monk ac bonus issue

[namco]

So, I have been playing around with the game (thanks steam sale, loved this game back in the day). While playing around, I've bene trying monk builds. I created one with NO WISDOM (forgot about the AC bonus, rofl) and then I made one with +4 to WIS for bonus in AC.

HOWEVER, both builds, my base AC at level 1 was 16 with putting on the noob gold armor, 17 AC. So it was the same, so to me, it seems the bonus AC is not there....

Was it the case that the first build had a DEX of +4 which does the same for monk as WIS? Would DEX and WIS mix, so +3 and +3 to = +6 to AC?

[namco]

It seems that +4 to dex and +3 to wis does not = +7 to AC. So, something is definately wrong if +0 wisdom and +4 wisdom = the same AC even with monks having the "widsom adds to AC".... something is broken, or the descriptor isn't corrent, because its clearly not applying.

[namco]

Okay it looks like at level 2 the AC went up, so its per level, not just per point. So if you want +5 widsom you have to be level 6 to get it. Makes sense I suppose, but that means the descriptor is wrong. And the guy who posted on the wiki where it was crossed out as "fake info" was right, its per level

[jonnin]

Monks get a level based AC bonus too. This isnt related to their stat bonuses.
I don't think the wisdom ac bonus shows on the sheet. Some things work but you can't see it on paper. ???

Playing with it now... my AC Is 10 in char creation with 18 wis, but it jumps to 14 when creation phase ends. The feat isnt accounted for in creation. Still looking.

4 and 4 elf monk worked for me: AC = 18 at creation. (after exit create menu thing)
and a 4/3 bonus is giving me 17 as expected.

I am not sure what you are seeing, but it appears to be working as expected for me.
and I kicked the xp up and got +1 ac per 5 levels, bumping it to 20 at level 10.

if you took dodge and tumble it would be 22 or 23 at 10, whatever, I avoided them for this testing.

[namco]

ah, maybe that's it, the dodge and such. gotcha.

[jimbobslimbob]

Wisdom AC does show in the sheet. Remember that Monk Wis bonus does not work when wearing armour.

Also remember that it will add AC for every 2 points in Wisdom, not every 1. For example: Wis: 12 will be a +1, Wis 14 will be +2 etc. Same rule for Dex bonus to AC.

[namco]

ah okay. so its per two. derka derka. that makes sense. i wasn't wearing armor. but yeah. LOL forgot the classic "per 2" not 1 from D&D. ive been out of it lately.

[jonnin]

yea and when it wasnt showing on the sheet, that was ONLY during creation phase, afterwards, it did show up fine.

Monks are tough to play at times. If you lack gear, which you will in the main 3 campaigns for a time, your ac just won't be good enough. Once geared up, they are a powerhouse character though. The temptation to grab something else, like a handful of cleric levels to get mage armor/cats & bulls/etc type buffs is high.

[namco]

I like to play these games solo. I tried an elf monk, 18 dex, 13 str (for greater cleave to hit more than one enemy) and then 17 wisdom which I would eventually make 18 when you get a stat point.

However, once in the prison, the first floor boss whooped my ass constantly. He keeps getting sneak attacks on me which I think is BS because he is not hidden.... so far only my fighter got through to the second floor. I need to keep trying though.

[jonnin]

Lady A sells robes of the old order. Get that if you can? Docks for coins, sell all the junk you can get from those, and a little luck and exploring may net you enough funds for a set. After that its a ton easier.

Sneak attacks on anyone who is not targeting you. If 3 guys jump you, and you hit guy A, and guy B is a rogue, guy B gets sneak attacks. If you hit B, he can't sneak attack, but now if A is a rogue, he can instead. Solution: doorways to fight 1 at a time.

Low str monk can't hit anything, and does reduced damage. With flurry of blows, you are attacking at -1 to hit at 13 str. If not flurry, its only +1. A +3 dex rogue in typical armor has a 10 base +3 +3 or 4 from armor has a 17 ac, so you need to get 17+ to hit it. +1 means you need 16+ to hit it with flurry off and flurry on means 18 to hit and thats a pretty basic enemy setup. I think the early guys have no armor maybe, but even so, the numbers are not good. This is going to be a tough play-through. Also with those stats your con (and hit points) may be reduced too. Ill humbly suggest a 16/16/16 for str, dex, and wis and at least a 10 con, or as close as you can get to that with an elf. Its not a lost cause, but you may need a henchman and careful play until you can get some +str items or level up a bit. Remember, even if you had a 50 dex and 50 wis, a lucky crit sneak attack will do you in at level 1 -- 20 always hits and sometimes they confirm with a double 20. You are never totally safe even with a beefed up AC. Remember you get some tricks too, knockdown can be a lifesaver if you can pull it off.

[namco]

Na, I always make sure to focus solely on the first prison boss and not the lackies, he still hits me with sneak attacks, even 1v1....

I took weapon finesse for rolls to hit with fists, thus my hit is +4 mod with my 18 dex. sure damage will be low, but i should still hit often.

[jonnin]

That works. Damage can and will be fixed later and its good enough. It shouldnt sneak if you are on him, something isnt right.

[namco]

dunno. it happens a lot though. even does it vs my fighter, however he has a ton of hp so a 12 dmg sneak isn't an issue.

on that note, isn't there a "fient" in D&D where if successful, the next attack is auto sneak damage?

[jonnin]

Originally posted by namco|lady satan:

dunno. it happens a lot though. even does it vs my fighter, however he has a ton of hp so a 12 dmg sneak isn't an issue.

on that note, isn't there a "fient" in D&D where if successful, the next attack is auto sneak damage?

not in nwn 2. D&D, yes.

[namco]

im playing nvn1?

[Lady MacBeth]

Originally posted by namco|lady satan:

dunno. it happens a lot though. even does it vs my fighter, however he has a ton of hp so a 12 dmg sneak isn't an issue.

on that note, isn't there a "fient" in D&D where if successful, the next attack is auto sneak damage?

Odd, one on one should never sneak you unless you do something that takes you out of combat for a moment. Like drinking a potion for example. You just stand there flat footed afterwords so no dodge bonus to ac, and sneak attack vulnerable.

When fighting groups you can kinda get screwed by attacks of opportunity as they turn your characters focus off the rogue who then gets to sneak attack you till your character faces him again.