Littl eJohn Bladeforged 12 monk/6 rogue/2 FS

[zetis]

Let me know what you think of this build. I just tred into it last night and played it a bit today and so far I like it. I will post a 32 point build instead. I have a similar build already which is dex based shadar-kai currently level 19, but no self healing other than scrolls or wands which gets frustrating at times. She hits hard, but gets hit just as hard. The biggest problem with the dex based build there aren't many ways to get more of it without sacrifice in other areas, such as wind stance with grand Master of forms gives +4 dex at the penalty to con or shadow dodge which gives +3 dex but you loose 30% fortification. This build is supposed play morenor less the same way as dex the dex build but provide self healing and be able to withstand more punishment.

I used a lesser heart of wood +3 to swap out the paladin level, but this build will also work with 2 levels of palladin instead of FS. You'll be getting a charisma modifier to saves instead of to strong, but will still need to use a lesser heart of wood +1 to get your first level of rogue for more skill points.

For extra str take first level paladin, second and third level either rogue or monk. Follow the build for the rest of the levels. Use the lesser heart of wood +3 and swap first level to rogue, second and third to FS.

For better saves take first three levels of paladin. Use lesser heart of wood +1 and swap first level to rogue.

Tomes used +3 to all stats with exception to int used a +4 but can take one ability raise to int at level 4, 8 or 12 instead.

Starting stats Str 14
Dex 12
Con 16
Int 14
Wis 9
Cha 13

All ability raises to str, or once to int before level 15 if not using a +4 int tome)

Level 1 - rogue
Feat taken Power Attack
Skills raised:
Balance +4
Disable device + 4
Jump +4
Umd +4
Search +4
Spot +4
Tumble +4
Concentration +4(0.5)=2
Repair +4
Open lock +4

Level 2 - FS
Skills raised:
Concentration +2=4
Jump +1=5
Open lock +1=4.5

Level 3 - FS
Feat taken Cleave
Skills raised:
Concentration +1=5
Jump +1=6
Open lock +2=5.5

Level 4 - monk(ability raise to intelligence if you don't have +4 tome. Otherwise increase str)
Feat taken THF(martial arts feat)
Skills raised:
Balance +2=6
Concentration +2=7
Jump +1=7
Spot +1=5

Level 5 - monk
Feat taken Dodge(martial arts feat)
Skills raised:
Balance +2=8
Concentration +1=8
Jump +1=8
Spot +2=7

Level 6 - monk
Feat taken Mobility
Skills raised:
Balance +1=9
Concentration +1=9
Jump +1=9
Spot +1=8
Umd +2(0.5)=5

Level 7 - rogue
Skills raised:
Disable device +4=8
Search +4=8
Umd +3=8

Level 8 - monk (ability raise +1 str)
Skills raised:
Balance +2=11
Concentration +2=11
Spot +3=11

Level 9 - monk
Feat taken Greater Cleave
Skills raised:
Balance +1=12
Concentration +1=12
Spot +1=12
Jump +2=11
Umd +2(0.5)=9

Level 10 - monk
Feat taken Combat Expertise(martial arts feat)
Skills raised:
Balance +1=13
Concentration +1=13
Spot +1=13
Jump +2=13
Umd +2(0.5)=10

Level 11 - monk
Skills raised:
Balance +1=14
Concentration +1=14
Spot +1=14
Jump +1=14
Umd +2(0.5)=11
Open lock +1(0.5)=6

Level 12 - rogue (ability raise +1 str)
Feat taken Improved Critical Bludgeoning
Skills raised:
Disable device +4=12
Search +4=12
Umd +3=14

Level 13 - monk
Skills raised:
Balance +2=16
Concentration +2=16
Spot +2=16
Jump +1=15

Level 14 - monk
Skills raised:
Balance +1=17
Concentration +1=17
Spot +1=17
Umd +4(0.5)=16

