Monk Character Creation

[Legacy_craymond727]

               

Hello all,

 

I'm completely unfamiliar with 3rd edition rules (have only played BGEEs and IWDEE) and don't know how to go about building a Monk in NWN. I've tried reading through about Str. v Dex v. Wis.-builds, and I've only gotten more lost. For now, I'd like just to focus on the vanilla campaign, and then possibly go through the others afterwards or with an entirely new character. At this point, my biggest questions would be what are the best starting stats, feats, & skills for a pureclass monk, and how should I allocate points at the following level-ups?

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_AndrueD]

               

OC very easy so should experiment.

 

Monk goes either gloves or kamas.  Good gloves in OC, not so much kamas but some are there. Pure monk is best with max of 18 lvls but maybe some fighter for feats monk class miss, rogue for trap skills (lots of traps in OC) and UMD or else SB battle cleric WIS synergy.  Druid polymorph also work nice with some monk but needs to stay LN for whole campaign.  Lotta ways to go really, but best to keep one class high else the build will gimp out. Hard to use prestige classes for short campaign like OC.

 

Whichever you pick (STR, DEX, WIS) put at least 16 there.  Prolly at least CON 14 too.  INT 14 for lots of skills.  STR prolly easiest to build. DEX build needs finesse.  WIS build mainly for monk stunning and AC, most rare monk build to see.

 

Maybe if you have ideas you type them so ppl can help you build them?

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_rogueknight333]

               

If you are not confident you know what you are doing, I suggest going with a DEX-based monk. This will maximize the main advantage of the monk (lots of defense), while STR or WIS monks tend to be more specialized builds. Plausible starting stats would (assuming you are human and have no racial bonuses/penalties to stats) be something like:

 

STR: 12

DEX: 16

CON: 14

INT: 12

WIS: 14

CHA: 8

 

Increase only DEX on level up. These are a rough guideline, not set in stone: You could easily reduce STR, INT, or WIS to increase something else, depending on the exact build or environment. The key decision to guide your build is what weapon you want to go for. There are several good choices here: fighting unarmed or with a kama as monks get bonus attacks with both of these (dual-wielding kamas is a good way to massively increase APR) or using a missile weapon and relying on the Monk's speed bonus for improved kiting.

 

In theory, kamas are better than fists, since if you are using monk gloves for unarmed bonuses you are in effect sacrificing an equipment slot that could give Stat increases or other benefits. However, this can be very dependent on the enviroment: if very powerful magical gloves are available, and the magical kamas on offer are nothing special (which I believe is the case in the OC), fighting with your fists might be the better choice.

 

If you plan to fight with fists crucial feats to get would be Weapon Finesse, and Weapon Focus & Improved Critical: Unarmed.

 

If you go with kamas, I suggest dual-wielding them, so crucial feats would be Weapon Finesse, Ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, and Weapon Focus & Improved Critical: Kama.

 

Some good general feats for a melee-combat oriented PC would be Toughness, Blindfight and Dodge.

 

If you go with missile weapons, good feats to take would be Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus & Improved Critical for the appropriate weapon, Called Shot, and Rapid Reload (if using crossbows) or Rapid Shot (otherwise). You might also want to take Martial Weapon Proficiency to use Longbows (though taking a level in Fighter or some other class providing that proficiency for free would probably be a better way to do that).

 

Note that many of the above feats require a minimum Base Attack Bonus as a pre-requisite, meaning you would not be able to take them at 1st Level, so you might want to take something like Toughness or Dodge as your first feat.

 

Do NOT take the Circle Kick feat: it is bugged and not very useful.

 

As far as skills go, Tumble is the only one that is a must-have: max that out for the armor bonus. What other skills you go with really depends on your playstyle or environment. You could develop Hide & Move Silently to gain the option of scouting out enemies before committing to engaging them, or go for Open Locks, Disarm Traps and Search (as cross-class skills) so you are not completely dependent on a henchman or some other roundabout expedient for dealing with locks and traps, among other possibilities.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_AndrueD]

               

If you go with kamas, I suggest dual-wielding them, so crucial feats would be Weapon Finesse, Ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, and Weapon Focus & Improved Critical: Kama.

 

In OC, only get 8 general feats max as pure human monk so would get many DW feats very late (gen feat 8 @ lvl 18) unless put some fighter levels (or CoT after monk 10), if can get that high (must farm all possible XP & sidequests solo w/o hench). 

