The Preying Mantis: Ranger11/Monk10/WeaponMaster19
First, let me say that this is not a terribly inspired build. On the contrary, there are so many 10APR Monk-Kama builds out there, I almost feel embarrased to post this. Yet I will, and do so without any fanfare or fanfiction. This character will be the first and only Ranger/Monk/WeaponMaster in the Guild, and looking back I can see why. In nearly every case of a Kama-wielding WeaponMaster-Monk, a Fighter class is used. Reasons why are obvious: feats granted and WS/EWS. With a possible 10 attacks per round, +6damage adds up very quickly. I think in high-magic environments, this is absolutely warranted. However, in low magic environments, and even to some extent mid-magic environs, it is not as necessary. Therefore, the Ranger has a few things to offer, especially initially in pre-epic, but also after:
The Ranger provides for an AC Buff with Cat's Grace.
He also supports the build with Set Traps skill of 25-- enough to lay all Deadly Traps.
His Animal Companion helps to see him through those rocky pre-epic levels.
He can stealth better than the Fighter version because of A. Trackless Step, B. Camoflauge, and C. One With Land.
Has built in Ultravision (1st lvl Ranger spell) to defend againt sneak/death attacks (acquired Lvl5)
Receives more skill points
Doesn't have to set his Dex to 15
Ranger/Monk Synergy--all Wisdom enhancements grant both AC and Ranger spell slots.
One will also notice the harmonious balance created with start-up ability scores. It allows for the best possible bonuses from each stat without having to bankrupt your soul in the process. AC seems a little low, but at first level you definitely want to wear armor until some of those Monk bonuses start to kick in. He can still achieve a significantly high AC naked, so look for those items that will grant you Wisdom and Dex bonuses.
I should mention a word about Spring Attack: sometimes one forgets how useful this feat is, but when you are running around hasted with Monk speed, and you are trying to slip your way through the enemy to get to the boss, it is a wonderful thing to not have attacks of opportunity on your character. Let me reiterate: it is a wondeful thing. If only Spring Attack were a Rogue bonus feat.....sigh.
Other than that, he gets decent saving throws, a ton of attacks per round, good AC, good skill set, minor Ranger buffs and Traps, has some decent RP value due to Ranger/Monk combo, is decent on Hit Points, and sports a dualwield AB that's higher than most singlewield ABs.
The only Drawbacks are that he can't raise his AB other than by quaffing potions, or using strength-enhancing items or magic weapons. However, with a 45Dualwield AB, he doesn't need to go very far. Low to Mid magic enviroments would probably be best. Also, I didn't allow him to pick up Improved Knockdown until Lvl23. I think it's just fine to take Monk5 and 6 pre-epic instead of WM, and obtain it much earlier(more like Lvl17 which, admittedly, is still along wait). Just remember that he doesn't have to rely on generating Sneaks, so IKD won't be as sorely needed as it is by other classes.
Final Note: his title, The Preying Mantis, has meanings threefold: 1. his forest flavor and Ranger heritage, 2. it's an old Martial Art style, and 3. anybody coming at you with a Kama in each hand has a Mantis look about them, especially females!
Final, final note: Female Mantises are known to rip/bite the heads off of males after mating.
Addendum: the producers of this build wish to note that the above "final, final note" is in reference to bugs, not people. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Edited By Kail Pendragon on 10/12/07 16:02
Hmm. Hmmm. Very interesting. Very.....creative.
Nice AB.
Kaliban _________________ This space for rent
Nice build Grizz and good AB (as Kal noted). I thik you went a bit overboard on the apology, but that's understandable, seeing as you're using that detestable Monk class!
One note: Spring Attack can definitely be useful, but it's rendered completely redundant once your modified Tumble reaches 14+, which (I'd assume) would be by level 12 (Monk level 3) of this build. This also makes it a completely unnecessary feat for almost all Rogue builds, btw (not many Rogue builds without high Tumble). Of course, it's a prereq for WM, so you need it anyway. _________________ It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
Quote: Posted 09/03/05 04:03:30 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din
One note: Spring Attack can definitely be useful, but it's rendered completely redundant once your modified Tumble reaches 14+, which (I'd assume) would be by level 12 (Monk level 3) of this build. This also makes it a completely unnecessary feat for almost all Rogue builds, btw (not many Rogue builds without high Tumble). Of course, it's a prereq for WM, so you need it anyway.
