Shintao Pure Monk build wanted.

[faraque]

The things I'm looking for are:
High DC's
Moderate DPS
Human
Good healing Amp
Shintao
Still valid when U12 hits without LR'ing.

I have Oremi's set, want but don't have shintao set yet.
I am currently a 32 point monk, and I am TR'ing into a 34 point monk.
I now have all 6 +2 tomes.
I think having Fire and Water stances Grandmastered is best, Water for epics and stunning/quivering palm, and fire for raid boss beatdowns. I want Shintao to break DR's and give me a ranged stun. (I do not have the set yet.)

[Kinerd]

Monk DPS is more about gear than build; specifically, ultra handwraps and ToD rings.

Air stance is better for DPS than Fire stance.

I think you will find that Fire stance makes more sense for trash (stunning) than Water stance. +3 DC is no joke, but the ki costs of all your light abilities add up very quickly. 15 ki / 6 seconds for Stunning Fist and 25 ki / 15 seconds for Kukan-Do alone will be tough to keep up outside of Fire/Oremi's, throw in Smite, Tomb, Dismiss, and especially Fists of Light and you're in real trouble.

Healing amp too is strongly influenced by gear, which again goes back to Fire stance's 25% Jidz bonus.

U12 isn't going to change much for you. It makes Earth stance a ridiculously powerful tanking stance, but you don't want to tank, so it doesn't matter. It gives Water a real AC bonus, but if you're looking at epics you don't care about AC.

.

Here's a build I'm going to do with my monk on his second life:

Str 16 +4
Dex 15 +1
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 16
Cha 8

Feats
Stunning Fist & TWF & Stunning Blow
Power Attack
PL Monk
Luck of Heroes & Toughness
Improved TWF
Improved Critical
Greater TWF
Toughness

Enhancements
4 - Human Versatility
3 - Monk IR, Shintao, Air, Fire, Human IR, Tortoise
2 - Toughness, Concentration
1 - Capstone, Balance, Monk Wisdom, Human Wisdom, Earth

For your goals, it makes more sense to get Monk Wisdom 3 (perhaps sacrificing Tortoise or the random skills I got to fill in gaps) as well as putting levels into Wisdom instead of Str. You'll still qualify for Fire grandmaster with your Str tome. If you're on a 32 point build instead it gets a little tougher. You can't reach the stats without being a dwarf or half-orc, but doing so severely compromises your healing amp. I would go dwarf so you can at least get tactics out of it, but monks benefit so dramatically from being TRed that it behooves you to plan on it.

[faraque]

Wow, I failed at some crucial information in that first post, didn't I?

Ok, I have Oremi's set, want but don't have shintao set yet.
I am currently a 32 point monk, and I am TR'ing into a 34 point monk.
I now have all 6 +2 tomes.

[-Zyxas-]

As said earlier (by Kinerd), Fire should be your stunning stance. I know by experience that I NEED the ki from it while stunning (Oremi will suffice, but eventually you will probably have Shintao instead which it sounds like you'll want to use). Earth is good for boss DPS for the critical multiplier, and so is wind for the double strike. Fire is only good for your damage by its +1 or +2 damage (depending on which you have).

I'd personally go:
14-16 Str
15 Dex (16 if you want GM and don't plan on having a +3 tome for a long time)
16 Con (GM earth) (14 if you don't want it, 15 if comfortable using a +3)
8 Int (10 isn't really needed)
14-16 Wis
8 Cha

Feats (10):
Toughness
Monk Active PL
TWF, ITWF, GTWF
IC: Bludgeon
Stunning Fist
Cleave or Luck of Heroes or ... for shintao
Improved Sunder (better than a lousy stunning blow, I know by experience)
Power Attack

This is just MY personal opinions and what I find works for me (currently on life 1, but similar), please do not flame it down because you're a troller who slightly disagrees (no, not speaking to anyone specifically).

[faraque]

Ok, I've read an incredible number of posts regarding monks over the last few days. I'm not on board with Air Stance, for personal reasons. So, my options remain, Fire, Earth, Water. Water has been met with a lot of "meh" from the community. Earth is for tanking (which I may do for a friend in quests, not raids/elites/epics). That leaves Fire.

If I plan to hit things and do damage, the best strikes come from the Void line, and the Earth line.
I dig my current ability to remove curses, so I'm keeping that.
Human Versatility seems to be very powerful (here's to hoping I can remember to use it).
With the myriad ways to raise strength, keeping my to-hit up shouldn't be an issue. Might even be able to use Power Attack (holy ****!).
My DC's went down some, but should still be workable, if not as good as I'd like.

