe every class is expensive in it's own right, but rogues need gear (which i'm having problems affording), and wizards need spells (again, money problems) which leaves.. clerics? Idk. Anyway, I bought monk during X-mas sale, so I was hoping to get some use out of it because my understanding is that monks can 'wing it'. And I saved up some monk gear instead of vendoring it from my other toons.

Conclusion:
I'm going to stick with monk, but without the DM of Finding chain.

Toro, I don't have any experience as a light monk, having only read good builds on dark monks. Would you have a build kicking around on your character planner that is halfling and light monk I could use, or at least reference to? TIA.

[Fejj]

Just to kick some thoughts to you,

A Sorc gets all his spells for free at level ups. No cost to you. (costs to swap, but not get). No one thinks "I'll grab my monk and farm some loot. Its always a caster.

If you were getting WF with the sale, thats icing on the cake. Self healing FTW

Wall of fire DOMINATES the loot farming quests. Your monk will take four times as long to fight his way through, using tons of heal pots, for I can do with one cast and a little jumping / shield blocking.

Your monk will need some handwraps, (most expensive item in the game) and also items for wis, dex, str, and con.

A sorc needs 2 sceptors, (very cheap) and one cha, and one con item.

Don't get me wrong, I love monks, but they are not the premier loot farming class

Link to Rockan Robin - great monk post - http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=210181

[Memnir]

The loot Dragonmarks are an utter waste. You might as well take Spell Penetration on your Monk for all the good those feats will give you. You are only level 4 and finding this out, and they don't get any better. Talk to the Hall of the Mark chick, and spec it out now and never look back.


They're worse then garbage.

[Keplih]

@Fejj: I read the post. Tad long, but full of info, so what can you do.. I like her Wisdom build, and will probably be remaking my monk based on that. The assumption, which I posted earlier, is that it must be a halfling.

With regard to the WF sorcerer, I can see what you're saying. I suppose it's because all I see is "Is it a WF? No? You suck!" I get a little weirded out thinking about making a WF. So I might go with a Drow Sorcerer for the additional Cha. I'm not sure, and that's another thread entirely, so no point in discussing it here with any seriousness.

In that post, there is also the idea that making a light monk is a poor man's dream, which then means that I could farm with said monk. So I'm simply going to digest what you've shared and figure what I'll do in a bit. :S It's a lot of info at once, regardless. Thanks for your help.