playing a vampire monk

[knight775042002]

I have found this build on the forum and I have made a character to give it a try, but I have never played a monk before. Any info I get for monks seem more targeted for the pure monk.
I have few questions maybe one of you can help me with.
What finishing move should I be using the most? (at lower level and at high levels.)
What special gear should I get?
Any other tips would be helpfull.

Thanks,





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Level 28 Lawful Good Shadar-Kai Male
(12 Monk \ 1 Rogue \ 7 Wizard \ 8 Epic)
Hit Points: 422
Spell Points: 472
BAB: 12\12\17\22
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 19
Will: 24

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 28) (Level 28)
Strength 12 16 16
Dexterity 14 18 18
Constitution 14 18 20
Intelligence 10 14 14
Wisdom 18 29 32
Charisma 6 10 10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 2
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 2
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 2
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 2
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 2
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 2
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 6
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 6
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 6
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 6
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 6
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 6
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 10
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 10
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 10
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 10
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 10
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 10
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 14
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14
+4 Tome of Constitution used at level 14
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 14
+4 Tome of Wisdom used at level 14
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 14

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 28) (Level 28)
Balance 6 17 26
Bluff -2 0 8
Concentration 4 28 39
Diplomacy -2 0 8
Disable Device n/a n/a n/a
Haggle -1 1 9
Heal 6 22 30
Hide 6 8 16
Intimidate -2 0 8
Jump 4 6 15
Listen 4 11 19
Move Silently 6 8 16
Open Lock n/a n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a n/a
Repair 0 2 10
Search 0 2 10
Spellcraft 2 25 33
Spot 4 11 19
Swim 1 3 11
Tumble 6 8 17
Use Magic Device n/a n/a n/a

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness


Level 5 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)


Level 6 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility


Level 7 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Precision


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)


Level 9 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 10 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)


Level 11 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)


Level 12 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Master of Forms


Level 13 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell


Level 14 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Wave of Despair (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (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) - Flash Bang (Rank 1)
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) - No Mercy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - No Mercy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Dark Reaping (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Shroud of the Zombie (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Shroud of the Vampire (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Necrotic Touch (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Necrotic Touch (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Necrotic Touch (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Deathless Vigor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Deathless Vigor (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Deathless Vigor (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Spell Critical: Negative Energy I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Negative Energy Conduit (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Negative Energy Conduit (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Negative Energy Conduit (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Spell Critical: Negative Energy II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Bone Armor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Bone Armor (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Bone Armor (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Spell Critical: Negative Energy III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Spell Critical: Negative Energy IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Improved Shrouding (Rank 1)


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)


Level 17 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)


Level 18 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Grandmaster of Forms


Level 19 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2.5)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Shadar-Kai Grit (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Shadar-Kai Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Student of Pain (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Student of Pain (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Improved Dodge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Improved Dodge (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Improved Dodge (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Ghostly Essence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shadar-Kai - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Shadow Veil (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - No Mercy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 3)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Vorpal Strikes


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Tactician


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Blinding Speed


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting

[Saekee]

Hi, you want to get GTWF as soon as possible; I do not think you even had it on your feats!

I did some speculation recently on level-draining builds--here is the thread: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...ic-melee-build

Mercureal recommended tier 5 henshin for the level draining spam for which you would need to select Fists of Light, not fists of Darkness.

I am currently playing a 6 monk/7 rogue/7 wizard in epics that I plan to Epic Reincarnate into a stun vamp--right now it is a stealth build. 7 rogue is nice because it enhances the damage when you land a stun, and the attack Unbalancing Strike helps with the sneak attack damage procs.

[knight775042002]

Hi, you want to get GTWF as soon as possible; I do not think you even had it on your feats!

I did some speculation recently on level-draining builds--here is the thread: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...ic-melee-build

Mercureal recommended tier 5 henshin for the level draining spam for which you would need to select Fists of Light, not fists of Darkness.

I am currently playing a 6 monk/7 rogue/7 wizard in epics that I plan to Epic Reincarnate into a stun vamp--right now it is a stealth build. 7 rogue is nice because it enhances the damage when you land a stun, and the attack Unbalancing Strike helps with the sneak attack damage procs.

Good point, I will change up to Fists of light, but what feat should I swap out for GTWF?
I think this build has a lot of points in sneak attack which if I decrease and remove Improved Shrouding to get Every Light Casts a Shadow it should come out just fine.

[knight775042002]

Hi, you want to get GTWF as soon as possible; I do not think you even had it on your feats!

I did some speculation recently on level-draining builds--here is the thread: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...ic-melee-build

Mercureal recommended tier 5 henshin for the level draining spam for which you would need to select Fists of Light, not fists of Darkness.

