Monk (wis) build help needed!

[The_Sorting_Hat]

Hey there.

I'm currently playing a character that's absolutely incompetent as far as server's PVE goes. I'm pretty much just a witty sidekick when dungeons call. So I've been entertaining the idea of making a character that I could play when there's no one around to RP with and go on loot runs and the like. I'm not very good at building this stuff, but as far as I can tell from reading through the forums, wisdom monk seems like the way to go? So I'd like some links to a built wis monk that could be used to solo loot runs at max level. Or whatever else would be more capable at doing it.

I'd like something that can take care of stuff like the balor boss and the like and I don't mind needing to use a scroll or a wand every so often. I've been pretty much just piling gold up high with nothing to spend it on, so I might as well spend it on consumables.

Thanks in advance for spending your free time in helping me out with the build! It's much appreciated!

*EDIT*
Oh, and I sorta am growing to hate long self-buff chains. The less of those the better.

[Zkenic]

Dont think monks can solo the Balor, but a 30monk wisdom build can definitely solo enough of the server to get all the loot you'd ever need.

Aasimar 30 monk
Str 13
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 19 -> 26stat bumps ->32feats->36item
Cha 10

1 LoH
3 Intuitive Strike
6 Weapon Focus - Unarmed Strike
9 Fiery Fists
12 Imp Crit - Unarmed
15 Ki Jump
18 Blindfight
21 Blazing Aura
23 +1 Wisdom
25 +1 Wisdom
25 +1 Wisdom
27 +1 Wisdom
29 +1 Wisdom
30 +1 Wisdom

[The_Sorting_Hat]

I've once traveled with a warlock that solo'd it and he was saying that a monk can do it as well, but faster, so my info in it is pretty much what people said so...

[Steve]

Zkenic has a good plan. But if you really want some lasting ability, exchange out unarmed focus and improved crit for Toughness and Steadfast Determination. Better Saves and no Fails rule.

[yyj]

I've once traveled with a warlock that solo'd it and he was saying that a monk can do it as well, but faster, so my info in it is pretty much what people said so...

If you want to solo stuff then what is the point of playing multiplayer?

But back on topic, taking monk of the long death at lvl 16 is free AC for no drawbacks.

[Zkenic]

Zkenic has a good plan. But if you really want some lasting ability, exchange out unarmed focus and improved crit for Toughness and Steadfast Determination. Better Saves and no Fails rule.

With the high wisdom it wont actually up your saves, but the no nat 1 fail on fort saves is a godsend. You can definitely take those two feats.

Though it should also be noted that there is a ring with the toughness feat. Wont let you get steadfast, but still.

[Theodore01]

Really? Sacrificing your high will save bonus just for fear of a 1 fortitude roll.

Epic Prowess + Expose Weakness is a must-have.

[MrSmith]

I've once traveled with a warlock that solo'd it, and he was saying that a monk can do it as well, but faster, so my info in it is pretty much what people said so...

I built a 16 M/14 MotLD Initiative Strike Monk to solo as much of the server as possible... Here was my "solo the server" reality before I RCR'd him:
Yuan-ti Queen - Too Easy
Black Dragon - Too Easy
Green Dragon - Easy
Epic Earth Elemental - Easy, but it took a while
Fire Giant General - Easy to Moderate
Dragonlich - Moderate ((Bosses Enroute - Moderate to Hard depending on Death Save))
Frost Giant - Moderate to Hard
Balor - Not Happening
White Dragon - Not Happening

30th Level Stats w/ Equipment
Str: 14
Dex: 18
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 36
Con: 12

Saves w/ Equipment:
Fort: 25
Reflex: 24
Will: 33

SR: 40
AC: 59 (( I could easily self-buff into the low 70s))
HP: 340
AB: 41/41/41/36/31/26/21
Damage: 3-30 +2

Steadfast Determination and Blazing Aura are the two most impactful feats a Monk can take. With a 36 WIS, I could continuously spam BA to receive 1d10 Fire damage all the time. This stacks with elemental damage on gloves and Fiery Fists (if you waste the feat). Ki Step is like HIPS, critical when you need it.

Note: I RCR'd my Monk because he took way too much damage ((See #2)). Here are my two common misperceptions about Monks. 1) Monks have Adamantine fists! At the 16th level, Monks gain Ki strike (Adamantine), which means their fists count as Adamantine for DR purposes. This means they bypass Greater Stone Skin ((See Skeleton Mage Spam Actions in Field of the Dead)) and nothing else to see here. 2) Monks ((Specifically MotLD)) have so much dodge AC they must be hard to hit!. No, in-game testing confirms Monk AC is seriously offset at the first attack or Attack of Opportunity.

Conclusion: A 30th Level Monk is a delightful build to play. But, I would take an appetite suppressant if your goal is to solo the majority of the server without investing in consumables. There are many different approaches to 30 levels. In hindsight... Steadfast Determination is critical. Fiery Fist is not important. Blazing Aura is absolute!

If you plan to solo... 21 to 30 levels will take months.

Cheers!

[Steve]

Yes, a monk getting flat-footed is a terrible thing. Uncanny Dodge won’t help against it either.

