Way of the Elegant Crane

The Way of the Elegant Crane helps Monks to generate more ki through critical hits at the cost of fortitude. A follower of the Way of the Elegant Crane, combined with the proper channeling of ki, is a formidable foe.

This enhancement is available for any Monk at level 2 and does not require choosing a philosophy. The Crane path is an excellent option for any Monk philosophy, whether rapidly generating ki is needed to empower their Healing Ki or to use attacks such as Touch of Death to eliminate enemies with quick finality. The loss of Fortitude is negligible as Monks gain improved saves as they level. Items can compensate for the lost saving throw points.

Critical hits occur more often if targets are stunned or otherwise debilitated. Monks in the Crane animal path will need to focus on tactics that give greater critical hit opportunities for the path to work effectively.

Way of the Elegant Crane I

 * Usage: Passive
 * AP Cost: 1 action point
 * Progression: 3 action points
 * Available to Monk class level 2

Like a crane, you strike with precision and elegance. You gain +1 to your Diplomacy skill, and generate 1 additional Ki on critical hits. Your training has left you more fragile than normal, however, and you have a -1 penalty to Fortitude saves. You may only study one animal path.

Way of the Elegant Crane II

 * Usage: Passive
 * AP Cost: 2 action points
 * Progression: 14 action points
 * Requires All of: Way of the Elegant Crane I
 * Available to Monk class level 5

Like a crane, you strike with precision and elegance. You gain an additional +1 to your Diplomacy skill, bringing your total increase to 2, and now generate 2 additional Ki on critical hits. Your training has left you more fragile than normal, however, and you have a -2 penalty to Fortitude saves.

Way of the Elegant Crane III

 * Usage: Passive
 * Cost: 3 action points
 * Spent: 33 action points
 * Requires All of: Way of the Elegant Crane II
 * Available to Monk class level 10

Like a celestial crane, you strike with precision and elegance. You gain an additional +1 to your Diplomacy skill, bringing your total increase to 3, and now generate 3 additional Ki on critical hits. Your training has left you more fragile than normal, however, and you have a -3 penalty to Fortitude saves.

Way of the Elegant Crane IV

 * Usage: Passive
 * AP Cost: 4 action points
 * Progression: 52 action points
 * Requires All of: Way of the Elegant Crane III
 * Available to Monk class level 15

Like a celestial crane, you strike with precision and elegance. You gain an additional +1 to your Diplomacy skill, bringing your total increase to 4, and now generate 4 additional Ki on critical hits. Your training has left you more fragile than normal, however, and you have a -4 penalty to Fortitude saves.

Source: http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/