The Horcrux, a wisdom monk with some muscle [ H-Orc Monk 20 ]

[Anthios888]

THE NAME: HORCRUX

• Has the word H-Orc in it.
• I liked Rorc "Rock Orc" better, but this is geekier
• A Horcrux is this evil curse thing in Harry Potter.
• The build is a dark monk that specializes in curses. And my wife likes Harry Potter
• Horcruxes have souls in them.
• This DPS build retains the soul of the monk class: quasi crowd control. The build is also at its best by killing someone to make it -- true reincarnation ftw
• The previews of the next Harry Potter movie have Voldemort looking like a bald half-orc.
• I am staying home to play DDO instead. The movie theater does not have enough dungeon tokens, anyway

OVERVIEW

Half Orc makes this wisdom emphasis possible while using strength for to-hit. No DPS race on DDO could previously make a non-weapon-finesse wisdom-based monk with decent DCs and enough to-hit to satisfy the needs of epic. I mean, yeah, I'm sure you've tried, but it's gimp. That's because wind stance, the best DPS and tactical stance for monks, merged so awesomely with finesse, giving both to-hit and doublestrike attacks. Try writing a template build with at least 15 or 16 starting WIS, enough STR to-hit, and enough DEX for greater two weapon fighting. Oh, and some hit points. Throw in things like warforged power attack and the to-hit will barely break 40.

Half orc does it easily by giving +4 strength. Then, add fire stance (wind is a bit better, but 2 hit/dam and ki generation makes fire an all-around winner). A careful focus on strength-increasing gear, it is fairly easy to get to 38-40 STR (before madstone) without putting level-ups there . The great thing is that strength is much easier to raise than any other stat. You've got rage, +7 items, titan's grips, enhancements, ship buffs, tower rings, cape of the roc, hezrou cookies, blah blah. Even taking into account power attack (woot dps) and halfling bonus to hit, that's like a finesse halfling monk with 32 DEX.

So here's something for those of us who were only Half-Excited about Half-Orcs. My eyes generally glaze over as I look over the forums at the orc commentary. Barbarians, falchions, blah blah blah. So predictible. Wao, everyone just has to go kill themselves because their toon only has 60 strength instead of 64. Yawn.

So, here is a template for a build that can take those marginal bonuses and push them way further: unlocking high DCs while maintaining high DPS.

Make it your own. You like more garlic? Add more garlic. Change your APs to make it work for you.

I will warn that it takes some twitch skill to manage the ki strikes and finishing moves to really get the most out of this. Simply mashing Touch of Death and Earth4 just doesn't cut it these days imo.

Rorck (Rock Orc), Robin and Cursin' (H-Orc Monk 20)

BASE STATS
36 points (one +2 tome): [ Str 18, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 6, Wis 16, Cha 6 ]
34 points (one +2 tome): [ Str 18, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 6, Wis 16, Cha 6 ]
32 points (requires one +2 tome): [ Str 18, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 6, Wis 15, Cha 6 ]
28 points (requires one +1 tomes): [ Str 16, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 6 ]

All level-ups (4, 8, 12, 16, 20) in Wisdom. With +3 or +4 tome in DEX, lesser for more ability points.

ENDGAME STATS (34 point build)
40 STR: 18 base + 2 tome + 4 stance + 6 item + 1 litany + 3 exceptional + 2 racial enhancement + 2 rage + 2 yugoloth strength
28 CON: 14 base + 2 tome + 6 item + 1 litany + 3 exceptional + 2 rage
38 WIS: 16 base + 5 levels + 2 tome -2 stance + 6 item +1 exceptional + 2 exceptional + 2 capstone + 1 litany + 1 monk enhancement + 2 alchemical + 2 yugoloth

Situational add-ons not included in calculations: madstone, titan's grip, airship buffs, cookies, wis yugo potion, raven's sight +2 wisdom necklace

BREAKDOWN
49 DC vs. Fort Stunning fist: (10 base + 10 (20 monk/2) + 15 wisdom + 10 stunning + 5 spare hand)
35 DC vs. Fort Stunning blow: (10 base + 15 strength modifier + 10 weighted + 5 spare hand)
44 DC vs Will Dark Punch: (-2 saves and to-hit; Use to prep everything to effectively raise your DC by two)
44 DC vs. Will Touch of Despair (-25% fort, -25% healing) (dark dark dark)
44 DC vs. Fort Touch of Death (Nerfed? Naah)
44 DC vs. Will Curse of the Void: Endlessly charm epic monsters (void dark void)
31 DC vs. fort quivering palm instakill

FEATS
FEATS
1 Two weapon fighting
1 (monk) Stunning fist
2 (monk) Dodge
3 (monk) Path of Inevitable Dominion
3 Past Life: Disciple of the Fist
6 Toughness
6 (monk) Power attack
9 Improved two weapon fighting
12 Improved critical: bludgeoning~
15 Greater two weapon fighting
18 Stunning blow or Improved Sunder (can also consider toughness, past life: paladin, or past life: rogue)

~TRUE REINCARNATING~?
I strongly recommend Past life: Disciple of Fists (past life monk taken feat). Paladin (+3 hit/dam divine favor), Rogue (3 minutes of +10 sneak damage) would also be good as active feats. The other best passive past life is fighter.

