About to 100% RCR, need some build advice

[Bobbydean]

Hello fellow BG players. I'm returning from a multi-year hiatus and plan to 100% RCR my character given that everything is so difference with ToT. Need some advice before I plow ahead with the RCR. Thanks in advance for any responses/advice!

For context, my char is a Level 20 Dex Monk/SD but also considering going full Wis Monk given my low playtime availability and need to frequently solo. (Dex Monk/SD is great for RP and team play but soloing takes forever to finish off enemies).

1. To detect hidden enemies does character really need high Spot AND Listen skills? It seems like if you're just wanting to identify "threats", that Listen would be sufficient because Spot would just be necessary if you wanted to identify stationary PC's and NPC's which are far less often an issue than ones that are moving around while in stealth. Would love to know because I will dump lots of skill into Listen and spot if necessary, but if Listen will do the main job I need (detecting mobile threats), then I may use the skill points elsewhere.

2. My character concept is kinda "rogueish" so some rogue skills would help flesh out the concept. It looks like on the test server there are some background feats I can choose that might give access to Open Lock, is that correct? Also curious if there is any way to get UMD (if not, not end of the world, I may just pump it high enough so I can use wands and stuff but if there's a way besides taken levels in another class e.g. rogue/bard/assassin, I'd love to know.

3. Are even/odd ability scores still a big thing? I remember years ago I was told not to let ability points be even because most items only granted +3. Is that still a thing? If so, are there certain abilities I should leave odd versus other I can make even? I noticed some +4 ability items exist now.

4. Is there any way to get higher value from selling good items to NPCs? (other than posting on consignment/auction). I notice that most I can get for some good items is 1100 to 1400 and then the store posts the same item for 30 to 50K or higher. Just wondering if theres a skill, vendor or other way not to have to get so ripped off.

5. Is there any way I can stay a dex Monk/SD and not take forever to finish off MOBS? Seems like Wis pure monk does so much more damage (higher unarmed dice, blazing aura, not having to rest and renew fiery fist and aura every 5 minutes). Just wanted to make sure I'm not missing some way to make my Dex Monk more soloable.

6. Any other major build considerations that I didn't ask but you deem important to admit to a noob like me.

Thanks!

[Zanniej]

Hello and welcome back!

While I am definitely no build guru, and other, more experienced (or just plain better) players will likely follow, I thought I'd still offer you some answers to your questions, where I'm able to give them.

1. No, you would not need both. Spot goes against the hide skill, listen against the move silently skill. Spot in general is seen as the better choice, as it can also detect sleight of hand, feint, and disguises. Listen has fewer uses, but there are more (and better) spells to buff your listen score. Then again, as a monk that might not be as relevant.
2. There is a background that will give you open lock as a class skill. There is no background that will give UMD, so for that you'd need another class.
3. I believe the current consensus is to end your primary ability on even. There are +4 ability items, but they are scarce in the wild, and expensive in the shops, and most are made for the same slot.
4. Nearly all shops buy items for 1400 max. Apart from that, no, there is no other way than auction. However, it's quite easy to become rich, even from 1400g items.
5. I'm going to leave this one to the build guru's. Though fiery fist requires a wisdom of 13, which is quite doable, even on a dex based build. Alternatively, you could go the 2 weapon fighting route, with 2 kama's.
6. Not specifically build considerations, but I'm personally a big fan of ensuring the choices made fit the character, instead of what's just mechanically most logical. As such, if you want a roguish monk, I think the burglar background might be fitting. But if you want to RP your character as a lawful good monk, that might not be as fitting. (then again, it might be a nice challenge to make it fit)

In the end, I hope you'll have a nice return to the server!
Enjoy.

[Green Monster]

With Monks you should probably keep in mind your Monk Order. If you want rogue skills, might I suggest either Old Order, which allows multiclass with rogue and shadowdancer, or Yellow Rose, which allows multiclass with ranger and shadowdancer.

With the ranger "Hunter" class kit + burglar background (remember, a background need not reflect your character's current alignment, but could represent a life before entering the Order) you can have all the important rogue skills except UMD and get the trapfinding feat like rogues, + you get toughness feat and martial weapons (though that's only helpful in this case for using a longbow to get distant enemy's attention rather than the much heavier crossbow).


So, if you want UMD, maybe go 3 each in rogue and shadowdancer and the rest in Monk of the Old Order

Old Order
Associated deity: None
Alignment: Lawful neutral, some lawful good but very rarely lawful evil
Multiclass as rogue, sorcerer or shadowdancer (as long as there are more monk levels than combined levels of other classes)
Monks of the Old Order do not worship any deity, but are devoted to the philosophy espoused by a deity who is either now dead or has never existed on the material plane of Toril. The monks contradict themselves on this point, but the deity's identity isn't important to them, it's the message they care about. The Old Order never has huge monasteries, but has spread widely through Faerun.[1]

If you want toughness, tracking, and martial weapon proficiency maybe go 3 each ranger with hunter kit and shadowdancer and the rest Monk of the Yellow Rose

Yellow Rose/Disciples of Saint Sollars
Associated deity: Ilmater
Alignment: Lawful good and lawful neutral
Multiclass as ranger or shadowdancer
Other restrictions: Singular monastery location
This solitary monastery of Ilmater worshipers in the Earthspur Mountains of Damara is known for loyalty to its allies and destruction to its enemies. Greatly respected on matters of truth and diplomacy, the monks work hard to survive in their harsh remote sanctuary. The monks often travel with Ilmatarian paladins, particularly from the Order of the Golden Cup. Their monastery was founded in 1242 (The Year of the Yellow Rose), and is also known as the Citadel of the White Worm because of its location. Monks here venerate the Suffering God, make blueberry wine, keep extensive archives of the Bloodstone lands, and preserve the work of the Ilmateri faithful in a spectacular museum of art and handiwork. The monks of the Yellow Rose also gather and record local news from Damara, Implitur, Narfell, and Vaasa. [1]

ETA: If you go with ranger hunter class kit, it's VITALLY important that you set up the class kit before leveling up. I recommend creating the character as a ranger, then drag the "Ranger Class Kits" feat to your hot bar and using it BEFORE retrieving your rcr xp. Then make your 2nd level be monk and you will get the trapfinding feat and disable device class skill applied to your 1st level of ranger, then make your 3rd level be ranger. Class kit features are not applied retroactively.