I'm currently Human mostly because the experience gain is slightly better and because it was a good warrior race. However, I'm thinking maybe I should pick a race that compliments the fact that I'm now a Nekotai - I'm worried about my statistical survivability to damage. I'm a Psychometabolism user, but I can't help but figure I may want or need more.

I'm really coming to ask what you guys think: I'm considering going Loboshigaru again. It yielded great results as a Tahtetso with Harmony, but I'm not sure if it would be as good as a Nekotai. As I understand, the level 2 magic weakness would be noticable in combat, and that concerns me because my man interest in PK. I'm only trying to steadily level to Demigod as I go because Monk bashing is bearable and ridiculously fast.

What are some other options for me? Illithoid is a very, very, very slim possibility, but let us assume that is already brought to the table.

In my experience as a monk (pre-Momentum), Acrobatics was the main go-to skill for PK solely because of the dodging, tripleflash, and hyperactive. All of those have probably been nerfed at one point or another, however, and Psymet has received many nice buffs in the process, making it a solid competitor. It certainly has more raw DMP on its side.

I don't have experience with Illithoid. With Loboshigaru, you will have at least a level 4 health regeneration from Racial + Mercy, which pales to your level 7 from Harmony. Loboshigaru have nice STR and DEX and CON, a good monk race if you pick your battles (IE, watch for Moondancers and Viynain). As it stands, Monks are pretty capable of keeping a person tied down to not worry too much about retributive damage, but that'll change with some monk nerfs currently coming down the tubes.

All in all: Human suffices but may not be optimum. Loboshigaru will be good but you'll have a painful weakness you'd have to work to offset.

Imo, go Illithoid. Best race for Nekotai. Bash a little, I can borrow you my crown for some extra health, etc.

Hmm, besides Lobo and Illithoid, are there any other good options?

I've been aslaran. Not terrible, not great. I've seen a few Krokani ones too, but the low int was supposedly painful.

you don't really need better balance as a monk, if you have 110 speed weapons, you are already hella fast. You should find a balanced, tanky race. The races I would suggest would be
Krokani
Loboshigaru
Illithoid

If you really just want to bash, you could also add like
Orclach
Tae'dae
Igasho


to your list.

Be a Dwarf. The loss of balance isn't great, but it's not earth-shattering. And with the new brewmeister trade, you will take reduced damage and can deal increased damage the more drunk you are.

that, and theres very few dwarves around right now.

Explain how I can take Brewmeister as a Monk, please.

You wouldn't like to take it anyway, even if you could. Strength and dexterity of 10 would be quite terrible for a monk.

Anyway, I'm still a human psymet monk and I think it's quite okay. At level 87 I need only Enhancement (which no longer require a locked channel) and Yellow to raise the three important stats for a monk to 16, which is quite nice.

I have been considering reincarnation anyway, though.

OK-- I've thought a ton about this and have done some research as well. As for monk (at least nekotai / ninjakari) you want a race with three decent stats: dex, str, and con. In terms of Str+Dex, think cumulatively (meaning add the two together, and then compare the cumulative results from one race to the next).

Do that and you'll get illithoid on top, with lobo and krokani just beneath, and then aslaran a distant "third" place. Dunno about human-- not sure about their evolution. Let me explain what you might find with each.

Illithoid and lobo might seem comparable at first-- same con and similar dex+sstr. The standout is that illithoid have illdrain, which will inflate your ego to nearly 7000 at level 85, compared to a lobo's 3500. You will notice a tremendous difference while buffing up (and perhaps if someone can bleed you out of ego if you use blood boil). Illithoid also have more int, also good for clotting (if you can't blood boil) and focusing.

As if that wasn't enough, they have weapon specialization... AND level 2 regen while underground. Considering you may do some time bashing gorgogs and UV-- that is nearly the same as lobo's level 3. Speaking of, illithiod have mindsense-- a skill which is indispensable while bashing in the UV where you can keep an "eye" out to see if anyone is approaching to gank you. Lobo's seem a little more heartier with a few more resistances... their main benefit is their str-- I seem to kill things faster.

Aslaran are squisy... and I don't know their faster balance times compensate; though they have decent int & awesome cha in comparison. Krokani have less cha than even a lobo, and are severely lacking on int. Neither really standout compared against illithoids & lobos.

In comparing all of these races, I am somewhat shocked that illithoid have as much con as they do-- I mean, they are heartier than all of these above mentioned races, even krokani. Illithoid are so, so powerful... that anything else is a downgrade in terms of hunting & combat ability. Ask me later... but I'll post how much health I regain with enchantments + psymet regen + racial regen as a lobo nekotai.

Illithoid CON was maybe two, three points lower originally. Magnagora complained that it was too small to justify the magic weakness, CON got buffed. It's a pretty nice race all in all.

The weapon specialization is appealing. It's looking like a contest between Lobo and Illithoid, at this rate.

Umm, you can't. But you can still drink the ale that makes you stronger the more drunk you are, and as a Dwarf you already have the tolerance and resistance to damage the more drunk you are, which is what i meant in the first place.

As a point of interest, with Perfection and Illithoid's level 2 regeneration, an Illithoid Nekotai/Ninjakari can keep Awareness up non-stop while in the Undervault (watch your willpower, of course).

Level 2 regeneration-- does that include health, mana, & ego?

DRATS-- what did I give up!

That damage resistance would not nearly make up for the loss of damage dealt because of the non-existent dexterity that dwarves have.

As for Lobo vs. Illithoid, it seems like you'd just have to try both out and see whatcha get. The bottomless pit of HP that a lobo has or the slightly better damage dealer of the Illithoid. I'd say expirement.

Wrong... I'm willing to wager a thousand gold or so that psymet lobo with a strength enhancement can straight outdamage a psymet illithoid with strength in hunting (and probably also damage based katas such as an oothai). This goes to highlight the very underrated importance of strength.

As a lobo, I feel like mobs die faster than they did when I was illithoid. I did some tests once, but no longer have the data to support these claims. I think Izekeal was the person who woke me up to this fact.

Also, lobo has the same con as illithoid, plus I think they would get a few more HP based on the fact they are a larger size (which carries a small health bonus from what I remember). So, I think your point is moot.

Health change only comes from a change in size.

Oh? Hrm... I stand corrected.

Oh, one more thing, don't forget if you're a psymet about the large ego value to bloodboil.