SUGGESTED ENDGAME GEAR: DPS all out

• Armor: Epic Frozen Tunic (+1 ki on-hit, fireshield: cold, freezing ice proc on all weapons, colorless: +1 wis, blue: toughness) or Epic Red Dragonscale Robe (colorless: 1 wis, blue: Toughness)
• Bracers: Epic Bracers of the Claw (Heavy Fort, +2 con, set bonus: 4 damage)
• Goggles: Epic Goggles of Time Sensing (+2 wis, colorless: 6 dex, yellow Greater False Life for using Spare Hand), swap with Goggles of Attack Bonus +4 with large guild augment 20 hp
• Helm: Cove Hat (15 jump, backstab +5)
• Necklace: Shintao Cord (6 con, 15 concentration)
• Trinket: Litany of the Dead
• Cloak: Epic Cape of the Rockan (+2 str, yellow: 4 resist), Wretched Twilight (backstab +4, blur)
• Belt: Knost's Belt (6 con, Greater False Life, set bonus 2 damage), swap with Epic Spare Hand (Riposte, Exceptional Combat Mastery +5, Staggering Blow, Use Magical Device +3, Doublestrike 3%, Empty Colorless Augment Slot, Blue: +2 luck)
• Gloves: Epic Gloves of the Claw (6 STR, 30% healing amplification, set bonus: 4 damage
• Boots: Greensteel HP item (radiance lore)
• Ring: Knost's Ring (6 str, 1 str, holy burst)
• Ring: Shintao's Ring (6 wis, 1 str, shocking burst)

ENHANCEMENTS (heavily epic slanted)

Monk Serenity
Orcish Fury I
Orcish Power Attack III
Way of the Faithful Hound II
Improved Jump II
Improved Tumble II
Monk Ninja Spy II
Static Charge
Winter's Touch
Porous Soul
All-Consuming Flame
Touch of Death
Master of Thunder
Master of Stone
Grandmaster of the Sun
Master of the Sea
Void Strike IV
Unbalancing Strike
Racial Toughness II
Orcish Strength II
Monk Wisdom I
80 Action Points

SKILLS
3 per level: Max Concentration. 10 ranks in Jump, and the remainder in Balance. Tumble at first level to enable its use.

[Deaths_ward]

Actually just pointing something out here about Void 4, it only requires a 16 base in the 4 stats, and one 18. Void Strike VI, Requires 'Master of Element X' for each element, and only requires you to have one of 'Grand Master of Element X'.

Other than that, looks cool, I'm just not a huge fan of Half-Orcs, but this might be worth tweaking around and messing with.

[rjedi]

Very nice as usual, +1 for another great build

just one thing, do you keep yugo pots in wis up all the time? because I only see using one for devils assualt or something like that where stuns come often and need to work


and love the "A Horcrux is this evil curse thing in Harry Potter." description lol

[Gladiator_206]

LOVE the name of build, and the description following it. (in fact thats what made me click the post)
+1

Was just wondering how you feel your build compares end game wise against the 34 point version of Impact's?

(link below: )
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=279570

regardless of how it compares, favourited this build for future referance. good job man

[Anthios888]

LOVE the name of build, and the description following it. (in fact thats what made me click the post)
+1

Was just wondering how you feel your build compares end game wise against the 34 point version of Impact's?

(link below: )
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=279570

regardless of how it compares, favourited this build for future referance. good job man

His is a strength build, mine has levelups in wisdom. DCs are the most important thing for me, in my experience playing a monk in epic.

[OldAquarian]

Could you tell me how differently it would play from http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=282529
Went the WIS level ups and a slight difference in enhancements

[Dark-Star]

Really nice build Anthios! You beat me to posting. Well written and fun to read as usual.

I think the build could be even stronger with a few minor gear, stat, feat, AP and stance changes, but I'll refrain from posting unless you want me to.

One minor cut and paste error is the Claw gloves should be:

Epic Gloves of the Claw: Greater Vulkoor's Might, Strength +6, Intimidate +5 (enhancement bonus), Healing Amplification 30%.

It seems you listed the bracer stats twice.

Only issue I have with TR-ing mine to half orc is how to keep the flies away. Any pearls of wisdom?

[Anthios888]

Could you tell me how differently it would play from http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=282529
Went the WIS level ups and a slight difference in enhancements

Hah, I guess we both thought the same thing Only difference is that you have a bit more DEX for Ultimate Wind Stance. That's a good way to go -- in fact, you could switch between wind & sun depending on your ki and to-hit needs.

