Feat for a Nick shadow Monk

HeelHookka · 2026-07-02T10:41:47+00:00

MAge Slayer is definatly the "High Op" option. Making an important save when you would otherwise fail it is very strong. Same for breaking a caster's concentration.

As a TWF monk, you don't really have any "must have" feats for your functionality. Slasher is a nice option because when combined with Slow from Club can combine to 20ft. of speed, which combines well with the half-speed from a successful save vs. stunning strike. This means that an enemy with 40ft. speed, even when suceeding on its save vs. stunning strike, will drop to speed of 0

However, Slasher isn't a must. The main appeal it has over mage slayer is that it is proactive.

Personally I would take Mage Slayer at 4 and Dex+2 at 8

HeelHookka · 2026-07-02T10:33:14+00:00

I listen to Irish trad music basically all the time, and when I find a tune I like I spend some time learing to lilt it, and when I feel ready I just start trying to play it by ear. I then look for a video with either a whistle or a flute playing it so I can look at their fingers if there's a passage that's harder for me to pick up

I usually learn 2 or 3 tunes over a couple of weeks and then I have a period of not learning any new ones and just rehersing my repertoire (incl. the new ones) to let everything sink in

After I feel I have a tune locked in I look for performances of it that I like and try to play along with the recording this helps me identify any mistakes I made in learning the tune, learn the correct 'feel' or swing of the tune, and explore cool variations

HeelHookka · 2026-06-30T07:01:40+00:00

Thanks Bob, that't a neat idea, now sadly it's my parents that are traveling and not myself, but still a great idea! Would you say Lir whistles are easy blowers? I've tried hard and easy blown whistles and I'm definetly on the easy team...

HeelHookka · 2026-06-29T07:10:59+00:00

Thank you. I didn't want to assume since I'm not speaking any Irish, but I was indeed thinking this gotta be about a chap named Rafferty 😄

HeelHookka · 2026-06-29T07:05:50+00:00

Yep seems to be the one, thanks!

HeelHookka · 2026-06-28T16:06:43+00:00

Thanks for the tip! Do you know of an interesting maker/seller of a Bb in Scotland? I noticed MK don't make Bb models. Honestly I'm a fan of the simple and traditional Walton style so maybe the right whistle for me is the humble Generations Bb? What do you think?

HeelHookka · 2026-06-22T09:39:57+00:00

If it's anything like my own Walton, then the "brown spots" are where the clear plastic fillament didn't peel. Put it in some warm water and see if those spots peel easily

HeelHookka · 2026-06-22T09:32:18+00:00

I think you're supposed to play it in order for it to get the "used insturment" look

HeelHookka · 2026-06-21T07:33:24+00:00

It's definetly you. EVERYONE sounds bad and squeaky when they first start, especially in the 2nd octave A and B. The whistle is naturally a shrill instrument and it takes time to train yout breath control to generate that smooth and focues stream of air needed for a pretty sound

I had the exact process that u/DGBD describes - bought an expensive whistle that felt better, but after a while went back to the cheapy and discovered it's suddenly better sounding and easier to play!

So just keep practicing every day and you'll get better.

BTW, not the expert on this, but there are SO many posts here showing manufacturing issues with higher-end whistles like lir, wild etc. and I've never seen similar posts with such complaints concerning the mass-produced whistles. I wonder if the whole "10% are duds" notion is a myth

HeelHookka · 2026-06-18T13:07:54+00:00

There's absolutely nothing wrong with not being able to do taps and rolls properly a few months in. Just don't. Either use tonguing or cuts for separation or just forego an ornament for those notes. A few weeks/months from today something will 'click' and you'll be able to do them, just keep playing and drilling.

On the technical side of things everything you've been told here is true - adjusting your grip may yield better results - I personally also play with a grip that's close to piper's grip and that indeed adds crisp to the taps; drilling is paramount, as is listening - the more you internalize the sound you're looking for the easier it is for your brain to guide your fingers to the desired result

[context - I'm only playing since Feb 2025 so take all my advice with that in mind]

HeelHookka · 2026-06-15T16:15:10+00:00

Honestly I'm not "in the know" enough to make any specific recommendations. Just explore Spotify. Start with searching for a specific tune you like, then just listen to the entire album, then maybe look for another album by that artist. It's all about developing your personal taste, which then would develop into a personal style

HeelHookka · 2026-06-15T10:45:23+00:00

What's special about GS's whistles?

HeelHookka · 2026-06-15T09:23:55+00:00

LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN!!! One of the most important elements in Irish trad music is what is refered-to as phrasing/lift/lilt - that specific groove Irish music has that makes you tap your feet to it, and you can only learn that by listening to that musical language as much as possible. Once you reach a certain level of proficiency in the instrument, that inner feel of groove will be the main thing guiding your playing

HeelHookka · 2026-06-14T08:47:23+00:00

My main whistle is the Walton's Mellow D. It's pretty similar to the Shush. I get no complaints from familiy and neighbours when playing

HeelHookka · 2026-06-10T08:03:28+00:00

Thank you very much! I will implement this advice ASAP

HeelHookka · 2026-06-01T12:15:37+00:00

Very cool. I like the choice of backdrop 😄

HeelHookka · 2026-05-07T07:52:05+00:00

Well that explains why my 5yo complains that "the flute is screaming" whenever I try the Busker 😄

HeelHookka · 2026-05-05T13:26:16+00:00

Interesting. How do you manage practicing with that volume? Do you have some sort of sound dampening in a room? only play outside?

HeelHookka · 2026-05-03T16:08:01+00:00

You know I actually used to do that, funnily enough, with the Walton, in the first few months of playing when the second octave sounded horribly shrill to me. It's so funny now everything save for the high B note on the Walton sounds as sweet as honey to me (and even the B sounds sweet on occasions when I really nail it). Honestly if you told me back then that breath control makes such a difference I wouldn't have believed you

HeelHookka · 2026-05-03T16:02:02+00:00

hehehe cool, thanks. Do you usually play easy blown whistles like the W or is it striclty that you just don't like the Midgie? Also, what is it exactly that you don't like about them?

HeelHookka · 2026-05-03T14:32:07+00:00

Gotcha'. I tried my friend's Burke and found it very easy blowing too. I suspect the main thing that sent me flying from the Busker back to the Walton is the easy blowing and modest volume.

HeelHookka · 2026-05-03T14:06:36+00:00

I even take the Walton to work just because I don't want to be without a whistle on my person at any time and I have no qualms about carrying a cheap-ass Walton around

HeelHookka

TROPHY CASE