Kali's Monk Henshin Mystic THF WIS Melee DPS build

Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Welcome to my build repository! I've been playing since 2006, and I play to have fun: I don't really care about 'the META'. I have 23 alts, so I actively play practically every class and race available in the game. I design all my builds fully from scratch. Hope you find them useful, and constructive comments/ suggestions are always welcome!

If you would like to contribute towards this effort, any donations will be greatly appreciated. If not, please don't worry: sharing is caring! Just sit back and relax, and enjoy the builds!

10. Kali's Monk Henshin Mystic THF WIS Melee DPS build
DDOBuilder file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder here.
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Avatar.jpg

N.B.: Image shows current race (Aasimar): when time allows, I will TR to Tabaxi Trailblazer, which is the build below.

Preface to the build

This thread aims to provide the very 'core' of the build:
  • show how it started: its key aims
  • indicate the key decisions that can be made to achieve those aims: stats, skills, feats, heroic enhancements, epic destinies
  • all numbers are based on what a first-lifer (or someone with minimal past lives) would have, unbuffed, outside of reaper mode (they do, however, include equipped gear and partially completed filigrees). They are real characters, and those are the numbers I can offer.
  • numbers are indicative of the potential minimum amounts that can be achieved with the investments that were proposed
  • provide a 'photo' of what your character could look like at endgame during quite a few lives of their 'TR hamster wheel' journey
  • show the 'foundations' to be built upon, if a player decides to embark on the 'TR hamster wheel' and go out there to hunt for rare bonuses
  • gear choices are NOT part of the core build, but rather one of the most important ways to invest in the key elements of the core build to make the aims work. It has been added here simply to suggest options/ inspire. No promises are being made towards keeping this updated upon the release of new content.

DISCLAIMER: nobody in real life has been injured on the making of this thread, and nobody will suffer injuries in real life if they try it. DDO is an awesome game, and trying-and-testing + making changes to suit your specific play style are a very healthy aspect of the game. It's how you learn and get better! Try not to stress too much about what some people have to say about how you play your game. Not everyone gets that this is a game, that people are not the same, and don't want the same things! The Mountain has many paths. Have fun!

Aims of the build

Primary aim(s):
1. AoE Melee DPS:
> strikethrough [always attacks 2 targets (if in range), with a 90% chance to attack 3]
> Grandmaster of Flower (GMoF)'s 'Drifting Lotus [T2]'
> {+30% dmg +3 crit range & Multiplier} + Force dmg per char level, doubled vs Tainted creatures}
> 'Whirlwind Attack' (feat):
> {+20% dmg}: Attacks twice all enemies in a 360 degree arc around you​
> Falconry's 'Coordinated Strike [T4]'
> {+20% dmg} + extra dmg, scales Melee Power}: Cleaves all enemies near you
> Henshin Mystic's 'Every Light Casts a Shadow [T5]'
> {+20% dmg}: AoE with strikethrough
> Henshin AoE Ki-spells Fire/Force damage (scales Melee Power):​
> 'Incinerating Wave [C4]'
> {Fire & Force per caster level, every 2s}​
> 'Cauldron of Flame [C5]'
> {Fire dmg per monk level every 2s, dmg increases every 2s}
2. interweaved with Crowd Control:
> AoE abilities:​
> GMoF​
> 'Drifting Lotus: Lotus Bloom [T4]'
> 'Legendary Fury of Blows [T5]' (Guardbreaking on vorpals)​
> 'Everything is Nothing [T5]' (on failed save, 6s paralysis)
> Falconry​
> 'Coordinated Strike [T4]' (blindness + helpless)​
> Single-target abilities:
> Falconry​
> 'Strike for the Eyes [T3]' (blindness + helpless, on failed save, also slowed by 30%, no save)​
3. and with Insta-kills:
> AoE:​
> GMoF​
> 'Everything is Nothing [T5]'
> 'Split the Soul (Dark) [T5]' (5% chance, no save, for 30s, every 5 minutes)
> Single target:​
> Monk
> 'Quivering Palm' (auto-granted feat)
> Henshin Mystic​
> 'Void Strike [T5]' (on vorpal strikes, no save)
Secondary aim(s):
4. Enemy de-buffs:
> Henshin Mystic:​
> AoE Negative levels:
> 'Every Light Casts a Shadow [T5]'
> 10% extra elemental damage + 2 stacks vulnerability:​
Fire: 'All Consuming Flame [Tiers 1-4]'
Ice: 'Winter's Touch [Tiers 1-4]'
Electric: 'Static Charge [Tiers 1-4]'
Acid: 'Porous Soul [Tiers 1-4]'
> Fire resistance penalties vs Henshin spells:
> '[Cores 1-6]'
> Saves:
> 'Ki Bolt [C2]' (up to 5 stacks)
5. some useful AoE Party buffs/heals:
> Henshin Mystic​
> 'Focus [T4]'
> Monk finishing moves:​
> Immunity to daze, stun and sleep:​
> 'Grasp the Earth Dragon' (Earth-Light-Earth)​
> 25% reduction in spell point costs:​
> 'Aligning the Heavens' (Water-Light-Water)​
> To hit + saves + skills:​
> 'Walk of the Sun' (Fire-Light-Fire)​
> To-hit + skills:​
> 'Moment of Clarity' (Void-Light-Void)​
> Mass healing:​
> 'Healing Ki' (Light-Light-Light)​
Key stats & synergies

