Why 25 SHD, 12 FTR, 3 MNK?

[Torin]

Sometime I see on webdash shadowdancers with the class combination: 25 SHD, 12 FTR, 3 MNK
I could not find a build like this in the forum. Where is the advantage? I always thought 30 levels of SHD would be essential (+1 Attack, best soak, 60 % conceal)....
Could someone explain a build like this or post one, please?

[desocupado]

It might be it:

1 - Non optimal build / disregarding HG features at planning
2 - Some sort of monk multi weapon build with lots of weapon focus (at least 2 - Kama and Nunchakus for Slashing and Bludgeoning)
3 - A waiting for reincarnation / Demi cycle messed build

--
Exploring what 2 would bring:

Well, Fighter 12 net:
1 - Wheatstone - extra Physical dmg
2 - Seven bonus Feats (for extra weapons focus, weapon specialization and dual wielding) - this means 6 more feats than a pure SD without fighter levels
3 - All Weapon specialization family (lots of physical damage)

SD 25 means:
1 - no extra attack per round
2 - 55% concealment (instead of 60%) / soak 18/+13 (instead of 20/+15)
3 - All other class features

Monk 3 possible translates into:
1 - Getting a small saving throws boost without AB penalty (if you take 2 monk levels before epic levels) - SD 8 Fighter 10 Monk 2
2 - Skill dump at 40
3 - Extra Attack with monk weapons
4 - Wisdom AC

-Breakdown-
If you consider that BAB 16+ plus monk progression (base 6 attacks - 7 with flurry of blows + kama) and Weapon Specialization against a martial weapon progression + shadow evade's extra attack (base 4 +1) and the physical damage is much higher, it's likely a dps advantageous trade-off at the cost of critical damage.
This would be specially true if it's a Str build (Zeny), with dex and wisdom to dual wield.

The builder might have grown tired of a previous build with Weapon Master Splash.

[tomaan]

I've played this build in the past as a dual wielder. Deso is spot on about the benefits -- you don't really miss the conceal/soak as a dexer and you don't really miss the extra attack (or lack thereof) as a dual-wield monk

With undying elf and skill dump at 40, you can pretty much cover all the skills you need.

That said, it's one of those "works on paper" builds. Not sucky, but not good enough for the time/effort - you can do as well or better with a pure(r) build and get all the kewl HG customizations to boot.

[desocupado]

True. In paper is seems somewhat nicer than SD. (The class could have a buff / more interesting effects).

For a build with the same spirit you could try a dexter/uni Fighter 34 / HS 5 / Mnk 1 Human Zenythri/Undying (which would get more physical damage / attacks).
Options include 2 weapons with adequate feats or OC/DC with a single weapon and possibly others.
(Mine was before the fighter buff // Str+2 Dex+2 and listen at LL)

[chirality]

You could actually just directly ask the players you saw logged in with these toons?