Curse

-Makai- · Aug 28, 2007, 06:38 AM // 06:38

I recently started playing as my Monk/Assassin again because I grew tired with my "main" characters. Normally I play the healer role in groups with my friends, but since many of them are still in high school, they won't be around as much. I'm not a big fan of healing henchmen and heroes, so I'd like to try something else. Before this decision, the Assassin secondary was obly used as a means of escape during tricky situations. Since I don't have any more character slots and I've been really enjoying my Ranger/Assassin, I'd like to make a decent fighting template for the Monk.

I've been experimenting with different builds using Dagger Mastery and Healing, Smiting, or Protection Prayers (I'm only level 17, so I don't have enough points for a tri-template just yet).

Please keep in mind this is just for PvE with Heroes and maybe a PUG here and there. I'm also not planning on doing the "hardcore" areas of the game since I'm relatively new. This is just something I want to do for fun and uniqueness. I love the concept of a healer who kills.
My Daggers:

Elonian Daggers of Shelter
Dmg: 7-16
Armor vs Physical Damage: + 6
Damage + 13% against Hexed Foes (Inscription)

Here are my builds for each Prayer type:

Protection:

Dagger Mastery: 11, Protection Prayers: 11 + 1

[card]Golden Lotus Strike[/card] [card]Fox Fangs[/card] [card]Repeating Strike[/card] [card]Blades of Steel[/card] [card]Reversal of Fortune[/card] [card]Guardian[/card] [card]Shielding Hands[/card] [card]Dash[/card]

Healing:

Dagger Mastery: 11, Healing Prayers: 11 + 1

[card]Golden Lotus Strike[/card] [card]Fox Fangs[/card] [card]Repeating Strike[/card] [card]Blades of Steel[/card] [card]Vigorous Spirit[/card] [card]Signet of Rejuvenation[/card] [card]Healing Breeze[/card] [card]Dash[/card]

Smiting:

Dagger Mastery: 11, Smiting Prayers: 11 + 1

[card]Golden Lotus Strike[/card] [card]Fox Fangs[/card] [card]Repeating Strike[/card] [card]Blades of Steel[/card] [card]Bane Signet[/card] [card]Balthazar's Aura[/card] [card]Strength of Honor[/card] [card]Dash[/card]

Like I said before, I can't tell which of these builds is the most effective. Some feedback from someone who has done something similar would be greatly appreciated. I think my biggest problem is e-management which will hopefully be negated once/if I get Kenshi's Butterfly Knives.

Stormlord Alex · Aug 28, 2007, 06:51 AM // 06:51

I'd say Smiting.
It actually does something for a dagger-wielding monk.

... the builds still suck though

Blades of Steel is pretty fail in them chains, Healing Breeze should never even be considered outside of Farming, and Wild Strike > Fox Fangs.

-Makai- · Aug 28, 2007, 06:57 AM // 06:57

Could you explain that a little better, i.e. give reasons behind it? I don't mind criticism on the builds, but I want to know why they aren't that great.

Legendary Shiz · Aug 28, 2007, 07:29 AM // 07:29

I'll just stick to the smiting one and why it's bad, since they're all pretty terrible.

Strength and Honor is just a bad skill IMO. You don't even have an elite on your bar, maybe throw in Signet of Judgment?

I'd suggest dropping golden lotus and strength of honor for Signet of Judgement and Holy Strike (the one that does extra damage to KDed foes)

Repeating strike is a terrible skill as well, but it's too late for me to think of an alternative for this destined-for-failure build.

-Makai- · Aug 28, 2007, 08:17 AM // 08:17

Hehe...wow...criticism checked.

What's wrong with Strength and Honor? I can do a good deal more damage per hit, and even more with double strikes.

And like I said earlier, I'm only 17 and haven't had much time on the character prior to this idea, so I'm strapped for elite skills.

The Signet of Judgment + Holy Strike combo looks promising. I'll see what I can do.

LightningHell · Aug 28, 2007, 09:17 AM // 09:17

Just a note: If you're playing this, you're not a "healer who kills", you're a subpar killing machine that probably'll get killed more than doing the killing and pretends to heal.

For example, for Strength and Honor. A A/X could use a Conjure instead, which does lots more damage.

Also, Blades of Steel has absolutely zero synergy with Repeating Strike. Repeating Strike also leaves you vulernable in the frontline. Not to mention you don't have a Deep Wound skill.

RhanoctJocosa · Aug 28, 2007, 09:48 AM // 09:48

sig of judgement (e)
holy strike
strength of honour
dash
impale
< forgot>
horns
<forgot>

most people run it in AB, i'm sure somebody can fill those 2 skills.

if you must bring a self heal bring restful breeze or something, but nothing more.

edit: pretty sure shadow walk is in there somewhere....

