Kama Monk build advice

[xarantaur]

nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Kaze_no_Kama_-_M%2811%29%2CF%2812%29%2CIB%285%29%2CDC%282%29

I was wanting to basicaly make this build although i was going to swap the last two DC levels at 29/30 with Whirling Dervish levels for a bonus 3 feats. Would that work out, the way Whirling Dervish reads first level would grant me dash, 2nd level would grant improved evasion and 3x bonus feats?

I would basically keep the M11/F12/IB5 because thats kind of the core of the build. Though with Kaedrin's pack im not sure IB would be the best bet either.

Any advice on wether to swap IB5 for something or the WD2 levels?

[pokerflea]

The WD bonus feats are only skill focus feats though I believe, just fyi. (Could be wrong, don't have it in front of me)

[xarantaur]

Apr 13, 2009 13:24:08 GMT -5 pokerflea said:

The WD bonus feats are only skill focus feats though I believe, just fyi. (Could be wrong, don't have it in front of me)

Ya you are right lol totaly overlooked it. Hmm I guess stick with the two DC levels. Cant find a better replacement for em so far.

[uriel96]

I hate to throw cold water on build ideas, but from what I've seen most (all?) kaze builds lack the ab/ac to be viable here. I kinda wracked my brain to come up with a PTWF build that *might* work and that lead me to 8 wiz/ 10 swiftblade/ 10 CotW/ 2 SD.

This kinda works due to 50% concealment, mirror image, stoneskin and greater stoneskin, greater heroism, class bonuses to ab/ac/damage, haste love, etc., and of course HiPS. This build is almost unplayable because you get weapon finesse at maybe lvl 20 and you're a half-arsed caster until then.

The only reason I mention this TWF build is to highlight all the "extras" that are required for a in-your-face melee toon to have a *chance* at viability when giving up that mithral full-plate and tower shield (and whatever else you want to mention).

My "Swift-Cow" as I proudly call it, isn't a monk build (obviously) however. The fundamental problem with monks is that they are a MAD class with medium bab prog. coupled with a gleeful incomprehension that wearing tissue-paper and calling that armor is somehow feasible. If you made a warrior 1-30, their high bab prog isn't enough for this server.

The only advice I have for you is that if you are making a kaze build it might be a good idea to have the skellie boss on farm.

And take a dip in SD.

cheers

[Beldar]

I have an epic Kaze... AC is a bit of an issue for her because she doesn't have enough feats to take the full TWD line. I would definitely go for some sort of HiPS variant. The ability to sneak attack and escape compensates some for the lack of AB (although unfortunately very little of the monster AC on this server appears to be dodge AC, so it doesn't disappear when you catch them flat-footed).

I have the IB levels. Unfortunately damage reduction severely curtails the effectiveness of this class which is particularly unfortunate because again you need to feint to reduce opponent AC.

I think all DEXers should go for the expose weakness feat. This feat strips opponent AC and translates your DEX bonus (should be 14 at level 30 typically) into lingering damage per round.

In some respects DEXers can achieve more AC than other builds (DEX bonus of 14 > 11 bonus for mithral plate with 16 DEX). The problem is that for many encounters that AC is illusory due to the absolute failure of uncanny dodge. Probably my single biggest complaint about NWN2 is that I can have a character wandering around with a character sheet AC in the 60s and see that character get hit by non-critical rolls in the 20s. Empirically, you lose your DEX, tumble, and dodge AC bonuses when you are caught flat footed. Archers get to attack you "flat-footed" even if you are running straight at them with the intention of attacking them.

Don't even get me started talking about the results of sneak attacking a "hidden" opponent that you have spotted. You are probably better off unhiding and attacking them.

I have a Fighter / swash / cotw / tempest build that has been pretty effective for me here. He doesn't have uncanny dodge (which doesn't work anyway) so his otherwise impressive AC is useless for some fights. He could melee junior skeletons (although not the boss - can't hit enough) at level 24.

For Kaze I would take 12 ftr / 11 monk / 2 SD and then maybe 5 tempest. You really need 5 in a high BAB class. 5 more fighter or divine champion would get you two more feats. Air genasi to avoid the xp penalty if you go fighter.

I have another variant that I started working, but eventually sort of gave up on. I may someday come back to it, but I really miss the fighter bonus feats. This one gets EDM at the cost of 2 (out of 18 hasted attacks per round). The plan here is 11 monk / 1 assassin / 10 RDD / 8 Blackguard. The RDD strength and AC bonus make up for some of the lost dexterity. Does more damage per blow with EDM active, but loses Epic weapon focus and specialization. Also, lacks SD which means the build doesn't do that great here. You pretty much have to keep divine shield and divine might/EDM active at all times in later levels to be effective. Since the charisma is not that high (you have to get 25 dex for ptwf feating), you don't have enough uses to get through the instanced dungeons. Race is, of course, Yuan Ti.

[xarantaur]

Thanks for all that info Beldar! Im just having quite a hard time finding a char that I like playing and one thats works on this server. I think im going to give the kaze a good hard try as Air Gensai and see how that works out. I'll change it up to 11 monk/12 ftr/2 sd/5 tempest like you suggested and see how it works out.

I'll just take the 2 SD levels where it takes DC I guess.

[Beldar]

I would try to take the SD levels early. Probably, no later than 14. You'll be wanting the sneaking as the monsters get harder.

In my experience, the Kaze really works better on high magic worlds. Some of those most powerful characters I have ever made have been Kazes on high magic worlds. 20d6 of elemental damage multiplied by 18 attacks per round can be a beautiful thing.

[siegelayer]

I tried to make one of these. Even got him in the server and twinked him in full gear before realizing that the dmg is going to be so low - you have to spread the elements onto two weapons and have no buffs to increase dmg. Other than that the ac I got on a duelist variant should be well over 60 with TWD feats and probably combat expert, doubling your twd ac but hurting your already poor ab. The ab is lacking more due to spreading the runes and no buffs.

Wonder if i'll ever try to play him.