Optimizing a Cleric / Monk

[Matt Stich]

With the new options from UM/UC out, how would you optimize a monk/cleric combination? I might play one if my inquisitor dies in a campaign my friend is running. At this rate, I'm the only combat-effective one, but that means I'm a bigger target as well. So this is my back-up plan.

I'm thinking monk 2/Cleric X, take the Magical Knack trait for lost CL, and go for it. What do you guys think? Also, I'd probably be a front-line kinda guy, so definitely buff strength and my AC, then stunning fist the crap out of everything. What about taking MoMS for a build like this? Go Mantis for the boost to SF?

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Travel domain stacks with enhanced movement. ;-)

Basically just do whatever you can to overcome the BAB lag and you should be fine. Should not be much of an issue with a few spells cast.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Or zen archer cleric. ;-)

[Matt Stich]

The only problem with Zen Archer is that Zen archery doesn't come until third level, and by then it will be a little late to take the levels in cleric, I'll be 2 spell levels behind everyone else

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Matt Stich wrote:

The only problem with Zen Archer is that Zen archery doesn't come until third level, and by then it will be a little late to take the levels in cleric, I'll be 2 spell levels behind everyone else

It will however get rid of the multi stat dependancy problem.

Wisdom will cover
AC, Attack, Damage (I think), SPellcasting, +relevant stats.

[Matt Stich]

For damage, I would still need a guided weapon.

I'd rather not go ranged, too. We have an unbreakable fighter who is focusing on defense and doesn't see that he also needs offense to be effective; my highly effective inquisitor wielding a earthbreaker (I crit a halfling and smushed him like daffy duck); a fairly useless cleric and an oracle of waves (this is a pirate/water themed campaign so she's keeping up fairly well).

[Turgan]

If you want to be a powerful warrior I would not go dualclass monk-cleric. Take one of those classes and you will be fine. Although they will not get near the inquisitor in dpr.

[Matt Stich]

I'm not looking for DPR with this guy, mainly I'm looking for a good concept and how to optimize it. Both classes rely decently on the same ability scores, and I could give less of a crap about charisma for this guy, but as long as I can fill the "effective" slot of the party, I can play any character. It looks like I'm the only effective one, to be honest.

[Joyd]

There's a small number of unique things you can do with the combination - Blood Crow Strike is an otherwise inexplicable spell (it's also unfortunately evil for no good reason, so you may need to talk to your DM about that); it's also blowing a 4th level spell slot for what's just a pile of damage. There's also Ki Leech.

[j b 200]

I can't remember the feat name off the top of my head, but there is one from UC that allows you to flurry with your god's favored weapon.

[Matt Stich]

I think I'm going to go Master of Many Styles, so the feat wouldn't be applicable. Not a bad idea though.

[Atarlost]

The most optimal thing you can do is probably dip a minimum of Cleric of Sarenrae, take Dervish Dance and Weapon Finesse, and flurry a scimitar. You get a blender of a Dex/Wis/Con build.

I have my doubts about MoMS as a non-dip. Looking at the way classes are built I get the impression you've got to have a scaling accuracy boost on a 3/4 BAB class to compete. The only ones that don't are the Rogue and Summoner, and the Rogue is widely considered the worst PC class and the Summoner's Eidolon does get a scaling boost in the form of stat scaling.

If any of the styles added substantially to accuracy it would be different, but none of them do.

[Matt Stich]

Mantis does. I'm thinking of taking Mantis style and the next Mantis feat which counts half my levels for determining monk based effects of stunning fist, and going from there. take ability focus for a +4 to stunning fist and buff myself like crazy because I'm a cleric.

[Wasum]

Optimizing a Cleric/Monk:

1-19 Cleric
20 Monk

hoping AP does not reach cap level.

[gniht]

i'd be tempted to make a party support char who doesn't do offense except perhaps through spells... rp him like a pacifist or something.

could get really good saves, and potential for some good ac i think.

trait magical knack(obviously), then maybe wisdom in the flesh (stealth), then go sohei archetype for the monk and pick dodge + deflect arrow?

get improved initiative, skill focus in perception and stealth?

then focus on saves feats and a couple metamagic (extend comes to mind)