I am currently playing a 6 monk/7 rogue/7 wizard in epics that I plan to Epic Reincarnate into a stun vamp--right now it is a stealth build. 7 rogue is nice because it enhances the damage when you land a stun, and the attack Unbalancing Strike helps with the sneak attack damage procs.

I can also take out Shadow Veil, since I have an item to make me incorporeal, and can cast invisible.

[Saekee]

Well, here is a modified version of what I used. All level ups in wisdom, start with a high dex for TWF (15), decent INT, CON & STR. (I did a modified dex version)
These kinds of builds really cannot become fully active until epics since you need everything. You will probably want the tier 5 of PM to reduce light damage and Grave Wrappings for hp shield procs, stunning tactical mods and life-stealing synergy. Twist EA's Embrace the light: Passive Bonus: You take +[10/20/30]% less light damage and farm out the epic Pharlian mirror cloak!


Level 28 Lawful Good Human Female
(6 Monk \ 7 Rogue \ 7 Wizard \ 8 Epic)
Hit Points: 388
Spell Points: 450
BAB: 12\12\17\22
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 22
Will: 14

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning fist
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge


Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light


Level 5 (Monk)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Monk)


Level 8 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Deflect arrows


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell


Level 11 (Wizard)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Wizard)


Level 14 (Wizard)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Master of Forms
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) quicken


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Wiz)


Level 20 (Rogue)

[knight775042002]

Thanks for the help. Your build looks really good I might give it a try.
I can take Cloak of Night enchacement III for 50% light damage reduction. Will Embrace the light stack with Cloak of night? I have to Grave wraps now and working on Pharlian mirror cloak.

[Saekee]

Thanks for the help. Your build looks really good I might give it a try.
I can take Cloak of Night enchacement III for 50% light damage reduction. Will Embrace the light stack with Cloak of night? I have to Grave wraps now and working on Pharlian mirror cloak.

The problem with Cloak of Night is that it blocks the negative energy healing as well. That includes the 1 hp/hit on the Tier 5 vamp form.

I haven't run this yet in epics, so I will be learning from you if you get there before me. I do not know what changes have occurred with Negative healing amp but they are mentioned in the release notes for U24

[Saekee]

BTW it is not working as intended, but I found that with the Tier 5 pale master enhancement and vamp form, I was healing with Shurikens. 1hp for each one that hit.

[Saekee]

Well, here is a modified version of what I used. All level ups in wisdom, start with a high dex for TWF (15), decent INT, CON & STR. (I did a modified dex version)
These kinds of builds really cannot become fully active until epics since you need everything. You will probably want the tier 5 of PM to reduce light damage and Grave Wrappings for hp shield procs, stunning tactical mods and life-stealing synergy. Twist EA's Embrace the light: Passive Bonus: You take +[10/20/30]% less light damage and farm out the epic Pharlian mirror cloak!


Level 28 Lawful Good Human Female
(6 Monk \ 7 Rogue \ 7 Wizard \ 8 Epic)
Hit Points: 388
Spell Points: 450
BAB: 12\12\17\22
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 22
Will: 14

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning fist
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge


Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light


Level 5 (Monk)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Monk)


Level 8 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Deflect arrows


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell


Level 11 (Wizard)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Wizard)


Level 14 (Wizard)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Master of Forms
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) quicken


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Wiz)


Level 20 (Rogue)

The nice thing about this level split is the variability in builds if you epic reincarnate. Instead of playiing the same build over and over again through various epic reincarnations, this one offers interesting options since with an epic reincarnation you can redo new feats, stats, etc (like a lesser reincarnate):
1) Dex version as I did; focus on air stance, Tier 5 of EK for tenser's toggle and shadow dodge in acrobat. Right there I was getting +13 Dex
2) go all out in Harper and make it an INT build. Twist Energy Burst and use this model for running in arcane spheres. You can also focus on trapping side and make some wildly effective crafted mines, webbing EE mobs (take the mechanic enhancement that sets the DC of mines to be equal to Disable device skill).
3) the stun monk as above, also works at vamp monk (really two versions there, 3a and 3b)
4) a thrower build--also max out dex and take various enhancements for throwers, such as Shuriken expertise, PBS, RS, Quickdraw, IPS, 10K etc.

[knight775042002]

The problem with Cloak of Night is that it blocks the negative energy healing as well. That includes the 1 hp/hit on the Tier 5 vamp form.

I haven't run this yet in epics, so I will be learning from you if you get there before me. I do not know what changes have occurred with Negative healing amp but they are mentioned in the release notes for U24

If you take Improved Shrouding and you still take Every Light Casts a Shadow? They are both teir 5 and I know some teir 5 are blocked once you take one from another tree.

