Drow Ninja for New Players (U33)

[unbongwah]

Disclaimer: I haven't played a pure monk in ages because...well, I was waiting for Turbine to buff them to their former glory again, basically. So I'm waaay out of practice when it comes to playing monks. And I'm betting that Turbine isn't done with the monk pass yet, based as much on past class passes as wishful thinking. So I'm hoping that pure monk will become stronger than it currently is.

That said, here's a pure Ninja build based on drow racial weapons (i.e., short swords + shuriken) updated for U33. It's mostly based on Teachersyn's Poison Master, albeit with some important tweaks.

Ninja of Vulkoor
Monk 20
Lawful Neutral Drow


Stats
               28pt     Level Up
               ----     --------
Strength         8       4: WIS
Dexterity       18       8: WIS
Constitution    12      12: DEX
Intelligence    12      16: WIS
Wisdom          16      20: WIS
Charisma        10      24: WIS
                        28: WIS

Skills
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Concent   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Spot      3  2     2     2     2     2     2     2     2     2     2  23
Hide      4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Move Si   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
UMD       2     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     11
Tumble    1                                                            1
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         20  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5


Feats

 1        : Point Blank Shot
 1 Monk   : Two Weapon Fighting
 2 Monk   : Precision
 3        : Rapid Shot
 3 Monk   : Path of Inevitable Dominion
 6        : Precise Shot
 6 Monk   : Ten Thousand Stars
 9        : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
12        : Improved Critical: Piercing
15        : Improved Precise Shot
18        : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic   : Improved Martial Arts
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic   : Epic Damage Reduction OR Improved Critical: Thrown
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding
30 Epic   : Blinding Speed
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


Enhancements (80 AP)

Ninja Spy (41 AP)

Basic Ninja Training, Advanced Ninja Training, Shadow Veil, Poisoned Darts, Diversion, Ninja Master
Ninjutsu: Poison Exploit, Sneak Attack Training, Acrobatic II
Ninjutsu: Poisoned Soul, Sneak Attack Training, Melee/Ranged Power Boost III
Ninjutsu: Impending Doom, Sneak Attack Training, Sting of the Ninja, Wisdom
Ninjutsu: Wave of Despair, Deadly Exploits III, Sneak Attack Training
Touch of Death, Deadly Striker, Crippling Strike, Shadow Double

Henshin Mystic (21 AP)

Riddle of Fire, Ki Bolt, Sounding Staff, Incinerating Wave
Porous Soul, Mystic Training III, Way of the: Patient Tortoise
Static Charge, Fists of Iron, Contemplation III
Lighting the Candle III, Wisdom

Shintao (11 AP)

Bastion of Purity, Protection from Tainted Creatures, Iron Hand
Deft Strikes III, Ki Shout
Iron Skin III

Drow (7 AP)

Spell Resistance, Dexterity
Xen'drik Weapon Training
Xen'drik Weapon Training

Leveling Guide

Hen0 Riddle of Fire; Spy0 Basic Ninja Training; Spy1 Sneak Attack Training
Hen1 Way of the: Patient Tortoise; Spy1 Acrobatic I, II
Spy0 Advanced Ninja Training; Spy1 Ninjutsu: Poison Exploit; Hen1 Porous Soul; Hen1 Mystic Training I
Hen0 Ki Bolt; Hen2 Fists of Iron; Spy2 Melee/Ranged Power Boost I
Spy2 Melee/Ranged Power Boost II, III; Hen2 Static Charge; Hen1 Mystic Training II
Spy0 Shadow Veil; Hen0 Sounding Staff; Spy3 Sting of the Ninja
Shi0 Bastion of Purity; Shi1 Deft Strikes I, II, III
Shi1 Ki Shout; Shi2 Iron Skin I, II
Shi2 Iron Skin III; Shi0 Protection from Tainted Creatures; Shi0 Iron Hand; Spy2 Ninjutsu: Poisoned Soul
Spy2 Sneak Attack Training; Spy3 Sneak Attack Training
Spy3 Wisdom; Spy4 Deadly Exploits I
Reset Shintao

