Planning for the ultimate survivalist monk for EE

[jskinner937]

My main (completionist) is planning his final life as a monk. I have always been more of a purist with monks, buts since the EP, I am gravitating towards a slight multi-class.

The goal of this theory build is to provide a significant amount of survivalism with top-notch DPS. Also with a high emphasis on DCs and tactics (QP and SF). Again this is a theory build and will be played like a monk, but looking for some feedback. I present Fonklic....

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Funklic 
Level 28 Lawful Good Human Male
(2 Fighter \ 16 Monk \ 2 Cleric \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 543
Spell Points: 3596721 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 24
Reflex: 21
Will: 24

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            14                    21
Constitution         14                    21
Intelligence          9                    16
Wisdom               17                    33
Charisma              8                    15

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+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
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 15
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15
+4 Tome of Constitution used at level 15
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 15
+4 Tome of Wisdom used at level 15
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 15
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 19
+5 Tome of Dexterity used at level 19
+5 Tome of Constitution used at level 19
+5 Tome of Intelligence used at level 19
+5 Tome of Wisdom used at level 19
+5 Tome of Charisma used at level 19

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 28)
Balance               6                    41
Bluff                -1                    12
Concentration         6                    49
Diplomacy            -1                    12
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    12
Heal                  3                    38
Hide                  2                    15
Intimidate           -1                    12
Jump                  6                    27
Listen                3                    21
Move Silently         2                    15
Open Lock             n/a                  n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    15
Search               -1                    15
Spellcraft           -1                    13
Spot                  3                    21
Swim                  n/a                  n/a
Tumble                3                    19
Use Magic Device      1                    25

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Bard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Favored Soul
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist


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


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Completionist
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Zen Archery


Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness


Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Deity) Favored by the Sovereign Host


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Monk)


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Disciple of the Fist


Level 10 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 11 (Monk)


Level 12 (Monk)


Level 13 (Monk)


Level 14 (Monk)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 16 (Monk)


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Monk)


Level 20 (Monk)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Improved Martial Arts


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Vorpal Strikes


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 28 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Tactician
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Shadow Veil (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Poisoned Darts (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Fists of Iron (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sting of the Ninja (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - No Mercy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - No Mercy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - No Mercy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Shadow Double (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Protection from Tainted Creatures (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Hand (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Argent Fist (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Conditioning (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Martial Arts (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Martial Arts (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Agility (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Agility (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Agility (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Smite Foe (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Divine Might (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Divine Might (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Divine Might (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Toughness (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Toughness (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Smite Weakness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Wall of Steel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Wall of Steel (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Wall of Steel (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Inflame (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Inflame (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Clr) - Inflame (Rank 3)

[EllisDee37]

Tier 2 kensei tactics for another +3 stunning fist?

[jskinner937]

Tier 2 kensei tactics for another +3 stunning fist?

I did intend to take that enhancement, however it had a requirement of 3 fighter lvls when I checked. Maybe stealth change or bug???

[Soulfurnace]

I did intend to take that enhancement, however it had a requirement of 3 fighter lvls when I checked. Maybe stealth change or bug???

2 fighter levels.

[Fafnir]

Spending the APs on the Warpriest enhancements are fairly costly. The most interesting piece is 10 PRR; I appreciate you are primarily choosing a divine to get Empower Healing.

If you decide not to do that, then Druid is arguably better as you get Ram's Might and don't need to spend any APs.

[Fafnir]

How have you gone playing this build?

It looks like you don't have GTWF in it, for a loss of 20% offhand.

My build is roughly the same, although is not human, has GTWF and becomes a little feat starved. Therefore I cannot take one of either Zen or Emp Healing.

I had not planned to take Zen. However, with a good longbow, I am curious how bows are for a ranged dmg option for the harder EEs where you can't be toe to toe all of the time. That is in comparison to merely shurikens and particularly without having the extra feats which make ranged powerful (e.g. Manyshot).

When the cap is raised to 30, I presume a regular feat will be granted as part of the same feat sequence, so the constraint may be moot with an extra feat coming.

[maddmatt70]

What do you guys think about 16 monk 4 fvs. I have been thinking about a healer that is a monk i.e. it does all the healing for a group and himself/herself. The concept is healing ki, ameliorating strike, if need be shadows exist without light, and of course cocoon. The character would be wisdom based with topflight quivering palm dc. Tons of positive spell power etc..

