Looking for some Dark ninja 32 point monk build stat Ideas

[joshuafields]

I want to build a Dark monk ninja human. I am very confused about how to spread 32 pts. I know they get dex to dmg but that don't apply to handwraps that Ninja's use which require str. Nor do I think the Ninja with shortswords can use the monk finishers. To be honest I have no Idea what I am doing and looking for a good solid starting 32 point build for a Ninja monk. I seen the premade ninja and the wis was 10 I kinda think the premade monks are not a good example to go by. If I am wrong plz correct me. I am also confused about the str vs dex on a monk. Plz shoot some 32 point ninja monk build Ideas my way. I also am wondering If I should go with 2wf shortswords for the ninja or do more handwrap style.

[joshuafields]

[TheGuyYouKnow]

16 wisdom
14 constitution
enough dexterity +tome to get to 17 for the full two weapon fighting line
rest in strength

use fists, especially if you are going full monk

and as always ddowiki is your friend
http://ddowiki.com/page/Finishing_moves

[joshuafields]

16 wisdom
14 constitution
enough dexterity +tome to get to 17 for the full two weapon fighting line
rest in strength

use fists, especially if you are going full monk

and as always ddowiki is your friend
http://ddowiki.com/page/Finishing_moves

So would you suggest for a ninja to forsake short swords and use fists

[Elibolas]

So would you suggest for a ninja to forsake short swords and use fists

If you are looking for maxing out effectiveness, yes. Fists have best animation attack speed, and increasing damage base as you level up as a monk. I am sure that there are situations where the short swords would be situationally useful, but generally handwraps are the way to go as a monk, especially a pure monk.

Elibolas

[TeacherSyn]

I want to build a Dark monk ninja human. I am very confused about how to spread 32 pts. I know they get dex to dmg but that don't apply to handwraps that Ninja's use which require str. Nor do I think the Ninja with shortswords can use the monk finishers. To be honest I have no Idea what I am doing and looking for a good solid starting 32 point build for a Ninja monk. I seen the premade ninja and the wis was 10 I kinda think the premade monks are not a good example to go by. If I am wrong plz correct me. I am also confused about the str vs dex on a monk. Plz shoot some 32 point ninja monk build Ideas my way. I also am wondering If I should go with 2wf shortswords for the ninja or do more handwrap style.

As a Ninja Spy, you can add quite a bit more DEX rather than STR (but have at least 16 for moderate damage when you should use handwraps, such as against oozes and skeletal undead). The Dexterity to Damage abilities work amazing well with shortswords, kama and shuriken. More DEX will increase damage and to-hit and also help with AC and Reflex over time. Some ninja builds, like the shuriken-only "Shiradi Shuricannon," pump up DEX almost exclusively and deal powerful damage and DPS.

Your WIS should be as high as possible to apply some useful dark Monk finishers and to use Stunning Fist when unarmed. Freezing the Lifeblood paralyzes for up to a minute (and they often stay frozen that long) with a good DC, and Pain Touch will keep an enemy from casting or attacking for up to a minute.

Many players see Monks as stun-bots. While you can keep that option, the dark finishers I describe greatly reduce that need while using shortswords (where Stunning Fist can't be used). The Two-Weapon Fighting feats do help a great deal in weapon damage and in unarmed attacks, so you can't go wrong taking the whole feat path.

Another great advantage of the weapon-using Ninja Spy is Ninja Poison, a very potent DoT poison that few enemies are immune against. It's damage per 2 seconds as it stacks easily dwarfs Divine Punishment, with 100+ damage per 2 seconds for a little over 2 minutes. Combine this with the finishers and you control the field.

Play the class to its strengths. Consider adding more points to Hide and Move Silently for stealth skills and you can bypass some mobs and go for the objectives, be it an object or assassin, almost like the movie ninja.

If you're rather new to the Monk, I maintain a guide for the class. The link's below in my signature.

I also have a companion blog (second link). Visit there and use the search bar to read up on the adventures of Kiricletica, a shortsword-using Ninja Spy that has completed much of the game completely solo, without hirelings or party and with limited kills, just for something different.

[Munkenmo]

Regardless of what Spencarian says, shortsword / Kama monks are absolutely the worst way to play a pure monk. Carrying a couple of shortswords for DR bypassing is acceptable, but I'd advise leaving it at that. Some players can and will make playing with shortswords look good, but they're generally good players who could make anything look good.

Dex based shortsword users do have nice reflex saves, but they attack ~10% slower than an unarmed monk, and they forgo use of the stunning fist feat. From a damage perspective that's huge. If you like the idea of a finesse based character (for a first life toon it's actually quite a good idea now), Quarterstaff monks (thanks to superior attack speeds), dish out more damage than 2wf shortsword/kama monks. Then instead of picking up the two weapon or two handed fighting chains, you could pick up cleave and great cleave for some aoe capability. (if you do go quarterstaff, splash atleast 1 rogue level, for the 15% stacking attack speed that you get with thief acrobat)

If I were to make a 32point monk on a new server right now, I would do the following:

16monk/2fighter/2fvs. 2wf with handwraps
15str, 15dex, 14con, 8int, 16wis, 8cha. I'd put all my level ups into wisdom.