Key abilities toolbar (main rotation):
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Key-abilities-toolbar.jpg


A. Wisdom for melee combat:
> To hit via Falconry's 'Killer Instinct I [T2]'​
> To dmg via Falconry's 'Killer Instinct II [T3]'​
> insightful bonus from Falconry's 'Deadly Instinct [T4]'​
> To dmg​
> tactics bonus​
> base ability for Tactical DC formulas of several attacks/enhancements:
> Monk (e.g. Quivering palm)​
> Henshin Mystic (e.g. Ki-spells)​
> GmoF (e.g. Lotus and Everything is Nothing)​
> Falconry attacks​
> Defense boosts:
> via synergy with 'Ultimate Ocean Stance' (auto-granted Monk feats)​
> Monk's 'AC Bonus' (auto-granted class feat)​
B. Strikethrough = 190% [always attacks 2 targets (if in range), with a 90% chance to attack 3]
Strikethrough breakdown:
Base bonus
> +20%​
Feats
> +60%: Two-handed Fighting​
> +30%: Improved Two-handed Fighting​
> +30%: Greater Two-handed Fighting​
> +30%: Perfect Two-handed Fighting​
Epic Destinies
> +10%: Grandmaster of Flowers' 'Hail of Blows [T2]'​
> +10%: Grandmaster of Flowers' 'Legendary Flurry of Blows [T5]'​

C. Attack speed = 30%:
Enhancement bonus
> +15%: Gear/ Augment/ Haste spell​
Heroic
> +15%: Henshin Mystic's 'Serenity [C6]' (image below: right)​
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Attack-speed.jpg

> Attack speed boost = +20% (total 50%)
[Vistani's 'Haste Action Boost [T2]']
> 12 Charges:
Base charges
> 5
Epic Destinies
> +3: Legendary Dreadnought's 'Extra Action Boost [T2]'
Augment
> +3: 'Legendary Moment to Legendary Moment'
Airship buffs
> +1: 'Concert Hall'

