Curse

duke1 · Feb 24, 2008, 10:07 PM // 22:07

I spoke to my pve Guild about making a 55 hp monk for solo farming and with all the stealth patches and abundance of mobs with the ability to remove enchantments I have doubts about the build. I want to be able to solo farm or team up with a nuker to go uw, fow, urgoz, or somewhere.

I have other characters including a warrior, ranger, ritualist and necro. If any of them are currently strong in pve? I heard Ritualists were good but some of the guides I have read have been closed due to being nerfed or they were too old for me to really trust anymore.

I recently switched back to GW so any advice on the latest info would be good thanks. I have only prophecies and factions so the build pools are restricted to those 2 games.

BLOODGOAT · Feb 24, 2008, 10:13 PM // 22:13

55 monks are great... not really our fault your guild doesn't know where to farm with them.

55 monk can very efficiently farm the undead outside of Bergen Hot Springs and it very capable of vanquishing Cursed Lands solo. Additionally, you can change your elite skill from Shield of Judgment to Spoil Victor (and swap either Essence Bond or Blessed Aura for Vampiric Touch) and you will be able to farm various bosses. A personal favorite run of mine is farming Cobble Poundstone and Flint Touchstone outside of Sardelac Sanitarium (HM, of course) as they both spawn very close together and can each be killed in under 1 minute.

If you want to farm in FoW, you're going to have to run the 600 build and take another Monk with you as a dedicated Smiter. You can farm the entire Great Battlefield and some of the beach with the 600/Smite combo and best of all, it will be in HM so you will get a ton of golds, picks, tomes, and shards. You can also farm HM UW with 600/Smite.

Believe me, just stick with your Monk, they are gods in the eyes of farmers.

600 FoW:
[skill]Blessed Aura[/skill][skill]Essence Bond[/skill][skill]Balthazar's Spirit[/skill][skill]Spirit Shackles[/skill][skill]Protective Spirit[/skill][skill]Shield of Absorption[/skill][skill]Spirit Bond[/skill][skill]Spell breaker[/skill]

Spirit Shackles is probably the most effective if you only plan on engaging the mobs with one Shadow Monk, otherwise take Sympathetic Visage or Ancestors Visage if you plan on fighting mobs with 2 or more Shadow Monk. While it is possible to kill off two Shadow Monks with Spirit Shackles, you need a lot of experience and a lot of patience to pull it off in a decent time constraint.

Smite FoW:
[skill]Vital Blessing[/skill][skill]Life Attunement[/skill][skill]Holy Wrath[/skill][skill]Retribution[/skill][skill]Purge Signet[/skill][skill]Bane Signet[/skill][skill]Signet of Judgment[/skill][skill]Rebirth[/skill]

If you are an inexperienced 600 and foresee dying a few times, it is advisable that your Smiter changes his secondary to /E and runs Glyph of Sacrifice with Rebirth for an instant resurrect which can be especially helpful when your corpse is in a bad place. Additionally, with /E they can also run Glyph of Lesser Energy which can be used to kick up the four maintained enchantments on the 600 much quicker than without it.

600 UW:
[skill]Blessed Aura[/skill][skill]Essence Bond[/skill][skill]Balthazar's Spirit[/skill][skill]Mantra of Resolve[/skill][skill]Protective Spirit[/skill][skill]Shield of Absorption[/skill][skill]Spirit Bond[/skill][skill]Spell breaker[/skill]

Smite UW:
[skill]Vital Blessing[/skill][skill]Life Attunement[/skill][skill]Holy Wrath[/skill][skill]Retribution[/skill][skill]Purge Signet[/skill][skill]Bane Signet[/skill][skill]Signet of Judgment[/skill][skill]Rebirth[/skill]
OR
[skill]Vital Blessing[/skill][skill]Life Attunement[/skill][skill]Holy Wrath[/skill][skill]Retribution[/skill][skill]Blood Ritual[/skill][skill]Blessed Signet[/skill][skill]Shield of Judgment[/skill][skill]Rebirth[/skill]

If you choose to run the former Smite UW build, killing Coldfires will take a long-ass time and it is best to just avoid them, but in HM they can also become very dangerous to the Smiter because they have long patrol routes and are quite aggressive. It is much more recommended that you take the latter build. But I know, some of you are probably just thinking it doesn't work because Holy Wrath zaps your energy, so how could you possibly use Shield of Judgment? Blessed Signet doesn't give you enough energy. Well, how much damage do Coldfires do with a regular melee attack? 10? 11? Just drop Holy Wrath, the extra 6 damage you get from it is totally negligible. After you drop Holy Wrath, hit Blessed Signet a couple times while the 600 is tanking until you have enough energy for Shield of Judgment, and then cast it on the 600. Keep spamming Blessed Signet until it SoJ recharges and recast it on the 600 again. It will take in the area of 2 casts of Shield of Judgment to rid the battlefield of those pesky Coldfire Nights, and will accomplish it much faster than just sitting there while they wail on you with minimum damage attacks. Just don't forget to recast Holy Wrath on the 600 afterwards otherwise you just won't be capable of killing any monsters thereafter.