I present the builder result of about 4 hours of planning. Nitpick away and tell me what you think. The gear listed is what I actually have on right now. The only real swap is a GS Tier 2 HP cloak. Keep in mind while you read this, I am not a rich player, nor a supremely knowledgeable one. I work with what I got, but I am open to suggestions.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Dalles 
Level 20 Lawful Neutral Human Female
(20 Monk) 
Hit Points: 297
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 16
Will: 18

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    21
Dexterity            15                    17
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom               14                    20
Charisma              8                    10

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               6                    23
Bluff                -1                     0
Concentration         7                    42
Diplomacy            -1                    18
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle               -1                     0
Heal                  2                     5
Hide                  2                     3
Intimidate           -1                     0
Jump                  7                    25
Listen                2                     5
Move Silently         2                     3
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     0
Spot                  5                    28
Swim                  3                     5
Tumble                3                     4
Use Magic Device     n/a                    n/a

 Notable Equipment 
Oremi's Necklace
Greater Bold Trinket
Epic Cloak of Night
Vorne's Belt
Epic Ring of the Buccaneer
Epic Brawling Gloves (nothing slotted)
Striding Boots of Balance
Oremi's Ring (Acidic Burst)
Jidz-Tet'ka (Wish I could get this epic'd)
Dragontouched Vestments (Corrosive Salt Guard, Melodic Guard, Resistance +5)
Blindness Ward Goggles of the Eagle
Minos Legens
Epic Wraps of Endless Light

Level 1 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Improved Concentration I


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Void Strike I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Disciple of the Fist
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Improved Concentration II


Level 5 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Wisdom I


Level 6 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Improved Sunder
Feat: (Selected) Luck of Heroes
Enhancement: Shintao Monk I
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Adept of Flame


Level 7 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Rain


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Enhancement: Ten Thousand Stars
Enhancement: Fists of Iron
Enhancement: Void Strike II


Level 9 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II


Level 10 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 11 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery III


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Shintao Monk II
Enhancement: Master of Bonfires


Level 13 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Master of Stone


Level 14 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Master of Thunder
Enhancement: Master of the Sea


Level 15 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Void Strike III


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Restoring the Balance


Level 17 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 18 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+3)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Shuriken Expertise
Enhancement: Shintao Monk III
Enhancement: Grandmaster of the Sun


Level 19 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+3)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Grandmaster of Mountains


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+3)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Serenity
Enhancement: Void Strike IV

[Mordayn]

Looking over the build, it looks like a light monk variant of the ultimate dominion monk build from a couple years ago. I don't fully agree with the build, but I feel you are on the path that you are looking for, and that's what matters most.

A couple of thoughts:

1) grab a +1 Int tome, and increase your INT to 9. this way you'll get 4 extra skill points earlier in the game.
2) diplomacy isn't such a hot skill unless you INTEND to build to take aggro. its nice in a couple quests, so it bluff. I can see the points being better spent in tumble or in bluff (especially if you get the tharne's goggles).
3) healing amp can be fudged. You don't need high healing amp all the time. Monk and Human IR II is usually the most a monk needs. Combine that with vampiric stonedust handwraps, the jidz, your healing curse, and your light based heal ability, you're in business. Look up in the paladin builds for one called Solar Phoenix to see what other gear items you would need to increase your healing amp. (note: I have seen a light monk (pure) solo VOD before based on this principle.)

Good luck! be sure and post a lvl 20 version build once you get there!

[faraque]

...grab a +1 Int tome, and increase your INT to 9. this way you'll get 4 extra skill points earlier in the game....

I'm confused by this. You don't get a mod increase on an odd number, how does this get me an additional skill?

2) diplomacy isn't such a hot skill unless you INTEND to build to take aggro. its nice in a couple quests, so it bluff. I can see the points being better spent in tumble or in bluff (especially if you get the tharne's goggles).

While levelling, I will probably be taking aggro often, and I run in pugs a lot. So, I deal with a lot of stupid players, it just happens. I will keep this in mind though, skill points are easy to change.

3) healing amp can be fudged. You don't need high healing amp all the time. Monk and Human IR II is usually the most a monk needs.

Monk IR III is a pre-req for Shintao III, and aside from maybe using ardor pots, I figured I was good for Healing Amp.

Good luck! be sure and post a lvl 20 version build once you get there!

I'm also confused by this. My build goes to 20, did I miss something?

[Mordayn]

You're 9 INT will become 10 at lvl 3 with the +1 tome. which will net you earlier skill points.

*didn't notice the prereq for shintao III, I stand corrected.*

Most builds won't stay the same from inception to full build. I'm interested to see what it looks like in the final form. This is just a rough draft so to speak. Once your gear, and experience kicks in, you'll tweak your build somewhat.

[faraque]

My Int starts at 8 though.

Edit: Never mind, I understand, I misread the point I quoted. You told me to increase it to 9, and THEN eat a tome to make it 10.