Shadow (8 monk/ 2 BG/ 30 SD)

[simpetar]

Shadow (8 monk/ 2 BG/ 30 SD)

Here is another attempt to make an open toon - in this case a melee dex tank - and also try something new, since I did not find HG crowded by Shadowdancers.
The aim is to make full use of all SD special abilities and be a viable party member to take care of malebranches as well as provide some support for other mates.

Base race: Gnome
Subrace: Svirfneblin
Alignment: Lawful Evil

Starting stats (Svirfneblin)
STR 6
DEX 16 (18)
CON 16 (14)
INT 14
WIS 14 (16)
CHA 10 (8)

- level progression: 8 monk - 1 BG - 10 SD - 1 BG - 20 SD
- all stats go to DEX

Feats

Pre-epic

Bullheaded
Weapon Finesse
Dodge
Mobility
Toughness
WF Kama
IC Kama

Epic

Armor Skin
EWF Kama
Epic Prowess
Expertise
Spring Attack
Whirlwind
1x Great Dex

SD bonus

Epic Shadowlord
Epic Dodge
4x Great Dex

Legendary

LSA Discipline
LWF Kama
5x Great Dex

Saves (counting in BG charisma bonus)
Will 59
Fort 60
Ref 74

- make sure to find something with +charisma, because cha penalty does lower saves for BGs
- Svirfneblins get +2 to all saves, so you have to get only +18 from items / song

Skills

Discpline (after LSA)
Tumble
Craft Armor (in LLs)
Craft Weapon (in LLs)
Bluff (in LLs)
Pick Pocket
Listen
Parry (cross-class)
Concentration (cross-class)
one free skill (e.g. Lore if you want to bank)
rest in whatever

HPs: around 900

AB: 15 base + 10 epic + 12 LBAB + 7 foci + 25 dex + 20 buff + 1 or 2 Craft Weapon = 90 or 91 at 7 attacks per round (5 base + 1 haste + 1 Shadow Evade)
+ 1 Small Stature
- 2 Furry of Blows

AC: 10 base + 25 dex + 9 wis + 1 monk bonus + 14 UR robe + 16 deflection + 16 natural + 20 dodge + 12 tumble + 1 or 2 Craft Armor = 124 or 125
+ 1 Small Stature
Epic Dodge
Bluff
60 spell based conceal
empty slot in off-hand and evil character with BG levels - perfect candidate for both items with critical immunity

So that is it I have several questions about viability of some decisions and game mechanics:

1. Shadow Daze; does the negative vulnerability stack when cast multiple times?

2. Monk weapon or not? This toon is a dexer and does not have an uber critical multiplier, therefore the damage output will not be great. Furthermore he will be limited to robes and damage immunities will not be huge, nor will be HPs. I am afraid to get killed by kb sooner than i can cause any harm to the mobs. Monk weapon offers 7 attacks per round (at -3 progression), other finessable (Mace) gives 5 (but at -5 progression). Would Mace be better choice than Kama?

3. Shadowlord; is it a good decision (asked in other words: are the summons generally going to be improved sometime)? From what I have heard and seen so far, the only summon that lasts more than few rounds in tougher areas is the legendary druid and ranger pet. Otherwise I would replace it most likely with ESF Discipline.

4. Whirlwind; the SD whirlwind seemed to me the nicest of all classes, since it hits automatically with exotic damage type unlimited uses, combined with Shadow Daze it could cause considerable damage. But sometimes I happen to get bugged by whirling too much and it is quite expensive (3 more feats over the requirements for SD, 14 int, where the 4 points could go to wis for more AC and Will). Does anyone have any experience with SD Whirlwind?

Thanks for reading

Cheers
simpetar

[Ommadawn]

1. To answer that question, a quote from Funky in response to that question before.

Will Shadow Daze's vulnerability infliction cap at 5% (assuming you meant 45 levels of SD with 50 being the max) or will these vulnerabilities stack? (I'm assuming no, because no cap beyond what I read as 5% was mentioned..)

Vulns stack by default, just like immunities. Unless we note that they won't, or say something like 'if not already having X effect', then vulns (and immunities) will stack. They do here.

2. I've recently reincarnated my SD from a 3 fighter / 7 WM /50 SD rapier user to a 6 fighter / 4 monk / 50 SD dual wielder using a monk wep and sai (thanks to Mish for the idea). The extra attacks help do more damage against creatures that are crit immune such as malebranches, narzugon and osyluths. They also take negative damage from shadow rift too which can add up to be quite considerable with so many attacks. I personally prefer monk weapons over standard weps.

3. At the moment the SD summon is relatively poor in LL areas and I wouldnt use a feat for it, but if the summons get upgraded it could be useful.

4. The SD whirlwind can be pretty useful as it also lowers strength in addition to the neg damage but due to its frequent bugginess I decided to drop it with my reincarnation.

Hopefully this is of some use to you.