D. Doublestrike = 75%
Doublestrike breakdown
:
Feats
> +3%: 'Past Life - Martial Sphere: Doublestrike'​
> +5%: 'Doublestrike'​
> +8%: 'Scion of the Astral Plane' (bonus +4 doubled while centered)​
Epic Destinies
> +3%: GMoF 'Hail of Blows [T2]'​
> +3%: GMoF 'Legendary Flurry of Blows [T5]'​
> +2%: Legendary Dreadnought 'Strike Twice [T3]'​
> +5%: Shadowdancer 'Shadowstriker [T3]'​
Gear bonuses (inc Set bonuses)
> +15% artifact bonus (set bonus)​
> +15% enhancement bonus​
> +6% insightful bonus​
> +3% quality bonus​
Filigrees (inc Set bonuses)
> +2%: 'Celerity' (2-piece set bonus)​
> +2%: 'Shadowstrike' (single filigree x2)​
> +1%: 'The Abiding Path' (single filigree)​
Unknown source
> +2%: ???​
> buffable to 100% {for 10s, every 12s}
> +25% morale bonus: Henshin Mystic's 'Quick Strike [T2]'​
E. Weapon Critical profile 16-20/ x3:
Critical threat range
Base
> 20: Quarterstaff​
Feats
> +1 feat bonus: 'Improved Critical: Bludgeoning' (feat)​
> +2 morale bonus: 'Swords to Ploughshares' (feat)​
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 competence bonus: Henshin Mystic's 'Staff Specialization [T5]'​
= 16-20
Critical damage multiplier
Base
> x2: Quarterstaff​
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 competence bonus: Henshin Mystic's 'Staff Specialization [T5]'​
= x3
Average additional base damage = +50%:​
Critical threat range 16-20 = 5
Critical damage multiplier x3 (-1 to remove base) = 2
> 5 x 2 = 10
> Each point = 5% more average base damage​
> 10 x 5% = 50%

> Crit damage multiplier boosts = +3 (16-20/x6):​
Heroic
> +1 while in Cauldron of Flame wielding a staff: Henshin Mystic's 'Serenity [C6]'​
N.B. the bug where it only applied on 19-20 rolls was fixed in U64 (Nov 2023)
Feats
> +1 on 19-20 rolls: 'Overwhelming Critical'​
Epic Destinies
> +1 on 19-20 rolls: GMoF's 'Imposing Force [T5]'​
16-20/x6 = 5 x 5 = 25
25 x 5% = +125% more average base damage

F. 12 imbue die: Fire dmg {on hit}/Force dmg {on crits} (scales Melee Power):
> Henshin Mystic's 'Lighting the Candle [T3]' lets imbue die proc on:
> melee attacks
> Ki spells (no other imbue does that!)
Imbue die breakdown:
+2 die Feats
+2 Embodiment of Law​
+6 die Heroic enhancements​
+6 Henshin Mystic (Cores 1-6)​
+1 dice Epic Destinies​
+1 Legendary Dreadnought (Tier 2)​
+2 die Filigrees​
+2 The Long Shadow (set bonus: 3 pieces)​
+1 dice Augment​
+1 Emerald of Arcane Empowerment​

= total 12 die, sustainable 100% of the time

G. 10 Sneak Attack die
SA die breakdown:
+1 dice Racial enhancements​
+1 Tabaxi Trailblazer (Tier 1)​
+2 dice Heroic enhancements​
+1 Ninja Spy (Tiers 1-2)​
+6 dice Epic Destinies​
+6 Shadowdancer (C1-3 + T2)​
+1 dice Filigrees​
+1 Treachery (set bonus: 3 pieces)​

= total 10 die, sustainable 100% of the time

H. Fortification bypass = 93%
Feats
> +25%: 'Precision'​
Gear bonuses (inc Set bonuses)
> +30%: Legendary Part of the Family set bonus​
> +23%: enhancement bonus​
> +10%: insightful bonus​
Airship Buffs
> +5%: 'Trapsmith's Workshop'​

I. Helpless damage = +85%
Base bonus
> +50%​
Epic Destinies
> +15%: GMoF 'Serene Mercy [T3]'​
Gear bonuses (inc Set bonuses)
> +15%: Legendary Part of the Family set bonus​
Airship Buffs
> +5%: 'Game Hunter'​

J. Extra damage:
> Ability modifier to dmg = 2.5x:​
> Full THF combat style line of feats​
> Extra Weapon dmg = +1.75{W]:
Feats
> +0.5[W]: 'Improved Martial Arts'
Epic Destinies
> +1[W]: GMoF's 'A Dance of Flowers [T2]'
Airship Buffs
> +0.25[W]: 'Ninja Assassin'
> large Insightful bonus to damage:​
> Falconry 'Deadly Instincts [T4]'​
K. Strong Ki generation + passive regeneration:
> Monk​
> 'Ultimate Ocean Stance' (auto-granted class feat)​
> Henshin Mystic
> 'Sounding Staff [C3]'
> 'Serenity [C6]'
> GMoF
> 'Enlightenment [T1]'
> Items
>'Visions of Precision' googles
L. Fast movement speed:
> Monk: 'Fast Movement' (auto-granted class feat)
> GMoF: 'Serenity [T1]' (on all the time, Action Boost bonus)