This kind of build is really new to me and so I am kind of lost

[Saekee]

If you take Improved Shrouding and you still take Every Light Casts a Shadow? They are both teir 5 and I know some teir 5 are blocked once you take one from another tree.

This kind of build is really new to me and so I am kind of lost

no you can only take one tier 5

Pale masters are new to me also...but am exploring them more and more because Mabar 'owns' Xoriat.

[Death_Mystic]

Sorry but I just wanted to chime in. If you are doing a vampire build of something, I would suggest the T5 Pale Master Light Reduction (Improved Shrouding). It helps the most as light spells are especially deadly to Vampires. Also the ED Light reduction is a good twist for any PM (as told to me by a pale master buddy). Both builds look good, but I will admit my experiance with PMs is my 2 rouge/18 Wizard/8 Epic. So what I guess I am saying is get the T5 light damage reduction before actually using the vamp form, unless you are sure the quests being run do not have much light damage coming at you and good luck PMs can be very fun

[8rad]

Sorry but I just wanted to chime in. If you are doing a vampire build of something, I would suggest the T5 Pale Master Light Reduction (Improved Shrouding). It helps the most as light spells are especially deadly to Vampires. Also the ED Light reduction is a good twist for any PM (as told to me by a pale master buddy). Both builds look good, but I will admit my experiance with PMs is my 2 rouge/18 Wizard/8 Epic. So what I guess I am saying is get the T5 light damage reduction before actually using the vamp form, unless you are sure the quests being run do not have much light damage coming at you and good luck PMs can be very fun

I am running a wiz7/rog3/monk2 now and yes, definitely get improved shrouding before running around in vamp form. Even the lowly wight priests in necro 1 and deleras will hit you for 100 light damage without it. Cloak of night is marginally useful because it blocks the best quality of improved vamp shroud which is the 1 point of neg healing/hit. The other thing I am finding now is 7 levels of wiz is only 2 lvl 4 spell slots. That means Neg Energy burst and Death Aura and no room for wall of fire which makes crowd control rather poor.

[Saekee]

Sorry but I just wanted to chime in. If you are doing a vampire build of something, I would suggest the T5 Pale Master Light Reduction (Improved Shrouding). It helps the most as light spells are especially deadly to Vampires. Also the ED Light reduction is a good twist for any PM (as told to me by a pale master buddy). Both builds look good, but I will admit my experiance with PMs is my 2 rouge/18 Wizard/8 Epic. So what I guess I am saying is get the T5 light damage reduction before actually using the vamp form, unless you are sure the quests being run do not have much light damage coming at you and good luck PMs can be very fun

Hi Death_Mystic, I totally agree. I also just completed my EPharlian Mirror Cloak which will help as well.

I am running a wiz7/rog3/monk2 now and yes, definitely get improved shrouding before running around in vamp form. Even the lowly wight priests in necro 1 and deleras will hit you for 100 light damage without it. Cloak of night is marginally useful because it blocks the best quality of improved vamp shroud which is the 1 point of neg healing/hit. The other thing I am finding now is 7 levels of wiz is only 2 lvl 4 spell slots. That means Neg Energy burst and Death Aura and no room for wall of fire which makes crowd control rather poor.

hi 8rad, this is true. I think the idea of combining vamp and monk is to forego the caster side in favor of melee, in which case the cleave attacks will need to serve as CC. Wraps get offhand attacks while cleaving with most racial/gender combinations. The spell points--limited--are really just for self-healing and buffing.

One could also epic reincarnate into an INT version (Harper heavy), weaponize with envenomed blades or some similar short sword (wraps do not get INT to damage) and then twist Energy Burst for CC (its DC is INT or CHA based) while staying within a caster-friendly destiny. Melee will suffer though but it would add versatility and CC.

[Cardoor]

Why be creative with a build like this? After a champion one shots you with a light spell every quest, you might see the mind-numbing beauty of a high hit point cookie-cutter button-mashing borg-induction style of play instead.

[Saekee]

Why be creative with a build like this? After a champion one shots you with a light spell every quest, you might see the mind-numbing beauty of a high hit point cookie-cutter button-mashing borg-induction style of play instead.

You can prepare easily enough against champs and spellcasters. Champs are particularly vulnerable to tactics like stunning fist. Plus, the build setup I propose does not limit you to running in vamp form. It gives multiple Epic Reincarnation options to change playstyle, AND even without vamp you get maxed dodge, displacement & incorporeality--just avoid the light...
There are nice benefits to vamp form hence the temptation--level drain, heal on hit, undead immunities, stacking fortification! With the Mabar featival replacement around the corner, one can farm out an epic robe of shadow too with the boon of undeath.