TR ideas for a PM Monk

[Cryohazard]

Hey all,

First of all, I had no idea where to post this since they tweaked the Forum (grumble)...I figured here would be a good a place as anywhere

Grumbling aside, onto business! I have a 28pt Warforged Wiz12/Monk6/Fighter2 Palemaster + Ninja 1 Monk. It started as a flavor build for fun, and turned into a surprisingly powerful toon. Insane survivability, good DPS, and it fairs pretty well in epics. I'm nearing my 20th Shroud and planning on TR-ing shortly afterwards. I intend to keep the palemaster mele theme going, but I'm toying with changing the race and levels of multiclassing, and would like a little bit of opinion.

Stats:
Here is what I based my build off of: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...alemaster+monk

Currently, its a STR-based Warforged Monk at the core, with the 12 Wiz levels wrapped around it.
Base 28pt stats:

STR: 18
DEX: 15
CON: 14
INT: 10
WIS: 12
CHA: 6

For the TR: I'm pretty happy with where STR is. I want to put some more points into CON for some always welcome hp. I also want to put more into WIS to help the stunning fist DC's out.

Levels: Again, for this build, I went with Wiz12/Monk6/Fighter2. Wiz12 for the PM shrouds, Monk 6 for Ninja Spy 1, and Fighter 2 for feats and some mele enhancements. This works pretty well, although I'm always looking for a way to boost damage output.

I'm fixed on the 12 levels of Wizard for the PM shrouds, its just a matter of figuring out how to maximize my mele abilities with the other 8 available levels.

Theoretically, I could change levels around and get Wiz12/Fighter6/Monk2 for Kensai 1. I could also Go Wiz12/Monk8 and get a little extra mele damage from unarmed strikes (1d10). Or just stick with the current build. I think this is the hardest decision I've got to make, and some valuable insight is welcome!

Accumulated Gear/Races: I've gathered some good gear in this life(or am working on getting), and I'd like to use them in the next one.

-Minos Legens
-GS Earthgrab Cloak
-Shroud of the Abbot
-(Circle of Hatred)
-(possibly a GS MIN II helm to replace Minos)
-(Madstone Boots)
-(Amrath PM set)

The Shroud of the Abbot is a robe that casts inflict light wounds on the wearer when he's struck (heals PM's when struck ). Because it is a robe, I can't exactly wear it as a Warforged. The only other item in the game (that I know of) that has this "Boon of Undeath" enhancement is the Docent/Robe of Shadow from the Mabar Festival. Now, unless Turbine plans to bring Mabar back this fall, the Shroud of the Abbot is my only option, forcing me to go with a fleshy race to be able to use it.

So here's some options on what fleshy race to go with:

Half-Orc: STR-bonus + orc fury bonuses.
Half-Elf: Versatility + Dilettante feats/enhancements
Halfing: Sneak attack enhancements + size bonuses (hey, who doesn't love a cuddly ball of death itself?)

I'm leaning towards the Half-elf, and taking the Rogue Dilettante for the extra 3d6 sneak attack damage.

Putting it all together and we get:

34 pt Half-Elf
Wiz12/Monk (x) /Fighter (x)
Strength-Based Palemaster Ninja Monk with Rog Dilettante.

What do you guys think? Any +5 Constructive Criticism is greatly appreciated!

[Taimasan]

Looks cool, got any screenshots of some damage #'s?

[Cryohazard]

This a little outdated I'm afraid. Its back when I was around level 17-18. I'm in the Wraith shroud, hitting on a poor stunned ogre in the Vale of Twighlight (and ignoring that pesky scorpion for the moment). The weapon of choice is a Flaming Burst/Frost Wraps of Stunning +4. (I know...Jeeze Cryo! get some decent wraps!). In the pic, I'm hitting him for about 90 total damage along with the 1d8 CON damage from the wraith unarmed effect.

Nowadays at level 20 (will try to snap a good pic soon), I can crit a normal target for about 90 base damage. Depending on what wraps I use, I can get crits around 150 total damage.

It will never outslug a purebred monk(like the one in your pictures, Taimasan), but its probably one of the most survivable and durable builds out there.

[Phidius]

I think Half-elf would be the best - early levels, you can use the cleric/ranger dilly for self-healing, then switch to the rog once you've got PM2.

[Taimasan]

Not bad dude, that con damage is nice!. Dunno about anyone else would be very interested in seeing a more in depth report and analysis of the PM/unarmed combo. Not alot of work has been done on it imo and I have always been interested in it myself. Keep us posted!

[slimkj]

Would also be interested to see more reports from the field. This kind of build has always interested me (monks and arcanes, what's not to like?) but not got round to it yet.

