Monk/Paladin help...

[PrinceZane]

I'm kind of new to the scene of monk/paladins... I'm typically a hack and slash fighter, but decided to try a new type of poison. However, I don't really know much about them as far as tactical planning, things to shoot for etc. Either way, my goal is to be able to do the most damage possible with the best hp/ac. I have 10 levels to play with and 50k gold. Anyone with advise, character ideas, templates, stat numbers, etc would be very much appreciated. Also, I'm not trying to combine a monk and paladin, those are just the 2 classes I would like to try, one or the other. Also, multiclassing isn't a restriction. I've heard rumors of rogue/monks being decent but don't know anything about it. Thanks again.

 

[Darren Ravenshaw]

For people to be able to better help you, you need to give them more information. Such as race(if important), you stats(either what you rolled or the point buy number(25, 28, etc.), campaign setting(if any), what books do you have access to/or are allowed to use.

 

[Piratecat]

What he said -- give us the basics, and we'll help you optimize it!

Incidentally, welcome to the boards.

 

[Carpe DM]

I've been working on this sort of thing myself. It seems to be a very promising combination, especially if you can get yourself Ki weapons.

So far the best I've been able to so is Monk 2 / Paladin 8 / Templar 10, with feats:

Stunning Fist [Monk Feat: 1] / Power Attack [1] / True Believer [1] / Combat Reflexes [Monk Feat: 2] / Weapon Focus: Longsword [3] / Divine Might [6] / Ride-by-Attack [9] / Mounted Combat [12] / Weapon Specialization: Longsword [Templar Feat: 13] / Spirited Charge [Templar Feat: 14] / Pain Touch [15] / Extra Smiting [18] / [Any Fighter Feat: Templar Feat 18].

This combo also has evasion and mettle (!!), plus adds Wisdom bonus to armor class if you are unarmored. Of course, it'd be nuts to go unarmored, so use Luminous Armor from Book of Exalted Deeds.

Edit: I should add -- the purpose of this combo is to do triple damage on a charge, smite, divine might, stun (!!), nauseate, and then ride past. Yeeeowch, as the man said.

Plus, the combo has insane saves: monk base, Paladin / Templar boosts, Divine Grace, and True Believer giving you a +2 once a day on a save you really have to make.

cheers,

Carpe

 

[PrinceZane]

A little more information.. heh...

Hehe. Yeah, I guess a little information would help. Race and all is optional, I was thinking human for the extra feat/skill pt. but any other suggestion is helpful. Stats I rolled was: 18, 18, 18, 16, 16, 14 (I believe.. I'm at school and the sheet's at home, if not exact its pretty close). I'm not exactly sure what the campain is called, but I think it was the 1st printed quest (the rerelease for the 30th year anniv, etc). That was the one talked about, DM might change his mind though, not sure. As far as books go, I'm pretty open to use any of the major books, and any other side book as long as he approves, which he's pretty flexible about most things.

Thanks for the welcome and hope to be here for as long as you guys put up with me.

 

[the_bruiser]

Stats I rolled was: 18, 18, 18, 16, 16, 14

Well, I'm about to win least popular poster of the year, here, but I see those stats and think 'these guys aren't serious.' I'm exactly the guy who'd normally put together a great min/maxed character on demand... but those are ridiculous.

Okay, let the flames begin, I know...

 

[Sidekick]

Holy socks down the jocks batman. here's my opinion for setting those abilities (auusming you're going for a human monk/paladin).
Str: 16; dex: 18; con: 16; Int: 14; Wis: 18; Cha: 18

As for the rest, whatever. I'd need to know what kind of personality and history the character has.

I work from personality and history to stats, sorry.

 

[PrinceZane]

More information...

Well, still at school, just on a break...

The stats I'm sure are right... if anything one of the 18's or 16's is a 17.. but im sure thats right.. I'll double check when I get home. I took the worst case of the ones I doubted..

As far as background/history, I haven't really come up with one yet, because depending on if I went pali/monk would be two different stories....

 

[Darklone]

Holy socks down the jocks batman. here's my opinion for setting those abilities (auusming you're going for a human monk/paladin).
Str: 16; dex: 18; con: 16; Int: 14; Wis: 18; Cha: 18

Nah, I'd change Strength and Wisdom. You need to hit hard and often, e.g. strength. If you really think you need the good wis, drop Dex to 16.

 

[Dog Moon]

Sacred Fist

I was in a party with a sacred fist. Okay, it was a 3.0 sacred fist, but man that character was our tank, and he didn't even have stats that good. Anyway, the 3.5 is a little toned down, but it offers +1 spellcasting (not sure how many levels-don't have complete divine handy). I don't know if you've looked at that, but it is an excellent PrC. I think the way to go is 2 Pally, 1 Cleric, and what you need in Monk to meet the prereqs. From what my friend says, Sacred Fist is still buff, just not insanely uber.

Originally posted by Darklone
Nah, I'd change Strength and Wisdom. You need to hit hard and often, e.g. strength. If you really think you need the good wis, drop Dex to 16.

If you go Sacred Fist, I'd make the Dex 16 and Strength and Wisdom 18. The -1 to dex matters to skills, but that 1 to skills isn't as important as the +1 damage/to hit each attack. Also, with two abilities modifying AC, that one last AC isn't as important.