Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Does a single-classed Monk need "Concentration"?

ZFR · 07-02-2007, 04:29 PM

Ya, I forgot about the critical range being different. And after rereading the spell description, it is possible that the percentiles work like you say (definately one occuring, 50/50 each). But that doesn't change much.

However, there are also some points to consider.

Let us say that a critical hit is in fact "7% of all hits with fists." But in truth if so it will not be equal for all creatures but for weak creatures it will be 10% and for strong ones (the ones for which DF's worth something) 4%, since assuming stronger creatures have higher AC, crits will take place less often. This difference is further increased when taking saving throws into consideration, since stronger creatures are more likely to make saves.
If we say that (taking into account crits and saves) x% of hits cause the effect, we have to remember that from x, 75% will be againts weak creatures, hence useless, and from the 25% of those against strong creatures, around half would be when the creature is badly wounded, critical, or already dead from the crit (again useless).

If you mellee-crit a creature, then that creature should be dead within the next 3 rounds at most. If not, its likely a boss or semi-boss and either with high enough save or total immunity to avoid DF effects.
But... it could be slightly useful for ranged attackers like you said, but only for those who attack different enemies that those you're attacking in mellee. Blinding enemies who are at the back lines, archers or spellcasters, could be useful, since those enemies are less likely to die in the next 3 rounds. In those cases DF could be (still very slightly) useful, but that's not what the monk will be doing.

That said, I do agree that a monk may take dirty fighting for lack of better alternatives (does dash stack with monk speed by the way?). After taking all the necessary feats there really isn't much to take. Strong back is useless (no armor). Blind fight might be a tad bit better roleplay-wise (it des sound like something a fighting monk would know) and toughness might give some extra HP. But you definately won't be losing (or gaining) much if you take DF over either of them.

[ 07-02-2007, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: ZFR ]

07-02-2007, 04:29 PM	#11
ZFR Legion Symbol Join Date: February 14, 2002 Location: Ireland Age: 41 Posts: 7,370	Ya, I forgot about the critical range being different. And after rereading the spell description, it is possible that the percentiles work like you say (definately one occuring, 50/50 each). But that doesn't change much. However, there are also some points to consider. Let us say that a critical hit is in fact "7% of all hits with fists." But in truth if so it will not be equal for all creatures but for weak creatures it will be 10% and for strong ones (the ones for which DF's worth something) 4%, since assuming stronger creatures have higher AC, crits will take place less often. This difference is further increased when taking saving throws into consideration, since stronger creatures are more likely to make saves. If we say that (taking into account crits and saves) x% of hits cause the effect, we have to remember that from x, 75% will be againts weak creatures, hence useless, and from the 25% of those against strong creatures, around half would be when the creature is badly wounded, critical, or already dead from the crit (again useless). If you mellee-crit a creature, then that creature should be dead within the next 3 rounds at most. If not, its likely a boss or semi-boss and either with high enough save or total immunity to avoid DF effects. But... it could be slightly useful for ranged attackers like you said, but only for those who attack different enemies that those you're attacking in mellee. Blinding enemies who are at the back lines, archers or spellcasters, could be useful, since those enemies are less likely to die in the next 3 rounds. In those cases DF could be (still very slightly) useful, but that's not what the monk will be doing. That said, I do agree that a monk may take dirty fighting for lack of better alternatives (does dash stack with monk speed by the way?). After taking all the necessary feats there really isn't much to take. Strong back is useless (no armor). Blind fight might be a tad bit better roleplay-wise (it des sound like something a fighting monk would know) and toughness might give some extra HP. But you definately won't be losing (or gaining) much if you take DF over either of them. [ 07-02-2007, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: ZFR ] __________________ ZFR