Ninja Spy: Poisoned Darts
(none)
(none)
Ninjutsu: Impending Doom
Ninjutsu: Wave of Despair, Deadly Exploits III, Sneak Attack Training
Touch of Death, Deadly Striker, Shadow Double
Spy5 Crippling Strike; Shi0 Bastion of Purity; Shi1 Deft Strikes I
Shi1 Deft Strikes II, III; Shi1 Ki Shout
Shi2 Iron Skin I, II, III; Shi0 Protection from Tainted Creatures
Shi0 Iron Hand; Hen3 Lighting the Candle I, II, III
Hen2 Contemplation I, II, III; Hen1 Mystic Training III
Spy0 Diversion; Hen3 Wisdom; Hen0 Incinerating Wave
Dro0 Spell Resistance; Dro0 Dexterity
Dro1 Xen'drik Weapon Training; Spy0 Ninja Master; Dro2 Xen'drik Weapon Training


Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Constitution
Constitution
Critical Damage III, Haste Boost III
Volcano's Edge
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz

Twists of Fate (31 fate points)

Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
Whirling Wrists (Tier 3 Shiradi)
Pin (Tier 2 Shiradi)
Dance of Flowers (Tier 1 Flowers)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)

The first thing you have to decide with this build is whether DEX or WIS is going to be your primary stat. DEX-based means higher base damage modifier for both melee & ranged, extra shuriken procs from Shuriken Expertise + Advanced Ninja Training, and higher Reflex saves; WIS-based means more Ranged Power from Ten Thousand Stars (TTS), higher DCs on monk abilities, and higher Will saves. I went WIS-based because it feels more, well, monk-y to me; but both stats are important and DEX-based makes more sense if you'd rather focus on shuriken than melee.

In either case, gameplay-wise you alternate between shuriken using TTS and melee using short swords; both help you build up stacks of Ninja Poison via Sting of the Ninja, which you trigger using your Poison Exploit finisher. [See Teachersyn's post for more details.] The first major difference between my build and Teachersyn's is I skip Whirlwind Attack (which I don't think is worth the 5-feat investment) to add more ranged feats, up to Improved Precise Shot. Also I picked up Touch of Death (ToD); that's one of those abilities which is great in heroics but lousy in epics because the damage doesn't scale. Still, this is more of a heroic leveling configuration; APs are easily respecced once you hit the point where ToD is no longer worthwhile.

Enhancements: the core requirements are 41 APs Ninja for the capstone and tier-5s; 11 APs Henshin for the first three cores (+30 Melee Power +9 PRR and free Quick Draw); and 8 APs Shintao for Deft Strikes + Iron Skin (+10% offhand +20 PRR). That leaves you with 20 APs, which is juuust enough to squeeze in Venomed Blades like Syn's build does, but with virtually nothing left over for the other PrEs (or Harper if you have it). Instead I decided to squeeze in more Henshin (Light the Candle and next core for another +10 MP +3 PRR) and two more Shintao cores for the extra heal amp (also gives the option of switching to unarmed for DR-breaking purposes if necessary). Alternatively, I might invest more into Shintao for Jade Strike / Tomb of Jade if they work with ki weapons; like I said, it's been a long time since I played a monk.

Twists are a wishlist. Balanced Attacks + Whirling Wrists are the most important ones for TWF and thrower DPS, respectively, IMO. That takes 15 Fate pts (45 ED lvls), though, so it'll be a while before you can have both on a first-lifer...

The exact leveling order of Enhancements doesn't matter too much. The important break points are:

• Level 3: definitely take Advanced Ninja Training here, as that provides DEX to dmg and extra shuriken procs.
• Level 6: you should take both the Ninja and Henshin cores (Shadow Veil and Sounding Staff) and Sting of the Ninja. It's also when you get TTS and can add that to your combat rotation. This should be where your Ninja starts hitting its stride.
• Level 12: if necessary, respec enhancements so you can afford your tier-5 Ninja abilities (ToD, Shadow Double, etc.) while still keeping at least 11 APs Henshin.

[unbongwah]

Weapons: at low levels your best option is definitely still Tiefling Assassin's Blade - note the expanded crit range, it's keen, and has both Poison and Wounding. The good news is it's a wilderness drop, so it's an easy solo farm (if you have Three Barrel Cove, natch); the bad news is it seems to have a pretty low drop rate, making it a PITA to solo-farm, particularly if you keep hitting Ransack. Later you'll want to upgrade to Envenomed Blades just as Syn recommends. Other good named options include: Cuttthroat Smallblade (expanded crit range, Bleed+Slicing dmg, doublestrike, Corrosive Salt on higher-lvl versions); Razorend (expanded crit range and Tendon Slice which should carry over the shuriken while wielded offhand); drow shortsword; and of course Celestia, every shurimonk's best friend.

