monk.

[goodspeed]

Trying to decide on a race for a monk. Don't really want a half man, I was thinking maybe dwarf. Just seeking to build a pure damage monk.

So what do ya think?

[lhidda]

wf, human, horc are good choices for dps monk i think.

[Gladiator_206]

It realy boils down to what you want from the character.
Helfs can do moslty whatever you want them to, although you expressed you don't like them. The dilletants can be fun to play around with.

Humans are also solid all around, the Human adapability and extra Human Recovery enhancements are great bonuses. And the free feat of course.

Half Orc is also a good choice, as you get a strength bonus. and since *most* monks don't make use of cha, the hit to it is nelegible. (personally i also think half orcs look good in the outfits, but thats just me)

Dwarf is okay, they get increased constitution. Not really a whole lot here in terms of great monk benefits. Not bad, just maybe not the best choice.

Halflings are pretty nice. They get increased dex, and can make very good use of their AC and their sneak attack damage. A defensive build if there ever was one. The hit to strength actually isn't as bad as it seems.

Elves, don't really have much. Increase to dex is there, but the negetive to con just hurts. I wouldn't recomend Elves.

Same with Drow. They have bonuses to stats that monks don't necessarily make good use of. this coupled with the fact that they also take a con hit makes them mostly undesirable as monks.

WF? Split decision... Ive seen some great WF monks, but ive personally allways thought they were a bit redundant. Almost all of the immunities they recieve for being WF are allready covered by being a monk, as well as getting dr 10/epic. They also take a hit to wisdom, which hurts many of your dc's. Again I personally wouldn't do it but I have seen them work so its not impossible.


Hope this helped, but 99% of this is really my oppinion, so feel free to disagree.

[edgarallanpoe]

Dwarf is okay, they get increased constitution. Not really a whole lot here in terms of great monk benefits. Not bad, just maybe not the best choice.

Disagree completely with this. Their additional Con lead them to qualify for Earth III & IV much easier than anyone other than a WF. The new Earth III & IV are big time DPS boost over everything but wind. They also have a tactics line that adds to your stuns.

I am playing around with a Dwarf monk and so far, he is devastating.

I also have a Drow and a Horc monk...because of the bonus to Str, the Horc really does bring the pain. The Drow in WindIV doesn't see as big of numbers but he hits about 20000 times per second. LOL!!

As a monk fan I find that every race brings a lot to the table because there are a hundred different ways to play a monk.

[Gladiator_206]

Disagree completely with this. Their additional Con lead them to qualify for Earth III & IV much easier than anyone other than a WF. The new Earth III & IV are big time DPS boost over everything but wind. They also have a tactics line that adds to your stuns.

I also have a Drow and a Horc monk...because of the bonus to Str, the Horc really does bring the pain. The Drow in WindIV doesn't see as big of numbers but he hits about 20000 times per second. LOL!!

As a monk fan I find that every race brings a lot to the table because there are a hundred different ways to play a monk.

Good response. True dwarfs do let you get Earth III and IV faster, didn't really think about it. But its early and I just woke up :P This does give good reason to go dwarf, as Earth stance and its strikes can be awesome.

Even still, dwarfs are just so pudgy that I have a hard time taking them seriously, haha.

On a more serious note however, I would diagree with the drow choice for a wind monk. I would go Halfling if my intention was to be in wind 100% of the time, as they can tear things up while still holding up AC and providing sneak attacks. Although im sure your character is wonderful, and you can play what you like, I just don't feel like drow brings a whole lot to the table.

[phebia]

Go halfling, why becouse they look cool and dont have to reach up and break knee caps.
or what ever takes your fancy

[edgarallanpoe]

On a more serious note however, I would diagree with the drow choice for a wind monk. I would go Halfling if my intention was to be in wind 100% of the time, as they can tear things up while still holding up AC and providing sneak attacks. Although im sure your character is wonderful, and you can play what you like, I just don't feel like drow brings a whole lot to the table.

No disagreement here. I play a drow for RP reasons. That being said, they do bring a couple of things to the table for a monk that many do not consider.

1. Their increased Int gives them more skill points that can be used in UMD...a very useful skill.
2. Their increased Char gives them a higher DC on their ranged stun and UMD skill.

Granted, these aren't "must haves" for a monk but they are nice to have. Also, remember that Halflings take a hit to Str. I understand that the loss in Str DPS is more than made up for in sneak attack damage but it is still something to consider. Also, the lower Str on a halfling means that your pack must be very light in order to keep from being uncentered.

[goodspeed]

so it boils down to a horc a human or a dwarf. Kinda sick of humans as they're my mage race, so horc or dwarf. Horcs are pretty nice with the str start and enhancements. But dwarfs are just so midget like. Either would be using fist wraps. Ah so tough.

[Gladiator_206]

No disagreement here. I play a drow for RP reasons.
Nice! I fully support this.

1. Their increased Int gives them more skill points that can be used in UMD...a very useful skill.
2. Their increased Char gives them a higher DC on their ranged stun and UMD skill.

Another is it helps them get Combat Expertise easier if they wish that. But alas, not everyone can (or wants to) benefit from these skills.

Also, remember that Halflings take a hit to Str.

True, however as you stated with sneak attack damage, and how fast they atack in wind stance, you almost can't notice. I did play one of these Halfling Wind stance monks as my first life, and I only ever had uncentered issues (due to to much weight) once when i was level 3 - selling the fullplate i just picked up solved this however, so I feelpersonally like you don't really see to much of a problem with carrying stuff, even with lowered str ect ect.

so it boils down to a horc a human or a dwarf.
This is strictly a personal oppinion, but I feel their is much fun to be had on a Horc, it would get my vote
But as allways, play what will make YOU the happiest, as in the end thats all that matters.

[Braegan]

DPS Races for monk as I see it now are in order of DPS:

1) half-elf, rog dille

2) halfling, take cunning and guile enhancements

3) half-orc

4) WF

5) everyone else.


Edit: I do agree and live by the Earth Strikes and Stance at times for being superior DPS. But it's not that hard to achieve save races with a con penalty.