Is non-hipsing dex monk viable?

[NegInfinity]

Basically, what title says.

Race is tiefling.

Hipsing requires pricey gear (and I don't exactly want to buy the whole hips kit again).

Afaik the issue with with dex monk is that damage output will be lower compared to insightful strike, and there's no real way to convert dexterity into damage for a melee build.

I'm contemplating Monk30 (something like Str 14/Dex 16/Con 14/Int 16/Wis 14/Cha 6), but would listen to other ideas as well. Just... no magic-heavy classes.

Please note that I'm just thinking about it at the moment and not sure if I'll actually roll this char.

[chad878262]

My question would be why? If going for TWF you're no different then any other Non-Ranger/tempest (DEX based) twf build with no SA damage... You won't get through DR enemies. If you're going the fist/quarter staff route either going strength or wisdom is simply superior. Wisdom has equal AB and DEX/AC, but can do enough damage to get through DR when needed. STR has lower AC, but more consistently high damage.

As a tiefling there is nothing wrong with starting DEX at 17 and WIS at 16, but I would still put level up stat bumps in WIS...

[NegInfinity]

My question would be why? If going for TWF you're no different then any other Non-Ranger/tempest (DEX based) twf build with no SA damage... You won't get through DR enemies. If you're going the fist/quarter staff route either going strength or wisdom is simply superior. Wisdom has equal AB and DEX/AC, but can do enough damage to get through DR when needed. STR has lower AC, but more consistently high damage.

As a tiefling there is nothing wrong with starting DEX at 17 and WIS at 16, but I would still put level up stat bumps in WIS...

I was thinking about unarmed. Fist damage scales up with monk level, IIRC up to something like 3d10.

As to "why"... why not? I'm not looking for super optimal build, just something that isn't horribly crippled. Dex would still grant bonuses to AC + bonuses to some skills, which may be played for fun. I checked nwn2db it looks like even with 14 int it'll be possible to still max most monk skills, even make a corner sneak, if I wanted.

I also don't exactly like idea of insightful strike, since it is supposed to be exhalted feat in PnP and I don't play good.

[chad878262]

Hmm... I suppose it's viable, so long as you aren't trying to solo too much content. WIS provides everything DEX does for a monk plus extras... you just miss out on a lot of goodies (better Will saves, blazing aura), but you can still use expose weakness, have decent spell resistance, and high ac so will still be at least mid range power level.

[NegInfinity]

Hmm... I suppose it's viable, so long as you aren't trying to solo too much content. WIS provides everything DEX does for a monk plus extras... you just miss out on a lot of goodies (better Will saves, blazing aura), but you can still use expose weakness, have decent spell resistance, and high ac so will still be at least mid range power level.

Hmm. Checked out blazing aura remembered having my eldritch knight destroyed with it. It is definitely worth considering, but I'm not sure I'd switch to wis build just because of that....

Either way. Any advice for monk feats? Aside from obvious blindsight and maybe weapon focus?

[Valefort]

Perhaps something like that ? http://nwn2db.com/build/?176911

The penalty at the end will be atrocious though but ..

[chad878262]

LoH, obviously (can you do better than +1 AC AND SAVES?) Circle kick some love, others say it messes them up, there are items you can find/acquire to gain improved crit, weapon focus unarmed so really you have some room to customize. Assuming at least 13 WIS (15 or 17 is better) with a +3 item you could grab fiery fist and fiery ki defense for some bonus damage when you need it. Ki step should be in your plan as well.

Have you considered making a *gasp* balanced monk with maybe 18-20 Dex, 13-15 Str and 15-19 wisdom? I imagine you could start with 18 DEX, 15 STR and WIS and still have some CON/INT. Then alternate putting points in WIS/DEX.

Edit: yes I'm aware alternating WIS/DEX kills ,AB, still would be cool...

[Theodore01]

Why not make a mo25/sd5. Get e-dodge and ignore hips Fist damage is still good.

[NegInfinity]

Have you considered making a *gasp* balanced monk with maybe 18-20 Dex, 13-15 Str and 15-19 wisdom? I imagine you could start with 18 DEX, 15 STR and WIS and still have some CON/INT.

Is it that much different from 14 str 18 dex 14 wis? I do understand that I can invest an extra point for +3 items, though... assuming I ever find them.

Why not make a mo25/sd5. Get e-dodge and ignore hips Fist damage is still good.

Hmm.. shadowdancer that doesn't use hips? That would require one heck of a reason... I'll think about it, but it doesn't sound like something I'd roll.

[chad878262]

You could also go fighter 4...unarmed mastery and weapon specialization won't hurt your damage and you'll still have 26 levels of monk.

[Theodore01]

Hmm.. shadowdancer that doesn't use hips? That would require one heck of a reason... I'll think about it, but it doesn't sound like something I'd roll.

Maybe he got scared of the shadows..........

[Steve]

Monk 23 / Fighter 4 / FotF 3. Go high WIS and high DEX, for EW damage and better AC. Keep INT high as well and max H/MS for giggles (it'll work sometimes).

[NegInfinity]

You could also go fighter 4...unarmed mastery and weapon specialization won't hurt your damage and you'll still have 26 levels of monk.

Character's race is Tiefling, I mentioned that in the first post. They have rogue as favored. Meaning fighter/monk split will be incredibly painful due to multiclassing penalty (on top of ECL+1), although there are some fun things that could be done with it. (I bet this split would work great on a dorf or elemental genasi, though).

Meaning that most of the possible multiclassing paths would involve prestige classes (because there's not much point in taking rogue levels as a monk).

[Valefort]

Sure there are, you could try to build a feinter monk, monk 20/rogue 10 and still getting epic dodge.

Problem is that it is super gear dependant and thus even more trouble than HiPS

[NegInfinity]

Sure there are, you could try to build a feinter monk, monk 20/rogue 10 and still getting epic dodge.

Problem is that it is super gear dependant and thus even more trouble than HiPS

Alright.

I think in the end If I ever decide to go with the concept, I'll just roll monk 30 and see what happens.

Thanks for the responses, I'll be unsubscribing.