Monk STR or DEX? Core or Scaled?

[zArgan]

Hey guys,

I've read really much threads about monks yet, while I can't find much about the core monk. The scaled fist monk seems to be the shooting star here... xD

1. Whats the mist solid way to go? STR or DEX? Some say focus on STR for dmg and the other side say stay DEX and pick weapon finesse.

2. I like to try a melee class that gets some more options than only auto attack and in another thread they said I should try monk because its the only melee class where the animations and effects shows some action. ^^

Should I stay core monk for that or is there a big reason why I only find threads about scaled fist?

Thanks.

[Yaldabaoth]

Scaled Fist has synergy with bard or sorcerer and can then go into Dragon Disciple. But you can just as well go pure Monk or maybe Monk with 4 fighter levels with Unarmed Weapon Specialization.
On attributes: If you want pure dex build, you need 3 rogue levels, so pure monk is out of the question and you need to take these early to get anywhere.

[Edstyles]

You want str on all monk class.

1) But if you really want to go dex. Then you must go piranha strike and weapon finesse to compensate. You must be human for this to get more feats. Not sure if this would scale good at all tho in the long run

2) As scale monk u can go asimar for extra str and charisma. If you going the strenght route

Scale monk plays well with paladin.

And standard monk plays well with inquisitor/cleric

So if you want combat prowes then regular monk is your thing.

If you want combat prowes but at same time be usefull to the team then scale is your go to

[Lycurgo]

Scaled fist is amazing early game having +17 in BAB at lvl 6 is awesome at long run i dont know

[fplatkrtem]

Depends on what you want your monks role to be. scaled fist with strength is superior dps whereas the other kits with dexterity get great AC/survivability.

[fplatkrtem]

also there is a necklace that lets your use dex to unarmed damage in the Lone house area, so no "need" to go for 3 rogue levels for dex to damage. Later on in higher chapters there'll be better versions of that necklace with other bonuses stacked on it.

[Fingers]

Reg monk build is superior. DPS is what people with no strats worry about.

[RJM]

Originally posted by Fingers:

Reg monk build is superior. DPS is what people with no strats worry about.

Killing the monsters so fast they have no time to kill you is a very workable strategy :)

[zArgan]

Originally posted by Knfarpflem:

Depends on what you want your monks role to be. scaled fist with strength is superior dps whereas the other kits with dexterity get great AC/survivability.

I'am looking for a way between that two excesses DD and Tank. =) I don't need "superior" dmg. I'am happy when it's still solid.

I like to play melee chars but in this game its absolutly boring for me to only send my char for auto attack to an enemy. Monk attacks frequently often and gets some visual variety with there kicks. Thats a good start for my feeling. ^^

Sure it should be a damage dealer as main role. But some kind of versatility with active abilities would be super nice.

[RJM]

If you search a thread called "build olympics" there are some fantastic builds that dip into scaled monk and end up with terrific dps, good saves and frontline AC. It's only a dip though.

[KORJ]

Originally posted by zArgan:

STR or DEX

Asimar(dex+wis) 11lvl monk 9lvl dagger master = Invincible Assassin











But... Now agility damage is broken.

So... Dex monk is a great way to become defective.

[ChopSuey™]

Scaled monk.... WIS stat is exchanged for CHA and you have to also remember that some skills that a monk might use are still WIS based so you have to avoid them with a CHA based monk. Can change your build significantly

[zArgan]

Originally posted by ChopSuey™:

Scaled monk.... WIS stat is exchanged for CHA and you have to also remember that some skills that a monk might use are still WIS based so you have to avoid them with a CHA based monk. Can change your build significantly

Does that mean it's good or bad? ^^

[ChopSuey™]

Neither :) You just have to take into consideration what your build is and there is more than one option. My personal preferred Scaled Monk in this PC version here is a DEX/CHA build with dropping 3-4 lvls in rouge for the finesse/sneak attack feats with all feats going to your fists, crane style and pirana. U can pick up Pummel in later levels to punch through some DR like a frontliner does with vital strike. Knowing that you dont have WIS or STR as prime stat though you do have to avoid some feats and abilities that are 'monk' like or included in the scaled monks list of selectable skills that just dont synergize with the DEX/CHA.
Flipside... u can also choose to do a STR/CHA build in the same manner and focus say on dragon style and power attack to hit harder but with a little less AC. Theres just a few ways to build that kinda monk but you really do need to focus or you'll be left with a very meh character class. Dont try and do everything with a monk :)

[Biggie]

Scaled fist can go dragon disciple with 1 level sorc in between, cast defensive spells etc later and have immense strenght and natural armor. Strenght based is best here.

To get your unarmed attacks to do damage from dexterity you pick rogue.

At 3rd level rogue you can pick any weapon with their finesse feat that will make dexterity as primary damage modifier.

So Rogue 1 get weapon finesse and 3rd level your unarmored strikes will do damage from dexterity.

The bonus here is 3 level of sneak damage 2 from rogue levels and 1 from ackomplished sneak attacker as a feat, and in pathfinder you get sneak on 8 out of 10 attacks as long as your not solo on a target so well worth it.

This build also should focus on crane style for extra defences and opportunity attack (combat reflexes is an important feat)

Scaled Fist, Dragon Disciple route still benefit from crane style for defences but due to their massive strenght, dragon style will give them ALOT more damage. You can get upwards of 30 strenght as dragon disciple and gear, even more, but I still recommend using dexterity belts over strenght for this build since you get strenght from levels and abiliites from dragon disciple.

You do no damage when your dead.

The easiest way to go is indeed normal Monk, with 3 or 4 levels of rogue, and you can keep your int at a decent level since you get skills in trickery etc. Since your wisdom based you will also get massive perception and there are two skills that are the most important to find things in this game : Perception, and then trickery to open the damn chests.
Already act 3 you will need to hit 40+ perception checks to find insane loot.

Hitting the trickery is not hard with necklace of double crosses, ring and gloves of trickery,.

Side note : The ring gives minus wisdom and adds plus to your charisma ontop of enchantments from headgear, and giving you some nice abilities, making it a must have slot for scaled firsts, giving them a total of +8 charisma from items. (The ring gives +2 not +4 as per tooltip)

Also : Persuassion is an important skill in the game as well and scaled fist hits home here.
That said if you have regongar in your party he is the diplomacy specialist, also he is one of your most powerful companions hands down once he go down dragon disciple route. So another skill point saved if you run him.

It all depends on your companions.
If you run Octavia or Linzi they can become trickery monkeys with trickery in the 50s, Perception is not hard to reach high on as well but still.

I personally prefer speed on my characters and as such even though Valerie, linzi etc are super good I run just solo or 2 max 3 companions, yes linzi can learn expeditious retreat but she always stay too far away, anwyay back on topic.

Monks are very strong in this game.

The number ONE tip I will give you is : Pick Lawful Good as monk.
Reason is there is a Monk robe in the games mid part that is God Like but requires Lawful Good Alignment. And when you find it and are lawful neutral you quit the game and reroll. So Ill save you the trouble right now.

[Edstyles]

The spells in sorcerer are too good to not take and gives you alot of survival which the monks lacks ofc there are other ways to compensate but it's alot of fun and provides alot of def.
When it comes to str vs agility id say str mostly because you get the most out of right off the bat but doesnt mean you shouldnt put some pts in dex. The cool thing is that since monk uses no gear . He gets to have alot of dex. Also with strength you dont need a silly smulet that nerfs your defences anyway

With a plain monk id prolly go 4 str 3 agility rest in whatever