Finishing Moves

Overview
Finishing Moves are perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the Monk class. However, the term "Finishing Move" is somewhat of a misnomer. They are sometimes attacks, but they may also be self & party buffs, mob debuffs, and so on. Currently, no known Finishing Move that is an actual damage dealing attack yields enough damage to be considered capable of actually "finishing" (killing) an opponent who has a significant amount of hit points left. (The Touch of Death and Quivering Palm strikes can kill with a single blow, but aren't finishing moves, per se.)

Finishing moves are active feats. Monks are able to chain together 3 ki attacks to unlock a finishing move, depending on the combination. Ki attacks are given to a Monk at level 1 and later levels, as well as obtained by spending action points on relevant enhancements (see Monk enhancements). Ki attacks are also granted as feats themselves as a Monk levels up (Void Strike is an example).

After character creation, you will have a hotbar icon for finishing moves, which uses the Monk class symbol, a generic icon. When you have successfully chained together 3 special ki attack combinations without interrupting the combo cycle, the generic icon is replaced with a new icon that specifically represents the finishing move which is available as a result of your combo.

For example, prior to performing any special attack combinations, the finishing move icon on your hotbar will look like this:



After chaining together 3 valid ki attacks, your finishing move icon will change to something like this:



The actual icon image will vary depending on which combination you execute. In the above example, the combination to produce a "Healing Ki" finishing move is used.

The special attacks required to perform the charging strikes cost a varying amount of ki, and the finishing move itself costs Ki as well. Until you have a sufficient reserve of stored ki, younger Monks often won't have enough ki to trigger the ki before performing an action that usually aborts the chain.

Using Healing Ki as an example again, the three Fists of Light strikes (which do not need to be aimed at an enemy) cost 10 ki each. To activate the three strikes, another 10 ki is needed for the finisher, bringing the total needed for the complete move to 40 ki.

See the Ki article on how to pool and generate more ki.

Actions that interrupt finishing moves
Many actions a player would normally engage in during combat or downtime can disrupt the execution of a finishing move chain or reset a prepared but un-used finishing move. When attempting to setup a finishing move combo you are only allowed to perform a regular attack (manual or auto), move your character about, and execute valid special ki attacks that are not elements used in other finishing moves (such as Stunning Fist). Any other action(s) will disrupt the combo chain, consume the ki used in attempting the combo, and forcing you to start over.

For example: You require 3 special ki attacks to be used before unlocking your desired finishing move. You have performed 2 special attacks already, so one more special attack is needed to unlock the finishing move. But performing any of the actions below will reset the combo chain, where you must start the whole sequence over:


 * becoming un-centered for any reason (Sometimes occurs if made helpless or knocked down)
 * changing your stance (regular DDO stances, such as Power Attack; changing Monk stances or going into stealth doesn't disrupt the chain)
 * drinking a potion
 * equipping or un-equipping gear
 * using certain special abilities, feat-based or otherwise
 * opening doors, using levers, climbing (but not jumping)
 * performing a ki attack which is part of a sequence, but not IN the sequence (basically, any Elemental, Void, or Philosophy attack)
 * trying to execute a finishing move with insufficient ki, although sometimes (even though you don't see anything special, and get the "not enough ki" error, effects still execute)
 * Activating a finishing move too quickly (sometimes occurs if Healing Ki is activated less than 1 second after the third Fists of Light strike)

Meditating does NOT break or reset finishing move combos.

The above list is not meant to be exhaustive, but gives you a taste for what actions may short-circuit your ability to unlock and use a finishing move (or use an finishing move that has been unlocked and is awaiting use). The rule of thumb should be that if you are not normally moving or attacking a target or executing special attacks, you are likely resetting your combo chain.

At this time, there appears to be no limit to how much time may pass between executing ki attacks. There also appears to be no time limit on how long a prepared finishing move may remain in a ready state, provided an action that cancels the combo is not performed. This can be advantageous as regular attacks and non-combo ki attacks can be performed while a ready-state is still in effect. You cannot chain ready-states, however (that is, perform a combo and attain a finishing move charge, then perform a second combo and create a second charge to use in succession). It can be useful to set up a finishing move ahead of time if you know your excess ki will dissipate before you can use it, or if you'll need to Meditate to build your ki back up (wishing to cast Walk of the Sun right before a big battle, for example).

General Guidelines
Finishing moves are based on combinations of the elemental ki attacks Monks receive at level 1, as well as from action points ranking in a given discipline and the ki attacks granted as a result of your Philosophy choice. As such, the combinations are based on these types: Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Void, Light and Dark energy.