However, your 600 will have limited effectiveness because you can't use Shield of Absorption, being that it is a NightFall campaign skill. This won't hinder your ability to perform the feats of a 600, but it will hinder how big of a mob you can round up and tank for days on end. In a conventional 600/Smite run with a huge abundance of monsters, a 600 would normally gather as many of them as possible, stand in one spot and cast Spirit Bond followed immediately by Shield of Absorption. Spirit Bond can block 10 hits which with a big enough aggro is just enough to cover yourself while you cast SoA for your ultimate protection. Without SoA, you'll have to limit the amount of enemies you engage so as to not overwhelm yourself because just spamming Spirit Bond is not the most wise way to run a 600 monk, and a LOT of people do that.

Gift3d · Feb 24, 2008, 10:14 PM // 22:14

You're right. There are a very, very limited amount of places you can effectively farm solo with a 55 monk build. And those places are already known by the community and have been for quite some time, so you can bet the drop rates aren't regular (i.e. nerfed) for that area.

But still, you should make a monk and have a set of 55 armor just in case you feel like farming a spot for minimal cash, or trying to farm a new spot just to see i was right

. Plus you can always do underworld with a SS Necro partner, ectos are always nice.

Also for ritualist there's a 330hp Spirit Bond / VWK farming build that's a lot faster than a 55 monk, it still has the same weaknesses as a 55 monk would though. I think your main problem here though is going to come from only having prophecies+factions, that might mess up your ability to put together a lot of the latest farming builds :\

duke1 · Feb 24, 2008, 10:23 PM // 22:23

ok thanks for the replies. I'll look into a 600/smite build. I guess I could also do some chest running on my warrior and ranger?

BLOODGOAT · Feb 24, 2008, 10:30 PM // 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke1

ok thanks for the replies. I'll look into a 600/smite build. I guess I could also do some chest running on my warrior and ranger?

Chest running is a bigger money sink than it is a jackpot. If you plan on chest running to make a quick buck, my advise is don't. Just stay away from it. Far away.

Fleeting · Feb 24, 2008, 10:42 PM // 22:42

There are practically limitless places you can 55. Use counters to whatever happens to be your bane... 90% of the time, the only limiting factor is your own ability as a player (I don't mean that as an insult).

You can solo FoW, UW, (last I checked) DoA, and just about any standard farming area.

As for chest running, it's a pretty massive money sink unless you already have a high enough rank in treasure hunter that you make more money than you lose breaking lockpicks.

MisterB · Feb 24, 2008, 10:51 PM // 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gift3d

You're right. There are a very, very limited amount of places you can effectively farm solo with a 55 monk build. And those places are already known by the community and have been for quite some time, so you can bet the drop rates aren't regular (i.e. nerfed) for that area.

55 Monk is still one of the most versatile builds out there for soloing. The comment I bolded has been debunked by Gaile Gray numerous times. Please don't spread misinformation, especially not to new players.

duke1 · Feb 24, 2008, 11:12 PM // 23:12

Right ok. Anyone have any up to date guides and walkthroughs that'll help me since this would be my first time solo. I'm looking around and know the basic skills but the guides are up to 2 years out of date and that could lead me into unexpected phenomenons

edit - For 55 monk that is. I'll try the smite build later.

Queen Undertaker · Feb 24, 2008, 11:25 PM // 23:25

yeah I did 55 a long time back, what 2 years + now ? is so much waste of my time now, just to many stripers and the like. Been running the 600 smite combo and can take it farming in 90% or so of the game in hard Mode, so much more relaible.

I have changed my smiter from tahk over to Gwen. hehe yeah a messmer smiter.

I use 16 points in Illussion and rest in fast cast, mainly for the rebirth, she will res you in under a second, so staying out of the argo is greatly reduced.

use elite of signet of illussions, makes all other skills at lvl 16, ie, smite skills and prot skills, so Im a monk at this time. She dont do fighting so dont have to worry about her energy. I put 15 in fast cast. rest , think is like 6, but in the other signet, either signet, when u want energy fast, like when she is applying all the enchants on you, get a fast 15 energy or so back.

I have done this this weekend, but seems to work good so far. also I use rebirth due to in hard mode, each kill is +5 dp gone, so if u die, kill 3 and your back to zero.

