Rockan Robin, pure monk build and philosophy

[Corpsebride]

Anthios888, you've mentioned in a couple places that you think you will end up TRing into a half elf monk, wisdom based and non weapon finesse. What sort of stat allocation are you thinking of for initial character creation? Would you plan on taking stunning blow as one of the feats on that build, or would it not end up with high enough strength to land reliably? I'm thinking of TRing my monk into exactly such a build and am curious to see how your ideas line up with what I'm toying around with so far.

Thanks in advance!

[Anthios888]

Anthios888, you've mentioned in a couple places that you think you will end up TRing into a half elf monk, wisdom based and non weapon finesse. What sort of stat allocation are you thinking of for initial character creation? Would you plan on taking stunning blow as one of the feats on that build, or would it not end up with high enough strength to land reliably? I'm thinking of TRing my monk into exactly such a build and am curious to see how your ideas line up with what I'm toying around with so far.

Thanks in advance!

Stat allocation doesn't matter all that much as long as you're balancing pretty evenly between str, dex, con, and wis. The extra build points help. So, like 16 str, as much dex as you need for two weapon fighting, and the rest split between wis and con. Stunning blow would be pretty great on a toon with some extra oomph on that stat like someone with past life fighters or on a h-orc (see horcrux build very similar). For my own build, I'm taking past life monk and paladin, and possibly rogue if I decide to drop improved critical: bludgeoning. Of course this is in addition to the base toughness, greater two weapon fighting, power attack, and dodge (for ninja spy). If you don't have those extra lives, I always felt like toughness was a little better choice than stunning blow just because your strength is kinda gimped and because the cooldown is so long. 6 second cooldown stunning fists with DCs in the 40s, plus access to the monk dance and other cc is generally enough.

Good luck!

[dasomdas]

how u using shield wand? didnt see umd

[Anthios888]

how u using shield wand? didnt see umd

SKILL POINTS
One rank in tumble will enable its use. Max ranks in concentration and use magic device. Split the rest of ranks in jump and balance.

UMD as in original post.

[Corpsebride]

Stat allocation doesn't matter all that much as long as you're balancing pretty evenly between str, dex, con, and wis. The extra build points help. So, like 16 str, as much dex as you need for two weapon fighting, and the rest split between wis and con. Stunning blow would be pretty great on a toon with some extra oomph on that stat like someone with past life fighters or on a h-orc (see horcrux build very similar). For my own build, I'm taking past life monk and paladin, and possibly rogue if I decide to drop improved critical: bludgeoning. Of course this is in addition to the base toughness, greater two weapon fighting, power attack, and dodge (for ninja spy). If you don't have those extra lives, I always felt like toughness was a little better choice than stunning blow just because your strength is kinda gimped and because the cooldown is so long. 6 second cooldown stunning fists with DCs in the 40s, plus access to the monk dance and other cc is generally enough.

Good luck!

Thanks Anthios888! I will only have a past life monk on the character, agree strongly that extra build points help - the only character I've built that needed more stats and had more issues getting them was my paladin. I really like both your Rockan Robin and your Horcrux builds, I'm debating on which would suit my own playstyle better. Currently my monk is a dex based weapon finesse halfling light monk with moderate wisdom - the biggest change I want to make is to up her wisdom, most likely including skill up points in wisdom + 16 wisdom base, minimum. I want to preserve her ability to solo easily through AC and some self healing - but I don't mind relying on potions + lesser vampirism for the healing.

I feel like the Half Orc offers better base damage (especially when you have agro) over the half elf build but the half elf build offers better self healing and flexibility from the dilettantes. I figure while leveling I'd take the cleric dilly + UMD for heal scrolls/wands and then at level 20 swap that for the rogue dilly if and when that becomes appropriate. However in some ways the idea of a high(ish) strength stunning fist, stunning blow half orc dark monk is very appealing. Quick question for you about the Horcrux: It seems like both builds have a similar DC to Stunning Fist, say around 42 (16 base wis + level ups + gear in both builds) or higher with moderate gear investment. On the Horcrux it would appear that the Stunning Blow dc ends up lower than the Stunning Fist DC - do you still find you land enough of the Stunning Blow's to make it worth the feat investment when running mostly in Epics? Would it be worth swapping the level ups in wisdom to strength on that build to get a slightly higher Stunning Blow DC, assuming you have enough gear to still get to a 32 wisdom without those level up points?

[Maelodic]

Dodge is here because it helps you qualify for ninja spy. If you are shintao, feel free to drop it.

I'd take Luck of Heroes on a Shintao in its place.

Is taking cleave instead of luck of heroes a viable option? Yet another button to hit sounds good, and aoe melee moves are great.

[Anthios888]

Thanks Anthios888! I will only have a past life monk on the character, agree strongly that extra build points help - the only character I've built that needed more stats and had more issues getting them was my paladin. I really like both your Rockan Robin and your Horcrux builds, I'm debating on which would suit my own playstyle better. Currently my monk is a dex based weapon finesse halfling light monk with moderate wisdom - the biggest change I want to make is to up her wisdom, most likely including skill up points in wisdom + 16 wisdom base, minimum. I want to preserve her ability to solo easily through AC and some self healing - but I don't mind relying on potions + lesser vampirism for the healing.

