Curse

The Josip · Dec 30, 2009, 12:32 AM // 00:32

I know there are areas with a lot of enchant removal, but a lot of areas, especially Prophecies, don't seem to be heavy on enchant removal even in HM. At least it's my observation.

So how come Life Bond, Life Barrier, or both (with Essence Bond and Mantra), are not used? I never see monk using that.

What did I miss from being away for so long time? In HM monsters hit more frequently, so one would think that bonds help even more so?

maxxfury · Dec 30, 2009, 12:37 AM // 00:37

I think Sy has a lot to do with that, and the buff to some enchant removals that mobs carry. Sy does a killer job and has a LOT less counters than a bonder does. Along with the other front/midline buffs to defense its really not as useful as it was in most areas.

Tho i think in Doa(and soem other sc's) they still routinely bring a bonder? been a while xD

Or the fact the Er infoozer run prot bond way better than a monk can and takes their place in Sc's

Darkkis · Dec 30, 2009, 12:43 AM // 00:43

Even in prophecies they have chillbains and let me tell you that is one nasty spell when monsters use it. Since they don't seem to have any energy problems...ever.

The Josip · Dec 30, 2009, 12:47 AM // 00:47

Nah chillbains is rare and you just dont take bonder where they spam that skill. I was just curious why no one uses it in any normal mission or quest. Is it because in HM protective spirit does the job anyway?

TalanRoarer · Dec 30, 2009, 12:52 AM // 00:52

Closest thing you'll see nowadays is Ether Renewal Healers keeping Prot bond up on a party.

IronSheik · Dec 30, 2009, 01:02 AM // 01:02

Because in a smart team a regular prot monk does better.

A team with a good frontliner only needs a single PS, instead of bonding the whole backline and spamming blessed sig, NF EoTN and factions came out.

Lord Xivor · Dec 30, 2009, 01:20 AM // 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenC777

Closest thing you'll see nowadays is Ether Renewal Healers keeping Prot bond up on a party.

Not entirely accurate. A bonder is part of the standards "Dayway" UWSC that is currently used to speed through UW in 30 mins. A bonder is also used to farm part of DoA in the "SF/Command" farm build.

But yes, they are not as widespread as the old days. However, they have found some use in specialized scenarios.

zelgadissan · Dec 30, 2009, 01:24 AM // 01:24

Power creep made bonds either too slow or too irrelevant.

Zodiac Meteor · Dec 30, 2009, 03:28 AM // 03:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Josip

Nah chillbains is rare and you just dont take bonder where they spam that skill. I was just curious why no one uses it in any normal mission or quest. Is it because in HM protective spirit does the job anyway?

Chilblains are freaking everywhere, half of the NPC necros across 4 campaigns has it. The NPC's will spam the skill on recharge, it is extremely annoying!

Skyy High · Dec 30, 2009, 05:43 AM // 05:43

Because it's annoying as all f*** to maintain it, and at their best bonds are just a crutch for bad monks who can't prot properly.

the_jos · Dec 30, 2009, 10:05 AM // 10:05

Bonding was mainly used for farming in Proph. Nowadays you take a perma, no more need for bonders.

If you need a bonder, even in HM, you need to reconsider your team build I'd say (except in specific situations/teams/areas). There are many ways to soak damage more efficient than with bonds.

Xenomortis · Dec 30, 2009, 02:18 PM // 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor

Chilblains are freaking everywhere, half of the NPC necros across 4 campaigns has it. The NPC's will spam the skill on recharge, it is extremely annoying!

Eh?
From memory:
Skelks in EotN dungeons.
Mandragor Imps in NF.
Outcasts in Factions.
Bog Skale Blighters in Proph.

None of those guys are particularly threatening. It's when you encounter other forms of enchantment removal against harder enemies.

J I L T · Jan 01, 2010, 01:37 PM // 13:37

I still bond occasionally mostly when I h/h darkrime delves and ooze pit because of all the aoe armor ignoring damage paragons and regular protects aren't very effective. But for general play bonding is pretty subpar because even light enchantment removal makes it impractical. Plus bonds mostly shine where there's lots of aoe damage and in those situations groups will just use a tank making the regular single target protects more effective.

AndroBubbles · Jan 02, 2010, 09:38 AM // 09:38

In areas with high elemental damage and minimal enchantment removal, a Barrier monk is extremely helpful.

I was actually considering testing that in Kathandrax soon, since runs seem to be less available than before.

Arkantos · Jan 02, 2010, 10:21 AM // 10:21

Why waste a party slot for a bonder that slowly has to enchant the party when you can just bring SY, which reduces damage more? Bonders are dead in PvE.

The Josip · Jan 02, 2010, 11:11 AM // 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkantos

Why waste a party slot for a bonder that slowly has to enchant the party when you can just bring SY, which reduces damage more? Bonders are dead in PvE.

In that case why bring monk anyway just bring E/Mo.

HigherMinion · Jan 02, 2010, 08:37 PM // 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Josip

In that case why bring monk anyway just bring E/Mo.

Because monking is usually sufficient, and ER/infuse bonding can be challenging if you don't know how to play it properly. Also everyone l0vezz nukez

MasterSasori · Jan 03, 2010, 04:29 AM // 04:29

Because SY makes paras, wars, sins, dervs, rangers able to prot the team. Although certain classes do it better than others.

Bonding is also not necessary with the whole HB and UA monk teams.

And if they need real crazy prot/heal, they would go ER infuser.

So bonding is out of fashion.

Little Wibblets · Jan 05, 2010, 01:02 PM // 13:02

As a Monk Player I found it helpful to run the Mo/Me Bonder with Discord H/H.

I put the two Bonds on each Necro and BS on me (7 Bonds) and point the Necros at a target.

I still have plenty of energy to spam You Move Like a Dwarf and Finish Him.

This made Distruction Depths a Breeze.

As noted, bonds probably aren't full time but they definitely have there place.

Also, this same set up above makes Assault on the Stronghold a snap. Just put the two bonds on the Juggernaut and he will take out barrier without even dieing once.

Deatgs Corrupter · Jan 17, 2010, 05:40 PM // 17:40

i still bond in Hm because a) if u have lag at least people don't take too much damage, and
b) if im pugging and there are 3 monks in our team i will bond the tank if he is not sf.
however the point is bonders are not needed because most tanks are SF sins who dont need bonds most of the time and the res of the team don't need bonds cos the mobs hardly ever break agro if people use cop/manly spike