Ive taken her so far in Gwen, Prof, and Nightfall, havent had time today yet to try some spots in Factions.

the person above that has the pictures has the right builds for the monk, ie you. I dont use shackles though, use resolve so when need SB or the shiled, you can get it off. energy is not a issue, fight grups of 20 or more no prob. and with the added messmer side hehe, from your hero, you will have health a little over 600 mine is 621 i think.

gl and have fun, Priest Bryan

BLOODGOAT · Feb 24, 2008, 11:48 PM // 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen Undertaker

the person above that has the pictures has the right builds for the monk, ie you. I dont use shackles though, use resolve so when need SB or the shiled, you can get it off. energy is not a issue, fight grups of 20 or more no prob. and with the added messmer side hehe, from your hero, you will have health a little over 600 mine is 621 i think.

gl and have fun, Priest Bryan

Shackles is strictly for FoW. I'm not sure if you realized this.

duke1 · Feb 24, 2008, 11:58 PM // 23:58

Aye a lot of people have been talking about mobs that strip enchanments. So to be as effective as I can in the 600/smite combo I should be the smiter due to the lack of the ultimate skill?

As a solo farmer would it be more worthwhile rolling a 55 SS necro or maybe SV than a 55 monk and farming uw on nm?

aurorascion · Feb 25, 2008, 02:40 AM // 02:40

I love my 55 monk. There are hardly any places I cannot solo farm. If they strip; bring spell breaker and use sliver armor or spoil victor or some other damage skill.. If they interrupt bring mantra of resolve, if they knockdown bring fleeting stability or some other anti knockdown. The possibilities are endless. As Fleeting stated earlier, you are only limited to your skill set and individual abilities. The 55 is so versatile, I can't believe anyone would say it is limited.

I can pm you some guides they are on a different forum and I'm not sure what the posting policy to other forums is

Crippie its Tom · Feb 25, 2008, 02:44 AM // 02:44

55 Tundra Farm

still works great, do it all the time.

jonnieboi05 · Feb 25, 2008, 03:02 AM // 03:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLOODGOAT

Chest running is a bigger money sink than it is a jackpot. If you plan on chest running to make a quick buck, my advise is don't. Just stay away from it. Far away.

hate to say it but NOT true in the slightest bit. i CR in both NM and HM and i have made 4-5 times the amount in gold in PROFIT than loss. why? lockpicks. never use one-use keys. i can go 20+ retains with a single lockpick.

20 keys used x 600g per key = 12,000g lost
20 retains x 1,200g per lock pick = 1,200 lost
20 purple/gold items x ~300g per if sold to merc = 6,000g = 4,800g net profit

the above formula isn't even including the fact that loot contain high-end runes/insignias. let's say you pull a sup vigor... guess what?? you just made an instant 12k (if sold to vend) for a single 1,200 lock pick! *gasp!*

...or let's say you pull elite tomes... even 'more' profit.

chest running is 'definately' a profitable event... so... the 1,200g invested into a lockpick can go a 'long' way and make back an enormous amount of profit.

Songbringer · Feb 25, 2008, 03:36 AM // 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnieBoi05

hate to say it but NOT true in the slightest bit. i CR in both NM and HM and i have made 4-5 times the amount in gold in PROFIT than loss. why? lockpicks. never use one-use keys. i can go 20+ retains with a single lockpick.

20 keys used x 600g per key = 12,000g lost
20 retains x 1,200g per lock pick = 1,200 lost
20 purple/gold items x ~300g per if sold to merc = 6,000g = 4,800g net profit

the above formula isn't even including the fact that loot contain high-end runes/insignias. let's say you pull a sup vigor... guess what?? you just made an instant 12k (if sold to vend) for a single 1,200 lock pick! *gasp!*

...or let's say you pull elite tomes... even 'more' profit.

chest running is 'definately' a profitable event... so... the 1,200g invested into a lockpick can go a 'long' way and make back an enormous amount of profit.

This is only true with a high enough lucky/wisdom/treasure hunter title. It is a sink untill then. Once you get retention % up enough then yes it is worth it. Not till then

Stimm · Feb 25, 2008, 04:24 PM // 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnieBoi05

hate to say it but NOT true in the slightest bit. i CR in both NM and HM and i have made 4-5 times the amount in gold in PROFIT than loss. why? lockpicks. never use one-use keys. i can go 20+ retains with a single lockpick.

20 keys used x 600g per key = 12,000g lost
20 retains x 1,200g per lock pick = 1,200 lost
20 purple/gold items x ~300g per if sold to merc = 6,000g = 4,800g net profit

the above formula isn't even including the fact that loot contain high-end runes/insignias. let's say you pull a sup vigor... guess what?? you just made an instant 12k (if sold to vend) for a single 1,200 lock pick! *gasp!*

...or let's say you pull elite tomes... even 'more' profit.

chest running is 'definately' a profitable event... so... the 1,200g invested into a lockpick can go a 'long' way and make back an enormous amount of profit.

I seriously have to question your "stats". I have lucky 4 , treasure hunter 5 and that only equates a 33% retain in HM which is only place elite tomes drop and I seriously doubt you could pull of 20 retains in HM much less NM unless you were running Ascalon chests.

And running in NM youll get about 70% purples with a merch value of 150- 250. Im sorry but unless you are seriously lucky and selective on your chest run spots you will lose money and thats even with a ghigh % retain rate.