unarmed monk

[Samad Al-Hyade]

eventually good or do I give up and use kama or something?
10 16 14 14 14 10

[Diomedes]

.. It scales through out the game and does the most damage (ending up doing 2d10 damage) by end game.. I also wouldn't skimp on strength, you can easily break into the mid 20's in strength by end game.. Adding +7 or +8 on damage rolls and attack bonus..
Far more useful if you're going straight monk, then getting a 14 in int..
Also not sure what you mean by eventually, its good right out of the gate. With certain other items in the game, you're going to be doing upwards to 2d10 + 15 damage a hit.. Or more if you add in power attack...

[Immortal Reaver]

DEX Monk will be weak for quite a while, you have super low damage, and basicaly can only stand in enemies way, until you find Amulet of Agile Fist (or multiclass Rogue for Dex to damage). At point you are now even if you use weapons instead of Fists it will be just as weak, or weaker if you do not use light weapons (like quarterstaff).
Also do you have Weapon Finesse feat?

This will depend on race, but 18-19 STR Monk will be stronger (with 13-14 DEX), with only little less AC. Lower INT to compensate. You can also lower CON to 12 if you need.
Keep Mage Armor potions, until you get Braces of Armor +4 (or have others cast it on your monk).

[Orion Pax]

I’ve had fun with both a DEX Monk like yours and a STR Monk often more recommended.

The STR is but more straightforward, since you don’t need to convert DEX to attack & damage. Also fists or a Monk weapon (Quarterstaffs are good) both give you the extra attack from Flurry of Blows — as long as you aren’t weary by armor. Robes are cool though.

For DEX build, I’d also recommend dropping STR as low as you can since you’d rarely need it. That way you can pump DEX, and whichever stat gives you AC (WIS or CHA, depending on the Monk subtype), plus some CON as well.

[Diomedes]

Originally posted by Immortal Reaver:

DEX Monk will be weak for quite a while, you have super low damage, and basicaly can only stand in enemies way, until you find Amulet of Agile Fist (or multiclass Rogue for Dex to damage). At point you are now even if you use weapons instead of Fists it will be just as weak, or weaker if you do not use light weapons (like quarterstaff).
Also do you have Weapon Finesse feat?

This will depend on race, but 18-19 STR Monk will be stronger (with 13-14 DEX), with only little less AC. Lower INT to compensate. You can also lower CON to 12 if you need.
Keep Mage Armor potions, until you get Braces of Armor +4 (or have others cast it on your monk).

Don't forget crane style.. -1 attack bonus for 4 ac, along with skills later on, including a counter attack.. Which will happen ALOT due to how crazy high you can get the monk's ac.
I'm not sure it really matter that much pumping strength that high early on.. Between items and advancement points, your strength, dex, and con will be in the early to mid 20s.

[Orion Pax]

Originally posted by Diomedes:

Don't forget crane style.. -1 attack bonus for 4 ac, along with skills later on, including a counter attack.. Which will happen ALOT due to how crazy high you can get the monk's ac.
I'm not sure it really matter that much pumping strength that high early on.. Between items and advancement points, your strength, dex, and con will be in the early to mid 20s.

To clarify, Crane Style initially gives a +4 bonus to AC &-2 penalty to Attack (w/ 3 Mobility). Additional +4 to AC with Crane Wing (total +8 to AC) and then a reduction in Attack penalty to -1 with Crane Riposte, plus the counterattack.

I will say the counterattack has happened for me much more as I go up in difficulty, which is fun.

I think the Crane feats are one of the main features that allow me to make something tanky. Such big bonuses per feat make it feel very efficient.

Which in turn makes it seem less urgent to make a tanky build DEX-based. As much as I’ve enjoyed those builds, they are weakest at the hardest part of the game - the beginning. My first go on Hard I really liked having a high STR melee to actually hit stuff early on. Was able to almost always have +4 DEX early from Cat’s Grace or gear.

If you’re missing Initiative from slightly lower DEX, you can always take Improved Initiative. Hit first, hit hard.