 

Melee need Blind Fight bad and not late.  Non-human pure monk only get 7 gen feats (gen feat 7 @ lvl 18) so prolly get Imp 2-wpn fight when campaign ready to end.  Mnk14/Ftr4 still get SR 24 and Imp Evade and only miss 1 monk AC & 10% speed boost so prolly worth 4 ftr lvls after mnk 6.  Fighter 4 give better BAB w/WpnSpecial and CoT give better BAB but not WS.  CoT better saves, tho and no XP pen with non-human/non-halfelf, but CoT only work with kama monk.  Prolly WS will help make DWing dmg much better in any dexer build, DW or not DW.

 

Main difference fists are bludgeon with kama slashing.  Some undead have slash/pierce resist but afaik no undead have bludgeon resist. But some boss might have resist for all physical.

 

But DW best idea if not fisting since monk won't hold shield '>  a good start for epic dodge toon when play it that long.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Empyre65]

               

I suggest 7 levels of Monk, then 4 levels of Fighter, and then all Monk. Take the feats for dual kamas, but fight unarmed anyway until around late chapter 2.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Nick The Noodle]

               

If human, and want to be a Kama specialist, you may want to go 12 Monk, 1 Shadow Dancer, 7 Weapon Specialist, and then back to Monk until L40 is reached.  You won't have weapon specialism but can make up with greater stealth.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_AndrueD]

               

If human, and want to be a Kama specialist, you may want to go 12 Monk, 1 Shadow Dancer, 7 Weapon Specialist, and then back to Monk until L40 is reached.  You won't have weapon specialism but can make up with greater stealth.

 

I think you mean Weapon master (from 7 level you show) not weapon specialist, no?  Human Monk/SD/WM not enough feats to do.  Need fighter so pick either SD or WM not both.

 

OP say plan for vanilla campaign only means max 18 lvl build (maybe 17 if hench used alot for combat XP).  Is a new player so think is trying to learn one class at a time. Prolly multiclass will make hard to learn basic monk in DnD 3.0.  Ftr 4 is ok to get max APR but not needed in easy OC.  It still multiclass which maybe not good for learning old DnD vershun.

 

For dexer mnk/sd/wm DW need at least finesse, WF, imp crit, 2-wpn fight, ambidex, dodge, mobile, expert, spring, ww... that already 10 feat and no blind fight or imp 2-wpn fight on list.  Maybe could wait to do WM in epic but OC not epic.  WM usually best before 20 anyway for better BAB.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Empyre65]

               

Here's a build I played with great success in the OC and then the Aribeth's Redemption series, which has lots of action but is also a love story between the PC and Aribeth. You end up at about level 27 or so, similar to HotU, but I extended the build to level 40 so it can be played elsewhere, too. In the other campaign mentioned, ES is The Elder Scrolls, an excellent-but-optional bridge module for between SoU and HotU, and SoF is the Sands of Fate series that will take you all the way to level 40. Like I mentioned before, fight unarmed until you have all three dual-wielding feats, and even then, keep your monk gloves, but wear something else in that slot unless you are fighting unarmed.

 

   Spoiler
   

Dervish (Rogue 19 / Monk 11 / Fighter 10)
Human, Any Lawful
Playable 1 - 40, PvM
for either the OC + follow-up mods OR SoU, ES, HotU, and SoF

Abilities:
STR: 14
DEX: 16 (32)
CON: 12
WIS: 12
INT: 14
CHA: 8

Leveling Guide:
Human: (Quick to Master)
01: Rogue(1): Toughness, Dodge
02: Monk(1): {Cleave, Evasion, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist}
03: Rogue(2): Weapon Finesse
04: Fighter(1): DEX+1, Weapon Focus: Kama, (DEX=17)
05: Rogue(3): {Uncanny Dodge I}
06: Rogue(4): Blind Fight
07: Monk(2): {Deflect Arrows}
08: Fighter(2): DEX+1, Two-Weapon Fighting, (DEX=18)
09: Rogue(5): Ambidexterity
10: Fighter(3)
11: Rogue(6)
12: Monk(3): DEX+1, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, (DEX=19)
13: Rogue(7)
14: Fighter(4): Weapon Specialization: Kama
15: Rogue(: Iron Will
16: Monk(4): DEX+1, (DEX=20)
17: Rogue(9)
18: Rogue(10): Improved Critical: Kama, Defensive Roll
19: Fighter(5)
20: Rogue(11): DEX+1, (DEX=21)
21: Monk(5): Epic Weapon Focus: Kama
22: Monk(6): {Knockdown, Improved Knockdown}
23: Fighter(6): Epic Weapon Specialization: Kama
24: Monk(7): DEX+1, Great Dexterity I, (DEX=23)
25: Rogue(12)
26: Fighter(7)
27: Monk(: Great Dexterity II, (DEX=24)
28: Fighter(: DEX+1, Armor Skin, (DEX=25)
29: Monk(9): {Improved Evasion}
30: Rogue(13): Great Dexterity III, Epic Dodge, (DEX=26)
31: Rogue(14)
32: Rogue(15): DEX+1, (DEX=27)
33: Rogue(16): Great Dexterity IV, Slippery Mind, (DEX=28)
34: Fighter(9)
35: Fighter(10): Epic Prowess
36: Rogue(17): DEX+1, Great Dexterity V, (DEX=30)
37: Monk(10)
38: Rogue(18)
39: Monk(11): Great Dexterity VI, (DEX=31)
40: Rogue(19): DEX+1, Improved Sneak Attack I, (DEX=32)

