Curse

Lishy · Jan 27, 2009, 10:39 PM // 22:39

[Kain Xy's Skills;OwUTIUHDRynZJw6TNCvi6bts6DA]

[Olias;OANCUstzU4oKHQDVVaSLJmA]

[Tahlkora;OwUTMoGD3RjQX3IT/7WczEETAA]

[Dunkoro;OwUTMIHD3xnhSs+qR8K1v6LTAA]

My first time playing a caster in a long time. Though I keep dying against destroyers, and I'll admit: I'm a SYtard not use to the lack of SY.

Controls are also hard to manage on my monk when having to swap between clicking my party and using skills against enemies for things like smite condition.

Tips?

Ariena Najea · Jan 27, 2009, 10:57 PM // 22:57

As a long-time Monk, I have found that you have few offensive options if you are the only player, and that ironically running a defensive build is more effective. I almost always run either a prot build of some kind or a [[Word of Healing] hybrid.

I have found the most effective setup for most areas is to run a full prot build (I favor dual bonding here), run three [[Discord] heroes, and fill up with healing/utility henchmen for your remaining slots. If you have your Discord heroes loaded up with some passive defensive abilities like Wards, Weapon Spells, and Chants you should be fine defensively in almost all areas, and still be doing some nice damage through the heroes.

kostolomac · Jan 27, 2009, 11:00 PM // 23:00

The lack of weakness and [Protective Spirit] is disturbing.

glacialphoenix · Jan 27, 2009, 11:55 PM // 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariena Najea

As a long-time Monk, I have found that you have few offensive options if you are the only player, and that ironically running a defensive build is more effective. I almost always run either a prot build of some kind or a Word of Healing
hybrid.

This.

Also, I set all my heroes to defensive, unless they're backliners, in which case they're set to passive. Then I ping targets for the heroes - and in some cases, lock them onto a specific target. It's much easier than me doing any form of smiting damage and trying to get Tahlky to heal at the same time.

Daenara · Jan 28, 2009, 12:16 AM // 00:16

I always find that when I am using h/h, that I am better off running a hybrid bar, and letting the heroes take care of the damage. First of all, you will always be a better monk than a hero, as you can preprot, remove important conditions/hexes, and just generally prioritise. Tahlkoras bar is quite weak, especially considering destroyers hit for alot! Skills like [Aegis] or [protective spirit] are excellent vs the destroyers, as the flesh and sinews hurt like a mofo. A generic WoH hybrid bar is excellent in these conditions.

Your MM bar could do with some improvements. If you're going to be running death nova and bombing, you could replace the bone horrors with minions (because you want them to die anyway :O) Aura of the Lich is, well.. pretty meh. I know it was buffed recently, but, I just feel as though there are better options to go in the elite spot, especially against destroyers - [Icy Veins] or [Discord] for example. The rest of his bar could do with some work - I would replace succor and remove hex with either [Aegis] and [convert hexes], or [pwk] and [weapon of warding].

Basically there are better options for PvE then smite. I would suggest a curses necro, with [barbs], [mark of pain] and [enfeebling blood].

For your last slot, there are many different options. I have never been a fan of the restoration necro in sabway if you are playing a monk, so I normally run a physical. If you're having problems with casters, try a BHA ranger or a stunning strike paragon.

I hope this helps a little, please forgive the long post and the rambling.

Pip Squeak · Jan 28, 2009, 02:24 AM // 02:24

For Destroyers, a prot monk is VERY important. Keys skills to have are [protective spirit], [spirit bond], and [aegis] (or [guardian]). Run them on a prot monk. And never bring a fire ele, destroyers are immune to fire damage. AoE is also good too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daenara

For your last slot, there are many different options. I have never been a fan of the restoration necro in sabway if you are playing a monk, so I normally run a physical.

I totally agree with this statement though. I totally hate it when people bring those sabway builds, gives me nothing to do =/ But since they're smiter it doesn't really matter. So a /rit with [shelter] could also work for party-wide prot spirit. I hope I helped =)

faraaz · Jan 28, 2009, 08:02 AM // 08:02

[Shelter] lasts a grand total of 3 seconds in HM with multiple Destroyers of Flesh (with hax0r 100 blades dmg) wailing on your entire backline.

Stick to [Protective Spirit].

Also, you need some [Enfeebling Blood] in there (its kinda like SY!Lite), not to mention some kind of interrupts on your heros/henches. If you are in EoTN, Zho performs admirably, otherwise Gwen with a [Tease] build is really good.

Also, your Olias bar sucks. MM in HM is for relieving pressure on party members, and nothing works quite as good as a [Jagged Bones] MM (who can also bring the prot spirit) btw.

Age · Jan 28, 2009, 08:18 AM // 08:18

You aren't sucking you are just using the wrong heros use Necros instead and use draw conditions on one of them.

Snow Bunny · Jan 28, 2009, 03:39 PM // 15:39

Make sure you have [word of healing], and that your party has [death nova][enfeebling blood][barbs] and [mark of pain].