M. Survivability (after all, soul stones do zero dps):
> Hit Points bonus = +30%:
Competence bonus
> 25%: Henshin Mystic 'Self Defence [T5]'
Quality bonus
> 5%: Falconry's 'Conditioning [T3]'
> Toughness feats: Heroic + Epic
> Dodge chance = 38%+
> buffable:
> +15%, ignores cap: Henshin Mystic's 'Cauldron of Flame [C5]'
> +25%: GMoF's 'Split the Soul: Light [T5]'
> High Dodge Cap = 46%
Base
> 25%​
Feats
> +8%: Monk's 'Ultimate Ocean Stance'​
> +4%: 'Scion of the Astral Plane'​
Heroic
> +3%: Henshin Mystic's 'Embrace the Void [T3]'​
> +2%: Ninja Spy's 'Agility [T2]'​
Epic Destinies
> +1%: GMoF's 'Everything is Nothing: Emptiness [T5]' {for 5m, cooldown 3m}
Filigrees
> +1%: 'Long Shadow' (4-piece set bonus)​
Airship buffs
> +2%: 'Fencing Master'​
> buffable:​
Epic Destinies
> +25%: GMoF's 'Split the Soul: Light [T5]' {for 30s, every 5m}
> Extra chance to completely ignore damage = 5%:​
> Elusive Target (feat)​
> buffable to 10% {for 5m, cooldown 3m}
> GMoF's 'Everything is Nothing: Emptiness [T5]'​
> Incorporeality = 25%
> Ninja Spy 'Shadow Veil [C3]' {for 1m, 15 ki, cooldown 6s}
> Deflect Arrows (1 projectile every 6s):​
> GMoF's 'Deflection [T2]​
> Enhanced MRR Cap = 80
Base cap (outfits)
> 50​
Heroic
> +5: Henshin Mystic's 'Self Defense [T5]'​
Epic Destinies
> +10: GMoF's 'Disciple of Philosophy [C4]'​
> +15: GMoF's 'Beyond the Center [T5]'​
> Improved Evasion
> Monk (auto-granted class feat @lvl 9)​
> No auto fail Reflex saves on rolling 1​
> Shadowdancer's 'The Darkest Luck [C3]'​
> Spell Resistance = 69+:​
Feats
> +30: Monk's 'Diamond Soul' (auto-granted class feat)​
Epic Destinies
> +4: GMoF's '[Cores 1-4]'​
> +10: GMoF's 'Calm Before Storms [T2]'​
Enhancement bonus
> +25: 'Mass Spell Resistance' scroll via Use Magic Device​
> Monk's innate immunities/protections:​
> Natural diseases: 'Purity of Body' (auto-granted @lvl 5)​
> Poisons: 'Diamond Body' (auto-granted @lvl 11)​
> Spawn effect of most undead: 'Timeless Body' (auto-granted @lvl 17)​
> 10/Epic DR: 'Perfect Self' (auto-granted @lvl 20)​
I share some strategies for general defensiveness and survival in this thread. Come visit if you feel it could be useful to you!

The 'core elements' of the build


Class(es): Monk (20)
Race: Tabaxi Trailblazer
Alignment: Lawful Good (Monk req)
Main stat: Wisdom (level ups here)
Starting stats (36 pts): STR: 12*/ DEX: 15/ CON: 16/ INT: 09/ WIS: 18/ CHA: 08
* +5 STR tome req for THF feats
Skills: Concentration/ Use Magic Device/ Jump/ Tumble (1 point)
Weapon type(s): Quarterstaff & Shurikens

Feats:
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Feats.jpg


Heroic enhancements: 83 = 80 + (2 Racial tomes) + 1 (Universal tome)
Monk-Hensin-Mystic-Heroic-enhancs.jpg

Note: this will be the first character who will get a Universal Tome (Vecna) once it becomes available in the store, and goes on sale, and I buy points on double-point sale! :ROFLMAO:. Then, the Vistani 'Haste Boost [T2]' will go to rank 3, for its full 30% bonus.