You are right, of course. Yet anytime I have a character with Spring Attack, I mark a noticeable difference in Attacks of Opporttunity. 99% of all my characters have a maxed Tumble, and yet I still incur them, and sometimes get hit. I'm not sure why. Is it because there is still a DC roll with Tumble, even beyond 15 Ranks, and therefore the possibility of a 1 being rolled? If this is the case, then Spring Attack would even eliminate the possibility of a "1", yes? _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
You are right, of course. Yet anytime I have a character with Spring Attack, I mark a noticeable difference in Attacks of Opporttunity. 99% of all my characters have a maxed Tumble, and yet I still incur them, and sometimes get hit. I'm not sure why. Is it because there is still a DC roll with Tumble, even beyond 15 Ranks, and therefore the possibility of a 1 being rolled? If this is the case, then Spring Attack would even eliminate the possibility of a "1", yes?
I've no explanation for the behavior you're observing, but autofail on 1 does not apply to skill checks. Only saving throws and to hit rolls.
The only thing I can think of is if your character's wearing armor and carrying a big shield, perhaps your Tumble is being modified below the automatic success for avoiding AoOs and you're generating low Tumble skill checks. _________________ It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
Quote: Posted 09/03/05 17:51:50 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din
The only thing I can think of is if your character's wearing armor and carrying a big shield, perhaps your Tumble is being modified below the automatic success for avoiding AoOs and you're generating low Tumble skill checks.
That would make sense. I might be recalling a Character that was in Full Plate and Tower Shield. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
i like monks. just something cool about running around in your underwear, giving those in fancy robes and shiny plate a good thumping. what is remarkable is that this build is not feat starved. that is usually my problem when using WM without fighter or at least CoT. but then again, I am not a dwarflord. Also, nice HP for a WM.
just wondering about the second numbers after AC. what are they? what do they mean? where do they come from?
also, what is the DC of certain traps? i can't seem to find the info anywhere. is the highest DC this char can achieve 45 (25 skill plus 20 roll)?
-c _________________ "Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things." - Miyamoto Musashi
also, what is the DC of certain traps? i can't seem to find the info anywhere. is the highest DC this char can achieve 45 (25 skill plus 20 roll)?
-c
The highest he can achieve (without buffs/items of some sort) is 45, yes. The highest Set Trap DC are Epic traps, which have a Set Trap DC of 65. However, 45 is enough to set any Deadly trap in the game.
The information is in a table at the back of the Grimoire. Link in my siggy. _________________ Grimoire
thanks cin
just wondering about the second numbers after AC. what are they? what do they mean? where do they come from?
-c
The 2nd number in parantheses indicates Dodge bonus. The 3rd one indicates Expertise and Dodge. He can fight in Expertise and still maintain a 40AB. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Could fighter possibly be taken for this build??
Click Here _________________ This space for rent
GD, why didn't you take Monk to 11 for this build? You'd get Imp. Evasion earlier and get poison immunity. There doesn't seem to be any advantage in taking Ranger to 11, since you didn't take Animal Empathy. Sorry for bumping it up. _________________ .:\_/:. Only those who have known darkness in (OvO) their hearts will see the shadows in life... (|__|) ..".."..
Quote: Posted 11/03/05 08:03:06 (GMT) -- Jennalee
GD, why didn't you take Monk to 11 for this build? You'd get Imp. Evasion earlier and get poison immunity. There doesn't seem to be any advantage in taking Ranger to 11, since you didn't take Animal Empathy. Sorry for bumping it up.
I don't know. I'm sure I had a good reason at the time. I think it was because Ranger11 opens up 3rd level spells, which he would then be able to cast with just +2 to Wisdom. I might have been thinking of Aid in particular, or Invis Purge, as a way to give him some more tools to work with. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
If the spells were a consideration, you could have done a Ranger 15/ Monk 9/ WM 16 split to get 3/2/1/1 and lose 1 AB but meh... _________________ .:\_/:. Only those who have known darkness in (OvO) their hearts will see the shadows in life... (|__|) ..".."..
You'd get Imp. Evasion earlier and get poison immunity. There doesn't seem to be any advantage in taking Ranger to 11, since you didn't take Animal Empathy. Sorry for bumping it up.