I see you also have Void, which is cool, but not my thing. I have it on Rockan now and wish I didn't. Horcrux also has 2 more wis and 10% more healing amp from enhancements.

[Anthios888]

Only issue I have with TR-ing mine to half orc is how to keep the flies away. Any pearls of wisdom?

I'm going to have to undergo a lobotomy to reroll my cute halfling to a half-orc. Thanks for the catch on the claw thing.

[OldAquarian]

Hah, I guess we both thought the same thing Only difference is that you have a bit more DEX for Ultimate Wind Stance. That's a good way to go -- in fact, you could switch between wind & sun depending on your ki and to-hit needs.

I see you also have Void, which is cool, but not my thing. I have it on Rockan now and wish I didn't. Horcrux also has 2 more wis and 10% more healing amp from enhancements.

Any suggestions for my feat at 18 - I have a toughness placeholder - I see you have stunning blow and stunning fist - would it make sense to take stunning blow (and also why do you have both?)

[Anthios888]

Any suggestions for my feat at 18 - I have a toughness placeholder - I see you have stunning blow and stunning fist - would it make sense to take stunning blow (and also why do you have both?)

Toughness isn't a bad placeholder. Monks can always use more HP. I have stunning blow because the DC is decent for a backup stun and it gives you double chances to land. It requires no ki and is on a separate cooldown. So I think it works pretty well for builds with enough strength.

[rjedi]

Hmm instead of having the toughness feat and having a barbarian past life and a monk past life could I take the barb plf and monk plf instead of the 2 toughnesses? I would lose 40 hp from 1 toughness and enhancments but I would get 1 free toughnees (barb) and 3 rages which will always come in handy

[cforce]

Excellent build, as usual! One interesting note for anyone reading through looking for build ideas, as well: aside from switching Dark enhancements to Light enhancements, almost every decision here also works pretty well for a Half-Orc Light Monk, too. Same feats (minus the path feat, of course), same stats, same everything but the enhancement swap out.

[elyssaria]

Nice build!

However I am curious where you get those +3 exceptional STR from? Since I am fighting every time with my unarmed builds since the ToD rings get the Holy Burst and Shocking Burst and therefor I am not able to put on the extra +2 exceptional which always lands me with a +1 exc str instead of the normal +3 for all other builds which are not unarmed

Best Regards!

/Khierra

[Darkrok]

Excellent build, as usual! One interesting note for anyone reading through looking for build ideas, as well: aside from switching Dark enhancements to Light enhancements, almost every decision here also works pretty well for a Half-Orc Light Monk, too. Same feats (minus the path feat, of course), same stats, same everything but the enhancement swap out.

You'd swap dodge for one of the shintao pre-req's as well.

Honestly that's what I thought this was going to be about in the first place. Just when I'd decided I was going to stay human and had used most of my +3 tomes someone posts this beauty!

My biggest frustration on my light monk is that I can't dump any more str and hit things but I don't have the saves to land things like Jade Strike either. I'd never thought about HOrc providing enough base str to use level-ups to wisdom. You've inspired me...I'm going to look at the possibility of a Void IV Light Monk version of this. Void IV not because I love Void IV but more because I'd love to take GM Water here to amp up the DC's even more in the situations where getting things to stick is difficult. If you can reliably add 10% damage to the raid in a situation where another monk can not (ie you land it 40-50% of the time to a typical monk's 5%) then you'd really have something. And in the situations it's not needed you can run fire stance and get a bevy of high-DC stuns, especially against Tainted (Jade Strike has chance, Tomb, Kukan-do, Stunning Blow, Stunning Fist).

Guess I need to start collecting +3 tomes again. :P

[Darkrok]

Nice build!

However I am curious where you get those +3 exceptional STR from? Since I am fighting every time with my unarmed builds since the ToD rings get the Holy Burst and Shocking Burst and therefor I am not able to put on the extra +2 exceptional which always lands me with a +1 exc str instead of the normal +3 for all other builds which are not unarmed

Best Regards!

/Khierra

Epic Cloak of the Roc

[elyssaria]

Epic Cloak of the Roc

Much appreciated! Now I can boost the str even more I had missed that one.

/Khierra

[Fecerak]

SKILLS
3 per level: Max Concentration, Jump, and Balance. Tumble at first level to enable use.
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Nope, not going to happen until +2 tome. Reminds me of why I don't like horcs and why WF is still tha master race :P

[Anthios888]

SKILLS
3 per level: Max Concentration, Jump, and Balance. Tumble at first level to enable use.
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Nope, not going to happen until +2 tome. Reminds me of why I don't like horcs and why WF is still tha master race :P

Eh, 7 fewer ranks in jump... maxing it is a waste anyway. I'll change the OP to avoid confusion.

[Darkrok]

Ok, Void IV doesn't work here but I got a build to meet the goals of 1) going with the spirit of this build, 2) being Shintao III, and 3) since we're light adding in a viable set of DPS strikes.

Stupefy!