32 point monk build for newbies?

[Thurbus]

I found a bunch of threads about potential monk builds. So many, in fact, that I'm a little overwhelmed. So I'm hoping that if I describe exactly what I'm looking for, maybe you guys can help point me in the right direction.

I've been playing for about a year now, but I've never tried a monk, and I don't really know much about them. I'm looking for a really simple build that won't require any tomes or special equipment to be effective (initially, at least). I've also read that The Path of Harmonious Balance is a good choice for your first monk, so a light monk build is preferred. Simply put, I'd like to play a self-sufficient, pure monk who can solo most content but also be a valuable team player in groups.

Maybe that's too much to ask for, but I'm not really familiar with monks, so you tell me! Can you recommend any builds that might fit this description? Thanks in advance for your help!

[Kinerd]

One thing that makes Light side really strong is loading up on heal amp. This doesn't really require special equipment, but a very easy piece of equipment to get are the Jidz Tetka bracers from the House D pack which puts you above 200% with Human 30 and Monk 30. Throw in some Vampirism handwraps or DT outfit and you get a lot of HP back per swing.

You absolutely want GTWF, Stunning Fist, Power Attack, and one of the Shintao pre-reqs. Since u14 Precision is probably the way to go. That leaves you 5.
You almost certainly want a Toughness, Improved Critical, Dodge.
You could go Mobility and Spring Attack to load up on Dodge %.
You could go Stunning Blow to maximize your Stun breadth.
You could go Combat Expertise, which with the new AC system almost guarantees you 10% less hits while having perhaps 0 impact on your to-hit rolls. The Int pre-req is still pretty harsh, though.
If you're completely out of ideas you can always go more Toughness.

Enhancements...
You absolutely want Shintao 3.
Human Versatility and your Improved Recoveries are very very strong.
Even if you go Fire stance to use your Jidz Tetka bracers, don't spend any AP on it. Wind or Earth are good to spend on. Water is broke as a joke, but it will probably be fixed and useless soon enough.

[Thurbus]

Thanks again for the advice, Kinerd! The equipment you recommended looks awesome.

I am still open to specific build recommendations, however. That would be awesome, too.

[Delssar]

Honestly, not alot of people like wis build monks but if you want to solo current end game with zero problems on epic hard (without a hire) go for a wis/str build. water stance for trash and orange names and fire for bosses.


Now a lot of people prob will say "oh thats horrible, why would you build that". Well, when you can quivering palm all trash and orange names on epic hard and walk through like a walk on the beach thats why. You should be able to quivering palm all the trash on your way to 20+ levels once you aquire it as well with a wis build.

Also, go light monk, being able to tomb enemies and banish them is awesome, not to mention that you can use the water / light / water move for spell casters in your party and being able to raise the dead is helpful as well.

[Thurbus]

I hear quivering palm is so awesome, I'm definitely looking forward to that.

I was thinking of trying this build, but all those tomes look daunting. Especially since, because I have Veteran Status II, I'd be starting at level 7. I'm looking for a less tome/equipment intensive build, but haven't found a good fit yet.

Suggestions?

[nebogloee]

I hear quivering palm is so awesome, I'm definitely looking forward to that.

I was thinking of trying this build, but all those tomes look daunting. Especially since, because I have Veteran Status II, I'd be starting at level 7. I'm looking for a less tome/equipment intensive build, but haven't found a good fit yet.

Suggestions?

The bonetooth build you posted is not bad. I myself prefer a bit more wisdom. Check out the Rockan Robin builds as he has been documenting his monks over the last 3 years and has some excellent observations: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=210181

With precision as your shintao prereq, you could consider putting all level up points into wisdom as you will not need to rely on your str as much for your attack bonus. This makes your monk abilities stronger (not to mention your epic destiny abilities). This is the only way to get your quivering palm dc high enough for epics. Not to mention if you start at 16 wis, eat a +2 wis tome, and put all 5 points into wis, you will have 23 base+inherent wis and you will qualify for the epic feat "vorpal strikes". VS grants slash dr bypass to your fists and manslayer (bugged currently). You may want to look at void 4 as well, as it can instakill epic warded mobs, but it is really ap expensive and requires all 4 of the tier 3 stances, plus 1 tier 4 forcing some heavy tome eating on a 32pt build. So it may be better to wait with void 4 for a TR. Light is definitely the best way to go for a first monk, as dark is more gear intensive.

All the stances have their usefulness, but earth is the most ac and the only stance with prr. Water is my fav, but now only good for dcs. Fire for ki gen/healing, air when soloing. I would suggest earth for the damage mitigation and air for dps/haste.

Hope that helps a bit.

[Kinerd]

You're welcome! The only tome you really need for the build you linked is the +2 Dex for GTWF, and you could even avoid that merely by putting 2 level-ups in Dex instead of Str (or 1 and a +1 Dex tome). Monks get so much out of 34+ point builds and monk past lives that you will probably want to do another life anyway once you cap, and with the resources and experience you'll have gained everything will come together.