Curse

Ez now · May 03, 2009, 05:24 PM // 17:24

Not sure if this is the right forum, so if it isn't, sorry

I recently made a monk, which I plan on levelling to level 20, getting a decent build, then playing through some storylines. But I discovered today, that I absolutely FAIL at playing a monk. I usually click the skills to use them, but i've discovered this won't work at all, because i need to click on the party members name, then the skill, and I can't do it fast enough under pressure. I've tried doing the skills by pressing the numbers, but I still can't switch between members fast enough. So does anyone have any tips on how to play a monk well/better than i'm doing (Shouldn't be hard). (Don't say don't play a monk, it's the only one I haven't had a chance to use, and I really want to play it)

Thanks in advance (Sorry if it's wrong forum ^^)

byteme! · May 03, 2009, 05:27 PM // 17:27

This probably be better suited for the monk forum. You'll probably get better answers there. Besides the answer(s) to your broad question, "How to play monk in PvE" are rather large. You can literally write a book about it. Start with the monk forum as suggested and have a read through it. It'll cover more then what you'll probably get from any single individual. I'm tempted to help you myself but after realizing how much typing I'd be required to do I opted to direct you in the right direction instead.

Verene · May 03, 2009, 05:29 PM // 17:29

My tip would be to go into the game options, and under control, you can bind each party member to a key. Then just hit that key and the skill you want to use.

At the very least, bind "Target Party Member-Next" and "Target Party Member-Previous" to hotkeys. Then you can cycle through them as needed.

Also, V will select the closest ally.

Alleji · May 03, 2009, 05:39 PM // 17:39

1. Flag your Koss into a mob
2. Chain Healing Seed/SoA on him
3. Receive Cake

Hard Mode:
1. Flag your Koss into a mob
2. Cast PS on Koss
3. Chain Healing Seed/SoA on him
optional: more prot spirit = more winning
4. Receive Cake

On a side note, in my experience trying to play prot in PvE will actually negatively affect your ability to prot in PvP (if you ever plan to get into that). A lot of monsters obstruct your view of the field because they are so big and force you into the habit of red bar protting.

eldrethv · May 03, 2009, 05:57 PM // 17:57

I put my 3-4 most efficient heals in skill slots 1-3/4.
Run with "R" and stop running with "R"
Use one hand for those 3-4 skills and running

Then use your other hand to select party members and direct your character in whichever direction with your mouse.

Thats just how I do it

But really.. I never heal when playing PvE anymore
It's boooring

Ku Ku · May 03, 2009, 06:01 PM // 18:01

I do similar to the above.

I have my 3/4 main skills on the number keys 1-4, and anything i have to concentrate or time to cast towards the end i.e. res, energy gain spells etc and I click those when needed or move my hand along the buttons a bit :P

I then have the party member's grid quite wide so I can really see their health bars and i use the mouse to click on party members

cataphract · May 03, 2009, 06:10 PM // 18:10

All sound advice, but they missed two very important things.

First: leave Healing Breeze in Presearing,
Second: leave Shield of Regeneration in Normal Mode,
Third: do not Rebirth in the middle of a battle.

Three things. Yes.

Aljasha · May 03, 2009, 06:13 PM // 18:13

protective spirit and aegis chain is key.

Empress Amarox · May 03, 2009, 06:15 PM // 18:15

First of all... You shouldn't be clicking skills at all, that's very inefficient for any class.

You can click the members on the party menu... It's generally what most Monks do. If you suck too bad to do that, then either practice or choose a different class.

Keeping a team alive isn't entirely the Monk's responsibility, though many noobs think this. It's actually the entire team's responsibility... So, chances are it may not just be you.

When needing to infuse spikes, (e.g. for high end play, gvg, ha, etc.) I have my party members bound to my numpad. I'll move with wasd and keep my right hand on my numpad. Someone gets spiked, hit number and hit the key to infuse at the same time. Much faster than clicking once you get use to it. A lot of Monks use this method. Tip: To help better prepare yourself for a spike, rather than relying solely on twitching the infuse, don't watch your team mate's health bars constantly. Watch the game... Are there Warriors running towards one of your team mates? Are there casters using spells you know are going to severely hurt someone? Watch the other team, and you will know when a spike is going to happen and more times than not, who it is going to be on.

You should not need that for PvE though. If your team is under such extreme pressure that you can't even click them, then that is the team's fault, not yours.

I could go on about how to play Monk for days, but it's kinda pointless... You'll figure out most things through play. Just get less crappy teams and make sure you're using decent skills and that you understand what they do.

