Question about sacred fist.

[Jepop]

Hello everyone, I have been toying with the idea of playing a sacred fist for awhile now, but to be honest I have no idea how to build one or where to start. Also, since the recent updates and the caster level fix do they get dispelled constantly? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Blackman D]

there are two main different types of sacred fist builds, caster heavy and monk heavy

monk heavy builds are not particularly common because of dispels but yea

the caster heavy builds didnt have too much problems with dispels before but may be in the same boat with others now

but if i remember right SF only losses 2 CL? and you need a minimum of 3 monk so with PSC you still sit at a 29 CL

[chad878262]

Basically M20/C3/SF7 gets level 5 spells so with strength domain you get a number of 3,4, and 5 spells for (extended) divine power. You also still qualify for intuitive strike and blazing aura...

M5/C9/SF10/Heirophant 6 can hit CL30 for protection from any dispel besides mords, but does less damage and is more a cleric than monk. Level 15 fist damage with no lawful/adamantite fists for instance. Basically you trade more offense of the higher level monk for more protection from longer term, undispellable buffs.

You can of course mix more or less of monk / cleric to taste, though any more than 8 monk/10 sacred fist is going to not qualify for Heirophant which results in a significant reduction in caster level... There are areas of the server where dispels don't matter, but IMO you should either go the first option where you rely more on gear and the buffs are gravy (mostly divine power) or you shot for caster level 29/30 by using Heirophant.

[Thorsson]

Basically M20/C3/SF7 gets level 5 spells so with strength domain you get a number of 3,4, and 5 spells for (extended) divine power. You also still qualify for intuitive strike and blazing aura...

But without your buffs AB will be poor, and if you're dependent on buffs, well it were just as well that they were not easily dispellable. IMO if you want an Intuitive Monk on the new BGTSCC, you'd be better off thinking about a non-buffing one.

[chad878262]

How would a full monk be any better than this in regards to AB? M20/C3/SF7 has BAB 24 whereas M30 has 22. Assuming the same wisdom modifier, the sacred fist will have a high unbuffed attack, correct?

[Thorsson]

Who said full Monk?

P.S. it's AB that counts, not BAB.

[chad878262]

I suppose monk fighter would have a 3 AB lead, but honestly if you get dispelled you should be able to spend the round reapplying divine power if you need it.

Edit: forgot that for some silly reason fighters can take epic wisdom as a bonus feat... I concede your point.

[Thorsson]

And get dispelled again. And M/F would have a 6AB lead - 1 BAB and GWF/EWF/UWM.

[chad878262]

Didn't unarmed weapon mastery require fighter 12? It's no longer an intuitive monk if that's the case. (I admit I've never looked at building one do just curious)

[Thorsson]

Nope. Unarmed Mastery is like Ranged, only requires 4 levels.

[finneas]

If you are not set on having divine magic there are plenty of viable, even strong, monk builds that have acess to magic like abilities but don't need to worry about dispels. Pure monks with high wisdom are very playable as are monk/fighters and monk/divine champions. Monk/assassin would give a few spells but still would not need be concerned about dispels.

[Jepop]

Thanks everyone for all your input. It's been very helpful.