Kensai + Monk

[whomhead]

Here's what I'm playing right now on my main, and it is a beast of a build. He's sitting at ~36 stunning fist and 34 stunning blow DCs without stunning wraps. That's enough for an almost guaranteed (~85%) stun on epic casters, and if you throw an improved sunder before hand, then it's enough to stun most things in the game.

I levelled as a light monk, then switched to the dark side at 20 once I got the 6th monk level.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.02
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Level 20 Lawful Neutral Dwarf Male
(12 Fighter \ 7 Monk \ 1 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 376
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 17\17\22\27\27
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 14
Will: 13

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    28
Dexterity            15                    17
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom               14                    18
Charisma              6                     8

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                    11
Bluff                -2                     1
Concentration         5                    16
Diplomacy            -2                     1
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle               -2                    -1
Heal                  2                     6
Hide                  2                     3
Intimidate           -2                     1
Jump                  8                    13
Listen                2                     4
Move Silently         2                     3
Open Lock             6                     7
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     2
Spot                  6                     8
Swim                  4                     9
Tumble                6                     7
Use Magic Device      2                    27

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


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


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Disciple of the Fist
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 5 (Fighter)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 7 (Fighter)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Soldier of the Faith
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist


Level 10 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device


Level 19 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Dwarven Tactics I
Enhancement: Dwarven Tactics II
Enhancement: Dwarven Tactics III
Enhancement: Kensei Unarmed Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Unarmed Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) IV
Enhancement: Fighter Unarmed Specialization I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Void Strike I
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II

[ArcaneMelee]

I played a 12 Ftr/7 Monk/1 Rog Human for a while, but I kept running out of Power Surges. If I did it again, I'd go with 12 Monk/7 Ftr/1 Rog (Helf).

Partly because of the running out of Power Surges, but also because the Boots of Propulsion are addictive and take too long to recharge

[Arlathen]

I need yet one more info about this build :
Should I max :
STR : for trip/stunning blow/improved sunder ? (also DPS)
WIS : for stunning fist ? (also AC)

Assuming the Fighter 12/Monk8 split:

Best way to plan for this is to work backwards on Wis for Stunning DC.

Aim for DC48 or more Stunning Fist. To get there:

10 Base
+10 Character Levels
+10 Stunning Item
+05 Exceptional Item bonus (Epic Spare Hand)
+04 Fighter Stunning Blow Enhancements
+02 Kensai 2 Enhancements
= 41DC with ZERO Wisdom.

So, with +7 Wisdom based DC needed, you can get there very easily through:

14 Base
+6 Item
+2 Tome
+2 Class Enhancement
= 24 Wis, and +7 Wisdom modifier

On a human/half-elf build, that's a simple 6 build points into Wisdom and then you can max as much as possible Strength, including putting your 5 lvl up pts into Strength.

[aerendhil]

Thx a lot, that's informative.
+1 rep.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I'd say the build that I'd suggest at the moment which is definitely right up there is a 12 monk / 6-8 fighter (stalwart defender) / 0-2 x (rogue, pally, ranger).

The bonus 10% HP from Stalwart Defender combined with the defensive properties of Earth Stance III and general healing amp (human/helf + monk) make this an excellent raid tank.

A more offense themed build is 12 fighter / 6-8 monk / 0-2 x for Kensei II which gives +8 strength with power surge. This build also has the advantage of very high stunning fist and stunning blow DCs making it quite effective as a tactics build.

I guess the question is, do you want to focus on Tanking or Tactics (DPS is a given in either case)?

[edgarallanpoe]

Assuming the Fighter 12/Monk8 split:

Best way to plan for this is to work backwards on Wis for Stunning DC.

Aim for DC48 or more Stunning Fist. To get there:

10 Base
+10 Character Levels
+10 Stunning Item
+05 Exceptional Item bonus (Epic Spare Hand)
+04 Fighter Stunning Blow Enhancements
+02 Kensai 2 Enhancements
= 41DC with ZERO Wisdom.

So, with +7 Wisdom based DC needed, you can get there very easily through:

14 Base
+6 Item
+2 Tome
+2 Class Enhancement
= 24 Wis, and +7 Wisdom modifier

On a human/half-elf build, that's a simple 6 build points into Wisdom and then you can max as much as possible Strength, including putting your 5 lvl up pts into Strength.

Bah...he doesn't know anything!!!! He plays gimps!! LOL!!!

How are you Matt? I miss running with you.

[weedf16]

@OP - Fighter 12 / Monk 8 is actually a very powerful synergy for one major reason - Stunning.

With maxed out Stunning enhancements and Kensai 2, you'll get to insanely powerful Stunning levels. Throw in the new Epic spare Hand, and its a easy first life DC50+ Stunning Fist. You just get loved in Epic Groups, because your Stunning Blow the casters and then Stunning Fist the heavier mobs and its almost guaranteed.

Don't forget the kicker that Monk procs stuns twice, unlike other melees.

Alternatively, you can go 12 Monk/7 Fighter/1??? for a slightly less powerful stun and DPS build, but with more versatility. Earth Stance 3 and Touch of Death are also available on this variety. Trading in Power Surge for these is not so bad to be honest, as a 500pt damage strike and a +1 Crit Multi make up significantly. 300pt Criticals are the norm for me when striking stunned/held mobs.

The ki generation debate is insignificant in my humble opinion. With the availability of Enhanced Ki:1 items now, generating 4Ki per swing in stances other than Fire produces a great deal of Ki, allowing you to cycle through a decent series of strikes with abandon.

It may also help you to know that I have an alt of both versions, and I love them to death



Yes to Either. As in, Rogue Sneak Damage doesn't stack with HElf Dilletante (highest amount applies), but Ninja Spy Sneak Damage does stacks with either.

Edit: WARNING: WSS Longsword builds suck hard. I'm sure people play happily viable versions, but for the content and style I like to play in it just doesnt stack up for me. I've tried and tested three different varieties of WSS build myself, everytime I find myself coming back to using Unarmed and Stunning Fist. Even my Monk-Tank is moving over to unarmed instead of being WSS LS based.

This. +1 rep to you sir for hitting the nail right on the head. SF/SB ftw!