Notes from a (Henshin) Monk Past Life

[Marshal_Lannes]

23-26

I've tried to focus on following the level progression of quests so that I may more accurately gauge how my character is handling increased epic difficulty. That has led me to do the full Eveningstar chain, Catacombs, Druid's Deep, and High Road. A few raids (VON, Chrono, Tempest Spine) thrown in and I'm moving toward 30 at a brisk pace. Most questing is being done on R4 in groups or R1/2 when duo. I'm pleased to report that Henshin monk is still performing at an excellent level. DPS remains strong to near-top and defenses are surprisingly good. 35% dodge with high reflex improved evasion tends to make one survive things that would kill many other PCs. My build isn't using optimized gear either so I haven't come close to the ceiling. From my completely unscientific estimate, I'm leaving 25-30% on the table without primed gearing and Past lives (Epic enhancements to PRR, HP, and AC).

I'm finally able to use raise dead scrolls. This is another build weakness I forgot to mention earlier. You'll go through most of your character's life unable to scroll without some sort of UMD item/booster. If I was going to use this for racial lives I'd make a greensteel raise dead clickie (or two).

Considering my other Notes of builds this one feels the best going through early epics. All the caster builds suffer from the same drop-off going into epics. There is that gap from 20 to 24 until you get the Master of whatever feat which establishes the casting levels you had in heroics for epic mobs. However, much of the fun I'm having in epics utilizes Drifting Lotus and EiN, two abilities that are being removed or changed in U51. I'll no longer be a Henshin monk by the time U51 rolls around but that's something to consider. I'd have to look into the build again and see what was lost vs what was added. Regardless of how I end up performing in R8+ legendary quests, the Henshin monk has been a blast for 26 levels.

[Marshal_Lannes]

Conclusion

Putting a pin in this build I wanted to summarize end game. Aside from THF Paladin, this has been the best high reaper character that I've played. Henshin monk easily handles mid-reaper and was capable of being a productive functional party member in R10. If one fully specialized in HM getting the ideal gear and filling out a sentient gem I can see this being a viable end game choice. Not only is it viable, HM continues to be fun throughout the life of the character at all stages and on all difficulty levels.

I used the Staff of Shadows from 28 on and was pleased with the results. Post U50 HM, like all melee I've tested, performs even better because you're scoring far more critical hits. The blend of high DPS and excellent defense along with CC presents a near-complete package. I say near because while you are capable of both self-healing and party boosting with Shadows without light in combat, outside of combat there is scant healing ability. All classes have drawbacks and that's the one for HM.

THF monk is end game worthy. It's fun. If Paladin keeps getting nerfed I'm going to TR my primary THF into this build and see what heights they can reach with it. I have one more notes life to do (Alchemist) before I've "won DDO". I'm taking a slight detour into Horizon Walker on another character and have a last summer vacation so that might be a bit yet, probably fall. Until then, see you next time.