Special weapons.

[JrKASperov]

9 levels ranger is just enough for improved two weapon fighting

[Target]

So 9 Ranger levels, all the rest Monk, or would it be worth putting in a few fighter levels for wep. spec?

[robertthebard]

No, it's not. I actually don't like to dual class monks, it takes away from them terribly. High level monks can shrug off a lot of magical damage, not to mention immunity to mind affecting spells after level 20. For an extra point of damage you could give up four or five points magic resistance, and a point of movement speed. Monk speed improves with levels, and a level 40 monk with haste has almost DM like speed.

[Target]

Cheers,

One thing I’m a bit unsure of is how does ranger levels improve the Monks attack?
Will it make any difference to have 9 or 10 Ranger levels?

[robertthebard]

I think a ranger's ab is higher than a monk's, but I can't be sure.

[Neo the Warrior Cat]

Monks gain AB at the rate of 3 AB per 4 levels (1st level in a block of 4 does not increase AB)

Rangers, Barbarians, Fighters, and Paladins gain 1 AB per level.


This is all pre-epic, in epic levels, everyone gains the same AB per level.


As an aside, multiclassing monks is one of the better things you can do with them. You give up spell resistance, certainly, but what you gain from it can be better than what you lose.

For instance, whereas a 40th level monk has high base damage, mind immunity, and high SR, a Monk10/Cleric 14/Rogue 16 has sneak attack, epic dodge, higher AB through use of Cleric buffs, True Seeing in a server that allows the stock version of it, the ability to use Spot as a detect skill, etc. The Trickery domain grants the mnk/cler/rog Improved Invis, for 50% concealment in addition to high AC, decent AB, and E Dodge. Depending on how you place your abilities, you could also have several heals.


A Ranger monk will have full attacks, and dual-wielding kamas, can have 10 attacks in a single round (6 main hand, 2 off hand, 1 haste, 1 Flurry of Blows). This version will also have high AC.


Monk is a class that benefits greatly from multiclassing IN THIS GAME. In PnP, the Monk is better served staying single class, as that is the only way to improve its unarmed attacks.

[Target]

Would it be best to take the 9 or 10 ranger levels first then swap to monk? Or mix it up a bit?
I’ve never played a ranger, they seem to have lots of class skills where should I put my points?
One last question, should I put my extra points into Wis for the Monk, or Dex for the Ranger?
Cheers

[robertthebard]

I'd switch the stat points back and forth, so long as you're wearing robes, or somesuch, your wisdom bonus will also apply to your ac, however, your dex bonus will still be good if you take a light weapon focus, and weapon finesse. I guess, since this started about kamas, that that goes w/out saying. As for level distribution, I'd start with one level of monk, and then take Ranger levels, and be sure to go human, or 1/2 elf, to avoid the xp penalty for your classes getting too far apart.

[Target]

Cheers Mr Bard.

Any suggestions where I should spend my skill points?

[robertthebard]

Now, that is going to depend on what kind of char it's going to be. I had a trap disarming, lock picking ranger in a server I play in, not just proficient at it either, he was almost as good as a rogue. Skill points are really what sets the tone for a character, and I can't really say what would be best. Since the initial idea includes dual wielding, you may want to put points in parry, and I'd say search and spot would be good as well. If you're running this char through one or the other OC's, you may want to dump points in hide/move silently also. Ranger levels should get animal empathy. Hide/move silently are class skills for both monk and ranger, so there's no worry about investing extra points, and I've taken to distributing points into spellcraft for even non spell casters for extra defence against magic. It will be a have to invest at 2 for 1 though, but if you have an odd number of skill points, you could save one point on every other level up. It will reach a point in the cross class skills where you can't add a point anyway, and that makes the point saving easier.