My first try on 2 classes (Ranger and Monk) I have totally no experience with, combined with one I totally love!

Modeled a bit after Mithradates' Ferocious Man Chicken of Doom, this ranger build foregoes STR based damage for other forms of damage, particularly those more friendly with two-weapon fighting (STR damage is halved for off-hand attacks) and allows for Epic DR bypass.


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Law of Nature (Ranger 30/Paladin 4/Monk 6)
PVM 1-40


ABILITIES (ending)

STR: 14
DEX: 14 (18)
CON: 12
WIS: 14
INT: 10
CHA: 14 (24)


STATS

Hitpoints: 468
Skillpoints: 207
Spell Casting: Ranger(4),Paladin(1)

Saves
Fortitude: 34
Will: 28
Reflex: 30
Saving Throw bonuses: Mind Effects: +2

AB & Damage
BAB: 29
AB: 37 (melee), 35 (dual wielding), 34 (ranged)

Mundane Kama:
No buffs, Divine Might active:
35/33/29/26/23/20 +7 Divine+2+1d6 (19-20 x2)
35/30 +7 Divine+1+1d6 (19-20 x2)

Fully buffed (+12 DEX, +12 STR, +12 CHA), vs. Favored, with Divine Might, Haste, +flurry of blows:
48/45/42/39/36/33/48/43 13 Divine+15+3d6 (19-20 x2)
48/43 13 Divine+11+3d6 (19-20 x2)

Max AB: 68 (dual-wielding with flurry)

AB with Composite Longbow
Base with active Divine Might:
34/29/24/19 +7 Divine+2+1d8 (20 x3)

Fully Buffed (+12 DEX, +12 CHA), Haste vs Favored:
47/42/37/32/47 +13 Divine+9+2d6+1d8 (20 x3)


AC
*Stat boosters only*
Naked: 25
Fully buffed, naked: 58 (+12 DEX, +12 WIS, +13 Divine shield (+12 CHA), +4 Haste, +4 Mage Armor)


SKILLS

Discipline 43(45)
Hide 43(47)
Move Silently 43(47)
Spot 38(40)
Tumble 40(44)


LEVELLING PROGRESSION

01: Ranger(1): Power Attack, Blind Fight, Favored Enemy I, {Dual Wield}
02: Monk(1): {Cleave, Evasion, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist}
03: Ranger(2): Weapon Focus: Kama
04: Ranger(3): CHA+1, (CHA=15)
05: Ranger(4)
06: Ranger(5): Weapon Finesse, Favored Enemy II
07: Monk(2): {Deflect Arrows}
08: Ranger(6): CHA+1, (CHA=16)
09: Ranger(7): Toughness*
10: Ranger(8)
11: Ranger(9): {Improved Two-Weapon Fighting}
12: Paladin(1): CHA+1, Improved Critical: Kama, (CHA=17)
13: Paladin(2): {Smite Evil}
14: Ranger(10): Favored Enemy III
15: Paladin(3): Divine Might
16: Ranger(11): CHA+1, (CHA=18)
17: Monk(3)
18: Paladin(4): Divine Shield
19: Ranger(12)
20: Monk(4): CHA+1, (CHA=19)
21: Ranger(13): Epic Weapon Focus: Kama
22: Ranger(14)
23: Ranger(15): Favored Enemy IV
24: Ranger(16): CHA+1, Epic Prowess, (CHA=20)
25: Ranger(17)
26: Ranger(18)
27: Monk(5): Great Dexterity I, (DEX=15)
28: Ranger(19): CHA+1, (CHA=21)
29: Ranger(20): Favored Enemy V
30: Ranger(21): Bane of Enemies
31: Ranger(22)
32: Ranger(23): CHA+1, Favored Enemy VI, (CHA=22)
33: Ranger(24): Great Dexterity II, (DEX=16)
34: Ranger(25): Favored Enemy VII
35: Ranger(26): Favored Enemy VIII
36: Ranger(27): CHA+1, Great Dexterity III, (DEX=17), (CHA=23)
37: Ranger(28)
38: Ranger(29): Favored Enemy IX
39: Ranger(30): Great Dexterity IV, Favored Enemy X, (DEX=18)
40: Monk(6): CHA+1, {Knockdown, Improved Knockdown}, (CHA=24)

