Kaladynn
Member
Handwraps monk is one of my favorite playstyles and has been for a while. It's extremely strong for questing if played correctly, and a lot of fun. I used it to do all my epic and racial past lives. That being said, I figured I'd share my thoughts on what a well built, maxed out handwraps monk should look like at endgame. Keep in mind, there's a TON of wiggle room when building a monk. You can switch up a lot of the feats, enhancements, destinies, and gear depending on personal preference. As a disclaimer, I put this together in a builder file rather than on a live character. If anything doesn't add up (Ex: Odd Ability Scores), feel free to make the necessary changes. This build also makes use of all ability, point, and skill tomes, so be aware of that before putting it in action. Here is a generalized monk setup that I think works well:
Classes:
20 Monk, 10 Epic, 2 Legendary
Race:
Aasimar
Alignment:
Lawful Neutral
Starting Abilities:
STR: 8
DEX: 12
CON: 18
INT: 8
WIS: 20
CHA: 8
Ability Points Every 4 Levels:
Level 4: Wisdom
Level 8: Wisdom
Level 12: Wisdom
Level 16: Wisdom
Level 20: Wisdom
Level 24: Wisdom
Level 28: Wisdom
Level 32: Wisdom
Monk DC's:
Getting high DC's as a monk are something that people tend to struggle with. However, you can get them extremely high if you utilize pots, trance swap, etc. Ensuring you use Void Dragon, swap to ocean stance, and generally min max your wisdom will result in DC's that are 100% usable, if not completely overkill.
Stances:
I would generally recommend using the Enchant Weapon, Power Over Life and Death, Ancient Tactics, Ancient Power, and Aasimar Scourge Past Life stances. If you are lacking doublestrike while beating down red names, swap Ancient Tactics for the Doublestrike stance. For monk stances, I would recommend using Sun stance for the most part, unless you need more dodge or your DC's are lacking, at which point Ocean stance would be the better option.
Skill Points:
Balance: 23
Concentration: 23
Spot: 16
Swim: 23
Tumble: 1
UMD: 11
Feats:
Level 1 Standard Feat: Dodge (Requires a feat swap with Fred)
Level 1 Aasimar Bond: Aasimar: Fallen Bond
Level 1 Monk Bonus: Stunning Fist
Level 2 Monk Bonus: Mobility
Level 3 Standard Feat: Two Weapon Fighting
Level 3 Monk Philosophy: Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light
Level 6 Standard Feat: Whirlwind Attack
Level 6 Monk Bonus: Spring Attack
Level 9 Standard Feat: Swords to Plowshares
Level 12 Standard Feat: Improved Critical Bludgeoning Weapons
Level 15 Standard Feat: Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Level 18 Standard Feat: Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Level 21 Epic Feat: Overwhelming Crit
Level 22 Epic Destiny Feat: Doublestrike
Level 24 Epic Feat: Improved Martial Arts
Level 25 Epic Destiny Feat: Crush Weakness
Level 27 Epic Feat: Precision
Level 28 Epic Destiny Feat: Harbinger of Chaos
Level 30 Epic Feat: Past Life: Disciple of the Fist
Level 30 Legendary Feat: Scion of the Astral Plane
Level 31 Epic Destiny Feat: Elusive Target
Honorable Mentions:
Depending on personal preference, you may be more inclined to take feats such as:
Past Life: Sneak of Shadows, Two Weapon Defense, Vorpal Strikes, Legendary Toughness, Perfect Two Weapon Fighting, Guardian Angel, Dreamscape
These are all, in my opinion, decent options with worthwhile benefits.
