Helf Ninja Kensai Build

[Sani_Medicor]

For better or worse, here's my monk build. I'm going to start light with cleric dilettante and swap to dark with rogue dillettante at monk 12. At that point, use magic device should take care of my healing needs.

Lawful Neutral Half Elf
12 Monk / 7 Fighter / 1 Rogue

Progression
1 Rogue
2 Fighter
3-8 Monk
9 Fighter
10-15 Monk
16-20 Fighter

Stats
Str 16 +5 Level Ups
Dex 15
Con 12
Int 8
Wis 16
Cha 8

Skills
Fighter Levels - Use Magic Device
Monk Levels - Balance, Concentration, and Use Magic Device

Feats
1 Toughness
1 Half-Elf Dilettante Rogue
2 Two Weapon Fighting
3 Stunning Fist
3 Stunning Blow
4 Power Attack
5 Path of Inevitable Dominion
6 Least Dragonmark of Storm
8 Dodge
9 Luck of Heroes
9 Improved Two Weapon Fighting
12 Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
15 Greater Two Weapon Fighting
17 Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning
18 Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
19 Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning

Enhancements
Improved Jump II
Improved Tumble II
Half-Elf Strength II
Half-Elf Toughness II
Half-Elf Rogue Dexterity I
Half-Elf Rogue Dilettante II
Monk Ninja Spy II
Monk Wisdom II
Monk Porous Soul
Monk Static Charge
Monk Winter's Touch
Monk All Consuming Flame
Monk Touch of Death
Monk Adept of Flame
Monk Master of Bonfires
Monk Way of the Tortoise II
Fighter Kensei I
Fighter Strength II
Fighter Toughness III
Fighter Haste Boost III
Fighter Attack Boost II
Fighter Stunning Blow II
Fighter Unarmed Mastery I
Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Rogue Sneak Attack Training I

[Feithlin]

A bard level would open the possibility for full umd (it could be short on skill points though) and the free use of healing and blur wands. Nothing exceptional, but this an option.

[Bilger]

A bard level would open the possibility for full umd (it could be short on skill points though) and the free use of healing and blur wands. Nothing exceptional, but this an option.

Can't go bard because of alignment.

I know ya said don't need that 8th lvl of fighter but it is handy and does give weapon master enhancement and a feat.

Unless want max umd (rogue) fighter prob is best bet.

Can't think of any realy good 1 lvl splash that benifit you.

[Sani_Medicor]

Yeah...was just crunching skill point numbers and I don't think I want to mess with umd. I'm going to go 21 balance/concentration and 11 jump/tumble I think. It's been a while since I've had a dex character that could do flips.

[LunaCee]

Ranger at first level, rangers actually get another 8 skill points more than a monk at first level.

Sprint Boost!
+3 damage versus a single favored enemy
Bow Strength to go with your Zen Archery feat.
Cure Light/Moderate/Serious wands for those earlier levels.
Possibility of using 30 point resist wands later on in your character's life.
Neutralize Poison Wands, so you don't have to keep a poison immunity item slotted.
Have I mentioned wands, wands, wands, oh and more wands? (Cheaper than pots... and can be used when pot is on cool down!)

EDIT: Actually, when you dump Fighter 8 you might as well also dump Fighter 7 as well. And pick up a second level or ranger scoring you the first tier of TWF and Rapid Shot.

[elg582]

Hmm, I think I would use this:

helf 12 monk/6 fighter/2 rogue

Str 15 +5 Level Ups
Dex 16
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 12
Cha 12

Swap rogue dilletante for paladin and ditch zen archery.

[DrNuegebauer]

He wants to keep Fighter 7 for haste boost 3.

Drop finesse please! There's no real need for it here - take stunning blow instead.

Go strength based and start with at least 15 - 16 would be better (16/15/14/8/15/8)

I'd probably stick with 8 fighter and take unarmed as the lvl 8 fighter weapon. Drop the rogue dex if you need the points.

