(another) crit monk

[ChrisTheMean]

An Inferno Monk Build-Crit Based

Well, it is no secret that stacking crit is a very viable option for the monk since the attck speed nerf, but I thought I would share the build that I use, which is capable of soloing act 4 inferno. The basic premise of this build is stacking crit chance primarily in order to take advantage of some crit-related rune effects, and crit damage secondarily to increase dps. You will need some good gear to make it work, but the only significant gold investment required will be on a weapon.

The Skills

LBM
Fists of Thunder-Quickening
Once you get your crit chance relatively high (say, over 33%) this skil can effectively double the amount of spirit you gain from your primary attack. While it lacks the "coolness" of attacks like thunderclap, the spirit gained from this skill can be a game-changer.

RMB
Lashing Tail Kick-Sweeping Armada
This is my crowd control skill. Being able to separate tough mobs in busy areas can be invaluable. Though this skill offers no real uses in boss fights, it is amazing when fighting big packs or clearing some room when you get swarmed. Be aware that when fighting in a party you need to be sensitive with its use as you may unwittingly kick a bunch of small guys back to the DH or wiz, which of course not only makes them angry, but causes them to take their attention away from doing their damage to the important targets.

1.Serenity-Peaceful Repose
A temporary invulnerability requires no real explaniation. I prefer the healing rune, but their are other viable options you may prefer. I try to save this until all other options have run out (potions, heal wells, globes, etc).

2.Sweeping Wind-Cyclone
This skill really takes advantage of high crit chance. Once it has stacked up, filling the room with cyclones can add a very significant increase to your damage, making soloing much easier. If you have the spirt, you can tap this skill while running between packs to keep the stack charged up.

3.Seven Sided Strike-Sustained Attack
While some see this as an offensive "nuke" skill, what I see it as is a second temporary invulnerability, which has the added benefit of doing some damage. During a boss/champ fight, having that second immunity to all damage can allow you to stand your ground that much longer. Another note related to group use is that when using this skill, you will temporarily lose agro from monsters as you are untargetable, so do not use it if you get a tough critter up against a wall and a dps character is nuking it from behind you. You will lose the position and have to start over.

4.Mantra of Conviction-Overwave
This is my choice due to the fact that I have managed to get my monks dps to a decent amount. Because of the insane amount of spirit generated by Quickening, I am usually able to spam overwave to keep it at the 48% buff. Depending on whether you play solo, with another monk, and on your dps and resists, you may prefer MoE-Hard Target, or MoH-Time of Need.

Passives

1.One with Everything
This is pretty hard to give up unless you can afford 70-80 allres gear across all slots. I have stacked lightning due to circumstance, but the most economical choice is probably cold, followed by arcane and lightning.
2.Seize The Initiative
Damage reduction is needed, and this skill seems to be the best choice as it is less situational than others.
3.Transcendence
This one synergizes extremely well with this build due to the fact that you gain spirit so fast. Getting free life every time you click overwave, kick a mob, etc improves tanking ability so much.

Gear

My gear setup uses a fast 1 handed weapon with good life on hit, and a shield. I have experimented with dual wielding for more damage and LoH, but against mobs with bursty damage, I felt too squishy. Additionaly, without a shield you lose a slot that can have a large amount of crit chance, which I am built around.

For this build you really want to try to get crit chance on every gear slot possible (gloves, helm, amulet, rings, bracers, shield). A little attack speed is of course nice, but getting both on a piece can raise prices by 10x.

If using One with Everything, you should also aim to get your resist plus all resist on most pieces. Just stacking your resist, while economical, will not get you to a high enough total unless you have perfect rolls.

Once you have got these essentials in place, try to add crit damage where you can. With all the crit chance you have stacked, small amounts will have a big effect on dps, allowing you to switch from defensive/MoH to more offensive with Overwave.

Notable gear recommendations

The Helm of Command if rolled with your res stat and crit can be a very nice choice, and I have run with mine for the duration of a2-a4.

Blackthornes Breeches
These can be a relatively inexpensive way to add off-weapon LoH and can roll your resist and maybe extra dex or vit.

Sage's Gloves and Boots
Again a relatively cheap set piece with guaranteed crit on the gloves and run speed on the boots. Find a set with your res and some other friendly stats for alot cheaper than many rares.

I will add my stats and gear later when the servers are back up. Thanks for reading and enjoy.

PS:caveat
I am not saying that a4 is easy, it is still quite challenging, and there are some packs in a3 that feel almost impossible (molten, fast, illusion, shielding phasebeasts, I'm looking at you), but it is doable with reasonably attainable gear.