Level 15 - rogue
Feat taken Spring Attack
Skills raised:
Disable device +4=16
Search +4=16
Umd +2=18
Balance +1=18
Spot +1=18

Level 16 - monk (ability raise +1 str)
Skills raised:
Balance +1=19
Concentration +2=19
Spot +1=19
Umd+2(0.5)=19
Disable device +2(0.5)=17

Level 17 - monk
Skills raised:
Balance +1=20
Concentration +1=20
Spot +1=20
Umd +2(0.5)=20
Disable device +3(0.5)=18.5

Level 18 - monk
Feat taken Whirlwind Attack
Skills raised:
Balance +1=21
Concentration +1=21
Spot +1=21
Umd +2(0.5)=21
Disable device +3(0.5)=20

Level 19 - rogue
Skills raised:
Umd +1=22
Disable device +2=22
Search +6=22
Open lock +3=9

Level 20 - rogue
Skills raised:
Umd +1=23
Disable device+1=23
Search +1=23
Open lock +9=18

Level 21 - epic
Feat taken Overwhelming Critical

Level 24 - epic
Feat taken Grand Master of Forms

Level 27 - epic
Feat taken Blinding Speed


ENHANCEMENTS:

Thief Acrobat: 33 aps
Staff control(1)
Staff training(2)
Thief acrobatics(3)
Sly flourish(3)
Staff training(2)
Quick strike(6)
Staff training(2)
Improved glancing blows(3)
Shadow dodge(3)
Str(2)
Staff training(2)
Str(2)
Staff specialization(2)

Henshin Mystic: 24 aps
Riddle of fire(1)
Staff training(2)
Animal forms - way of the clever monkey(2)
Staff training(2)
Contemplation(3)
Staff training(2)
Light the candle(6)
Str(2)
Staff training(2)
Str(2)

Warpriest: 11 aps
Smite foe(1)
Divine might(3)
Awareness(2)
Smite weakness(2)
Wall of steel(3)

Bladeforged: 12 aps
Improved fortification(1)
Warforged constitution(2)
Improved fortification(1)
Warforged constitution(2)
Communion of scribing(6)

If going with paladin instead of favored soul spend the 11 aps from Warpriest in the bladeforged tree:
Improved fortification tier3(1)
Great weapon aptitude(3)
Fearsome presence(1)
Damage reduction(3)
Communion of handling(1)
Weapon attachment(1)
Power of the forge(1)

[zetis]

Just noticed that the auto correct on my tablet messed up a few of the sentences. Sorry about that.

[Inoukchuk]

Just noticed that the auto correct on my tablet messed up a few of the sentences. Sorry about that.

I like the concept but I have a few observations:

1) 12 rogue instead would get you knockdown immunity, which is more valuable I think than abundant step. This would also give you nearly twice the skill pts dropping the need so so much int and allowing more investment into str or dex. But if you want the monk PL then this isn't an option

2) sweeping strikes in terrific, don't skip it in the acrobat tree since you are taking it to tier 5 anyway. I have a 12 cleric/6rogue/2paladin (dex based) and even though I only have 6 rogue levels and am a gimped 1st life toon the trip effect still works reasonably often on EH. Regardless of that, having another great cleave is a great thing

3) despite what I just said above, I hear whirlwind is **** (maybe just based on the feat investment, I've never used it myself)

4) with 12 dex and no paladin you are likely to find your saves lacking in epics, even with all the monk and rogue levels (I know, more like 30ish dex with equipment/tomes at that point, but still)

[zetis]

I like the concept but I have a few observations:

1) 12 rogue instead would get you knockdown immunity, which is more valuable I think than abundant step. This would also give you nearly twice the skill pts dropping the need so so much int and allowing more investment into str or dex. But if you want the monk PL then this isn't an option

2) sweeping strikes in terrific, don't skip it in the acrobat tree since you are taking it to tier 5 anyway. I have a 12 cleric/6rogue/2paladin (dex based) and even though I only have 6 rogue levels and am a gimped 1st life toon the trip effect still works reasonably often on EH. Regardless of that, having another great cleave is a great thing

3) despite what I just said above, I hear whirlwind is **** (maybe just based on the feat investment, I've never used it myself)

4) with 12 dex and no paladin you are likely to find your saves lacking in epics, even with all the monk and rogue levels (I know, more like 30ish dex with equipment/tomes at that point, but still)

First of all thank you for your input and Happy New Year.

