NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dannyalcatraz" data-source="post: 3418825" data-attributes="member: 19675">Not downplaying Str-based monks...Comrade Raoul and I had a lengthy discussion of the math involved in the build, and in melee combat alone, Str based is the way to go.Still, I like Dex based monks slightly better (especially if you can use DCv1- which I know you're not doing), especially with a reach weapon and taking Combat Reflexes among the first few Feats.My last Monk used a polarm and was a Dex based build.  I dealt almost as much damage as the party's Barbarian and rarely got hit.Why did he work so well?1) More AoOs- this matters more with a reach weapon than most others.  The combo of reach weapon, IUC, and a bunch of AoOs means you get to hurt your foes before they close.2)  Better Ranged attacks.  Again, hurt your foes before they close- why fight someone hand to hand when you can knock 'em down before they get to you?  Monks have some decent ranged weapons in their proficiency list, including the very handy javelin and crossbows.  With a full Quiver of Ehlonna and their mobility, Monks can really help their party control the battlespace.  Heck, they can directly attack the enemy spellcasters without having to bob & weave through the guy's meatshield. 3) Better initiative.  Hit first & win.4) Better AC.  What you can't hit, you can't hurt.  What you can't hurt, you can't beat.5) He eventually took levels in PsyWar, in order to get the Expansion power.  If your group doesn't use Psionics, take levels in Sorcerer to get Enlarge.  This works for 2 reasons: it pumps the basic damage of the polearm, and it increases the reach of the attacker- IOW, more AoOs for more damage per hit.</blockquote>

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