Monk Spell Resistance & ability stacking

[Witchdoctor]

The monk spell resistance feat (spell resistance % = monk level + 10) is great, but I have not been able to increase it any by adding magic items with spell resistance. No matter what items I add, one or more, with whatever spell resistance, my spell resistance is always the same (monk level + 10).

Is this something others have noticed? I thought it might be a bug, but I still get the same thing with the ver 1.65 patch installed. Or is it supposed to be this way? Maybe for play balance, since between the monk spell resistance feat and magic items, you could end up with a high level monk pretty much immune to magic.

[Legolas]

Though there used to be an exploit that let you stack spell resistances, right now you simply get to use the highest resistance. So, with a ring giving SR 10, a necklace giving SR 16 and 12 monk levels giving SR 22, you'd have a spell resistance of 22. On the other hand, equipping a cloak granting SR 32 would give you SR 32.

[Witchdoctor]

Yeah, that seems to be how it has worked in practice. By exploit, I guess you mean a bug that has been corrected in a patch?

[Legolas]

It has been, yes. I meant that while it was possible to stack them in the distant past, it has always been unintentional.

[deadmoney]

Hey, was "eavesdropping" on this thread and it sparked a question. What would you guys think about a monk/fighter/weapons master with the kama? Would that be a waste or good? Just curious as to your thoughts.

[Zink Whistlefly]

Originally posted by deadmoney: Hey, was "eavesdropping" on this thread and it sparked a question. What would you guys think about a monk/fighter/weapons master with the kama? Would that be a waste or good? Just curious as to your thoughts.

Interesting build, although it would take a bit of doing! The feat requirements of a WM is quite a list, so the fighter levels would definately help you get the ones the monk class doens't receive automatically (as well as weapon specialisation: karma!).

High dex + weapons finesse, but at least taking powerattack will keep your attacks powerful enough (especially since your AB after all the weapon of choice bonuses kick in) as well as keeping your AC up, and with improved criticals, you'd get a threat range of 17-20 x3 which is nice.

[Legolas]

The class is not known for its high attack bonusses which may be a slight problem (if you need a roll of 19 to hit an enemy, and roll an 18, it won't count as a hit no matter if you have a 13-20 threat range). However, monks make up for that with sheer number of attacks. This can be as many as 10 per round, when dualwielding, without counting cleaves. Rolling a natural 20 at least once every other round is very nice indeed.

I don't think I'd bother with weapon master levels though. Perhaps build a strength monk for the devestating critical, or I'd be ooc about it and go monk(x)/sorcerer(1-3)/rdd(10) to get the feat. Right then (with monk speed, 10 attacks per round, devestating critical, knockdown and an extra +20 attack bonus) is when your monk truely becomes an engine of destruction. You'd just need to mind your armor class.