How's the to-hit? I guess you have to rely on DP clickies a lot? I'm thinking this might be nice with a Pali PL as you'll have Extend anyway.

[Cryohazard]

Not bad dude, that con damage is nice!. Dunno about anyone else would be very interested in seeing a more in depth report and analysis of the PM/unarmed combo. Not alot of work has been done on it imo and I have always been interested in it myself. Keep us posted!

CON damage is from the wraith shroud, and It only procs from a crit hit. And then I think theres a fort save thrown in somewhere, so it doesn't always go off in elite/epics. Lich, on the other hand, does 1d8 negative energy damage. it also has a +2 CON bonus, so you're a little bit more meaty. I find myself using Lich form alot more now. As far as an in-depth report, I just downloaded the character builder and should have my TR build idea posted soon.

Would also be interested to see more reports from the field. This kind of build has always interested me (monks and arcanes, what's not to like?) but not got round to it yet.

How's the to-hit? I guess you have to rely on DP clickies a lot? I'm thinking this might be nice with a Pali PL as you'll have Extend anyway.

I played a pure PM wiz for a while, and then I noticed both the Lich and Wraith shrouds gave unarmed bonuses. It was like Turbine secretly dropped a couple hints that PMs and Monks might be able to be multiclassed. I tried it just for fun, and it works pretty well for an mad scientist's experiment

On raid bosses, I sometimes have trouble punching through their AC, so yeah I'll to pop a DP every now and then. Tensers Transformation is also an option, but it prevents you from casting spells. But for the most part, there isn't much out there I can't hit. Thats the beauty of self buffing where you can buff yourself to a point where you can hit anything. Throw a Haste, Rage, Greater Heroism, and some other divine buffs, and you're good to go.

[Cryohazard]

Alright, you asked for it, and here it is: My idea for a 34-pt Wiz12/Monk8 Build

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Cryowraith TR #1
Level 20 Lawful Good Half-Elf Male
(8 Monk \ 12 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 296
Spell Points: 772 
BAB: 12\12\17\22
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 14
Will: 18

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

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength 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

                  Starting            Ending          
                 Base Skills        Base Skills       
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)        
Balance               6                 27            
Bluff                -1                 -1            
Concentration         7                 27            
Diplomacy            -1                  3            
Disable Device        n/a               n/a           
Haggle                1                  3            
Heal                  2                  4            
Hide                  2                  4            
Intimidate           -1                 -1            
Jump                  3                 10.5          
Listen                2                  4            
Move Silently         2                  4            
Open Lock             n/a               n/a           
Perform              n/a               n/a            
Repair                0                  2            
Search                0                  2            
Spot                  2                  4.5          
Swim                  3                  6            
Tumble                6                 11.5          
Use Magic Device     n/a               n/a            


 Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Diehard


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Necromancy
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat
Spell (1): Tumble
Spell (1): Nightshield


Level 4 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Shield


Level 5 (Wizard)
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Lesser Death Aura


Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy
Spell (2): Invisibility
Spell (2): Resist Energy


Level 7 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 8 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (3): Rage
Spell (3): Magic Circle Against Evil


Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Spell (4): Death Aura
Spell (4): Negative Energy Burst


Level 10 (Wizard)
Spell (4): Stoneskin
Spell (4): Fire Shield


Level 11 (Wizard)
Spell (5): Protection From Elements
Spell (5): Cloudkill


Level 12 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Heighten Spell
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Spell (5): Break Enchantment
Spell (5): Teleport


Level 13 (Wizard)
Spell (6): Greater Heroism
Spell (6): True Seeing


Level 14 (Wizard)
Spell (6): Acid Fog
Spell (5): Prismatic Ray


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 19 (Monk)


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante I
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante II
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Adept of Flame
Enhancement: Adept of Rain
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar III
Enhancement: Half-Elf Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II
Enhancement: Half-Elf Improved Trap Sense I
Enhancement: Half-Elf Improved Trap Sense II
Enhancement: Shroud of the Lich
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master I
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master II
Enhancement: Shroud of the Wraith

Total HP with Items:

Heroic Durability: 20
8 Monk Levels: 64
12 Wizard Levels: 48
CON Bonus: 80
Toughness: 46
Toughness Enhancement: 20
+2 Tome: 20
Draconic Vitality: 10
Earth Stance: 20
Lich Form: 20
Minos Legens: 20
GS Item: 45
GFL: 30
Rage: 20
Madstone: 40

Total: 503
(not including temporary HP, which can be 50+)

Let me know what you guys think!