Enhancements: 80 Enhancement Points, 16 Racial Points, 1 Universal Point
Aasimar: 16 points
Core 1: Strongest Bonds I (1 Point)
Core 2: Wisdom (2 Points)
Core 3: Strongest Bonds II (1 Point)
Core 4: Wisdom (2 Points)
Core 5: Strongest Bonds III (1 Point)
Tier 1: Aasimar Improved Recovery I (2 Points)
Tier 2: Divine Purpose: Fallen (1 Point)
Tier 3: Divine Charges (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 3: Aasimar Improved Recovery II (2 Points)
Tier 4: Fallen (1 Point)
Shintao: 41 points
Core 1: Bastion of Purity (1 Point)
Core 2: Protection from Tainted Creatures (1 Point)
Core 3: Iron Hand (1 Point)
Core 4: Argent Fist (1 Point)
Core 5: Touch the Void Dragon (1 Point)
Core 6: To Seek Perfection (1 Point)
Tier 1: Difficulty at the Beginning (1 Point)
Tier 1: Deft Strikes (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 1: Ki Shout (2 Points)
Tier 2: Lifting the Veil (1 Point)
Tier 2: Smite Tainted Creature (2 Points)
Tier 2: Iron Skin (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 2: Unbalancing Strike (2 Points)
Tier 3: Restoring the Balance (1 Point)
Tier 3: Jade Strike (2 Points)
Tier 3: Dismissing Strike (2 Points)
Tier 3: Wisdom (2 Points)
Tier 4: The Receptive Earth (1 Point)
Tier 4: Tomb of Jade (2 Points)
Tier 4: Instinctive Defense (1 Rank) (1 Point)
Tier 4: Wisdom (2 Points)
Tier 5: Empty Hand Mastery (2 Points)
Tier 5: Kukan-Do (2 Points)
Tier 5: Violence Begets Violence (2 Points)
Tier 5: Meditation of War (2 Points)
Falconry: 27 points
Core 1: Summon Avian Companion (1 Point)
Core 2: Wisdom (2 Points)
Core 3: Well Rounded (1 Point)
Core 4: Wisdom (2 Points)
Tier 1: Practiced Accuracy (2 Ranks) (2 Points)
Tier 1: Hunter's Knowledge (1 Point)
Tier 1: Out in Nature (1 Rank) (1 Point)
Tier 2: Watch the Center (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 2: Diving Attack Strike (1 Rank) (1 Point)
Tier 2: Action Boost: Sprint (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 3: Killer Instinct II (2 Points)
Tier 3: Go for the Eyes Strike (1 Point)
Tier 3: Conditioning (2 Points)
Tier 4: Deadly Instinct (2 Ranks) (2 Points)
Tier 4: No Mercy (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Vistani Knife Fighter: 13 points
Core 1: Knife Expertise (1 Point)
Core 2: Knife Juggler (1 Point)
Core 3: Quick Reflexes (1 Point)
Tier 1: Undead Hunter (1 Point)
Tier 1: Mist Stalker I (2 Points)
Tier 1: Acrobatic (2 Ranks) (2 Points)
Tier 2: Haste Boost (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 3: Wisdom (2 Points)
Note: You can drop falconry bird attacks in favor of other things if that adds too many attacks to manage.
Classes:
20 Monk, 10 Epic, 2 Legendary
Race:
Aasimar
Alignment:
Lawful Neutral
Starting Abilities:
STR: 8
DEX: 12
CON: 18
INT: 8
WIS: 20
CHA: 8
Ability Points Every 4 Levels:
Level 4: Wisdom
Level 8: Wisdom
Level 12: Wisdom
Level 16: Wisdom
Level 20: Wisdom
Level 24: Wisdom
Level 28: Wisdom
Level 32: Wisdom
Monk DC's:
Getting high DC's as a monk are something that people tend to struggle with. However, you can get them extremely high if you utilize pots, trance swap, etc. Ensuring you use Void Dragon, swap to ocean stance, and generally min max your wisdom will result in DC's that are 100% usable, if not completely overkill.
Stances:
I would generally recommend using the Enchant Weapon, Power Over Life and Death, Ancient Tactics, Ancient Power, and Aasimar Scourge Past Life stances. If you are lacking doublestrike while beating down red names, swap Ancient Tactics for the Doublestrike stance. For monk stances, I would recommend using Sun stance for the most part, unless you need more dodge or your DC's are lacking, at which point Ocean stance would be the better option.
