Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FlimFlam 01-28-07, 01:41 PM	I am looking to make a 10th level character. He must be Monk, and any arcane spellcaster (prefer spontaneous casters, like Sorcerers). Point Buy would be 34 points. Books allowed: Core, Complete, Race, FR and Eberron (no dragonmarked stuff). Tome of Battle and Psionics is not allowed at this time unfortunately. So far, the only thing I've come up with is a typical Monk/Sorc/Enlightened Fist build, but I am sure there are better builds out there. Maybe instead of Sorc, use Duskblade?
Endless_Helix 01-28-07, 02:01 PM	Meh, I'd avoid the whole Duskblade thing. The primary advantage of the Duskblade is that it can cast in armor, which the Monk circumvents. Sorcerer4/Monk1/Enlightened Fist 5 would be the best option, given your peramiters. Use the Ascetic Mage (CV) feat to reduce MAD. After that, I'd suggest Abjurant Champion (CM) for BAB and CL. Finally finish off the build with 5 more levels of Sorcerer. So the build would look like this Sorc 9/Monk 1/EF 5/AbjChamp 5 It gets you 9th level spells and a BAB of +17, CL 18 (20 with Practiced Spellcaster), with CHA to AC from Acestic Mage + Enhanced Greater Luminous Armor (SC) and Shield. You'll have a good AC. Alternatively you could go Wizard 4/Carmindine Monk 1/EF 10/AbjChamp 5. You get 9th level spells, CL 17 (20 with practiced spellcaster). There isn't much difference between builds, except that the one above has a slightly higher CL and this one has a better Flurry of strikes.
TheHumanDynamo 01-28-07, 02:24 PM	I'd take EF at least until you get hold ray...that's one of the best abilities imo.
Evillain 01-28-07, 03:18 PM	yeah, ascetic mage with monk and wizard can give you a good combo. use weapon finesse with your unarmed strikes and the new feat from TOB to get dex to damage if you want (because most of the damage is gonna be from your spells) get enlightened fist (complete arcane i think) to get some nice monk/arcane caster progression and use rays in conjunction with spell flower from the spell compendium to get some nice damage output.
Endless_Helix 01-28-07, 04:39 PM	Tome of Battle wasn't mentioned as being available. The only reason I didn't take 7 levels in Enlightened Fist with the Sorc build is so that I could pick up 9th level spells, which I rated above Hold Ray.
catharz 01-28-07, 06:08 PM	There is always the Sublime Fist/Enlightened Chord. The one problem is the requisite alignment change. Something like Monk 2/Fighter 1/Bard 4/Enlightened Fist 4/Knight Phantom 1/Sublime Chord 2, finishing up with Knight Phantom 2-9. If you can get proficiency with all martial weapons, you can drop the Fighter level and get to Knight Phantom 10, for a cleaner setup (Monk 2/Bard 4/EF 4/KP 10/SC 2). It's a lot of PrCs, but it gets the job done with 9th level spells at 18th level, a good caster level, a BAB of 16, and Arcane Fist. More importantly, at low levels you keep a good BAB and decent HP, and get all of your relevant abilities pretty quickly.