[elg582]

Haste boost 3 is only 5%, and 8 fighter gives greater weapon focus, +1 to hit, nice but could live without.

I have a 12 monk/8 fighter unarmed kensei elf, and it is solid, so you know this will work, but I would focus less on WIS (AC won't matter end game and neither will your monk DCs) and do something more useful with the points; CHA bonus to saves sounded like the best option to me.

I listed 12 monk/6 fighter/2 rogue because that's what I think that I should have built instead.

[LunaCee]

I listed 12 monk/6 fighter/2 rogue because that's what I think that I should have built instead.

Except for the fact that the rogue levels grant access to UMD and trap skills there is no real reason to take rogue levels on a Half elf build that already has 12 monk levels (improved evasion beats evasion from rogue levels) and a number of fighter levels (fighter grants access to haste boost as well) and that is already taking the Rogue Dilettante for a tasty 3d6 SA damage.

2 Ranger levels results in first tier of TWF as a bonus feat, Bow strength and Rapid Shot as bonus feats, +3 damage to a single type of favored enemy, wand usage, and 35% sprint boost.

And chasing after Paladin Dilettante requires 13 CHA, and your suggested start only has 12. This results in mandatory feat swapping later.

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

Level 20 Lawful Good Half-Elf Female
(6 Fighter \ 12 Monk \ 2 Ranger) 

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            15                    18
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         10                    12
Wisdom               14                    15
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                    15
Bluff                -1                     0
Concentration         6                    28
Diplomacy            -1                     0
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                  2                     2
Hide                  6                    25
Intimidate           -1                     0
Jump                  7                    15
Listen                2                     2
Move Silently         6                    25
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     1
Search                0                     1
Spot                  2                     2
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                4                    14
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Rogue
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Sap
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 4 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Zen Archery
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 7 (Fighter)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Quick Draw
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 8 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) II


Level 10 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II


Level 11 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 12 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I


Level 13 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 14 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+2)
Enhancement: Adept of Wind


Level 15 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante II


Level 16 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Porous Soul
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Winter's Touch


Level 17 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Touch of Death


Level 18 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Master of Thunder


Level 20 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Unarmed Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Half-Elf Improved Trap Sense I

That would be a somewhat improved version of what you are trying to make in my opinion. It probably could use a couple more improvements. But it should hit a heck of a lot harder. I only included the two tomes I used to make it work out. Honesty one could probably do with additional tomes for STR, CON, and WIS. But they don't make or break the build. And you could skip the INT tome, but you'd lose 13 skill points from the build.

[DrNuegebauer]

Haste boost 3 is only 5%, and 8 fighter gives greater weapon focus, +1 to hit, nice but could live without.

I have a 12 monk/8 fighter unarmed kensei elf, and it is solid, so you know this will work, but I would focus less on WIS (AC won't matter end game and neither will your monk DCs) and do something more useful with the points; CHA bonus to saves sounded like the best option to me.

I listed 12 monk/6 fighter/2 rogue because that's what I think that I should have built instead.

You get +1 damage from enhancements at fighter level 8 too...

Conservative stunning fist DC with starting 15 wis = 35. That's not terrible


2 rogue is useless to him as a helf since he can't stack the sneak dice with the sneak dice...

[Darkrok]

I agree with the ranger splash. You get ranger wand usage (and longstrider scrolls which are almost as fast as 20% striders with the way the game currently operates and last for quite awhile), ranger sprint boost, bow strength, twf (free feat basically), a favored enemy. I think it outweighs fighter 7 and if you're taking the rogue dilly anyways there's no reason to go rogue if you're not taking rogue skills.

[Sani_Medicor]

Wow...lots of feedback! Thanks for taking the time to look at it and reply!

I was already considering taking stunning blow, instead of zen archery, but I'm not sure about my DC for it. If it was a strength based build, I'm sure it would be fine. I'm not so sure about a dex build. I'll definitely have plenty of wisdom for the stunning fist DC though.