1) 12 levels of rogue would work with this build, but there are more trade offs than you listed. One would be loosing improved evasion as I would need to take either knock down immunity or improved evasion. Another trade off is loosing master of Forms and needing to spend another feat to pick it up. I would be also loosing one point in fort and will saves, but that's not that big of a deal. On the other hand the extra rogue levels would give me aside from what you mentioned already another 2% dodge. Both have their pluses and minuses. For me having grand Master of Forms is a must as the stances provide me with a bit of versatility depending on the situation. The only way this would work from me is if I'd drop whirlwind attack.

2) I had sweeping strike on my shadar-kai dex build, but decided to drop it as I find the cool down on it to be too long for 6 aps spent. I usually start off with quick strikes and chew up the mob really fast while using a quarterstaff with improved paralysis. (got the staff from eveningstar challenge turn-ins and love it) It wouldn't work well with this build as it uses half rogue level and dex-mod.

3) I have heard that as well, but I already took dodge, mobility, spring attack for the bonuses to dodge mainly and essentially had to burn a feat on combat expertise to pick it up, but the feat itself can't be considered *#^$ed. It's a 360 degree cleave with +4[w] damage on a 5 sec cooldown. I think it adds to this build. Hit quick strike, followed by whirlwind attack, great cleave and cleave, repeat. You will chew threw a mob really quick.

4) How much reflex do you need more or less for EH/EE? The way this build sits right now I'd be getting +3 to reflex from the 2 levels of FS, +8 from 12 levels of monk, +5 from 6 levels of rogue, so in total +16 from the classes. Starting reflex 12, +4 from tome, +10 from dex gear, +3 shadow dodge, +4 from wind stance, which adds up to 33 so the mod would be +11 to reflex. That puts me at 27. Against traps I'm getting another +3 from animal form- way of the clever monkey. Throw on a resilience item(I will low ball it here as +5 can be easily obtained, but can even get a +7 at level 20 if I'm not mistaken. I'm not listing uber gear as that takes time to obtain. A reflex item with a higher value is easily obtainable as well if it is still to low). An item with +2 good luck(have a bunch of epic cove rings laying around and can be cannith crafted). Heroism pot adds another +2. So that would put me around 36 reflex and 39 against traps. I'm sure I can get a few more points from epic destinies but didn't dip into those yet with this room. Let me know please how these reflex saves will hold up in the epics.

[zetis]

I like the concept but I have a few observations:

1) 12 rogue instead would get you knockdown immunity, which is more valuable I think than abundant step. This would also give you nearly twice the skill pts dropping the need so so much int and allowing more investment into str or dex. But if you want the monk PL then this isn't an option

2) sweeping strikes in terrific, don't skip it in the acrobat tree since you are taking it to tier 5 anyway. I have a 12 cleric/6rogue/2paladin (dex based) and even though I only have 6 rogue levels and am a gimped 1st life toon the trip effect still works reasonably often on EH. Regardless of that, having another great cleave is a great thing

3) despite what I just said above, I hear whirlwind is **** (maybe just based on the feat investment, I've never used it myself)

4) with 12 dex and no paladin you are likely to find your saves lacking in epics, even with all the monk and rogue levels (I know, more like 30ish dex with equipment/tomes at that point, but still)

Forgot to mention taking only 6 levels of monk will give 10% speed bonus opposed to 20% from 12 levels.