Stick to monking, not damage.

blue.rellik · Jan 29, 2009, 02:36 AM // 02:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pip Squeak

For Destroyers, a prot monk is VERY important. Keys skills to have are [protective spirit], [spirit bond], and [aegis] (or [guardian]). Run them on a prot monk. And never bring a fire ele, destroyers are immune to fire damage. AoE is also good too.

I totally agree with this statement though. I totally hate it when people bring those sabway builds, gives me nothing to do =/ But since they're smiter it doesn't really matter. So a /rit with [shelter] could also work for party-wide prot spirit. I hope I helped =)

Destroyers highly resist fire damage, not immune to it. They're immune to burning

Age · Jan 29, 2009, 08:45 AM // 08:45

You can go do damage if you want if you don't use restore conditions.

the_jos · Jan 29, 2009, 10:42 AM // 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kain Fz

My first time playing a caster in a long time. Though I keep dying against destroyers, and I'll admit: I'm a SYtard not use to the lack of SY.

Controls are also hard to manage on my monk when having to swap between clicking my party and using skills against enemies for things like smite condition.

I would go pure offense or pure defense if I were you.
Not some build where you have to switch between party and opponents.
I would not bring a smiter hero against destroyers, but that's my opinion.

Now more in depth to the problem.
First of all, destroyers don't burn. So RoJ only gives the holy damage, not the burning. I would take pure armor ignoring damage.
Second, destroyers use a skill that heals them. If you want to smite, abuse that knowledge.
Third, your build lacks protection, as already pointed out by others This is important since you only bring caster heroes and those are hit hard.
Protective spirit, Enfeeble Blood and skills like that save lives.

Fourth, let me go into the party switching more.
What you as monk need to learn (but it takes a while) is to observe what happens on the playing field. How are foes positioned and how does that affect your party. Which can be hit by what foe. It's no use to put Reversal of Damage on someone that's not hit or only hit by minor damage. Idealy you want RoD on that party member that's going to get hit by max damage.
Same with hexes and conditions. You smite them when your heroes are near foes or when your heroes are severely hindered by them (like blind on a melee or dervish, daze on a caster).
When you learn to do this, you are more aware of your opponents position and skill usage.
If you know they can't use their huge damage skills (not gained adrenaline, skill is just used, you or a hero just used Aegis so physicals don't damage that much anymore) you are free to cast your offensive skills against the foes. Try to make sure you are hitting the foes under the right conditions. RoJ when they are close together, spear only when they are attacking (you can see that) and castigation when you need the energy and foes are attacking.

However, and I can be honest about that, it's not learned in one or two days.
You need to learn to look past the red bars.
If I may give you one small advice, whenever you play, try to look at how you and heroes position when attacking something. And how foes face you. You can see the direction in which they will attack. That way it's easier to determine who might get hit and who's not.
Second, look at the skill animations. How does it look when a huge damage spell or skill is used. You can try this at the Isle of the Nameless.
When you see such an animation, you know someone is going to get hit and you might have time to prevent this.
The same is with sound.
Several spells have sounds which should alert you. Diversion for example (The mesmers in Haiju Lagoon, starter island Factions use it) has a very distinct sound.

Happy monking!

zelgadissan · Jan 29, 2009, 05:30 PM // 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kain Fz

[Kain Xy's Skills;OwUTIUHDRynZJw6TNCvi6bts6DA]

Tips?

Yeah, 10 points in Domination ftl.

MasterSasori · Jan 30, 2009, 05:33 PM // 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by kostolomac

The lack of weakness and [Protective Spirit] is disturbing.

QFT.

Focus on being a healer instead of doing damage. Discordway or Sabway should be enough.

Lourens · Feb 15, 2009, 08:04 PM // 20:04

I run 12 healing 12 smiting [ray of judgment] and [infuse health]

Lusciious · Feb 16, 2009, 09:33 AM // 09:33

i suggest you use this build http://www.pvxwiki.com/wiki/Build:Mo...rier_Bond_Monk

and get a normal hero team build e.g. sabway or discord way. it'd help you get through any campaign flawlessly. just make some changes to their builds to fit with yours.

Shadow Slave · Feb 16, 2009, 01:21 PM // 13:21

I'd also advise against [resurrect] and [rebirth] - neither of which are particularly useful mid battle (which is when heroes like to rez/not rez....i.e. which ever you would prefer they didn't) the latter especially.

Might want to try giving Dunkoro [Death Pact Signet] or [flesh of my flesh] - and you could probably drop Spear of Light for the the Rez of your choice.

MasterSasori · Feb 17, 2009, 07:06 PM // 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow Slave

I'd also advise against [resurrect] and [rebirth] - neither of which are particularly useful mid battle (which is when heroes like to rez/not rez....i.e. which ever you would prefer they didn't) the latter especially.

QFT.

DPS is probably the best bet if you want a rez. Whatever you do, don't use Resurrect. Probably one of the worst rez skills out there.