The list below outlines the Finishing Moves as of Update 8. They appear to come in 3 basic combination flavors:
 * 3 uses of any elemental special Attack from a single discipline
 * 3 uses of either a Positive or Negative special attack (Philosophy path)
 * 1 use of an Elemental Attack from a single discipline, followed by either a positive or negative Special Attack, followed by 1 use of an Elemental attack from the same discipline you started the chain with.

The saving throws for monk abilities have a DC of 10 + monk level + wisdom modifier, unless otherwise mentioned. They are mostly Fortitude saves.

The bug that allowed Metamagic feats to apply to finishing moves has been fixed with Module 7 patch 1. (This allowed Empower Healing and similar spells to magnify finishing move effects.) However, item effects such as Potency, Devotion, Combustion affect finishing moves (particularly to Healing Ki) and operate as intended by the developers.

Note that ki attacks do NOT have to be directed at an enemy to count - you can do three Fire attacks in the middle of an empty hallway, then charge around a corner and unleash the Breath of the Fire Dragon upon a group of enemies.

List of Finishing Moves
Here are the known finishing moves, grouped loosely by the basic combination:

Abbreviations

 * Earth = Strike of the Enduring I, II, III or IV
 * Air = Storm Strike I, II, III or IV
 * Fire = Fires of Purity I, II, III or IV
 * Water = Flowing Water Strike I, II, III or IV
 * Void = Void Strike I, II, III, or IV
 * Light = Fists of Light (requires Path of Harmonious Balance)
 * Dark = Fists of Darkness (requires Path of Inevitable Dominion)

Wait...what? I see both paths in my character sheet!
Moves are related to the philosophy path feat one chooses at level 3. While all monks will see Harmonious Path and Inevitable Dominion feats in their character sheet, the character chooses either the Fists of Light or Fists of Darkness in order to perform the finishing moves that require them. Choose Fists of Light, and you are a Harmonious Monk. Choose Fists of Darkness and you are in the Dominion path.

Thus, a monk will only be eligible to receive moves related to their philosophy as they are eligible for later enhancements or feats. For instance, at level 10, monks will be granted both the Moment of Clarity and Curse of the Void finishing move feats. However, you can use only one of the two feats, based on your philosophy, as these feats require either Fists of Light or Fists of Darkness, and you'll possess only one of these two feats.

Look carefully in your Feats list and you will find either a Fists of Light or Fists of Darkness attack to determine what attacks you can do. (Drag the one you find to your toolbar to use it -- as with all monk special moves, the attack is not placed there automatically.)

Light attacks and Dark attacks are Interchangeable
The Fists of Light are shown in this table as a "Light" finishing move combo element, while the Fists of Darkness is known as a "Dark" move combo element. Both philosophies also gain other special Ki attacks that can substitute for Fists of Light or Fists of Darkness as part of a finishing combination.

Monks who choose the Shintao Monk prestige enhancements gain spell-like abilities (such as Difficulty at the Beginning) that can substitute for the Fists of Light if desired. However, the practicality for using some of the moves during a fight are problematic. Monks with the Ninja Spy enhancement do not have additional strikes, but Inevitable Dominion Monks have enhancement-selectable ki strikes (such as Touch of Death) which can be substituted for Fists of Darkness. Again, the practicality of doing so is odd since, if successful, an enemy hit by Touch of Death may be destroyed before other elements of a finishing move are completed. However, they can be used to set up finishing moves for use on other enemies.

Differences in Finishing Moves between Light and Dark Monks
All dark Monk finishing moves use the Finishing Move activator as an actual attack, and require a target. All light Monk finishing moves use the Finishing Move activator as a non-attack move (the monk briefly brings their hands together in a prayer-like movement to complete), and no target is required (however, targeting a nearby ally can center the effect on him, rather than the monk). Most Elemental finishing movies, as well as Shining Star, are attacks and require a target; Breath of the Fire Dragon just goes in the direction in which the monk is facing.

Elemental Finishers

 * The Trembling Earth
 * Combination: Earth - Earth - Earth
 * 10 Ki.
 * The attack has +2 critical multiplier, and the victim is unable to cast spells for 30 seconds.
 * Fortitude save negates.


 * The Gathering Storm
 * Combination: Air - Air - Air
 * 10 Ki.
 * The target's ability to "land attacks" is reduced for 30 seconds. -2 on attack rolls.
 * Undeads appear to be immune. Fortitude save negates.