I'd run everything on elite and get a +2 dex tome for my 1750 favor reward before level 9, in order to qualify for improved / greater two weapon fighting.

The reason for the splashes:
I'd want empower heal in order to boost rejuvenation cocoon in epic levels
Then since I've already given up the capstone for decent self healing, 2 fighter nets me better dc's than those 2 monk levels would, 2 feats (1 if you still pick grandmaster of forms) and hasteboost.

[Saekee]

Monks are so multi-stat dependent and complex that I recommend them for experienced players only and after a couple of TRs (36 pt builds for non VPs need the TRs). If you are committed to going for a 32pt build on a Monk, then I recommend you go with ftdOmen's suggestions for your build. Even better--go pure and TR; do not worry about epic levels except for your ability to farm out tokens somewhere (the Cannith Challenges or maybe Devil's Assault, which also gives GS mats). Monks take quite a bit to get used to but then, once you get the feel for them, they are pretty addictive.

Spencerian's guide is thoughtful, comprehensive and well-articulated--it is a great study and fun. He has updated stuff for u19 there too so take note.

The short swords and dex can work but it depends on your playstyle--if you like to stealth and solo a lot then by all means. The capstone boosts them. I have one but it is a real challenge at times. I did it because I had a wealth of short swords and wanted to experiment before TRing again.

In any event, if you take for your monk path Inevitable Dominion, I absolutely recommend taking the Tier 5 Henshin over the Tier 5 Ninja since you get Shadows Cannot Exist without the Light. Cooldown 6 seconds; up to 5 stacking DOT of 2d6 light damage (ok not much) but most importantly on the death of the mob everyone about them is healed 100 hp. No need for slotting devotion etc.; just healing amp helps. It makes going through trash mobs really easy and you can help your group. You lose the awesome DPS of Touch of Death but then Quivering Palm is right around the corner...

[TeacherSyn]

Regardless of what Spencarian says (snip).

The forums are meant to disseminate options in how to play the game.

How you play may be different from others. Your information for the OP is just as helpful to him/her without implying or insulting me or what my opinions are.

Play nice. And when you get around to taking a Ninja Spy on a dead-solo run through the game with shortswords, then you might have some traction in dissing a shortsword build. Fast is not always better in terms of damage, or Monks would really be overpowered as an unarmed class.

[Cardtrick]

Monks would really be overpowered as an unarmed class.

They kind of are. That's why there are so many calls to nerf them.

Take a look at the bladeforged unarmed monk videos in the Fastest Raid and Quest times thread. The DPS output on a well geared and well built unarmed monk is frankly ludicrous.

At high levels, anything that scales with gear and other abilities is going to be powerful. Nothing scales better than attack speed, since it directly magnifies everything else.

[TeacherSyn]

They kind of are. That's why there are so many calls to nerf them.

Take a look at the bladeforged unarmed monk videos in the Fastest Raid and Quest times thread. The DPS output on a well geared and well built unarmed monk is frankly ludicrous.

At high levels, anything that scales with gear and other abilities is going to be powerful. Nothing scales better than attack speed, since it directly magnifies everything else.

Gamer Rule #1: If a player is left with the options to magnify their abilities or perform things beyond what the developers planned, they are going to do so.

Google up "Halo wait...what? How did you do that?" In the multiplayer game of Halo, there's a heavy transport that no player should ever be able to flip. Somebody did. The developers were prepared for the behavior with a humorous response should the impossible ever succeed.

I guess that's why we get lots of nerfing while Turbine tries to balance things.

That said, as you know, the Monk is hard to play. But what happens when you learn to play it so well that it goes all transcendent on the rest of the classes? I guess that's what some see. I still think they're hard to play. But maybe a few really good players are too good? I don't know.

[Munkenmo]

The forums are meant to disseminate options in how to play the game.

How you play may be different from others. Your information for the OP is just as helpful to him/her without implying or insulting me or what my opinions are.

Play nice. And when you get around to taking a Ninja Spy on a dead-solo run through the game with shortswords, then you might have some traction in dissing a shortsword build. Fast is not always better in terms of damage, or Monks would really be overpowered as an unarmed class.

I have played every iteration of monk that I can possibly think of. I didn't mean to attack your advise, what you said is sound, I'm just trying to put the message across that despite the fact that you play and advertise shortsword monks rather well, it is the weakest play style.

Excluding ranged, at the moment Unarmed > Staves > shortswords, before the enhancement pass it was Unarmed > shortswords > staves. Shortswords have never managed to usurp handwraps as the best dps option.

Some players can and will make playing with shortswords look good, but they're generally good players who could make anything look good.

[joshuafields]

Well I built a monk with starting stats no tomes or enhancements 16 str , 15 dex, 12 con, 8 Int, 16 wis, 8 cha. I know the con Is a bit low But I will have a +2 con tome to boost that. I am thinking str and wis Are the 2 main priorities I will balance out evenly and Dex will come from +2 tome to make a 17 to open up the 2wf tree. Handwraps will be my main weapon and short swords for special boss's/occasions. Prob not the perfect build for a noob monk player but I will enjoy playing this toon a lot. I thank everyone for their Input as this has really been beneficial to me and I wish everyone here many kills In ddo and lotsa loot.