The Arcane Tank, a weird build

[the613]

Alright, so I have a feeling I am going to get a lot of negativity about this build, but I still wish to share it with everyone. Typically, arcane melees are a difficult thing to do, but with the new enhancement system I have found this build can not only melee well, but I have found I can somewhat tank red names in at level quests (ran a servants of the overlord on elite at level 18 and tanked the two red names while waiting for the party to ddoor out).

How is this possible? Well, I'm going to explain that, and it all begins with the palemaster prestige. Recently, with the release of the new enhancement pass, the palemaster got an enhancement that improved the undead shrouds. the improved wraith form granted 35% incorporeal miss chance instead of the previous 25% miss chance. Now, we already know we have the displacement spell, which grants a 50% miss chance that stacks with the wraith form miss chance. So then, how do we improve on this? Well, by maxing out dodge of course. To this end, monk levels are the greatest option. Giving you a +3% to maximum dodge chance, this allows you to gain a 28% dodge chance if you aim for it. In addition, you can now get master earth stance along with fist of iron for some really nice melee crits and a bit of PRR. Now, let's add this all in:

- 35% miss chance from wraith, so 65% hit chance from mobs.
- 50% miss chance / hit chance from displacement OR 20% miss chance / 80% hit chance from blur
- 28% dodge chance / 72% hit chance due to dodge.

Now, we multiply all the hit chances together to get these numbers

Displaced: .5 * .65 * .72 = 0.234, or about a 23% chance to be hit
Blurred: .65 * .72 * .8 = 0.3744, or about a 37% chance to be hit

Now, that doesn't even take in to account if you can get a meaningful armor class. On top of that, we obtain 27 prr with just master earth stance, for a 15.45% reduction from physical attacks. To top this off, you should always have a death aura up during a fight, whether a lesser or normal one, allowing you to regain health that has been lost due to damage. One thing I want to note is that this build was crafted from the lr+20 released during the launch of the enhancement system. I do not know how it will play out at earlier levels since I did not play through them. This is also not the exact build I am playing with on Xenmonk of Thelanis, feats have been moved around to a more optimal order. In addition, I am not sure what level order I took on Xenmonk, but the leveling order presented here is the one I would use if I was leveling from 1 to 20 with this build. Anyway, without further delay, the build:

Half-elf/Human Wizard 12 Monk 6 Fighter 2
Note: Human would probably be a better choice then half elf, as half elf doesn't add much. Human gives a feat and extra skill points. However, as Xenmonk was originally a helf I had to keep helf as the race.

36 points:
Strength: 16 + 2 tome + 5 heroic level ups + 2 epic level ups
Dex: 15 + 2 tome (must total 17, so if one has +3 or +4 tomes they should adjust accordingly)
Con: 16 + 2 tome
Int: 15 + 3 tome
Wis: 8 + 3 tome
Cha: 8 + 2 tome
Note: the only tome absolutely needed is a dex tome of at least +2 value. This is in order to reach a dex of 17 for itwf and gtwf.

For 34 point builds: reduce dex or int by 1 (remember to make sure one acquires a 17 dex with base + tomes)
For 32 point builds: reduce int and con by 1 each.

Leveling order: 1 wizard, 2 monk, 3-8 wizard, 9 monk, 10-14 wizard, 15-18 monk, 19-20 fighter

Skills: max concentration, spellcraft, and heal. 1 rank in tumble at level 1, 10 points in jump. Put some points in balance, though you don't have to max it out. The remaining points can be placed where you want, I would recommend spot, listen, or umd.

Feats:
1: Power attack, Maximize(w), Cleave(human), rogue dilletante(helf)
2: twf(m)
3: past life disciple of the fist for those with monk past life, otherwise if helf take cleave, not sure if human
6: precision, quicken(w)
9: cleave or great cleave (depending on whether or not you've taken cleave already), dodge(m)
12: itwf, extend(w)
15: improved crit: bludgeoning, path of inevitable dominion: fist of darkness(monk path, can take fist of life if desired)
18: master of forms, mobility(m)
19: gtw(f)
20: great cleave (if one does not have great cleave yet) or spring attack/feat of your choice


Enhancements:

(Note: some of the enhancements have been changed since these images were taken. Refer to the list below for my updated enhancment list.)
Palemaster
Dark Reaping
Shroud of the Zombie/Vampire/Wraith (all 3 forms)
Deathless Vigor 3
Negative Energy Conduit 3
Spell Critical: Negative energ 1/2/3/4 (the whole line)
Efficient Maximize 3
Bone Armor 3
Improved Shrouding
Animate Ally
(34 points)

Shintao
Bastion of Purity
Deft Strikes 3
Ki Shout
Reed in the wind 3
Iron Skin 3
Fists of iron
Conditioning 1
Protection from tainted creatures
Constitution x2
(26 points)

Ninja Spy
Ninja Training
Acrobatic 3
Sneak Attack Training
Agility 3
(9 points)

Total spent: 69

This might change once I obtain fighter levels at 19 and 20. Once I obtain fighter levels I will probably attempt to take improved dodge and agility from the kensei prestige (dropping agility and sneak attack training from ninja spy). Will also attempt to grab Weapon group specialization and haste from kensei. Looking at Stalwart Defender, the only thing I might look to pick up is Threatening Countenance, as I am finding it difficult at times to hold aggro.