Speaking of shuriken, not a lot of options, unfortunately, but Snowstar is pretty great for ML:8 (note the 16-20/x2 crit profile); Dawnbringer (both versions); and Morning Star.

[Saekee]

Nice. I would fit in Precise shot, improved precise shot instead of OC and Epic damage reduction as an option. I would take IPS over OC.

It is strange that Henshin only gives Melee power and not ranged power; nowhere in the monk trees is ranged power.

Another weapon option is lootgen poison blades since they have poison on hit which will get bumped up by Sting.

The shadow star shuriken crit range used to be faulty and was improperly doubled (I am guessing it is right now 18-20, not 19-20, but someone would need to test it); it is another nice option and only ML 2 (plus comes with keen).

I know this is for new players but the Tiefling blade rare spawns in the epic wilderness as well as the heroic.

Tendon slice of Razorend does carry over onto the mainhand shuriken and procs like crazy.

You can add that good gear is Ring of the Stalker from level 11 and Frozen tunic starting at level 16.

[unbongwah]

I would fit in Precise shot, improved precise shot instead of OC and Epic damage reduction as an option. I would take IPS over OC.

I already have IPS @ lvl 15 so I'm not sure what you're talking about.

[Saekee]

I already have IPS @ lvl 15 so I'm not sure what you're talking about.

<facepalm> my bad! Apologies

[Assassination]

I'm enjoying this build at the moment. I've gotten my ninja spy to lvl 11. She's drow and mostly fights twf with her tiefling blades. She is a second life, so had a couple extra points to play with.
I've been pushing up dex to help my base damage. She started with 18 dex, 16 wisdom.

A few things that I've noticed while playing her, and bear in mind this is my first real monk that I've run.

1. It would have been really nice if Venomed Blades was included in the ninja tree... somewhere.
1a. Ninja poison's dot damage does not seem to do much, mobs are killed so quickly it barely has time to do it's thing... perhaps this will shine in reaper mode...

2. Some sort of +1 to ki regen when you strike with shortswords or throw a shuriken.... I frequently feel ki starved. Those could easily placed in the ninja cores...

3. The core abilities of this tree seem really weak, especially compared to Henshin Mystic with all the melee power and such.

4. Would an instakill move in tier 5 be over the top, we are a sneaky ninja, and don't really have any attacks that benefit from us sneaking...

5. I really like using unbalancing strike followed up by fists of iron, this is a nice combo.

6. It seems really difficult to land finishing moves, and there is really no way to help the dc's except by piling on as much wisdom as possible. Do the dc's of these finishing moves function in epic content???? I'm not sure how they can..

Other than that... I do really enjoy the build, a bit worried how she will perform in epics though.

Do you guys think maybe you could make a stronger character by multiclassing say 6 fighter lvls, for Kensai crit multiplier, and a couple lvls of rogue for venomed blades???? I know the dc's of finishers would be worse off, but I don't seem to be able to really pull them off anyways...

[NemesisAlien]

Light candle 3 the good thing is give you fire damage, the problem is it lowers your ki regen.
Why never go for the drow poison toggle? If I remember correctly it gives more damage then rogue poison toggle.

[unbongwah]

What weapons do you recommend? Handwraps or ??

As it says in the OP, "based on drow racial weapons (i.e., short swords + shuriken)"...even though I don't bother with drow racial bonuses. Could also use kamas, in which case you take IC:Slashing instead.

Light candle 3 the good thing is give you fire damage, the problem is it lowers your ki regen.

Yeah, I'm on the fence about how much to invest in Henshin because the mid-tier stuff is still pretty blah IMO. Definitely 11 APs for the first three cores (+30 Melee Power and free Quick Draw), but beyond that?

Why never go for the drow poison toggle? If I remember correctly it gives more damage then rogue poison toggle.

