The Serene Kensai

PvM Only, Playable 1-40

Rogue11/Monk10/WeaponMaster19
Race: Human
Alignment: Any Lawful

Attributes
Str: 15 (32)
Dex: 14
Con: 14
Wis: 12
Int: 14
Cha: 8

Level Guide
01: Monk(1): Dodge, Expertise
02: Monk(2):
03: Rogue(1): Weapon Focus: Kama
04: Monk(3): STR+1, (STR=16)
05: Monk(4)
06: Monk(5): Mobility
07: Rogue(2)
08: Monk(6): STR+1, <<Knockdown, Improved Knockdown>>, (STR=17)
09: Monk(7): Spring Attack
10: Monk(8)
11: Rogue(3): (Uncanny Dodge I)
12: Rogue(4): STR+1, Whirlwind Attack, (STR=18)
13: Weapon Master(1): Weapon of Choice: Kama
14: Weapon Master(2)
15: Weapon Master(3): Improved Critical: Kama
16: Weapon Master(4): STR+1, (STR=19)
17: Weapon Master(5)
18: Weapon Master(6): Toughness
19: Weapon Master(7)
20: Weapon Master(8): STR+1, (STR=20)
21: Weapon Master(9): Great Strength I, (STR=21)
22: Monk(9): (Improved Evasion)
23: Weapon Master(10)
24: Weapon Master(11): STR+1, Great Strength II, (STR=23)
25: Weapon Master(12)
26: Weapon Master(13): Epic Weapon Focus: Kama
27: Monk(10): Great Strength III, (STR=24)
28: Weapon Master(14): STR+1, (STR=25)
29: Weapon Master(15)
30: Weapon Master(16): Great Strength IV, Epic Prowess, (STR=26)
31: Weapon Master(17)
32: Weapon Master(18): STR+1, (STR=27)
33: Weapon Master(19): Great Strength V, Armor Skin, (STR=28)
34: Rogue(5)
35: Rogue(6)
36: Rogue(7): STR+1, Great Strength VI, (STR=30)
37: Rogue(8)
38: Rogue(9)
39: Rogue(10): Great Strength VII, Crippling Strike, (STR=31)
40: Rogue(11): STR+1, (STR=32)

Combat Statistics:
Naked AB: 46/43/40/37/34/30 (Kama)
Naked AC: 25
Hit Points: 456 Max
Damage/Attack: d6+11 (+6d6 Sneaks)
Crit Range: 17-20 (x3 dmg)
Fort: 21
Refl: 28
Will: 20

Strengths:
High AB
6 atks/round with single kama
Improved Knockdown for generating sneaks
Crippling Strike
Deflect Arrows
40 UMD
Uncanny Dodge
Improved Evasion

Skills:
Disable Trap 5(9)
Discipline 36(47)
Hide 43(45)
Intimidate 4(3)
Listen 43(44)
Move Silently 43(45)
Open Lock 5(7)
Set Trap 5(9)
Tumble 40(42)
UMD 41(40)

43 left (cross-class spellcraft for +4 to spell saves, possibly)

I was pleasantly surprised how well this build came together. I was also shocked that there wasn't a single build out there with this class combination (unless I made a mistake using the search tool, which isn't unlikely). Anyway, obviously it has a pretty diverse arsenal of tools to deal with enemies. From what I've seen, the main weakness of monks has always been too little damage for each attack.

The combination of improved knockdown-generated sneaks and his solid strength score assure that this guy will rarely have trouble harming his enemies, and his high AB will assure that he hits consistently (even when using KD). Crit-immune enemies are still going to be a little tougher to take down, of course, but some darkfire/flame weapon scrolls and/or bull's strength potions will help in that regard.

If darkness and ultravision scrolls are available to you, you can generate sneaks that way as well.

The main weaknesses of this build are it's lowish AC and saves. Fortunately, AC isn't too difficult to raise since both Dex and Wis items will boost it and his uncanny dodge assures he won't lose his AC bonuses. Saves are the biggest problem, particularly Will and Fortitude. I am open to suggestions on how to improve these (slippery mind instead of crippling strike comes to mind).

Anyway, I haven't played this yet nor has he been built in the actual game, but the CBC has always been pretty reliable in terms of accuracy and I checked him over pretty carefully before posting. However, if you see any glaring errors, please don't hesitate to let me know.
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Favorite PW's: Hall of the Worlds, Higher Ground, World of Iniquity.

Edited By griphook on 12/02/05 23:32

Cheese

Oh, it's nice. I'd like to use a Katana with this one: looks better and is far less cheesier After watching FF7 - Advent Children I wanted to make a single-wielding character. This appears to be one, though it's a stupid Kama and not a Katana. Sorry, just had to say it. Maybe I'll get to it later...

And keep Crippling Strike ;D
_________________
Now is my day's work done;
I'll take good breath:
Rest, sword; thou hast thy fill of
blood and death.
Quote: Posted 11/28/05 21:45:12 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ

Cheese

Oh, it's nice. I'd like to use a Katana with this one: looks better and is far less cheesier After watching FF7 - Advent Children I wanted to make a single-wielding character. This appears to be one, though it's a stupid Kama and not a Katana. Sorry, just had to say it. Maybe I'll get to it later...

And keep Crippling Strike ;D

Well, I'd like to use a Greatsword, but there is simply no way to do it within the build's parameters, the most important of which is to have a pre-epic base AB of 17 (the race to Weaponmaster). I would like to see a two-hander but it would have to be a quarterstaff and how much fun is that? You'd lose two attacks per round for the same base damage and only gain back half of your strength bonus per hit. You would look pretty cool with your whirlwind attack, though. But no keen possibility for your weapon, a further disadvantage. If you want to give up the attacks inherent in the kama, go rapier for the improved critical range.

The AB is impressive, particularly for a non-RDD (so disfavored in the current climate) with as much flexibility as this build has.

27 base + 11 str + 1 SWF + 3 ESWF + 1 WF + 2 EWF + 1 EP = 46

It is somewhat feat starved but the monk and rogue abilities provide many useful feats, particularly IKD, which you correctly note is very useful for a sneaker.

All in all, a very nice build and original, to boot.

Huzzah.
Quote: Posted 11/28/05 21:45:12 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ

Cheese

Oh, it's nice. I'd like to use a Katana with this one: looks better and is far less cheesier After watching FF7 - Advent Children I wanted to make a single-wielding character. This appears to be one, though it's a stupid Kama and not a Katana. Sorry, just had to say it. Maybe I'll get to it later...

And keep Crippling Strike ;D

I couldn't agree with you more---particularly that the kama is almost embarrassingly lame (not to mention cheesy). I am a fan of the katana, which is what would make this guy a REAL kensai. It's a tough choice, but with so few feats I'm at a loss as to how I could justify squeezing out one of the few feats I have that are "optional" to the build to get Exotic WP (not to mention losing 2 atks/rnd by doing so).

Hopefully NWN2 will let our beloved monks at least use a staff. It's borderline blasphemy that they don't get their improved attack routine with them already. Hopefully, they will adhere to 3.5E rules and there won't be nearly as much cheese with monks (it requires more monk levels to get the superior attack sequence in 3.5).

Anyway, thanks for your commments!
_________________
Favorite PW's: Hall of the Worlds, Higher Ground, World of Iniquity.