* - Optional feat. I'd substitute Called Shot. With max APR, that's a humongous amount of stat reduction there! (Sneak, sneak, sneak... Wachow! Super slow/Super maim!) Plus, it works great as well if you try plinking with a bow


Skill Progression

01: Discipline(4), Hide(4), Move Silently(4), Spot(4), Save(4),
02: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(5), Save(1),
03: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2), Save(1),
04: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(2),
05: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
06: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(4),
07: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(5), Save(1),
08: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2), Save(1),
09: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(2),
10: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
11: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(4),
12: Discipline(1), Save(6),
13: Discipline(1), Save(8),
14: Discipline(1), Hide(3), Move Silently(3), Save(6),
15: Discipline(1), Save(8),
16: Discipline(1), Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Save(8),
17: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(10),
18: Discipline(1), Save(2),
19: Discipline(1), Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Save(2),
20: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(3), Save(1),
21: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(3),
22: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(5),
23: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(5), Save(2),
24: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
25: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(4),
26: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(5),
27: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(7),
28: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2),
29: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2),
30: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2),
31: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2),
32: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2),
33: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2),
34: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2),
35: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2),
36: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(2),
37: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(4),
38: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(6),
39: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(8),
40: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(10),


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Strengths
- 10 favored enemies
- Good AB (not uber. Good)
- Max APR
- Good damage, part Divine
- Good AC naked
- Good saves overall
- Evasion to complement saves
- can plink well with a bow


Weaknesses
- most of bonuses to AB and damage only vs favored
- Divine Might and Shield is limited in quantity
* you could try Paladin 5/Monk 5 split, giving up IKD at last level for Extra Turning for more Divine Might/Shield usage.
- mediocre crit range
- mediocre HP, but workable
- low skillpoints
- IKD comes in at last level
- No Uncanny Dodge (ouch)


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Note: Alternately, the build can be remade as a STR build, gaining more damage, perhaps one or two more AB, and freeing up a feat (Finesse) but I went Dex route for the following reasons: 1) Self-buffing via Cat's Grace, 2) Longbow usage (turned the tide of battle for me lots of times), and 3) Better Reflex saves. The stats and the build itself is quite malleable since there are no epic feats with uber prerequisites, so suit to taste

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 12/01/07 14:57

Sweet buffed, there is no argment, and thank you for the post; love the wis slash symmatry, and to be sure, maybe I am into the whole AB thing (we know that I am, kinda addicted so wont get into it, yes ... other than to say, having done a ranger/pally w. Grimm, well ... Click Here I know, it's maybe about RP in which case won't dare say anything thus excusing AB ... seems you've nice AC though, (nice) but RP aside, we went offensive; that said, this is an interesting and nice addition to the guild; and I like it, for what it is so don't take me wrong, I do ...although you're relying (let's be honest) on a bit of equipt etc., should do a party good to bring you along pvm in terms of speed and saves and all, though I'm not sure what in this case what pally is doing for you on this spread aprart from div. grace, or monk 6 ... take it to 9 maybe, for the IE (since you're giving up Pal spells etc) or drop it down to one ... as in, the wis boost to ac and who can argue that .... on the other hand, not sure you're using your ranger to its potential (iel,26 is in most cases enough to add for e.g. all playable races, and often the optimum point, w. monk 9 for IE and pally if (I think that's great for immunity etc., but up to you of course -- just some thoughts, and hope this makes sense --- btw, welcome tothe guild, and nice to meet you. Otherwise, sweet!
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing" -- Edmund Burke, Philosopher and Politician (1729-1797)

Edited By TyrTemplar on 12/01/07 09:00

Thanks for the comments Tyr. I'll try to deliver a reply worthy of being an answer.

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I took the three classes with the specific intention of the following:

Ranger: Favored Enemies
Paladin: Divine Feats
Monk: Monk Attack Schedule

The whole build actually revolves around optimizing the Paladin Divine Feats, especially Divine Might. Divine Might lasts only for so many rounds, so how do I make full use of it? get Monk Attack Schedule. My AB suffers from going CHA intensive, what can I do? go Ranger, use Favored Enemy. Dualwielding only works on Light Armor. With such low DEX, what about AC? Get Divine Shield.

To a certain extent, the 3 classes support each other, going in full circle.