18 APs for Venomed Blades is pretty expensive for "just" +1d8 damage even with the boost from Melee Power and the stacking poison vulnerability from Ninja Poison; though presumably you would also pick up extra DEX and Xendrik weapon training along the way. As I said upthread, it is possible to do, say, 41 Ninja / 18 drow / 11 Henshin / 10 Shintao, I'm just not convinced that's better DPS than skipping Venomed Blades and putting more into Henshin, Shintao, and/or Harper. But again, it's just plat to respec Enhancements, so feel free to experiment.

[xBunny]

Enhancements: the core requirements are 41 APs Ninja for the capstone and tier-5s; 11 APs Henshin for the first three cores (+30 Melee Power +9 PRR and free Quick Draw); and 8 APs Shintao for Deft Strikes + Iron Skin (+10% offhand +20 PRR). That leaves you with 20 APs, which is juuust enough to squeeze in Venomed Blades like Syn's build does, but with virtually nothing left over for the other PrEs (or Harper if you have it). Instead I decided to squeeze in more Henshin (Light the Candle and next core for another +10 MP +3 PRR) and two more Shintao cores for the extra heal amp (also gives the option of switching to unarmed for DR-breaking purposes if necessary). Alternatively, I might invest more into Shintao for Jade Strike / Tomb of Jade if they work with ki weapons; like I said, it's been a long time since I played a monk.

Since Henshin cores MP were nerfed, what do you think about investing 21 points(or even more) into vistani tree, and switching to daggers instead of shortswords?

[unbongwah]

Since Henshin cores MP were nerfed, what do you think about investing 21 points(or even more) into vistani tree, and switching to daggers instead of shortswords?

Since this build (A) is intended for new players without extra P2P content (besides drow and monk obviously) and (B) predates the Vistani tree, I'd say do what you want with it.

[xBunny]

Since this build (A) is intended for new players without extra P2P content (besides drow and monk obviously) and (B) predates the Vistani tree, I'd say do what you want with it.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 4.37.105
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Drow Male
(20 Monk) 
Hit Points: 260
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 20
Will: 16

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             10                    12
Dexterity            18                    27
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         10                    13
Wisdom               16                    18
Charisma             10                    10

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 1 \par +2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1 \par +2 Tome of Constitution used at level 1 \par +2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1 \par +3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3 \par +2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 1 \par 
                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               0                    11
Bluff                 0                     0
Concentration         4                    26
Diplomacy             0                     0
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                0                     0
Heal                  0                    15
Hide                  4                    31
Intimidate            0                     1
Jump                  4                    27
Listen                2                     6
Move Silently         0                     8
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     1
Search                2                     3
Spellcraft            0                     1
Spot                  2                     6
Swim                  0                     1
Tumble                n/a                  n/a
Use Magic Device      2                    11

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Bard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


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


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Shot


Level 4 (Monk)


Level 5 (Monk)


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Monk Feats: Ten Thousand Stars
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot


Level 7 (Monk)


Level 8 (Monk)


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


Level 10 (Monk)


Level 11 (Monk)


Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Monk)


Level 14 (Monk)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Monk)


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Thrown Weapons


Level 19 (Monk)


Level 20 (Monk)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Knife Expertise (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Knife Juggler (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Quick Reflexes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - One With Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Vistani Fortune (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Vistani Knife Training I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Undead Hunter (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Mist Stalker I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Rapid Slash (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Vistani Knife Training II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Mist Stalker II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Vistani Knife Training III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Vistani Knife Training III (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Mist Stalker III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Deadly Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Vistani Knife Training IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Celerity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Mist Stalker IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vistani Knife Fighter - Double Daggers (Rank 1)
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) - Diversion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Master (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Poison Exploit (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) - Poisoned Soul (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Action Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Impending Doom (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) - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Wave of Despair (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Deadly Exploits (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Deadly Exploits (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Deadly Exploits (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Touch of Death (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Deadly Striker (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Shadow Double (Rank 1)
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)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Exemplar (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 3)

Will try something like this my next life. Going for NinjaSpy T5 and all Cores to keep my Shuri dmg up, mostly for flavor. Though Vistani last core might be more beneficial with +20mp +5% speed.
One thing I wonder is if offhand chance stack from 20% base + 3xTWF feats+Double Daggers T4 Vistani+Deft Strikes from Shintao T1. If they do it seems to be 110% offhand attack. I wonder how DDO TWF chance works, will it mean 10% offhand double strike chance?