ChristopherGroves 01-28-07, 07:01 PM	Eberron ... I'm a fan of the Warforged Enlightened Fist as it can heal itself ... Warforged Enlightened Fist 25: S 14 D 12 C 13(15) I 10 W 8(6) C 15(13) 28: S 14 D 12 C 14(16) I 10 W 8(6) C 16(14) WARFORGED 1 Monk [Improved Unarmed, Stunning Fist] Combat Casting 2 Sorcerer 3 Sorcerer - Ascetic Mage 4 Sorcerer 5 Monk (Evasion, +1 feat, +1 all saves vs. 1 caster level) or Sorcerer 6 Enlightened Fist - FEAT - see below 7 Enlightened Fist 8 Enlightened Fist 9 Enlightened Fist - Arcane Strike Ascetic Mage = CHA to AC instead of Wisdom, Sorc/Monk stack for AC 9th be able to free action - Arcane Strike (feat) +3, +3d4 free action - Arcane Imbue +1d6 electricity or fire swift - Wraithstrike or Critical Strike swift - lose spell to add to-hit w/ ascetic mage +3 + 3d4+1d6 on flurry Your 6th level FEAT could be any of a number of different things. Here are some options: - Jaws of Whatever - Warforged gain bite. Another attack on a full-attack wraithstrike is always good. - Force of Personality - reduce MAD further. Yay. - Practiced Spellcaster - Depends on what you're planning to do. If you are going to stay Enlightened Fist and use level-dependent spells you want this. If you're just going to be wraithstriking and arcane striking, you could really probably ditch this as you're not really a caster ... your spells are just fuel for your attacks. - Extra Stunning - Your WIS sucks, but extra stunning attacks you can convert w/ enlightened fist into hitty things - Silver Tracery - This is an option if you want to consider Spellcarved Soldier. You'll likely want Power Attack at 12th. Power Attacking w/ touch attacks = fun. Further advacncement ... depends on a number of factors (such as where the game will end) Spellcarved Soldier Advancement At first glance this may not seem strong, but it is a serious class. To begin, it has fighter BAB and two good saves. It also gets UAD as a class skill and 4+INT skills. The big advantage is really the runes though ... the first one itself is a doozy. Automatic extension on beneficial spells cast on you? Wraithstrike for TWO ROUNDS with no casting time mod ... er ... yes. That lets you (on the second round) use another swift action for things like Critical Strike (1st level spell) or the Ascetic Mage feat swift action option as well to add your attack/damage. The rune of fortification is also nice as is the ability to wear multiple rings. It doesn't work 24x7, but if your campaign features a few or close-together encounters this may be a strong choice. If it were me, I'd probably figure out a middle ground and do both. Extra spells are always good but some things like the Rune of Extension are pretty wickedly fun. Abjurant Champion Eh. Enough said. As (I forget who said), this is the PrC that makes so many non-competitive builds better.
catharz 01-28-07, 08:07 PM	Automatic extension on beneficial spells cast on you? Wraithstrike for TWO ROUNDS with no casting time mod ... er ... yes. That lets you (on the second round) use another swift action for things like Critical Strike (1st level spell) or the Ascetic Mage feat swift action option as well to add your attack/damage. That's an amazing idea. I'm a fan of the Spellcarved Soldier, but I had never thought of using the Extension rune for anything but prebuffing. You haven't mentioned enhancing your Composite Plating. This should be done as soon as possible, with Twilight, to eliminate the ASF. Having monk AC and armor is awesome. Having monk AC, armor, and a robe is even better. Also a neccessity is the Battlefist. Make my unarmed strikes and Slams Metalline? Yes please! Overall, though, a warforged monk-caster is probably better off as an Artificer. Which is not the same as saying that a monk-caster isn't better off warforged :)
BomTrady 01-28-07, 08:56 PM	Not a character suggestion, but more of a common sense one: Before you decide which road to go down here...check with your DM to make sure Wraithstrike is legal. If it's not it rules out some of the good suggestions above. From the sounds of your DM and what is allowed vs. what is not, he may have a rule about wraithstrike...or create one once you start using it. I've actually never played in a game where that spell is legal.. :weep:
ChristopherGroves 01-28-07, 10:13 PM	That's an amazing idea. I'm a fan of the Spellcarved Soldier, but I had never thought of using the Extension rune for anything but prebuffing. You haven't mentioned enhancing your Composite Plating. This should be done as soon as possible, with Twilight, to eliminate the ASF. Having monk AC and armor is awesome. Having monk AC, armor, and a robe is even better. Also a neccessity is the Battlefist. Make my unarmed strikes and Slams Metalline? Yes please! Overall, though, a warforged monk-caster is probably better off as an Artificer. Which is not the same as saying that a monk-caster isn't better off warforged :) You only really need 4 levels of Spellcarved Soldier - that 4th level nets you a second active rune and by the time you can hit 5th DR/magic isn't going to be gaining you too much. Rune of extension = good stuff. Really this build is acknowledging that you're not a spellcaster - you're an arcane striking monk with some nifty warforged immunities.
Tahldrehlian 01-28-07, 10:21 PM	Chris, your build doesnt work. You need to be able to cast 2nd level arcane spells to get Ascetic Stalker. On that build, you wouldnt qualify till 7th or so...