Monk Questions

[DeepFriedMoose]

Hello, All --

So I'm a big fan of monks in general (I'm planning out a build right now), but I'm having some trouble figuring out how to make one for a persistent world server. It seems that final builds on BG tend to have really high AB and AC -- like 40+/50+, respectively.

The root of my question is viability: Monks get enough bonuses to AC through wiz and class AC to basically make up Full Plate and a light shield by lvl 30, so that's okay (my quick math puts a fully-geared lvl 30 monk at about 50AC, depending on gear and feats). I can't seem to get a good AB, though. BAB 22 at lvl 30, +7 from wisdom (because Intuitive Strike seems to be a requirement), +4 from Gloves (Kama, staff, whatever), +4 Wisdom amulet, puts you at 35... and that's about it. So fully decked out in Epic gear, with maxed Wisdom allows a monk to hit the AC of a mid-level fighter, about 50% of the time... ( my reference here: Brokk sits tight at a 43 AC with gear and Stance, no buffs, and he's only lvl 9)... What am I missing here? Do the extra attacks make up the difference, statistically? Is the comparatively low AB to balance out all the other perks, immunities, and bonus feats? Is there some bit of critical Monk gear that I've forgotten?



Other questions:

How much of Kaedrin's content is implemented for monks? I've seen a lot of cool feats and bonus features for monks on other servers (free bonus feats [like weapon focus: Unarmed], effects, etc.) Is any of that implemented in BG? I saw Intuitive Strike, and thank the gods, because that AB would be even lower without it. The Fiery Fists & Flaming Aura are awesome, too -- I'd really like to see them in action some day. That seems to be all I can recall off the top of my head.

Perfect Self: "Immunity from Mind-affecting Spells and Effects". What does that mean, exactly? Does it grant immunity to fear? Immunity to a Blackguard's Dread Aura? What is mind-effecting, and what isn't?


Thank you all in advance -- I can't wait to read some of the experiences and ideas you might have!

~ DFM

[chad878262]

You should be fine once you get EW. Here is a sample Monk I made real quick...No skills or anything, but this build uses Combat Focus Feats to increase AB and damage +4 every couple of minutes, Blazing Aura for a damage boost and has AB 37 before Combat Focus or any potions/scrolls/wands. Note that you can improve this significantly by going Fighter 4 and getting Weapon Specialization - Unarmed and Melee Mastery - Unarmed (+2 AB and Damage). For a WIS Monk I personally would always take 4 levels of Fighter, for DEX I would always take 5 levels of Shadow Dancer. As I said, BAB ~35+ is not too awful as long as you have Expose Weakness. However, you should carry around some heroism/greater heroism pots to use as needed.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?266789

[aaron22]

All the extra attacks make up a ton. I played a aura monk/sf build that pretty much made the server laughable. And that was with ok to good gear. Nothing omg. I built it on the fly so I don't have the build off hand, but might be able to whip it up tomorrow for you.

[DeepFriedMoose]

Ok, that makes me feel better about the AB. At least I know I'm not doing anything wrong. Thanks, guys.


Any thoughts on the other questions?

[K'yon Oblodra]

Immune to mind affecting spells and effects would usually mean immune to sleep, fear and even stuns based on will saves... I think

[metaquad4]

Mind effecting = fear, stun, dominate, charm, daze, and sleep. In addition to anything that is specifically referenced as "mind effecting" (spell descriptors and ability flavor text).