Stats:
Hitpoints: 382
Skillpoints: 369
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 22/21/33
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +4, Mind Effects: +2, Traps: +4
BAB: 26
AB (max, naked): 41 (melee), 38 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 34/34
Spell Casting:
Alignment Changes: 0

Skills:
Disable Trap 43(47), Discipline 42(44), Lore 33(35), Open Lock 43(54), Search 43(45), Set Trap 5(18), Spellcraft 18(20), Spot 43(44), Tumble 40(51), UMD 41(40)

01: Disable Trap(4), Lore(4), Open Lock(4), Search(4), Set Trap(4), Spellcraft(2), Spot(4), Tumble(4), UMD(4), Save(
02: Discipline(5), Lore(1), Tumble(1), Save(
03: Disable Trap(2), Lore(1), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Set Trap(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(2), Tumble(1), UMD(2), Save(4)
04: Discipline(2), Lore(1), Save(6)
05: Disable Trap(2), Lore(1), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Spellcraft(1), Spot(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2), Save(2)
06: Disable Trap(1), Lore(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(6)
07: Discipline(3), Lore(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(6)
08: Discipline(1), Lore(1), Save(9)
09: Disable Trap(3), Lore(1), Open Lock(3), Search(3), Spellcraft(1), Spot(3), Tumble(2), UMD(3)
10: Discipline(2), Save(3)
11: Disable Trap(2), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Spellcraft(1), Spot(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2)
12: Discipline(2), Lore(1), Tumble(1), Save(3)
13: Disable Trap(2), Lore(1), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Spellcraft(1), Spot(2), Tumble(1), UMD(2)
14: Discipline(2), Save(3)
15: Disable Trap(2), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Spellcraft(1), Spot(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2)
16: Discipline(2), Tumble(1), Save(4)
17: Disable Trap(2), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Spellcraft(1), Spot(2), Tumble(1), UMD(2), Save(2)
18: Disable Trap(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(7)
19: Discipline(3), Spellcraft(1), Save(7)
20: Disable Trap(2), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Spot(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2), Save(6)
21: Discipline(2), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(
22: Discipline(1), Tumble(1), Save(13)
23: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(15)
24: Discipline(1), Tumble(2), Save(19)
25: Disable Trap(5), Open Lock(5), Search(5), Spellcraft(1), Spot(5), Tumble(1), UMD(5), Save(2)
26: Discipline(2), Save(5)
27: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(2), Save(7)
28: Discipline(1), Save(11)
29: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(2), Save(13)
30: Disable Trap(5), Open Lock(5), Search(5), Spot(5), Tumble(1), UMD(3)
31: Disable Trap(1), Lore(4), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1)
32: Disable Trap(1), Lore(5), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1)
33: Disable Trap(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(4)
34: Discipline(5)
35: Discipline(1), Save(4)
36: Disable Trap(3), Open Lock(3), Search(3), Spot(3), Tumble(3)
37: Discipline(2), Lore(4), Tumble(1)
38: Disable Trap(2), Lore(3), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Spot(2)
39: Discipline(2), Lore(3), Save(2)
40: Disable Trap(2), Open Lock(2), Search(2), Spot(2), UMD(5)

Edited to spoiler the build.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Nick The Noodle]

               

I think you mean Weapon master (from 7 level you show) not weapon specialist, no?  Human Monk/SD/WM not enough feats to do.  Need fighter so pick either SD or WM not both.

 

OP say plan for vanilla campaign only means max 18 lvl build (maybe 17 if hench used alot for combat XP).  Is a new player so think is trying to learn one class at a time. Prolly multiclass will make hard to learn basic monk in DnD 3.0.  Ftr 4 is ok to get max APR but not needed in easy OC.  It still multiclass which maybe not good for learning old DnD vershun.