The first choice I played around with was Weaponmaster, but found out it just starved out the build featwise and it didn't give anything other than AB, so I went with Ranger, and took as much Ranger levels as possible to maximize the Favored Enemy bonus. 30 levels compared with 26 yields out 2 more Favored Enemies; That's 2 more races you get better AB with. I'd rather not drop that for Improved Evasion, since Evasion + Divine Grace already does a wonderful job. Plus, Improved Evasion won't help you with other saves.

AB is still workable even if self buffed only, but is of course very dependent on if the opponent is a Favored Enemy (which puts emphasis on the 2 more FE feats by going 30)

AB
35 Dual wielding
+2 Cat's Grace
+3 Blade Thirst
+7 Favored Enemy
+2 Bane of Enemies <-- This one I forgot to include above
+1 Aid
-----------------
50 AB (Dual wielding)

Damage - self buffed only
1d6 Kama
+2 STR (+1 offhand) <-- build has 14 STR
+7 Divine Damage <-- Bypasses DR
+7 Favored Enemy
+2d6 Bane of Enemies
-----------------
19-34 Damage (-1 for offhand)

with 9 APR: 171-306 Damage/Round (63 is Divine)

AC
25 Base
+1 Mundane Studded Leather
+1 Cat's Grace
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27 AC (29 if vs Evil, with Protection from Alignment)

Saves on OP were base saves. The following are the MAX saves, which is with +6 modifier in CON, DEX, WIS and CHA (Which really is probable only in a very high magic world):

Fortitude: 46
Will: 40
Reflex: 42

All those numbers on the original post were simply put up to show maximum potential, not the standard operating potential.

The build isn't equipment dependent; it's already good and does fine all by itself. In fact, since it's already effective and boosting nearly every stat makes it even stronger, you become adaptive, able to utilize a great lot of items that come your way (except INT booster only) which is a great convenience especially in a PW. You can even use Heavy Armor, and though you can't dualwield, you can use a long bow instead. You do have considerable DEX, and FE and Divine Might is always there to help out.

This is where the RP premise came in.

"The Law of Nature - Survival of the fittest". Surviving in nature requires that you know how to utilize nature and what she gives you. With this build, a character can do that. He doesn't have to sell that CHA boosting item, since he can use it. The same goes for every other stat, or maybe equipment, with the exception of course of INT boosting items. Even other weapons yield good results, though of course not as effective as a kama.

Edited By basuraman on 12/01/07 21:12

Quote: Posted 12/01/07 20:51 (GMT) -- basuraman
AB
35 Dual wielding
+2 Cat's Grace
+3 Blade Thirst
+7 Favored Enemy
+2 Bane of Enemies <-- This one I forgot to include above
+1 Aid
-----------------
50 AB (Dual wielding)
Favored enemies don't give an AB bonus, just damage bonus... or do they? Only BoE gives an AB bonus and it's an static +2...
Your buffed AB will be 7 points lower.

EDIT: checked the wiki, no AB bonus for FEs.

Edited By rafa10pj on 12/01/07 21:46

I didn't comment on this build, so I will now.

Firstly, I think that AB is too low for a meleer. Furthermore, you have don't have many ways to increase it, barring magic items. Yes, your saves are great, your HPs are decent and your damage is pretty good, but you'll struggle to hit anything.

I agree with TyrTemplar, with magic items you'll significantly increase your AC, AB, damage and saves, but you have to get that +12 gear, and that's not possible in a lot of environments.
Quote: Posted 12/01/07 21:44 (GMT) -- rafa10pj

Quote: Posted 12/01/07 20:51 (GMT) -- basuraman
AB
35 Dual wielding
+2 Cat's Grace
+3 Blade Thirst
+7 Favored Enemy
+2 Bane of Enemies <-- This one I forgot to include above
+1 Aid
-----------------
50 AB (Dual wielding)
Favored enemies don't give an AB bonus, just damage bonus... or do they? Only BoE gives an AB bonus and it's an static +2...
Your buffed AB will be 7 points lower.

EDIT: checked the wiki, no AB bonus for FEs.
Correct. It's always better to test what the real stats are
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Quote: Posted 09/25/06 11:58:10 (GMT) by xitooner

I find its better to be flexible, THINK, and know your enemy.