Curse

uberwan kapwni · Feb 26, 2008, 06:17 PM // 18:17

So I was wondering why many monks are now using spears and shields instead of staffs, or wands and monk offhands. I could understand it if they were /P or /W, but many of them are not, which makes me wonder why they wouldn't just use a monk offhand for energy. Also, why a spear instead of a wand? Thanks.

aznhalf · Feb 26, 2008, 06:18 PM // 18:18

Read the sticky.

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

Rydia Merchan · Feb 26, 2008, 06:56 PM // 18:56

Its not a noob question, I asked that once too. There are a few reasons we do it.

Since monk spells recharge times are fast, we generally don't need a staff or wand with that particular stat. Any +5 energy 20% enchant modded weapon will do for our purpose, and with swords and spears you can add +30 health to w/ the +5 energy, where with wands you can't. Which wep you choose is depending on your style...I have a dual gothic axe that I love. My hubby, who also monks, likes his destroyer spear.

Most monks will carry a traditional offhand for their high set, low set and sometimes a medium energy set. My shield is usually my low set, though sometimes in pvp I carry and even lower hiding set. I carry off-hands to cover energy on my medium and high set if I'm running low, but generally 45 energy w/ my shield is all I really need for the majority of the battle (that is, with good e-management).

Shields also will give a partial damage reduction even if you don't meet the req. which is essential when monks are normally priority targets as well as a health bonus (many choose +45 while enchanted or even +30 always). Damage reduction + health on a monk is always essential.

I run a similar set up on my mesmer, though she does use a wand 95% because she does like--and usually benefits from-- the recharge mod. But the shield is helpful for hiding energy, damage reduction and it looks cool.

aurorascion · Feb 26, 2008, 07:22 PM // 19:22

Very nice summary Rydia

BLOODGOAT · Feb 26, 2008, 08:05 PM // 20:05

I thought it was purely aesthetic. But Rydia pretty much said it all.

Yichi · Feb 26, 2008, 10:21 PM // 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rydia Merchan

...generally 45 energy w/ my shield...

This is the only wrong thing you said in the whole point you made. Otherwise you sum'd it up nicely.

Juno Onuj · Feb 26, 2008, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yichi

This is the only wrong thing you said in the whole point you made. Otherwise you sum'd it up nicely.

Agreed. I think for the most part though it's something people who don't pvp saw on obs and decided it was the cool thing to do without knowing why it was done. I see it as more of a pvp necessity and a gold sink for pve. If I didn't pvp when I played, I wouldn't waste the money.

neoflame · Feb 27, 2008, 12:33 AM // 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rydia Merchan

a health bonus (many choose +45 while enchanted

[skill]Shatter Enchantment[/skill]

Rydia Merchan · Feb 27, 2008, 12:48 AM // 00:48

Some choose health while enchanted, its not required. Mine is 10ar against piercing health +30 always. Even w/ shatter, when is a monk not enchanted during blockway meta gvg?

Juno Onuj · Feb 27, 2008, 01:03 AM // 01:03

you should have shields with +30 and +10al vs each damage type unless you are using something like a req 7 tactics shield where those stats will be much more difficult and expensive to come by (if they even exist, don't recall seeing any)

Yichi · Feb 27, 2008, 05:23 AM // 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno Onuj

you should have shields with +30 and +10al vs each damage type unless you are using something like a req 7 tactics shield where those stats will be much more difficult and expensive to come by (if they even exist, don't recall seeing any)

I only know of 2 that I would have back then. One is tommy's old -3hexed/+30hp and I think Pyrus from iQ had a +10earth/+30 one, but that might have been a r7/15ar one.

Otherwise, I would just run a r7/+15ar inscribable ones like I have now.

blue.rellik · Feb 27, 2008, 12:22 PM // 12:22

Hey guys, not everyone has ectos flowing out of our back accounts. Stop making me feel poor

Ben-A-BoO · Feb 27, 2008, 12:31 PM // 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yichi

... I would just run a r7/+15ar inscribable ones like I have now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue.rellik

Hey guys, not everyone has ectos flowing out of our back accounts. Stop making me feel poor

No worries pal, you don't have to poop ectos. Those inscriptable r7/15 AL are not that rare at all ... I have three now and wasn't buying or hunting for them ... just take a close look at blue shields you pick up, they do just as fine as any gold one.

Zamochit · Feb 27, 2008, 12:34 PM // 12:34

req 7 15al inscribable sheilds are selling for an average of 10-15k now on the forums ~ so 5 or 6 Z keys worth of faction and one's yours tbh

these are the less desireable skins ofc but function>form for pvp

i wantz my account back · Feb 27, 2008, 02:46 PM // 14:46

the main reason monks use a sword, spear, axe (aka caster weapons) is because of the looks sheild just depends on the situation if you are talking about pvp like HA or RA, etc its the extra 8 armor and then the armor support by mods then there is also i mainly use a off hand during pve because the off hand provides the extra energy and recharge times on my lenghty skills

Div · Feb 27, 2008, 10:06 PM // 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by i wantz my account back

if you are talking about pvp like HA or RA, etc its the extra 8 armor and then the armor support by mods

It's all clear now. Shields provide +armor vs PvPers. When you use them in PvE, they're completely useless.

Juno Onuj · Feb 27, 2008, 11:19 PM // 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by holymasamune

It's all clear now. Shields provide +armor vs PvPers. When you use them in PvE, they're completely useless.

hehe I think what he means is that the +8 is negligible in pve areas whereas it can be a deciding factor in a death in pvp, especially against spike builds or things like para-way where the effects of the +8al and +10 vs (dmg) are more noticeable. I'd be willing to bet most pve monks do use them just because it looks cool rather than for the added defense it can provide.

blue.rellik · Feb 28, 2008, 03:40 AM // 03:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by i wantz my account back

the main reason monks use a sword, spear, axe (aka caster weapons) is because of the looks sheild just depends on the situation if you are talking about pvp like HA or RA, etc its the extra 8 armor and then the armor support by mods

Quote:

Originally Posted by holymasamune

It's all clear now. Shields provide +armor vs PvPers. When you use them in PvE, they're completely useless.

Reread his post, he said mods so he's obviously talking about the moderators of this forum

Ensign · Feb 28, 2008, 06:19 AM // 06:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rydia Merchan

Some choose health while enchanted

Some choose to enter the mission with a holiday hat on. That doesn't make it a good idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rydia Merchan

when is a monk not enchanted during blockway meta gvg?

A fraction of a second before he gets spiked.

Dallcingi · Mar 01, 2008, 04:47 PM // 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue.rellik

Reread his post, he said mods so he's obviously talking about the moderators of this forum

lol ur kidding right?
he means mods as in +10 vs slash/burn/cold etc...

and shields in pve might make monsters not use mind wrack or diversion etc cause they MIGHT think you are a warrior/para!! but I am not sure if its true...