U73 Monk Handwraps Build and Reference Guide

[Ying]

The Monk class embodies the fantasy of a martial artist, a master of unarmed combat and physical discipline. It draws inspiration from Shaolin kung fu and other Eastern martial art traditions with a focus on meditation and self-mastery.

With Update 72, the Monk received an overhaul opening up new build options. Gone are the days of relying on Falconry and Vistani Knife Fighter. Henshin Mystic is now a Monk powerhouse compared to Falconry, and Ninja Spy provides access to Haste Boost that VKF once did.

Approach and Philosophy:

The build goal is twofold: Maximize damage and crowd control effectiveness, while maintaining sufficient defense to remain alive. This guide illustrates the art of the possible at level-cap in reaper difficulty after maximum investment in past lives and raid gear. You can still use this guide as a framework if you have few past lives or don’t have the gear.

The guide goes beyond listing starting attributes, feats and enhancements. It aims to be the definitive handwraps reference. You'll find insight about:

* Power Attack vs. Precision
* Is the Patience feat worth it
* Strength vs. Dexterity vs. Wisdom variants
* Which active attacks are worth it
* Selecting epic destinies based on your goals
* Three different gearset options
* Which stances should I use

It includes a breakdown by source of all important mechanics.

I hope you find this useful.

Build Guide (Google Doc)

 

[Mokune]

Great write up dude!

 

[Hireling]

Lol was thinking about PMing you for an update.
Thanks for posting this sir. Have enjoyed a few of your builds in the past.

Edit: I didn't know you didn't have to keep the stat for a trances benefit the whole time. I always learn something new from your guides.

 

[Ying]

Edit: I didn't know you didn't have to keep the stat for a trances benefit the whole time. I always learn something new from your guides.

Snapshotting is present everywhere in DDO. You'd be hard pressed to find something that doesn't benefit from it as long as the duration is not instant.

 

[Phaedra]

Snapshotting is present everywhere in DDO. You'd be hard pressed to find something that doesn't benefit from it as long as the duration is not instant.

Like when Death Aura was either a crit or not on-cast, instead of being checked every tick?

 

[Peledir]

Trying to expand my understanding of the class and I'm fairly new so please forgive me, but you say in the Epic Destinies for GMoF "Tier 5: All including Split the Soul (light)" But wouldn't it be dark because you chose the inevitable dominion feat?

 

[Peledir]

Nevermind I think I understand due to the core 4 of GMoF "Enlightening Philosophy" and choose light would then give double offensive stats but still provide the regular 25% inc, dodge and concealment? This is how I'm interpreting it at the moment.

 

[Ying]

Like when Death Aura was either a crit or not on-cast, instead of being checked every tick?

Yes. Crit fishing a Wall of Fire used to be a thing years ago as well.

 

[peng]

I've started taking spring attack at lvl 6 and swapping it for swords to plowshares at 12. This feeds my addiction to wings and pushes off the minor dps bump that StP gives to a 20/x2 weapon until it has all the other bonuses to stack with. Assuming you're using adamantine knuckles, that means you go from 20/x2 at lvl 11 to 15-20/x3 at lvl 12.

Also, I like harmonious balance for the healing in heroics.

I also put some points into Int for skills. Dropping 1 point each of Con and Str gives you 12 int for 46 more skill points. Lots of good options: swim, bluff pulling, hide/MS, spot.

Snapshotting is present everywhere in DDO. You'd be hard pressed to find something that doesn't benefit from it as long as the duration is not instant.

The only thing I can think of that *doesn't* snapshot is the 2d3 healing from spellsinger's sustaining song.

 

[Ying]

Updated the guide with a Vecna gear setup using Mind and Matter rings, if you're looking for more MRR and AC and not be dependent on The Autumn Equinox minor artifact. Also shifted 3 AP from SD to FotW to pick up Primal Force for 2% more damage. Thanks to @Viamel for the feedback.

 

[I dont Like gimps]

Im still waiting for them to fix the Imp deception on the masterwork gauntlets It does not proc

 

[Hireling]

I plan on running a variation of this, but as a Dwarf with the Dragonmark so I can have native Spell Resistance and Radiant Forcefield. I only have 8 Racial Points, so I will have to give up something and push a feat back (maybe Stunning Fist at 30?)
I've used a few of Ying's builds since the old forums, so I was curious of his monk update. The U66 one is still viable btw. I appreciate the outlining of what's to be gained or lost for different routes and abilities.
Thank you again for sharing this Sir.

 

[Hireling]

I think I will get haste out of VKF because those 2 bonus universal points help me spend a little on my Racial Tree for the Dragonmark stuff.

 

[Spook]

I think I will get haste out of VKF because those 2 bonus universal points help me spend a little on my Racial Tree for the Dragonmark stuff.

Also saves a feat (deflect arrows)

 

[Blerkington]

Great service to the community. Well done and thank you.

 

[Ying]

Also saves a feat (deflect arrows)

Sure it's an option, but not without an opportunity cost: You lose 1 SA dice and 20% threat reduction. In the push raids I do, -100% threat reduction is required on melee. Imbues and alch earth procs are not affected by threat reduction. If you do free up a feat, Weapon Focus for 2 MP or Two Weapon Defense for 1 AC, 5 PRR and 10 MRR cap are excellent options.

 

[Hobgoblin]

I love aasimar as the race, was kinda eyeballing horc. is that a crazy idea?

 

[Alternative]

Ty for the write up. Do you consider WWA worth keeping at cap?

 

[Spook]

I love aasimar as the race, was kinda eyeballing horc. is that a crazy idea?

No Horcs make excellent melee characters especially if you go strength based.

 

[Spook]

Sure it's an option, but not without an opportunity cost: You lose 1 SA dice and 20% threat reduction. In the push raids I do, -100% threat reduction is required on melee. Imbues and alch earth procs are not affected by threat reduction. If you do free up a feat, Weapon Focus for 2 MP or Two Weapon Defense for 1 AC, 5 PRR and 10 MRR cap are excellent options.

Yes everything is a trade off but my comment was made in the context of someone dropping a feat for dragonmark.

I typically run a similar filigree setup but I personally trade sucker punch 5 mp for treachery threat reduction as I too value 100% threat reduction for raids.