[Fafnir]

What do you guys think about 16 monk 4 fvs. I have been thinking about a healer that is a monk i.e. it does all the healing for a group and himself/herself. The concept is healing ki, ameliorating strike, if need be shadows exist without light, and of course cocoon. The character would be wisdom based with topflight quivering palm dc. Tons of positive spell power etc..

In a strong self sufficient group, this is a great 'healer'.

At its core, this is a monk with a non standard allocation of APs; it still has QP and SF. In APs, you are proposing a large allocation to Henshin and Warpriest trees. Ultimately, it probably works fine but lacks direct healing punch if it is ever required and hence would struggle if something goes wrong. I know that your groups are often well controlled.

Healing ki is related to monk levels; ameliorating to character levels. Both are fine top up heals as you know. The healing finisher can be fickle to keep activated, or refreshed quickly, the more versatile you try to be outside of monk abilities. Ameliorating is great but has a cooldown.

Shadows Cannot Exist requires Dark monk as a pre-req in Henshin; Healing ki is a Light monk finisher.

High wisdom drives Cleric spellpower; not sure if this catches up to the FVS inherent SP benefits including with gear but it may do so the more wisdom you put into the monk.

You get magical training so maintaining cocoons every now and again is fine.

[EllisDee37]

The healing finisher can be fickle to keep activated, or refreshed quickly, the more versatile you try to be outside of monk abilities. Ameliorating is great but has a cooldown.

I'd say healing ki is the steady and reliable one while Ameliorating Strike can be a fickle mistress. More than once I have swung an ameliorating strike at what turned out to be dead bodies, either because they died mid-animation or because there were dozens of mob bodies piled all around and I couldn't readily identify where the still-living mobs actually were. Or even the mob I'm targeting just moves away, or I tried it on the run and missed.

The healing finisher is nice in that you don't have to physically make contact for it to work. I'm loving ameliorating strike to pieces, but needing to make contact is a definite drawback.

[maddmatt70]

In a strong self sufficient group, this is a great 'healer'.

At its core, this is a monk with a non standard allocation of APs; it still has QP and SF. In APs, you are proposing a large allocation to Henshin and Warpriest trees. Ultimately, it probably works fine but lacks direct healing punch if it is ever required and hence would struggle if something goes wrong. I know that your groups are often well controlled.

Healing ki is related to monk levels; ameliorating to character levels. Both are fine top up heals as you know. The healing finisher can be fickle to keep activated, or refreshed quickly, the more versatile you try to be outside of monk abilities. Ameliorating is great but has a cooldown.

Shadows Cannot Exist requires Dark monk as a pre-req in Henshin; Healing ki is a Light monk finisher.

High wisdom drives Cleric spellpower; not sure if this catches up to the FVS inherent SP benefits including with gear but it may do so the more wisdom you put into the monk.

You get magical training so maintaining cocoons every now and again is fine.

After experimenting a little and talking to some monk players I am not a fan of healing ki. Its a problem of mechanics. Having to do 3 light attacks followed by the cumbersome healing ki motion - just extremely cumbersome and inefficient from a mechanic and action standpoint. Ameliorating is great because its just one attack and you heal. On occasion you miss or some such thing, but really its very efficient when compared to healing ki from a mechanic/action standpoint.

[Fafnir]

Good build. Any further thoughts?

[Matuse]

High wisdom drives Cleric spellpower

Um...what? It does nothing of the kind.

[Fafnir]

http://ddowiki.com/page/Spell_point#Bonus_spell_points

http://ddowiki.com/page/Wisdom

[Vipren]

http://ddowiki.com/page/Spell_point#Bonus_spell_points

http://ddowiki.com/page/Wisdom

Yup, Spell points, but not Spellpower which I believe was his point.

[Munkenmo]

wisdom is also the stat modifier for the Heal skill, so it will have some effect on positive spell power.

Personally I think you'll get the best mileage out of a bladeforged 16monk/2fighter/2wizard when looking for an "EE survivalist monk"

Google "Munkenmo Woodfist", and you'll find my build.

[Franke]

That's a lot of spell points you have there....

On a more serious note, you've forgotten your level 12 feat slot.

[Munkenmo]

no i hadn't, improved crit bludgeoning takes up that slot.

also i've got more SP now that i've gotten around to replacing the pally levels with wiz levels ><

edit. Nvm realised you weren't talking to me.

[Franke]

no i hadn't, improved crit bludgeoning takes up that slot.

also i've got more SP now that i've gotten around to replacing the pally levels with wiz levels ><

Huh? Thread hijack? I'm referring to the OP's build.