Epic Destinies: 65 = 61 + 1 (Tome of Fate +3) + 2 (Fey & Dread tomes) + 1 (Historic tome)
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Epic-Destinies.jpg

N.B: Multi-selector choices:
> Grandmaster of Flowers​
> C2: Silver​
> C3: Good​
> C4: Light Philosophy​
> T1: Wholeness of Spirit​
> T2: Drifting Lotus​
> T2: Deflection​
> T4: Lotus Bloom​
> Shadowdancer​
> T3: Shadowstriker​
Suggestions for gear
(not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire)

Gear Set bonuses:
Dark-Hunter-Gear-Set-bonuses.jpg


Gear:
(PS: Some choices ref gear cater to a much larger personal scheme/tetris where items need to get shared between several alts at endgame, where I normally play in reaper mode 6-10 skulls).
Monk-Henshin-Gear-set-w-labelled-cosmetics.jpg


Monk-Henshin-DPS-set-1-gear-planner.jpg

Monk Henshin Mystic DPS gear planner spreadsheet above is available to download too.


Main Filigree Set bonuses:
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Filigree-Set-bonuses.jpg


Filigrees: 14 = 10 (weapon) + 4 (artefact)
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Filigrees-all.jpg


Filigree master plan:
  1. Primarily invest in Assassinate DCs and some Doublestrike.
  2. Melee Power and Wisdom go as secondary aims, if/when possible to squeeze in
  3. other effects get the least priority


I am always happy to read, consider and respond to constructive comments/ suggestions / feedback that are provided in a polite and friendly manner. I welcome discussions with anyone who is capable (and willing) to do this. Some discussions may lead to both parties simply agreeing to disagreeing - that's absolutely fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!
.
 
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Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Extra suggestion to make the most of this thread:

I do recommend having Maetrim's DDOBuilder open while looking at my threads, as this will enable you to:
- hover over the abilities listed and learn more about them
- experiment with changing things and seeing if they would work better for you, before doing it in the live game
- get a general overview of the key aspects of the build

I arrange my DDOBuilder screen as per the image below (not this build in the image), as it helps me view the key aspects of my builds far more easily than opening and closing a bunch of windows. Just thought I'd share, in case its useful:
Maetrim-s-DDOBuilder-sample.jpg


Maetrim's builder is really amazing, I highly recommend it!
 
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Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Incorrect. Correct value d4/d4 on hit.
Hi @Fisto Mk I Thanks for your contribution.
I am going by what the in-game ability is currently displaying:
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Lighting-the-Candle.jpg


Quite possible that the above is not accurate, for whatever reason (on many occasions just because it simply did not get changed after a game update was released). At the moment, I'll go by that, even if there is a screenshot of the release notes. I am aiming for my builds to match the in-game experience, to avoid causing confusion.
 
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Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Check live buff icon, not incorrect description. ;)
Nicely spotted, indeed there is a discrepancy:
Monk-Henshin-Mystic-Lighting-the-Candle-buff-icon.jpg


For my builds online, as a matter of consistency, I feel I should stick with the tree descriptions. DDO being a game full of confusion, particularly for new players. Though simple testing (as you mention below) shows otherwise: you never know, this could get fixed in the near future to reflect the tree, rather than the buff bar.
Nevertheless, thanks a bunch for pointing it out @Fisto Mk I (y)
 
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Fisto Mk I

Well-known member
Tree description is incorrect, live icon - correct and corresponded to live damage, you can easily check it with test kobold or cannon. And current live implementation LtC is better than description from tree. ;)
 

Fisto Mk I

Well-known member
> High Dodge Cap = 42%
> +4: 'Scion of the Astral Plane' (feature)
> +1: for 5 min (cooldown 3 minutes) via GMoF's 'Everything is Nothing: Emptiness [T5]'
> +1: Long Shadow filigree set bonus (4 pieces)

Hmm... my Shuri-monk have 41 without this quoted +6...