Skill Points:
Balance: 23
Concentration: 23
Spot: 16
Swim: 23
Tumble: 1
UMD: 11
Feats:
Level 1 Standard Feat: Dodge (Requires a feat swap with Fred)
Level 1 Aasimar Bond: Aasimar: Fallen Bond
Level 1 Monk Bonus: Stunning Fist
Level 2 Monk Bonus: Mobility
Level 3 Standard Feat: Two Weapon Fighting
Level 3 Monk Philosophy: Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light
Level 6 Standard Feat: Whirlwind Attack
Level 6 Monk Bonus: Spring Attack
Level 9 Standard Feat: Swords to Plowshares
Level 12 Standard Feat: Improved Critical Bludgeoning Weapons
Level 15 Standard Feat: Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Level 18 Standard Feat: Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Level 21 Epic Feat: Overwhelming Crit
Level 22 Epic Destiny Feat: Doublestrike
Level 24 Epic Feat: Improved Martial Arts
Level 25 Epic Destiny Feat: Crush Weakness
Level 27 Epic Feat: Precision
Level 28 Epic Destiny Feat: Harbinger of Chaos
Level 30 Epic Feat: Past Life: Disciple of the Fist
Level 30 Legendary Feat: Scion of the Astral Plane
Level 31 Epic Destiny Feat: Elusive Target
Honorable Mentions:
Depending on personal preference, you may be more inclined to take feats such as:
Past Life: Sneak of Shadows, Two Weapon Defense, Vorpal Strikes, Legendary Toughness, Perfect Two Weapon Fighting, Guardian Angel, Dreamscape
These are all, in my opinion, decent options with worthwhile benefits.
Enhancements: 80 Enhancement Points, 16 Racial Points, 1 Universal Point
Aasimar: 16 points
Core 1: Strongest Bonds I (1 Point)
Core 2: Wisdom (2 Points)
Core 3: Strongest Bonds II (1 Point)
Core 4: Wisdom (2 Points)
Core 5: Strongest Bonds III (1 Point)
Tier 1: Aasimar Improved Recovery I (2 Points)
Tier 2: Divine Purpose: Fallen (1 Point)
Tier 3: Divine Charges (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 3: Aasimar Improved Recovery II (2 Points)
Tier 4: Fallen (1 Point)
Shintao: 41 points
Core 1: Bastion of Purity (1 Point)
Core 2: Protection from Tainted Creatures (1 Point)
Core 3: Iron Hand (1 Point)
Core 4: Argent Fist (1 Point)
Core 5: Touch the Void Dragon (1 Point)
Core 6: To Seek Perfection (1 Point)
Tier 1: Difficulty at the Beginning (1 Point)
Tier 1: Deft Strikes (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 1: Ki Shout (2 Points)
Tier 2: Lifting the Veil (1 Point)
Tier 2: Smite Tainted Creature (2 Points)
Tier 2: Iron Skin (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 2: Unbalancing Strike (2 Points)
Tier 3: Restoring the Balance (1 Point)
Tier 3: Jade Strike (2 Points)
Tier 3: Dismissing Strike (2 Points)
Tier 3: Wisdom (2 Points)
Tier 4: The Receptive Earth (1 Point)
Tier 4: Tomb of Jade (2 Points)
Tier 4: Instinctive Defense (1 Rank) (1 Point)
Tier 4: Wisdom (2 Points)
Tier 5: Empty Hand Mastery (2 Points)
Tier 5: Kukan-Do (2 Points)
Tier 5: Violence Begets Violence (2 Points)
Tier 5: Meditation of War (2 Points)
Falconry: 27 points
Core 1: Summon Avian Companion (1 Point)
Core 2: Wisdom (2 Points)
Core 3: Well Rounded (1 Point)
Core 4: Wisdom (2 Points)
Tier 1: Practiced Accuracy (2 Ranks) (2 Points)
Tier 1: Hunter's Knowledge (1 Point)
Tier 1: Out in Nature (1 Rank) (1 Point)
Tier 2: Watch the Center (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 2: Diving Attack Strike (1 Rank) (1 Point)
Tier 2: Action Boost: Sprint (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 3: Killer Instinct II (2 Points)
Tier 3: Go for the Eyes Strike (1 Point)
Tier 3: Conditioning (2 Points)
Tier 4: Deadly Instinct (2 Ranks) (2 Points)
Tier 4: No Mercy (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Vistani Knife Fighter: 13 points
Core 1: Knife Expertise (1 Point)
Core 2: Knife Juggler (1 Point)
Core 3: Quick Reflexes (1 Point)
Tier 1: Undead Hunter (1 Point)
Tier 1: Mist Stalker I (2 Points)
Tier 1: Acrobatic (2 Ranks) (2 Points)
Tier 2: Haste Boost (3 Ranks) (3 Points)
Tier 3: Wisdom (2 Points)
Note: You can drop falconry bird attacks in favor of other things if that adds too many attacks to manage.
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