Quote Originally Posted by C-Dog View Post
I was running with some folk, talking about dropping SF 18 for Monk 3, and they were appalled - not by the loss of SF Core 18, but the loss of Sacred Defender Core 18, namely:

  • +25 Healing Amp
  • +3 Lay on Hands charges
  • +10% Sacred Bonus to Max HP
  • +5 to Physical and Magical Resistance Rating

That's a pretty good laundry list. Added to the rest, for 31 AP... attractive.

As shown, this build doesn't specify the AP spread - wondering if you'd dismissed SD or what, and which tree you were considering for Tier V.

Still theory-crafting here, so the jury's out, but I'm thinking now that this build might(?) be better for Heroic Leveling (i.e. it will get to 20 better), but for going on to 30 it might not be the best mix? Just adding new grist to the mill. :/
Oh I can totally see the perspective of that, no question, if you wanted to main tree Sacred Defender, that is the way to go. And it is sound logic in that scenario.

I am not going further into Sacred Defender than 13 AP. I need all of the extra AP that I can get in Drow and Monk Trees, and Vistani if I swap to Daggers. For Daggers + Sacred Fist that is minimum 24/23 AP in those trees, locking out full investment in Sacred Defender. If you go mostly Sacred Fist and Drow trees and pickup nice stuff from Monk, same deal, you are not going to have the AP for getting to 31 AP in Defender anyway.

It is a totally different discussion about how it may be possible to achieve higher defenses with 13 AP in Defender, and Embracing the Zen of the Monk lifestyle. Versus 31 AP in defender with just 1 Monk level, and ignoring the Zen entirely, but perhaps going into Unyielding Sentinal for even more Lay on hands and recharging there. There are some arguments to be made either way.

I am embracing the Zen and with my setup, and I totally do not need the lay on hands outside of emergency situations.