Filigree optimization:

Prowess +1 to Hit&Damage at Artifact => Long Shadow +5 MP.
Long Shadow +2 Reflex => Prowess +1 Dex.
Long Shadow +1 Dex => Snowpeak's Gifts +1 ID or any not used before +5 MP.
Snake Bite +1 Con => Snake Bite +1 to Attack&Damage.
 

Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Filigree optimization:

Prowess +1 to Hit&Damage at Artifact => Long Shadow +5 MP.
Long Shadow +2 Reflex => Prowess +1 Dex.
Long Shadow +1 Dex => Snowpeak's Gifts +1 ID or any not used before +5 MP.
Snake Bite +1 Con => Snake Bite +1 to Attack&Damage.
Hey Fisto,
I suppose in my notes I had the arrangement that would allow me to benefit from Prowess while working on the sent xp to open the rest of the slots. I do aim to optimise the filigrees in all the builds I'm posting, so thanks for your great suggestions.

- As a personal choice, I won't use the Snow Peaks filigree, as it would reduce my Long shadow set to 3-pieces, and I'd lose the Max Dodge that I really want.
- Snake Bite +1 CON: I think it was because it made my CON even. If it is no longer doing that, I'll consider changing for hit/dmg.

Thanks again!
 
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Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Hmm... my Shuri-monk have 41 without this quoted +6...
Many shuriken builds use Ninja Spy, and potentially take 'Acrobatics' for +3 Max Dodge. Maybe you have that?
This build will only be able to do that with racial past lives, for extra action points. Then, the Max Dodge can reach 45.
 

Fisto Mk I

Well-known member
I won't use the Snow Peaks filigree, as it would reduce my Long shadow set to 3-pieces, and I'd lose the Max Dodge that I really want.
Yea, its trade-off between survivability and damage output. Personally i prefer +5 MP/RP over + 1 Dodge cap any time day or night, may be +1 ID too (for ID need calculation and i'm too lazy today).
Many shuriken builds use Ninja Spy, and potentially take 'Acrobatics' for +3 Max Dodge. Maybe you have that?
Yea, this. 8)
 

Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Updated the Starting Stats to include how many points the build has (in brackets).
Hopefully this helps avoid confusion :)
 

Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Some updates to the main build:
- less total strikethrough [from 250% to 200%]
[always attacks 3 targets (if in range), but now 0% chance, instead of 50%, to attack 4 targets]
> Doublestrike increases + total also updated to reflect full amount that is sustainable for the majority of the time (via Henshin's 'Quick strikes')

> Feat: swapped Legendary Toughness for Doublestrike
> some changes in Fury of the Wild:
added cold iron bypass, a bit less PRR
more doublestrike, less strikethrough
> One change in the Trailblazer tree:
less strikethrough, more sneak dice

If anyone has any thoughts on how this is looking now, do feel free to post. As always, please be constructive and friendly in your approach.

Enjoy the build!
 
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Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Epic Destinies updated to include an extra point gained from unlocking Machrotecnic.

N.B. At this point in time, my builds will NOT include the +1 Universal Tree (Morgrave) bonus.
Unfortunately, for those of us who actively play several alts, the
Ultimate Bundle offering bank space that is useful to one character only is, frankly, not an offer that adequately supports and incentivises playing with alts. Storage is still a massive issue (particularly for multi-alt players like me), that I sadly feel is still not being addressed in a fair and efficient manner. Since the Ultimate Bundle does not support my playstyle, I sadly chose not to support the game in an ultimate manner on this occasion.

Down the line, this tome will be acquired with DDO points (when I can combine double point sales + tome sale), and the builds that depend on universal trees will be the ones to receive suggestions on where to spend it first.
 
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Kalibano

Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Main thread updated with Balance adjustments made in U61:
Henshin Mystic Changes:
- Lighting the Candle imbue damage: 1d6 Fire on hit and 1d6 Force on crit
- The fire portion of the imbue toggle procs on Ki spells
 
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