1st edition doesn't support "builds" really – every monk is the same, except stats and HP. Gear is harder to control and there's less of it that's of interst for customization, too. The meteor hammer is probably covering that end, though.

The first edition monk was pretty sweet. You get a percent chance to outright stun or kill any humanoid target with an unarmed strike, for one, and this includes everything up to gods if they take human form. You're boned if it's a dragon or something though.

Darts are probably your best bet for a decent weapon off the bat to keep you alive for now. But this is all from memory and helping a friend pull out a monk recently.