Monk build help

[echo1313]

Ive made a couple of monks but for some reason early on (lvl 4-5) they start becoming really bad. Im figuring that my build is bad or Im choosing some really bad feats. Anyway Im wanting some good ideas on builds for a solo and two player group capable 1st life monk. I currently have all races and classes (if youd recommend multi-classing) available but only 28 pt build. I will also be starting off at 4th lvl. Ive primarily made dark fire based unarmed monks and while that is my preference I wont simply dismiss other ideas especially since my idea seems to have some major flaws. Any recomendations as far as stat setup, feats, race, etc.? Is there some easier/better ideas for overall character playing that youd recommend (I do know Im at a disadvantage having 28 pt first life)?

[ArcaneArcher52689]

you're right that being 28pts makes it more difficult.
I'd go human, with these starting stats
str 15
dex 15
con 14
int 8
wis 14
cha 8

Unless you have tomes easily available, i'd put first levels 4/8 in dex and rest in strength. You will need a +1 tome at 18 to get grandmaster wind stance, but that's easy. . You can use the free LR when you get higher and can get tomes. Then you can also decide whether or not you want to go for strength or wis based monk. I'd also go pure monk, it's lots of fun.



Starting at four, you can pick the following feats:
1, Toughness, twf, stunning fist
2, power attack
3, cleave Fist of Light
4,-none

This should be a good start for you. I know you said you wanted to be dark, but dark path just isn't very survivable until you hit level 6 and get shadowfade or 9 for Touch of death. Plus, if you follow the layout below, you can switch PrE's with a simple visit to fred.


I'll start over again, but with all the feats
1) Toughness, twf, stunning fist
2) Power Attack
3) cleave, Fist of Light
6) dodge, great cleave
9) itwf
12) improved critical : bludgeon
15) gtwf
18) improved sunder
epic: depending of whether your strength or wis based, you'll get overwhelming critical or vorpal strikes, and improved martial arts as the other

some people may disagree about cleave, but i've found with the changes, it's an amazing resource, especially if you're using wraps with stunning+

as for gear, you'll want the best possible stat gear, and to subsidize that, i'd take a look at the gear from the cannith challenges. It's not great, but it's easy to get your hands on. Also, until 7, a crafted natural armor X outfit of invulnerability will be your best friend.
For handwraps, easiest ones to get at 4 will be eternal rest, which you can use in necro 1, and then devotion from delera's, there's also a really nice pair in the new three barrel cove loot. from what i see, they drop from the minotaur that spawns right outside where you enter the explorer area, so i'd just farm it until you can get those wraps.

For playstyle, when you solo, grab a cleric hireling, run into the mobs, stun, kill, laugh, repeat.