This is why a Monk needs to make judicious use of the class feat Empty Body for 50% Concealment 2/day for x rounds / class level.

And UMD of course.

This is why you’ll see many Monk builds with 3 levels of Shadowdancer or 9/10 Assassin to get HiPS, to provide a tactic of replacing the monk within combat to stun and disable mobs on a 1-on-1 basis.

[The_Sorting_Hat]

Out of curiosity Smith, what did you RCR into?
What is the better alternative then?

[chad878262]

if your goal is to solo there are plenty of options, and certainly Monk 30 is a solid choice, they key though is *ANY* non-caster when solo is probably going to need UMD against the top end bosses.

As to your question 'what is the better alternative?' it is highly dependent upon playstyle and any options given by me or anyone else are likely colored by their own play style which may or may not be similar to your own. In other words it is a bit of a buyer beware scenario since one player might find a build insanely easy while another simply can't figure out how to play it 'right' so assumes it is far too weak. See the multitude of past threads claiming a certain class or PRC 'needs help' on builds that are now known as one of the best meta-builds for a given style.

That said, somethings to consider, taking in to account you don't want to do huge amounts of buffing.

- Bard 26/R4 - Not nearly as much buffing as arcane or divine gish types, but still does a bit of buffing (generally about 6-8 or so spells instead of 12+)
- Barbarian 20/Anything else 10 - STR/CON ending at 22 will allow 34 STR/CON while raging and wearing that ring that gives +2 STR/CON. B20/AK or WoD4/DC 6 is probably the overall 'best' or B20/DC10 since DC bonus feats can be used on epic DR allowing for a high DR, epic rage barbarian with massive saves (steadfast determination is must have here). With Standard Rage and the amulet that gives you extra and extend rage you'll be able to constantly be raging between rest timers.
- Vanilla, Divinate or Cavalier Paladin 26/Anointed Knight 4 - AK gives you tower shields, tumble, spellcraft and two feats (blindfight and toughness) for the price of two (Iron will, Practiced caster). The vanilla paladin is best as max Charisma divine might/divine shield, extra smiting monster (STR 14 or 16 with CHA 30+) while divinate is better as EDM (STR/CHA 22). Cavalier can leave CHA anywhere from 14 to dump stat (will still cast spells for +8 CHA to improve saving throws), focus on max STR for massive DC Shield Slams.
- Ranger 30 - Can be DEX based Archer, DEX based PTWF (just make sure to get Deadly Defense) or STR based PTWF. Just make sure to focus on ensuring you have favored enemies for the various epic areas (Giants, Outsiders, Undead, Dragons, Abominations/Monstrous Humanoids-I forget what Naga's and Yuan-Ti are, etc.)
- F12/AK10/DC8 - will still want UMD for wands/equipment if you want to solo top end bosses, but otherwise with proper gear you will have 55+ AC, mid-to-high 30's for Fortitude and Will saves (with steadfast). May not be as 'sexy' as a WM/FB build, but far more survivable with no real need to buff outside occasional (greater) herosim pots or for stuff like balor.
- M@A26/BG4 - EDM warrior that doesn't really need to worry about buffing outside improving saves further.

These are off the top of my head, but there are others. The simple fact is that *ANY* non-caster is going to require some meta-knowledge and UMD/buffing for top bosses, but there are still plenty of ways to do it successfully if/when you know how. None of these are 'better' than a WIS monk of course, but they might be easier to play for some folks.

[The_Sorting_Hat]

Thanks!

[Bobthehero]

- F12/AK10/DC8 - will still want UMD for wands/equipment if you want to solo top end bosses, but otherwise with proper gear you will have 55+ AC, mid-to-high 30's for Fortitude and Will saves (with steadfast). May not be as 'sexy' as a WM/FB build, but far more survivable with no real need to buff outside occasional (greater) herosim pots or for stuff like balor.

I'd suggest 3 levels of rogue for EW instead of DC 8, but both are good, no doubts.

[MrSmith]

Out of curiosity Smith, what did you RCR into?
What is the better alternative then?

Chad#'s comment about play-style is spot on... what works for one may not work for another. To answer your question, my RCR build is a WIS-based Ranger with Zen Archery (24 Ranger/ 6 Warslinger). Specifically, I made a Hin Ranger Slinger. I like Rangers with Slings vs. Bows because I can use a +4 Large Shield. My single criticism about the Ranger class is their low Will saves. Wisdom focus with Zen Archery solves this problem. I am a huge fan of the BGTSCC custom PrC: Warslinger Sniper. The improved Ricochet Shot is legit.

Take advantage of the Server's 100 percent RCR up to, and including, 10 levels. This will let you dial in your build.

Hit me up if you need any equipment.

Cheers!

[MrSmith]

- Ranger 30 - Can be DEX based Archer, DEX based PTWF (just make sure to get Deadly Defense) or STR based PTWF. Just make sure to focus on ensuring you have favored enemies for the various epic areas (Giants, Outsiders, Undead, Dragons, Abominations/Monstrous Humanoids-I forget what Naga's and Yuan-Ti are, etc.)

Nagas are Aberrations...