 * The Raging Sea
 * Combination: Water - Water - Water
 * 10 Ki.
 * The enemy's attacks are slowed for 30 seconds.
 * Fortitude save negates.


 * Breath of the Fire Dragon
 * Combination: Fire - Fire - Fire
 * 10 Ki.
 * A cone of searing flame shoots forth, damaging targets in the area of the flames for 1d6 damage per Monk level.
 * A successful Reflex save (DC 10 + Monk Level + Wisdom Modifier) reduces the damage by half.
 * This movement is very useful when attempting to open damageable doors that require more Strength than the monk has, as a Wall of Fire spell may be used by a spell caster.

Path of Harmonious Balance Finishers

 * Healing Ki I
 * Combination: Light - Light - Light
 * 10 Ki.
 * You heal all nearby allies for 1d4 plus 1d4 per two monk levels.
 * Does not harm undead foes.
 * Healing Ki is greatly augmented by Recovery enhancements of the player character, such as Monk Improved Recovery, and is magnified by any Level 1 Devotion or Potency effect. Healing Ki affects any allied player, including NPCs.


 * Grasp the Earth Dragon
 * Combination: Earth - Light - Earth
 * 10 Ki.
 * Nearby allies become immune to daze, stun, and sleep for 60 seconds.


 * Dance of Clouds
 * Combination: Air - Light - Air
 * 10 Ki.
 * Nearby allies gain 20% concealment for 60 seconds.
 * While this blur-like ability is much shorter, it cannot be dispelled, as with other monk buffs. Unlike some spell buffs, a monk's buffs can blur NPCs.


 * Aligning the Heavens
 * Combination: Water - Light - Water
 * 10 Ki.
 * Nearby allies gain a 25% reduction in spell point costs for 60 seconds.
 * This is a favorite move asked by experienced spell casters before buffing others at the start of a quest.


 * Walk of the Sun
 * Combination: Fire - Light - Fire
 * 10 Ki.
 * Nearby allies gain a +2 untyped bonus to attack, saves, and skills for 60 seconds.
 * Remember that helpful monk buffs such as this can not be dispelled by enemy spell casters, including beholders.


 * Moment of Clarity
 * Combination: Void - Light - Void
 * Nearby allies gain a +5 Insight bonus to attack and skills for a short time (15 seconds).

Path of Inevitable Dominion Finishers

 * Touch of Despair
 * Combination: Dark - Dark - Dark
 * 10 Ki.
 * You strike your opponent down with a terrible curse, halving all positive energy healing done to the target, reducing its fortification and increasing its negative energy vulnerability by 25%.
 * A successful Fortitude save negates this effect. (DC 10 + Monk Level + Wisdom mod) The target receives periodic saves to attempt to break free of this effect.


 * Pain Touch
 * Combination: Earth - Dark - Earth
 * 10 Ki.
 * Target is nauseated for 60 seconds.
 * Periodic Fortitude saves to negate.


 * Falling Star Strike
 * Combination: Air - Dark - Air
 * 10 Ki.
 * Target is blinded for 60 seconds.
 * Periodic Fortitude saves to negate.


 * Freezing the Lifeblood
 * Combination: Water - Dark - Water
 * 10 Ki.
 * Target is paralyzed and helpless for 60 seconds.
 * Humanoid targets only. Periodic Fortitude save to negate.


 * Karmic Strike
 * Combination: Fire - Dark - Fire
 * 10 Ki.
 * The attack is automatically a critical threat (like a +20 critical range boost), but the monk can be automatically critically hit if they are struck within 3 seconds.
 * Fortification is reduced by 100%
 * Apparently the benefit may be broken as of Update 7.


 * Curse of the Void
 * Combination: Void - Dark - Void
 * Your opponent is confused, and possibly charmed for a short time (60 seconds?).
 * A Will Save (DC 10 + Monk level + Wisdom bonus) negates this effect.
 * Each time the target takes damage there is a chance that they will break free of this effect.

Level 20 Finishing Move

 * Shining Star
 * Combination: Earth - Air - Fire
 * 10 Ki.
 * You use the combined power of Earth, Wind, and Fire to set up harmonic vibrations within your enemy that force them to dance. A successful Will save negates this effect. (DC 10 + Monk Level + Charisma mod)
 * This final finishing move mimics the effect of Otto's Irresistable Dance on one target. It is the only attack where monks use their CHA ability for the DC.