I feel like the Half Orc offers better base damage (especially when you have agro) over the half elf build but the half elf build offers better self healing and flexibility from the dilettantes. I figure while leveling I'd take the cleric dilly + UMD for heal scrolls/wands and then at level 20 swap that for the rogue dilly if and when that becomes appropriate. However in some ways the idea of a high(ish) strength stunning fist, stunning blow half orc dark monk is very appealing. Quick question for you about the Horcrux: It seems like both builds have a similar DC to Stunning Fist, say around 42 (16 base wis + level ups + gear in both builds) or higher with moderate gear investment. On the Horcrux it would appear that the Stunning Blow dc ends up lower than the Stunning Fist DC - do you still find you land enough of the Stunning Blow's to make it worth the feat investment when running mostly in Epics? Would it be worth swapping the level ups in wisdom to strength on that build to get a slightly higher Stunning Blow DC, assuming you have enough gear to still get to a 32 wisdom without those level up points?

People have really mixed experiences with stunning blow, but a lot of people recommend it on the build just because it gives you a free attack and there aren't too many other feats. Personally, I will take another past life feat over stunning blow. The feat in that range of being useful but not totally game changing. Some take stunning blow, others take an extra toughness, and still others get another past life or something. I suggest it for the template build because it's a solid feat choice and any time you can incapacitate a monster, it is going to make life easier for you and your party.

Changing your ability points around for a couple difference in your stunning blow DC just doesnt seem worth it to me, since so many of the other abilities like quivering palm are based on wisdom.

As for races, H-Orc and H-Elf are both extremely strong for this type of monk. I am personally going the half elf route but many of my guildies love their Horcruxes, too.

Good luck!

[Anthios888]

Is taking cleave instead of luck of heroes a viable option? Yet another button to hit sounds good, and aoe melee moves are great.

It would be great if it worked well but the feat has little to recommend it as currently implemented. In most situations, cleave does less DPS by messing up your attack chain. Even on a monk with great armor class, I feel like they tend to play monster by monster. Run up, immobilize, kill 'em quick, run to the next, and take no damage. This is the one class for me where I just dont grab tons of monsters at one time, if I can help it. Fewer pots to drink. (disclaimer: I still play extremely aggressively, sorry to all who have healed me!).

I know luck of heroes seems like a drop in a bucket but I suppose I would find it more all around reliable.

All that said... feel free to play around with it a little! It's such a small difference in the end and it might be fun to use.

[nni]

What about discipline instead of Luck of Heroes? Is the extra concentration better than the +1 to fortitude and reflex saves?

[SpearKicker]

It would be great if it worked well but the feat has little to recommend it as currently implemented. In most situations, cleave does less DPS by messing up your attack chain. Even on a monk with great armor class, I feel like they tend to play monster by monster. Run up, immobilize, kill 'em quick, run to the next, and take no damage. This is the one class for me where I just dont grab tons of monsters at one time, if I can help it. Fewer pots to drink. (disclaimer: I still play extremely aggressively, sorry to all who have healed me!).

I know luck of heroes seems like a drop in a bucket but I suppose I would find it more all around reliable.

All that said... feel free to play around with it a little! It's such a small difference in the end and it might be fun to use.

I think Cleave doesnt mess the attack chain anymore. Not sure though I didnt use it much before the last updates.

[flipwon]

I have enough plat for 2 +2 tomes, and 3 +1 tomes.. which should I get and where??
I'm currently young in the build (level 5) so I still have a couple levels to wait.. Always good to prepare though

[Anthios888]

I have enough plat for 2 +2 tomes, and 3 +1 tomes.. which should I get and where??
I'm currently young in the build (level 5) so I still have a couple levels to wait.. Always good to prepare though

+2s - dex

rest - wis, con, and str. If you're really into skill points, you can put a +2 in INT since it gets you another skill point per level. But I'd probably just stick it into WIS or CON if youre a dex build.

[infiniteblusky]

Hello, may i ask why you choosed halfling? (sorry, i'm new)

Thanks

[Anthios888]

Hello, may i ask why you choosed halfling? (sorry, i'm new)

Thanks

Halfling has bonuses to dexterity, sneak attack damage, to-hit, and armor class, so it makes for a good all-around monk.

However, today I would choose h-elf, because they get sneak attack damage, a little healing amplification, and more flexible ability points.

Either works and works well.

[infiniteblusky]

Some questions about enchantments:

Don't know if take or not the elegant crane,ok give you more ki but will give a penality to save...may the monkey be good as well?

void strike 2: is it good to take it just to level 2? shouldn't be worth go for lvl 4?

to get ninja spy i need just one of these -Static Charge,All-consuming Flame,Porous Soul,Winter's touch- can be a good idea just take one and save points for another thing?

Thanks again

[pwnagemonkey]

This is almost completely unrelated, but is the name based on the Michael Jackson song Rockin' Robin?
Looks like a great build, have a lvl 6 following build currently

[Memnochx]

Sorry, super noob question. I see a lot of 32 point builds to start with but all I can start with is 28. I did up to VIP but still can't start with 32. Do I need to cap a player then reincarnate to get a 32?

[redraider]

you need to get to 1750 on each server to get 32 point builds on that server

[Memnochx]

you need to get to 1750 on each server to get 32 point builds on that server

I don't understand. 1750 what? Have to do this on every server?

[StrixAluco]

1750 favor on a single character