I know one of the other builders on this forum could probably churn out something far more spectacular then what I have here. However, I wished to share my build in order to get advice, constructive criticism, and get other people's thoughts on this build. Any thoughts, advice, and tips are very much appreciated.

[mezzorco]

Dwarf, i'm thinking of you <3
Seriously, it would add lot of con and +2 saves vs magic (+5 with enhancements).
What do you think about it?

[hucka]

i have a wizard12/ranger6/monk2 that basicly runs with that too (though not meant as a tank but it works)

AC around 80, displacement, improved wraith shroud, 28% dodge (could be more if id want to sacrifice damage), master earth stance, gtwf, all the nice stuff...will never be the best dps since i go dexbased with shortswords, but its alot of fun

[the613]

i have a wizard12/ranger6/monk2 that basicly runs with that too (though not meant as a tank but it works)

AC around 80, displacement, improved wraith shroud, 28% dodge (could be more if id want to sacrifice damage), master earth stance, gtwf, all the nice stuff...will never be the best dps since i go dexbased with shortswords, but its alot of fun

For a bit I thought about 6 fighter/2 monk or 5 fighter/3 monk dual wielding khopeshes in master earth stance with fist of iron. This would force me to give up improved shrouding, and it was something I wasn't sure was worth it.

edit: if one had some really nice khopeshes this might be worth it. you jump to a 27% chance to be hit with displacement, 44% chance to be hit with blur. I personally don't have good enough khopeshes at this time for this to be worth it. However, it might be worth it just for the additional 2 feat slots (lose 1 due to having to take adept of forms though) and better bab to perhaps allow for earlier access to gtwf and other feats.

[RavenStormclaw]

I've thought of a similar build to this. Have you considered taking core 3 of ninja sp...the veil...that gives 25% incorporeal for a short burst and I wonder if it wold stack with improved wraith form for whopping 60% incorporeal miss chance for a short burst.

[mezzorco]

For a bit I thought about 6 fighter/2 monk or 5 fighter/3 monk dual wielding khopeshes in master earth stance with fist of iron.

Sadly it would require 8 fighter for GWF, it's a prereq.

[the613]

Sadly it would require 8 fighter for GWF, it's a prereq.

Doh, forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder though.

I've thought of a similar build to this. Have you considered taking core 3 of ninja sp...the veil...that gives 25% incorporeal for a short burst and I wonder if it wold stack with improved wraith form for whopping 60% incorporeal miss chance for a short burst.

I had it at one point, and I am pretty sure it does not stack with wraith form. Otherwise, this would be something to think about.

[Failedlegend]

Doh, forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder though.

I've had many a build idea killed by that misleading enhancement.

I had it at one point, and I am pretty sure it does not stack with wraith form. Otherwise, this would be something to think about.

They also made shadow veil useless since it only lasts for 1 minute now instead of a toggle.

As for your build don't worry about the negative nannies they just can't comprehend that "having fun" is why people play games I have a Wiz12/Fighter6/Rogue2 and he's a beast despite being a little out of date (I really should use the free lesser LR to grab some of the newer feats ie. Shield Deflection)

One change I'd recommend is dropping Animate Ally is pointless, you raise them and they die seconds later its a waste of mana and AP.

Lastly I'd highly recommended Dwarf for any Battlemage the extra Con alone is worth it but their racials are very inclined to increased toughness and their DM line gets some pretty useful SLAs...also you know we can hope for Dwarven Defender :P

[unbongwah]

I've thought of a similar build to this. Have you considered taking core 3 of ninja sp...the veil...that gives 25% incorporeal for a short burst and I wonder if it wold stack with improved wraith form for whopping 60% incorporeal miss chance for a short burst.

Like concealment, incorporeality doesn't stack - only the highest bonus applies. OTOH, any build with Displacement (50% miss chance) and Shadow Veil or wraith form (25% miss) has a 62.5% miss chance right off the bat (presuming no True Seeing or Ghost Touch on enemies).

They also made shadow veil useless since it only lasts for 1 minute now instead of a toggle.

Shadow Veil-nee-Fade has always been a 1 min. buff.

[the613]

As for your build don't worry about the negative nannies they just can't comprehend that "having fun" is why people play games I have a Wiz12/Fighter6/Rogue2 and he's a beast despite being a little out of date (I really should use the free lesser LR to grab some of the newer feats ie. Shield Deflection)

Thanks, I've been having a ton of fun with Xenmonk. Still need to swap some feats around, but don't have the ability to yet.

One change I'd recommend is dropping Animate Ally is pointless, you raise them and they die seconds later its a waste of mana and AP.

Lastly I'd highly recommended Dwarf for any Battlemage the extra Con alone is worth it but their racials are very inclined to increased toughness and their DM line gets some pretty useful SLAs...also you know we can hope for Dwarven Defender :P

I have never had a problem with Animate Ally. I've used it several times in quests, it is currently bugged so that it does not apply the zombie form or other problems that would happen if it was wai. So basically, it acts as a 100% health rez. However, I understand that this will likely be fixed soon, and at that time I will drop Animate Ally. Until then I will carry it around though.

On going Dwarf, I can see this as a possibility along with Humans. In fact, if one doesn't have a monk past life I would say that Dwarf is a better choice. This does not take in racial enhancements, and these will probably tip the scales in favor of Dwarf. I'd have to look at Dwarven enhancements and see if they are worth giving up the feat on a build with monk past life.