I just took a first life rogue out of mothballs and got it to level 17...starting to question whether a 1 or 2 level splash in monk would make sense for an assassin.

Downsides of the splash are as follows:
1 level - lose the assassin capstone (+2 int +4 sa dice), lose a handful of skill points (though I'm int-based so that's no big loss) and 1 assassinate dc (2 total with the capstone loss)
2 levels - lose 1 rogue feat (either crippling strike or skill mastery), a few more skill points, 1 sa die, 1 more point of assassinate dc

The bonuses:
1 level splash
1 more feat. Given that this was a Drow I'm looking at only 7 heroic feats. I'd love to take at least 1 actual epic feat in epic levels (Improved Sneak Attack) so that's 8 total heroic feats I can conceivably fit in. TWF, iTWF, gTWF, Precision, and Improved Critical (piercing to 20, slashing at 20) are must-haves for 5 locked in feats. Weapon Finesse is probably needed...I could get by with just daggers/kukri's but the moment I switch to something else I'm hurting. Since I'm going int-based with just enough dex for Improved Sneak Attack I'll want Insightful Reflexes as well. Unless I'm mistaken on Finesse that's 7 feats I'll need. I'd be spending a level 21+ feat for anything else I take...I think Dodge is pretty important...as a drow it nets me at least 6% (more depending on if I splash). I'd love to take Toughness or Sap as well but those are likely not happening - a 1 level monk splash would make Toughness or Sap possible. Since eMG don't uncenter a monk I'd be able to be in stance as well - that would be additional hp's and a bit of PRR (more on that in the 2 level splash section).

More importantly than the feat though is the enhancement trees. At level 1 Ninja Spy gives us 1 sa die (replacing one of the 4 we lost from capstone), 3% more dodge, and access to the faster sneaking enhancement. We'd actually be able to sneak at full movement speed. To me that's the most compelling part of the splash - full movement speed while sneaking. And level 1 Shintao opens up 10% extra off-hand attacks (as well as 10 positive energy/5% healing amp).

Finally, this gives a very viable option for DPS versus enemies that require bludgeoning damage - handwraps. The increased attack speed coupled with some good Fort bypass could yield good damage against skeletons for example. There are plenty of good wraps against the undead...it's harder to get a nice set of light maces.

2 level splash
Having 2 extra feats actually makes me want to go a bit different route. Rather than using the 2 feats to make things easier to fit in I'd make it harder to fit them in - use the Monk feats for Dodge + Finesse and then take Adept of Forms/Master of Forms as the two replacement feats. That would mean picking up Toughness at level 28 if at all but 2 levels of Monk opens up Shintao T2's 15 extra PRR in earth stance for a total of 27PRR.

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are...hadn't even considered a monk splash but now that I'm about to hit level 18 I figured I better make up my mind now so I don't have to burn a good heart to fix anything.

Yeah, max-int with just enough dex for Improved Sneak Attack. It's 28-point (drow) so starting stats are 8str/16dex/12con/20int/8wis/10cha. I have a +4 dex tome I can use if I get this toon to 24 and spend a level-up in dex there to qualify for ISA.

I went 18 INT on my drow rogue this life to free up stat points for other places.  Only level 14 atm, but haven't seen the point of burning all those build points for +1 DC.

Asheras wrote on Sep 25^th, 2013 at 3:59pm:


I believe that's for three levels of monk from the second core ability.

Darkrok wrote on Sep 25^th, 2013 at 4:58pm:


I've been doing quests at, or above, my level and the only issue I've had with assassinate is my hide/move silently not being enough to get past some mobs.  Spiders are particularly annoying.  :p

That and the random lag/target moving out of range kicking the timer without actually doing the attack.  Super fun.

I'm not feeling the splash.  Daggers/Kukris are pretty badass with Knife Specialization. (Base 18-20 x3 crit profiles are pretty badass even with the reduced base damage.)

DEX/DEX Piercing bypass = Daggers, DEX/DEX Slashing bypass = Kukris, DEX/DEX Bludgeon bypass = Quarterstaff*.  Your reflex save can survive a the +3 bonus that Insightful Reflexes will give you.

*Thief-Acrobat is worth investing in for the Subtlety, Kip-up, Haste Boost, Shadow Dodge and (possibly) No Mercy.  You’ll pick up the necessary stick fighting abilities just by getting this other stuff.

Level 1 - TWF
Level 3 - Precision
Level 6 - Dodge
Level 9 - iTWF
Level 10: Opportunist
Level 12 - IC: Piercing
Level 13: Imp. Evasion
Level 15 - gTWF
Level 16: Slippery Mind
Level 18 - IC: Slashing or Mobility
Level 19: Defensive Roll
Level 21: Mobility or Spring Attack
Level 24: Imp. Sneak Attack
Level 26: pTWF
Level 27: Spring Attack or Blinding Speed
Level 28: Elusive Target

Yeah, I opted to stay pure. Actually relying on a lot of temporary/ED abilities for dodge bonuses which lets me skip the dodge line. Planned feats are TWF line, Precision, Insightful Reflexes, Weapon Finesse, IC: Piercing, IC: Slashing, and Improved Sneak Attack. That said I do like the idea of going deeper in Acrobat once I have a more solid UMD score in a few levels...I might drop Weapon Finesse at that point to put in at least a bit of more permanent Dodge bonuses.