My monk is killing my spirit

[VagaStorm]

I' ve made a pure monk for tailor, but I have never made a pure monk b4. I've meda mine str based for some extra dmg output, but it still is kinda lousey, and survivability... well, I dont solo. Any sugestions would be highly apresheated, as mine borde me enough to start repainting my living room :p

[Myrdyr]

I've never made a str-based monk before, only dex-based. They're fun for relic raiding and taking out casters.

They are difficult to play at low levels because of the low ac. Once you have improved knockdown it becomes much easier. All-in-all, it's not a class for soloing, prior to lvl 6 and especially after the low 20s.

[TheBestDeception]

I've meda mine str based for some extra dmg output, but it still is kinda lousey, and survivability... well, I dont solo.

I've always been under the impression that since monks wear robes, they would need to be finesse-dex or zen-wisdom in order to hang on to some AC.

It seems to me that an STR monk having a hard time surviving would be as obvious as a caster not focusing in their respective spell attribute...

[watchwood]

Which would be his problem. Pure monks, by sheer necessity, need to go with either a dex/wis build.

[CrazyJ]

Yep, go Dex or Wis. I preferred wis in my pure monk build--it gives better DCs on Quivering Palm, Stunning Fist, etc... you can achieve a 40 or so DC for stunning fist fairly easily, and fire it off 5 times per round...

[LunarSquirrel]

I've never made a str-based monk before, only dex-based. They're fun for relic raiding and taking out casters.

They are difficult to play at low levels because of the low ac. Once you have improved knockdown it becomes much easier. All-in-all, it's not a class for soloing, prior to lvl 6 and especially after the low 20s.

I would have to STRONGLY disagree.

I'm running a half-ogre monk that's mixed in STR and WIS. At level 29 she has not only a respectable 48 AC unbuffed, but also a quite respectable 42 Atk unbuffed. Also, I have no problem @ 29 soloing some of the planes; considering scaling up to dwarves soon (which may be a prob though cause of their high bludg resist). This includes the use of no books as of yet either (cept for an int +2)

The ONLY problem I find is that with this build you will be strapped for skill points throughout the build, having only enough for max disc, tumble, and maybe listen or conc. Other than that, it's a truely awesome build, great speed (pure so far) and can definitely hold their own solo in a good number of places.

[Myrdyr]

Can someone explain wis-based? Doesn't your ab totally suck since it's going to be dependent on your str (or dex if higher and you have weapon finesse)? I'm assuming you're not using Zen Archery all the time (darn those attacks of opportunity).

[CrazyJ]

AB gets a bit less of a boost, but when you do hit you get to stun quite a bit.

I went half-ogre wis-based, so I still had str that was in the mid-high 20s. Not bad.

[P. Fricebottle]

We call strength monks suicide monks. You're only chance of AC is gone. Yours will probably end up in the 30s. You'll have to party, its kind of fun because you'll be a damage dealer with the saving grace of speed and monk immunities but thats all. You won't be an excellent damage dealer, and you'll die. A lot.

Have fun.

[Celorn]

I have a strength-based monk... she does pretty well, but the rogue and shadowdancer levels help out a lot (hehe)

I can solo the planes, but only one mob at a time.... nothing like a whacky cleric build can do.

[P. Fricebottle]

Shadowdancer changes everything Celorn, the ability to disappear to save your hide is wonderful. Suicide Monks, however, are more than likely pure monk because Shadowdancing Monks usually are dexers and not strength.

Nice twist in combining the two thouh.

[VagaStorm]

An SD can not be used in crafters I think To get the best tailor I need only to use monk, rouge or bard and aperently it is prefered to keep em pure...

[kingfatzo]

An SD can not be used in crafters I think To get the best tailor I need only to use monk, rouge or bard and aperently it is prefered to keep em pure...

correct.