Ok! I finally finished the final battle. I'd like some suggestions on characters and party types please, for my next go.

What party did you have this time, so we can suggest something different?
My favorite is all spellcasters.

do you wish to try HoF?

Geez, was wondering if everyone got swept away by Katrina!
Anyway, the old party consisted of 2 Dwarven Clerics and 1 Sorcerer.

I now have a solo Monk. He's a deep Gnome monk of the old order. He's just a t lvl 4 now. Should I keep him pure or mix him up a bit?

Here's a challenge for you. A group of PURE theives. 3 or 4 and no more than two of the same race. Since my games typically are melee heavy, I'm running three casters (DG Sorceror, Drow Cleric and Drow Necormancer). I'm really starting to like the Sorceror. All he does is cast spells and shot bolts from his crossbow. I usually lay down a Grease and Web and then launch area spells at the poor foes stuck in the muck. My Cleric just handles the healing when not walloping on people and my Necormaner (who's missing 2nd level spells) is mainly melee as well. His about 100 xp away from his next level which should allow him to learn 3rd level spells. Then I can dual fireballs to start a fight ;)

I'd leave the monk pure if you want that to be his major class. Unless you are prepared to keep another class within a level of the monk levels, or have the stats to multi to Illusionist, you will take an XP penalty. Otoh, if you intend to run solo the whole way, the XP penalty won't mean much.

Try adding an arcane caster, a divine caster, and an archer for a four-character party.

Hmm, lots of interesting ideas guys! I'll tell you monk, is nothing to write home about early on. she's better with a bow and "0" skill than hand to hand. Does ambidexterity help a monk? And what skills etc should I choose as I go?
I think I'll add some more characters later.

Ok, I decided to go with a lvl of Illusionist. I figure the lvl1 spells would help. So, there is penatly for her, right?

There is no xp penalty but you will *not* be able to take any more levels of monk!!!

@Variol,
What's her stats? As a Monk, you should max out Dex, Con, Wis and Str. When I ran my solo monk, I kept him with a two-handed weapon (axe or long sword depending on which did more damage of the ones I found/bought). Amberdexterity is only helpful if you are going to dual-wield.

There is no xp penalty but you will *not* be able to take any more levels of monk!!! </font>[/QUOTE]Sh!t I hope I still have the save game!

</font>[/QUOTE]My stats are good in those areas.

I know what ambidex does, but is it needed for a monk who fights bare handed? He should be bare handed, right?

Well, I guess I really screwed it up. I didn't know I could no longer lvl in the monk class. Can I use dalekeeper to fix the booboo? I've tried a bunch of stuff in there but it didn't work. Hellpp!

Dual-wielding cannot be used with fists, so ambidexterity is useless if you plan using fists only.

Well, isn't that the point of the monk? What weapons do you guys give the Monk?

I'm thinkin' I gotta start again any way, since I can't go up in Monk lvls anymore.

[ 09-03-2005, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

I usually give monks an enchanted axe, for the times when bludgeoning damage is resisted. Also a sling for distance shots.

2 handed axe or 2 handed long sword. I forgot at what level I resorted back to hands. With strength maxed out, it's always good to go with a 2 handed weapon because of the 1 1/2 multipler.

Ok, the weapon thing sounds good. Monk is lvl6 - lvl5 wizard-illusionist. I figured a bit o' magic wouldn't hurt. It is time I make up a sidekick anyway, since the exp is running low.

[ 09-06-2005, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

That is the downside of soloing. When I ran my solo monk, I level squatted, but even then, it gets way off balanced. I remember getting to the underdark at level 12 or 13 with 12 levels stored up. Once I leveled up b/c I needed more power in my character, it was over. I don't even think the guardian did any damage to me and I had gone up 3 more levels before getting to him. I was going to play a game where I would add new characters at key points (like before going to the fortress and before going to the ice castle), but I ditched it to play my solo Monk game. Then that got boring so now I'm playing a DG Sorceror, Drow Necormancer/Theif/Ranger/Barbarian, Drow Cleric/Monk/Paladin. This has been a great game for me because, I'm not use to using much magic except for healing and now I'm having to rely heavily upon it. I normally take a party that can just go in and tear everything to shreds and only use magic for healing. I think my next party is going to be a Druid, Theif and a Ranger with possibly no multi-classing. There is nothing like coming up with a challenging party just to see how far you can take them. Of course, with this game, I would imagine you could beat it with almost any possible party.

Monks do get the Axe proficiency IIRC but not any kind of sword proficiencies, something to keep in mind as well when choosing a 2-h weapon for a monk. I would say that early on a 2-h axe is the best if you must melee, but try to stay ranged early (rapid shot taken early on really helps), until about 6th level, then bare hands starts to be useful and the axe is more just for creatures who can resist bludgeoning attacks. I really like the idea tho of making a fighter[4]->monk[x] who specializes in some weapon, I've done it with polearm and it was very effective.

Yup, lots of cool parties to come up with to be sure! I did add a Gray Dwarf Barbarian. I normally don't like that sort of thing; I guess that's why I picked it!
My monk does have an axe for now. It seems a bit better than nothing.

It would be hard to use only ranged weapons when soloing. As far as long sword goes, I spent two feats on it b/c he was leveling so fast, I didn't know really what else to take for a solo Monk. Besides there are some really good long swords throughout the game.

It just doesn't seem right though, a monk with a sword...

I totally agree, but there again, I started out playing from an RP perspective, but the invincibility of my character got the best of me. For the most part, once I got to the Ice Palace, I was using only fists except when battling creatures that took more damage from types other than bludgeoning. It was either fist, 2 handed sword, dagger (for piercing), or some magical item that caused fire damage or whatnot.

I think I'm in the same situation as before. All of a sudden I can't lvl up in monk anymore. I think it's 'cos I started as Wizard, then went to monk and then added a wizard lvl again. BLAHH!!

Monk Orders

Below are the three orders a monk chooses from when taking a level. A monk who multiclasses to a class other than monk or their order's favored class will never be allowed to advance in that monk class again.

Monk of the Old Order
Members of the Old Order do not worship any particular deity, but are fond of philosophical debates and introspection.

Special Order Ability:
Can multiclass to rogue without losing the ability to advance in the monk class.
Monk of the Broken Ones
Members of the Order of the Broken Ones venerate Ilmater, god of suffereing. They strive to endure the pain of their training as well as the pain of others.

Special Order Ability:
Can multiclass to Painbearer of Ilmater (cleric) without losing the ability to advance in the monk class.
Monk of the Dark Moon
Members of the Order of the Dark Moon worship Shar, goddess of darkness and loss. They use their monastic training as a route to personal and spiritual power.

Special Order Ability:
Can multiclass to sorcerer without losing the ability to advance in the monk class.

[ 09-13-2005, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: Vassago ]

Ahh, so I should have gone with a Monk of the Dark Moon! I wonder if I can use Dalekeeper w/o messing anything up?

Keep in mind that a monk of the dark moon has to be of evil alignment and can multiclass with sorceror and not mage.

Ok, I did switch Deity w/o changing alignment. I'll see what happens as go along. If it doesn't work I'll reload my save game.

I pretty much decided right away to leave them the way they are..

[ 09-15-2005, 05:35 AM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]