-Makai- · Aug 28, 2007, 11:09 AM // 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sante_Kelm

Please keep in mind this is just for PvE with Heroes and maybe a PUG here and there. I'm also not planning on doing the "hardcore" areas of the game since I'm relatively new. This is just something I want to do for fun and uniqueness.

I'm sure there's a way for this concept to be effective. I'm not trying to be "uber" or whatever the term MMO players use these days. I don't have to do insane amounts of damage or get rich in one day to be content in this game.

Thanks for the positive feedback, Jocosa. I'll see what I can do with those skills you listed.

Also,

*casts Mantra of Flames*

What's AB? I've heard whispers and murmurs about it, but no one's told me the secret.

Stormlord Alex · Aug 28, 2007, 01:03 PM // 13:03

Alliance Battles.
A seething cesspool of idiocy and generally terrible play.
Any half-decent build is automatically better than 99% of the crap you fight there; it's a prime example of what happens when PvEers try to PvP. It's ok though, it's mostly about slaughtering AI anyways.

It's a laugh.

Yanman.be · Aug 28, 2007, 01:08 PM // 13:08

Pro sin talking: BoS and repeating strike don't mix. I suggest you read the skill descriptions.

Div · Aug 28, 2007, 10:09 PM // 22:09

Not having critical strikes makes energy really hard on that sin...err...monk.

Not to mention 60 armor makes you even weaker than a normal sin, which already sucks. I'd go with straight smiting skills if you want damage so that you'd be able to live...

Grumpy · Aug 29, 2007, 02:38 AM // 02:38

Well.

It's interesting to say the least. I only know of one build for the Mo/A that is up and front, and I've seen in run plenty of times in AB. So, here's that, then I'll give you an alternative build for the one you are using now.

[card]Signet of Judgment[/card][card]Falling Spider[/card][card]Horns of the Ox[/card][card]Holy Strike[/card][card]Impale[/card][card]Shadow Walk[/card][card]Dash[/card][card]Restful Breeze[/card]

It's not as nice as an assassin, but it does well for a monk primary. I wouldn't use it personally, but if it fits your style of play, go ahead and use it.

Now, your build.

You could always do a Moebius/Death Blossom-esque build, but with a monk primary.

Zealous Daggers of Fortitude/Enchanting would be ideal.

[card]Jagged Strike[/card][card]Exhausting Assault[/card][card]Moebius Strike[/card][card]Death Blossom[/card]

Those would probably be your four main assassin skills. Maybe add some heal-upon-attack skills in there or something. Also, you could do something to the effect of Shield of Deflection and use a three attack fast recharging combo.

[card]Jagged Strike[/card][card]Wild Strike[/card][card]Death Blossom[/card][card]Shield of Deflection[/card]

That'd be for a protection based Monk/Assassin.

Although, I don't reccomend running this, but that's my advice. Not the best, but it's some advice anyway.

Batou of Nine · Aug 29, 2007, 05:43 AM // 05:43

Well, honestly...

I don't wanna sound too discouraging, but this is a big no no in general. Any caster with 60 AL on the front lines is a bad thing, you will take much more damage then any other melee char, due to that you will demand constant healer's attention, your primary attribute does not synergize in any degree with a melee weapon, nor does the inherent stats of your gear. All boils down to mediocre damage at only 12 possible in weapon attribute, subpar defense still demanding lots of healer attention, and no synergy with builds...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sante Kelm

Please keep in mind this is just for PvE with Heroes and maybe a PUG here and there. I'm also not planning on doing the "hardcore" areas of the game since I'm relatively new. This is just something I want to do for fun and uniqueness. I love the concept of a healer who kills.

100% guarantee with a dagger attacking monk, you will be booted from 100% of all pugs. Fun and uniqueness is one thing, but this will only end up discouraging and fustrating you...

Quote:

Originally Posted by holymasamune

Not having critical strikes makes energy really hard on that sin...err...monk.

Not to mention 60 armor makes you even weaker than a normal sin, which already sucks. I'd go with straight smiting skills if you want damage so that you'd be able to live...

This would be my suggestion too, there are plenty of descent pure smite builds out there that would put any dagger monk to shame. Pure smiting can be quite effective. They are kept off the front lines, they deliver a good amount of damage, and they do not hinder any other profession roles or demand the full attention of healers...

Anyway, in the end you obviously will do what you want. I just hope that you keep enjoying GW either way you go. If after a couples weeks you are NOT discouraged with your dagger monk builds, i applaud your persistance.

cheers.

jesh · Sep 02, 2007, 10:04 PM // 22:04

I thought there was a build with Augary of Death and Signet of Judgment that was decent in AB?

MrSlayer · Sep 03, 2007, 01:10 AM // 01:10

I don't honestly see the point in these builds. You don't use Divine Favor, so why the hell don't you make SOME use of your Primary Profession and go A/Mo.
*70 AL with the +4e regen still
*Critical Strike Bonuses