Epic Monk build?

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well, after finishing from OC through HoU with Fighter/Bard/RDD, I decided to play again, this time, with a Monk.

But a problem is...that I have no idea how to level up my Monk and what other classes/prestige classes that would strengthen him as a Monk.

So...any advice?

Oh... and I'm using an unarmed fist as my primary weapon

edit : changed the topic subject...because it's more like it...

[ December 25, 2005, 05:00: Message edited by: Ruin Ehwazehs ]

 

Fighter is always good for extra feats and weapon specialisation, especially as unarmed is a weapon style in its own right. 4-8 levels should boost his fighting skills nicely without taking too much from his monk abilities. Shadowdancer levels would complement a monk nicely too. Particularly if he is dex based, the shadowdancer adds extra defensive/saving throw capabilities from the bonus rogue feats, improved stealth and a handy summoning spell.

As for a build, Something like Monk 22/Shadowdancer 10/Fighter 8 would be nice. You'd probably want to take a significant amount of monk levels first for initial survivability in the monk role, then round him out with fighter levels and add shadowdancer levels later on for flavour.

I admit I've never tried this build myself, but from what I've heard/read about monks, this seems like a good rough template for a level 40 character. I'm currently taking a monk 3/cleric x through SOU and planning on giving him Shadowdancer levels later on. I'm sure someone with more experience in using the monk as a primary class will be able to give you a more detailed idea of what to do Hope this was helpful.

 

First of all...thanks for your help, Will.

Secondly...umm...is it possible to take Weapon Master or Champion of Torm by taking weapon foucs of secondary weapon then, for example, take unarmed strike as a weapon of choice?

 

Try the Novice to Epic Character Maker module (found at nwvault.ign.com) - you can test different builds quickly.
For an unarmed monk a strength focused build might do better then dexterity based.

 

You cannot make an unarmed monk a weapons master as you cannot choose 'unarmed' when picking the improved critical feat. you can, however, focus on kamas and choose weapons master. Currently, im experimenting with a monk20/wm7/cleric13. With devistating critical, my monk can cut down most and buff himself to the nines with up to 7th level clerical spells. Ive been meaning to start a monk20/wm10/dwarvend10 for a melee monster with dev crit, great damage resistance, and lots of class exclusive buffs.

 

The dual kama monk build is so powerful it's almost like cheating. In fact, I think it is cheating due to a bug with flurry of blows and kamas. You end up with an insane amount of attacks per round and the game ceases to be challenging.

DEX-based monks can be real powerhouses but you have to do something to boost your damage. Sneak attacks are the best choice, so a rogue/monk or even a blackguard/monk can be a fun build. The key is to use Improved Knockdown all the time which gives you sneak attacks on prone opponents. Of course a DEX monk (or any DEX build really) will be in real trouble when facing sneak resistant enemies or enemies with damage reduction/resistance.

 

I think Shadowdancer is a great addition to a monk and fits in well with the mystical skills that a D&D monk claims to have.

 

Actually, I played a Monk, and just went pure Monk with it. This one was a unarmed specialist and a dex build. It is not impossible, but you need to get your hands on some elemental gloves asap and preferably before you encounter the first damage resistant enemy. Unlike your fist damage, your elemental damage bypasses the damage reduction. With flurry of blows, you have enough attacks per round to make up for the reduced damage of not having a high-magic weapon. The only problem I ever faced was a dragon that kept knocking me down. But, anyway, remember: Flurry of Blows is your best friend.

 

4 levels of fighter allow you weapon specialization. Combined with 16 levels of monk, kama as weapon and improved 2 weapon and ambidexterity feats make him a real powerhouse.
After level 20, you may choose 4 more levels of monk to gain mind spell immunity, then another 4 of fighter to gain improved weapon specialization. After level 28, you may proceed with rogue or shadowdancer levels according to your choice.

 

Monks dont really get anything worthwhile after lvl20. Spell resistance, Stunning fist DC, armor and speed (which there's a limit to). I've also hears and seen a speed bug in action by a cleric/monk1, moving at full monk speed, but i dont know how it's done. Anyway, out of those benefits, Spell resistance is the only one that's really worthwhile.

Pre-epic, it's better to go with monk16/warrior 4. Warrior is usualy fighter, for weapon specialisation. The monk 16 can be anything with middle bab, as long as their levels are in intervals of 4. So, monk8/bard4/fighter4 does the same trick. Gives BAB 16 for four attacks/round. Afterwards, if you're going for straight monk, i advise another level of fighter somewhere inbetween, but you must take epic weapon focus beforehand. Then, when you take the 5th fighter level, do it when you get a standard feat choice. 24th clvl for example. Gives a clean +6 to physical damage per every hit. I think it's worth it, for 5 levels. Shivi, you dont need 8 fighter levels for epic weapon specialisation. It could be done with 4, but it's not advisable, since you want those 4 levels pre-epic for BAB.

Dual-kama monks tend to form close adventuring relationships with wizards and clerics, just for their Flame Weapon and Darkfire spells, respectively
Any other elemental damage helps, of course. Problem arises when you attack a mage and he casts Mestil's Acid Sheath. Could be dead in a round, if he has low AC and you unleash a full attack

@Meatdog
Monks should never go without discipline, if possible. If unarmed, they cant be disarmed, but Knockdown and called shot still applies. Dragon Slippers or some other Knockdown immunity item helps, but you'll rarely find one outside single player. Called shot cant be defended otherwise than AC and Discipline.