I found a thread discussing strength vs dexterity builds for monks the other day, but I can't find the thread now. It looked to me like the damage from strength was pretty negligible for unarmed attacks and I was able to get a little higher dex for attack purposes.

Thanks for taking time to work up a build with ranged LunaCee. I probably won't do a ranger 2 splash though, since I'm really not hurting for feats and the build isn't really about ranged damage. I still may take a look at one level of ranger though.

I have tons of candy canes for healing, but I may end up going with the cleric dilletante early on for fun. Then I can swap to rogue later when my ninja sneak attack damage starts kicking in. I was surprised there were no comments about my dragonmarks. I'm pretty sure those are going to make a huge difference in the build. I'll try to crunch so more numbers later. Thanks again!

[Sani_Medicor]

Deleted.

[LunaCee]

I'd suggest taking a closer look at the build I provided. Easily attainable stunning blow DC of 35, can be pushed into the 40s with stuff like Titan gloves. It also manages to squeeze in Touch of Death, and the ranged feats are almost an afterthought because for those last two feats there isn't that much else left to take that would be useful to the build!

It also picks up Adept of Rock for Fists of Iron (which is a +1 crit mod attack on stunned/held mobs) and also benefits from a slightly higher and better earth ki strike for pure physical damage.

Additionally the way the skill points work out you've got very high stealth, allowing you to reliably stealth past encounters you don't feel like fighting.

[Sani_Medicor]

I've finally decided on a build. Let me know what you think.

[whereispowderedsilve]

Apologize in advance for the thread necro BUT:

So was using Luna's build here as my 1st time try into monk & half elf, but/however I mistakenly/accidentally/stupidly

took lvl 5 as monk not ranger as the build indicates, was wondering did I gimp it will I have to reroll or is there some

way of salvaging it? Have access to 32 point build & am VIP but not vet status yet!

Any & all help/advice greatly appreciated & much thx in advance! Let me know if needing any more info!

Except for the fact that the rogue levels grant access to UMD and trap skills there is no real reason to take rogue levels on a Half elf build that already has 12 monk levels (improved evasion beats evasion from rogue levels) and a number of fighter levels (fighter grants access to haste boost as well) and that is already taking the Rogue Dilettante for a tasty 3d6 SA damage.

2 Ranger levels results in first tier of TWF as a bonus feat, Bow strength and Rapid Shot as bonus feats, +3 damage to a single type of favored enemy, wand usage, and 35% sprint boost.

And chasing after Paladin Dilettante requires 13 CHA, and your suggested start only has 12. This results in mandatory feat swapping later.

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

Level 20 Lawful Good Half-Elf Female
(6 Fighter \ 12 Monk \ 2 Ranger) 

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            15                    18
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         10                    12
Wisdom               14                    15
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                    15
Bluff                -1                     0
Concentration         6                    28
Diplomacy            -1                     0
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                  2                     2
Hide                  6                    25
Intimidate           -1                     0
Jump                  7                    15
Listen                2                     2
Move Silently         6                    25
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     1
Search                0                     1
Spot                  2                     2
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                4                    14
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Rogue
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Sap
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 4 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Zen Archery
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 7 (Fighter)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Quick Draw
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 8 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) II


Level 10 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II


Level 11 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 12 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I


Level 13 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 14 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+2)
Enhancement: Adept of Wind


Level 15 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante II


Level 16 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Porous Soul
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Winter's Touch


Level 17 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Touch of Death


Level 18 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Master of Thunder


Level 20 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Unarmed Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Half-Elf Improved Trap Sense I

That would be a somewhat improved version of what you are trying to make in my opinion. It probably could use a couple more improvements. But it should hit a heck of a lot harder. I only included the two tomes I used to make it work out. Honesty one could probably do with additional tomes for STR, CON, and WIS. But they don't make or break the build. And you could skip the INT tome, but you'd lose 13 skill points from the build.