User:Cedges/Dex Monk (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
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Contents
Introduction
This dexterity based monk tries to maximize attacks per round and deal as much damage as possible with Stormguard Warrior combat rhythm attacks.
References
- Tome of Battle (Warblade 20, Ironheart Aura 31, Stormguard Warrior 36)
- Player's Handbook II (Melee Weapon Mastery (bludgeoning), Crushing Strike)
Game Rule Components
Stances
Moment of Perfect Mind, Punishing Stance, Steel Wind, Steely Strike
Items
Gloves of Dexterity, Belt of Giant Strength, Bracers of Armor
Progression
Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Str: 11, Con: 14, Dex: 18, Int: 8, Wis: 8, Cha: 8
Race (Templates): Human or Strongheart Halfling
Starting Racial Traits:
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Feats | Class Features |
Special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||||
| 1st | Warblade 1 | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse | Battle Clarity, Weapon Aptitude | Moment of Perfect Mind1, Punishing Stance, Steel Wind, Steely Strike, -2/-2 with no bonus |
| 2nd | Warblade 2 | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Uncanny dodge | Wolf Fang Strike | |
| 3rd | Warblade 3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Weapon Focus | Battle Ardor (critical confirmation) | Sudden Leap |
| 4th | Warblade 4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | +1 | +1 dex, 4 maneuvers readied, Stonefoot Stance1 | ||
| 5th | Warblade 5 | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Ironheart Aura | Soaring Raptor Strike | |
| 6th | Fighter 1 | +6/+1 | +6 | +1 | +1 | Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Stormguard Warrior | -2/-2/-7/-7, up to +20 damage - build starts to work | |
| 7th | Fighter 2 | +7/+2 | +7 | +1 | +1 | Weapon Specialization | ||
| 8th | Monk 1 | +7/+2 | +9 | +3 | +3 | Improved Grapple or Stunning Fist | +2 dex, Flurry of blows -2/-2, bonus feat, unarmed strike 1d6, | -4/-4/-4/-9/-9, +25 damage |
| 9th | Monk 2 | +8/+3 | +10 | +4 | +4 | Combat Reflexes2, Snap Kick | evasion | -6/-6/-6/-6/-11/-11, +30 damage |
| 10th | Monk 3 | +9/+4 | +10 | +4 | +4 | still mind, speed +10' | ||
| 11th | Monk 4 | +10/+5 | +11 | +5 | +5 | Ki strike (magic), slow fall 20', unarmed strike 1d8 | ||
| 12th | Monk 5 | +10/+5 | +11 | +5 | +5 | Melee Weapon Mastery (Bludgeoning) | Flurry of blows -1/-1, purity of body, +1 AC | +3 dex, -5/-5/-5/-5/-10/-10, +30 damage |
| 13th | Monk 6 | +11/+6/+1 | +12 | +6 | +6 | Improved Disarm or Improved Trip | slow fall 30', speed +20' | -5/-5/-5/-5/-10/-10/-15, +35 damage |
| 14th | Monk 7 | +12/+7/+2 | +12 | +6 | +6 | wholeness of body | ||
| 15th | Monk 8 | +13/+8/+3 | +13 | +7 | +7 | Greater Two-Weapon Fighting | slow fall 40', unarmed strike 1d10 | -5/-5/-5/-5/-10/-10/-15/-15, +40 damage |
| 16th | Monk 9 | +13/+8/+3 | +13 | +7 | +7 | Flurry of blows -0/-0, improved evasion, speed +30' | +4 dex, -4/-4/-4/-4/-9/-9/-14/-14, +40 damage | |
| 17th | Monk 10 | +14/+9/+4 | +14 | +8 | +8 | 'Ki' strike (lawful), slow fall 50', +2 AC | ||
| 18th | Monk 11 | +15/+10/+5 | +14 | +8 | +8 | Crushing Strike | Flurry of blows -0/-0/-0, diamond body | -4/-4/-4/-4/-4/-9/-9/-14/-14, +45 damage, Each attack that hits adds +1 to hit for the remaining attacks in the round |
| 19th | Monk 12 | +16/+11/+6/+1 | +15 | +9 | +9 | abundant step, slow fall 60', unarmed strike 2d6, speed +40' | -4/-4/-4/-4/-4/-9/-9/-14/-14/-19, +50 damage | |
| 20th | Warblade 6 | +17/+12/+7/+2 | +16 | +10 | +10 | Improved uncanny dodge | +5 dex, Dancing Mongoose: -4/-4/-4/-4/-4/-4/-4/-9/-9/-14/-14/-19, +50 damage | |
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Other Components
If you take Moment of Perfect Mind, max out concentration for a better will save.
Highlights
<- How and why this build works, also a place to show off just what the build can do ->
Tactics
Take a full-round attack against a single opponent with combat rhythm using touch attacks that do no damage but give +5 damage to damage rolls against that opponent next round, gaining a huge bonus to damage rolls. Attack the same opponent full round on the next turn and hit them multiple times with the bonus.
Further Optimization
- Get Haste somehow, perhaps through Boots of Speed
Side Notes
<- overview of additional info about this build ->
Limitations
DM Counters:
- Actually use the full round withdraw action
- Move
Variants
- Drop the 12th level of monk for more warblade, getting dancing mongoose a level earlier and another useful high-level maneuver
- Drop the 12th level of monk, and add a level of swordsage at 20, getting a plethora of truly awesome powers. This should probably be mandatory.
- The starting maneuvers can be juggled around a bit as long as the prerequisites are met at the appropriate times for ironheart aura, stoneguard, and dancing mongoose.
Miscellaneous
<- Any other side notes that don't fit in the above sections. ->
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