EQ RPG: My 1st level human monk sucks!

[ced1106]

Any suggestions for a 1st level Human Monk in EQ? It's for a pregen at an upcoming con game, and he just isn't measuring up to the other munchkinized 1st level characters.

I've Min/Maxed his Str and Dex to be 16 with a 3 modifier, and his skills are mostly Wis based, so he's 15 with a 2 modifier. He can only wear cloth, so his AC is only 14; no class or racial bonuses. He wields nunchucks, which are only 1d4 + 3 damage. His Monk feats are Dual Wield, which allows a second attack of -5 (yeah, like that's gonna hit...) and Hand to Hand, which allows him to attack with his 1d3 unarmed hands against armed opponents (whoopee). What to choose as his two extra feats doesn't stand out. Deflect Arrows requires HtH, so I figure I'd grab it b/c no other character would have it.

Looks like an Iksar monk kicks human butt, but if a player wanted to play a monk with Iksar-hating races, I figure I'd have a human monk available.


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[GravyFingerz]

Instead of going unarmed, try dual wielding a pair of blunt weapons, using a two-handed blunt weapon, or just one blunt weapon. Use these until your unarmed damage becomes respectable. At low levels, you're unarmed strikes are going to suck, so use weapons. Thats why you have the proficiency.

 

[KnowTheToe]

Instesd of going unarmed, try dual wielding a pair of blunt weapons, using a two-handed blunt weapon, or just one blunt weapon. Use these until your unarmed damage becomes respectable. At low levels, you're unarmed strikes are going to suck, so use weapons. Thats why you have the proficiency.

Yup

 

[GravyFingerz]

When I made my level 1 Human Monk, I chose Weapon Focus and Weapon Finesse (Unarmed Strike) as my feats at first level, mainly based on investment. At higher levels, the monk rules at unarmed combat, and investing now leaves it open for choosing the cooler stuff at high levels.

If you are going for a one shot game at level 1, max out bonuses in the weapon you are using. I suggest a Light Flail. You can wield two or two-hand it if you wish. It also does decent damage.

 

[ced1106]

Thanks! I knew I was missing something. Nunchucks were going to be the blunt weapon of choice, but they only do 1d4 damage. Warhammers and flails are also blunt, but they sure don't fit the monk mold, imo. However, quarterstaff seems decent for damage, fits the idea of a monk, and can take advantage of the dual wield feat. If you have any additional comments, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again,


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[GravyFingerz]

Hmmm, I didn't even think to use a Quarterstaff. That's a better idea than Nunchuks. Thank you for that idea.

 

[ced1106]

Hmmm, I didn't even think to use a Quarterstaff. That's a better idea than Nunchuks. Thank you for that idea.

Glad to help. Nunchuks are Quick weapons, while a Quarterstaff is Standard, which means that at a BAB of +5, the Nunchuks will have an additional attack, while the Quarterstaff won't (p.150). A monk will be level 5 for a BAB of +5. At level 5 the monk will have Tiger claw, an unarmed attack for 1d8 damage. Unarmed strike is also a Quick weapon.

So, just to be esoteric any ideas when a Monk would want to use a Nunchuk (over a Quarterstaff or unarmed strike)? I guess you couldn't use the Deflect Arrow feat with a Quarterstaff, since DA requires a free hand, and a Quarterstaff is a Large weapon, so a Medium-sized character would need two hands with it. Thus, below 5th level, a monk could wield two nunchuks, drop one as a free action, then use his Deflect Arrow feat. But that's the only reason I can think of.


Thanks,


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[GravyFingerz]

Glad to help. Nunchuks are Quick weapons, while a Quarterstaff is Standard, which means that at a BAB of +5, the Nunchuks will have an additional attack, while the Quarterstaff won't (p.150). A monk will be level 5 for a BAB of +5. At level 5 the monk will have Tiger claw, an unarmed attack for 1d8 damage. Unarmed strike is also a Quick weapon.

While that is true, you can use dual wield to gain an extra attack with the quarterstaff at any level. The attack bonus of the off-hand attack might suck, but it's an extra attack, and your primary attack isn't penalized at all.

 

[ced1106]

While that is true, you can use dual wield to gain an extra attack with the quarterstaff at any level. The attack bonus of the off-hand attack might suck, but it's an extra attack, and your primary attack isn't penalized at all.

Lost you there -- So when would I prefer to use nunchucks over a quarterstaff?

Thanks,


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[GravyFingerz]

I dunno, I think I lost myself as well.

Chalk it up to lack of sleep.