 

For dexer mnk/sd/wm DW need at least finesse, WF, imp crit, 2-wpn fight, ambidex, dodge, mobile, expert, spring, ww... that already 10 feat and no blind fight or imp 2-wpn fight on list.  Maybe could wait to do WM in epic but OC not epic.  WM usually best before 20 anyway for better BAB.

 

I think you mean Weapon master (from 7 level you show) not weapon specialist, no?  Human Monk/SD/WM not enough feats to do.  Need fighter so pick either SD or WM not both.

 

OP say plan for vanilla campaign only means max 18 lvl build (maybe 17 if hench used alot for combat XP).  Is a new player so think is trying to learn one class at a time. Prolly multiclass will make hard to learn basic monk in DnD 3.0.  Ftr 4 is ok to get max APR but not needed in easy OC.  It still multiclass which maybe not good for learning old DnD vershun.

 

For dexer mnk/sd/wm DW need at least finesse, WF, imp crit, 2-wpn fight, ambidex, dodge, mobile, expert, spring, ww... that already 10 feat and no blind fight or imp 2-wpn fight on list.  Maybe could wait to do WM in epic but OC not epic.  WM usually best before 20 anyway for better BAB.

I did mean Weapon Master, but you can pick up 6 feats by level 12 ie weapon focus, dodge, mobility, spring attack, expertise and whirlwind attack, enough to satisfy the feat requirement for both SD and WM.  That means you can take a level of SD and 7 of WM by level 20.  Also the OP did not mention OC campaign only, but as a focus at first, before going on to other campaigns.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_craymond727]

               

Hey all, the past week has been crazy, but I appreciate all of your responses. I guess I should have clarified, but I feel I would prefer using fists to kamas, at least for this initial playthrough. It feels more like the characters I've played before, so for RP reasons I'd like to go that route. If using fists, should I go with a Str-based approach, or is a Dex/Wis build more viable?

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Empyre65]

               

Here's a build I have on-hand, but I haven't played it yet, and I was planning on using it in the Aielund Saga, not the OC: I'll put it in a spoiler to be friendlier.

 

   Spoiler
   

Nimble Fist 2 (Monk 25 / Fighter 10 / Shadowdancer 5)

Human, Any Lawful

Playable 1 - 40


Abilities:

STR: 12

DEX: 17 (32)

CON: 12

WIS: 11 (12)

INT: 14

CHA: 8


Leveling Guide:

Human: (Quick to Master)

01: Monk(1): Blind Fight, Dodge, {Cleave, Evasion, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist}

02: Monk(2): {Deflect Arrows}

03: Monk(3): Weapon Finesse

04: Monk(4): DEX+1, (DEX=18)

05: Monk(5)

06: Monk(6): Weapon Focus: Unarmed, {Knockdown, Improved Knockdown}

07: Monk(7)

08: Monk(: DEX+1, (DEX=19)

09: Monk(9): Expertise, {Improved Evasion}

10: Monk(10)

11: Monk(11)

12: Monk(12): DEX+1, Toughness, (DEX=20)

13: Monk(13)

14: Monk(14)

15: Monk(15): Improved Critical: Unarmed

16: Fighter(1): DEX+1, Improved Expertise, (DEX=21)

17: Monk(16)

18: Fighter(2): Iron Will, Mobility

19: Fighter(3)

20: Fighter(4): DEX+1, Weapon Specialization: Unarmed, (DEX=22)

21: Shadowdancer(1): Great Dexterity I, {Hide in Plain Sight}, (DEX=23)

22: Shadowdancer(2): {Darkvision, Uncanny Dodge I}

23: Fighter(5)

24: Fighter(6): DEX+1, Great Dexterity II, Epic Weapon Focus: Unarmed, (DEX=25)

25: Shadowdancer(3)

26: Shadowdancer(4)

27: Shadowdancer(5): Epic Dodge, {Defensive Roll}

28: Fighter(7): DEX+1, (DEX=26)

29: Fighter(: Epic Weapon Specialization: Unarmed

30: Monk(17): Great Wisdom I, (WIS=12)

31: Monk(18)

32: Monk(19): DEX+1, (DEX=27)

33: Monk(20): Great Dexterity III, (DEX=28)

34: Fighter(9)

35: Fighter(10): Epic Prowess

36: Monk(21): DEX+1, Great Dexterity IV, (DEX=30)

37: Monk(22)

38: Monk(23)

39: Monk(24): Great Dexterity V, (DEX=31)

40: Monk(25): DEX+1, Armor Skin, (DEX=32)


Stats:

Hitpoints: 420

Skillpoints: 291

Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 25/24/32

Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +4, Mind Effects: +2, Traps: +1

BAB: 26

AB (max, naked): 41 (melee), 38 (ranged)

AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 37/37

Spell Casting:

Alignment Changes: 0


Skills:

Discipline 43(44), Heal 22(23), Hide 43(54), Listen 43(44), Lore 21(23), Move Silently 43(54), Spellcraft 18(20), Tumble 40(51)


01: Discipline(4), Hide(4), Listen(4), Lore(4), Move Silently(4), Spellcraft(2), Tumble(4)

02: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

03: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

04: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

05: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

06: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

07: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

08: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

09: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

10: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

11: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

12: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

13: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

14: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

15: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

16: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Lore(1), Save(2)

17: Discipline(1), Hide(2), Listen(2), Move Silently(2), Tumble(2)

18: Discipline(1), Heal(2), Lore(1), Save(1)

19: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(3)

20: Discipline(1), Save(7)

21: Hide(4), Listen(4), Move Silently(4), Tumble(4)

22: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(2), Tumble(1), Save(1)

23: Discipline(3), Spellcraft(1), Save(1)

24: Discipline(1), Save(5)

25: Hide(3), Listen(3), Move Silently(3), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(3)

26: Heal(3), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(2), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

27: Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(1)

28: Discipline(4), Save(2)

29: Discipline(1), Save(6)

30: Discipline(1), Hide(3), Listen(3), Move Silently(3), Tumble(3)

31: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

32: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

33: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1)

34: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Lore(1), Save(2)

35: Discipline(1), Save(6)

36: Discipline(1), Hide(3), Listen(3), Move Silently(3), Tumble(3)

37: Discipline(1), Heal(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1)

38: Discipline(1), Heal(2), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1)

39: Discipline(1), Heal(2), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1)

40: Discipline(1), Heal(2), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1)

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_AndrueD]

               

I guess I should have clarified, but I feel I would prefer using fists to kamas, at least for this initial playthrough. It feels more like the characters I've played before, so for RP reasons I'd like to go that route. If using fists, should I go with a Str-based approach, or is a Dex/Wis build more viable?

 

STR fister highest damage from d20 base @monk 16 plus STR-modifier but lowest AC of 3 kinds.

DEX fister need finesse so that extra feat must take but high AC & reflex save. Much lower damage, too.

WIS fister is stunner.  WIS's STR & DEX not real high so AB and damage is not either.  This main kind used for anti-mage stealth build to sneak up fast and stun 3 rnds.  It also have very high AC, tho and AC cannot drop when flank or flatfeet happen like DEX can.  Prolly hardest kind of monk to play.

 

DEX good for AB when needing to go range vs. damage shields or crossing gaps.  WIS range need Zen for AB so that another feat.  Range never use monk attack progression, tho.

 

It depend what you think biggest factor for how you play.  If pull mobs apart, donna need much AC.  If like to get flanked, need huge AC. GrtCleave and WW toon like to be flanked.

 

This still a plan for only OC to get used to monk class or also use same toon later for other CC?  You say before this only for OC but maybe change mind.

 

Make a difference cuz for 18 level should make max build happen before 18.  For later use, could suffer some in early build if it make later build much stronger.  For 18 should keep monk near pure but could exploit some class for feat or skill dumps.  Like a DEX stealth could do HiPS or even death attack if evil.  If not dwing kamas, your toon has enough feats to do other things.

 

Keep in mind two things about monk attack- one) added attacks only drop by 3BAB compare to by 5BAB for all other class atttack, and two) highest APR so any adder (like from STR mod, elemental or sneaks) will add to every hit.  Highest APR is highest damage if gloves can get past DR (not always easy to do).

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Adeph]

               

Empyre, I'm curious about why you take spot and listen in your builds as I always thought they were more or less pvp skills. Are they useful in the single player modules? I've never taken them so I'm wondering if I've been missing out.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_AndrueD]

               

Empyre, I'm curious about why you take spot and listen in your builds as I always thought they were more or less pvp skills. Are they useful in the single player modules? I've never taken them so I'm wondering if I've been missing out.

Empyre will answer for his building but I know that any server or module that use lotta auto-stealth AI with monsters need detect in build very bad or toon get mobbed too easy.  Most hard CC use auto-stealth AI in default so depend if module built to be hard or not.  Only reason not going detect skills is if can be True Seer.  But even True Seer not hearing stealth monster outside LOS without high listen.

 

OC easy modules, tho, so not need detect except maybe Search.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Empyre65]

               

Having a good score in Listen or Spot makes it harder for enemies to sneak up on you. In many modules, the AI enemies will try to sneak up on you, and sneak attacks hurt. It's a good habit to get into, even if it proves to be unnecessary in the OC.