If people are dying before you can even click them, maybe you need Life Bond? Maybe Protective Spirit? If you aren't even level 20, there should be absolutely no need for such things. People should just learn to pull mobs and not agro the entire map. I've never had problems monking... Ever. Especially in PvE... Good god... I could fall asleep monking in PvE.

Arad Lightbringer · May 03, 2009, 06:22 PM // 18:22

I have played my monk almost religiously for 3 years, and by now it becomes second nature. I still use the mouse to choose my targets via the bar, then click skills. It's all about muscle memory. Playing through a campaign (preferably starting and going through all of prophecies to start) will definately help build up both your confidence and your 'healing mechanics'.

Once healing becomes automatic with a build (I started with a simple WoH set, but this may be proven obsolete due to the times) try changing to a different one. If you've played with the first build constantly, your brain should know exactly where each spell is, and you could get mixed up very easily at the start. However, as you get better, you're ability to adapt to whatever skill set you want will not be a problem.

This will NOT help you at all in PvP however. I abhor PvP monking, and would be useless to critique you in that field.

Of course, you could try assigning certain people to certain numbers, but I personally have been successful using simpler methods. Remember: a full red bar is a happy bar!

Nihilim Dhiamara · May 03, 2009, 06:44 PM // 18:44

I put my strongest heals in 1-4 hold my left hand on them an klick on party members with mouse and move with mouse.

own age myname · May 03, 2009, 08:48 PM // 20:48

I click on my skills all the time. I'm actually a lot faster at it then buttons. I tried buttons for a few weeks and it didn't stick to me. But if teamed up with me, be it PvE or PvP, you wouldn't notice the difference.

The best thing to do is get some RA experiance maybe? Sure you might get flamed but it helps you still.

idicious · May 04, 2009, 02:38 AM // 02:38

For HA I put my 3 main heals/prot on q,e and r, and usually a utility on f, then key the rest to 1-4 and you'll have your most used skills right at your finger tips (infuse, spirit bond, pnh, woh, wow etc.) and the rest on easy to reach keyes while clicking on party window. That is ofcourse if you move with wasd.

cataphract · May 04, 2009, 06:05 AM // 06:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aljasha

protective spirit and aegis chain is key.

I stand corrected. Five things.

glacialphoenix · May 04, 2009, 11:18 AM // 11:18

I put the skills I need the most right in range of my fingertips so I can click fast - the mouse is for me to select team members. That way I can get both at once. (It is, by the way, possible to click skills and your party members fast enough - but I only do that when I'm manualling Tahlky - all the twitchier skills go on my bar, at my fingertips.)

dansamy · May 04, 2009, 11:28 AM // 11:28

Well, I have always clicked to move, select party members and select skills. I've played monk for many PvP groups ranging in skill from unranked to r9+ HA groups and top 50 guilds. It's a matter of hand-eye coordination, I suppose. Granted, I no longer play PvP with the changes to GvG and HA being unpalatable at best. I, personally, rearranged my GUI to make it simpler. My mini-map, party menu and skills are all on the right side of my screen. I used to keep my health and energy over there too, but it interfered with my enchantments area. However, if you find that you are simply not quick enough to click the party member and the skill, the best option is to bind your skills to some easily accessible keys.

Wish Swiftdeath · May 04, 2009, 02:03 PM // 14:03

I usually select team members with 12345tgh(if i know the people i'm playing with/taking it seriously), otherwise i click on the party bar.

I bind skills qwerasdf(1-8) with my powerheals/ohshit skills on qwer

Sol Solus · May 04, 2009, 04:40 PM // 16:40

Train on the keys for a little while and you'll wonder why you used to hunt-and-click everything. Start with the first 4 skills as suggested above then move on, but plan ahead so you're not training yourself to a setup you'll have to abandon later because it doesn't have room for improvement.

Now getting a little advanced, this is my one-handed setup:
Skills 1-4 = E,R,3,4
Skill 5 = F
Skill 6-8 = Q,1,2
Target Party Previous/Next = X/C
Move/turn with ASDW

Yichi · May 04, 2009, 05:03 PM // 17:03

Read Me: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10222589

J I L T · May 05, 2009, 12:55 AM // 00:55

You could use party wide heals since they don't require a target or you could just lighten the healing burden on yourself by taking an extra paragon, ritualist or monk until you get used to things. You could also play around with your interface. I use the mouse myself mostly because I just like to use 1 hand. I find it more relaxing. Also I don't use a mouse pad since it slows me down and messes me up sometimes.

Quote:

Watch the game... Are there Warriors running towards one of your team mates? Are there casters using spells you know are going to severely hurt someone? Watch the other team, and you will know when a spike is going to happen and more times than not, who it is going to be on.

Best tip given especially if you're using protection prayers.