Curse

Blitz Royale · May 02, 2011, 06:46 PM // 18:46

Hello everyone, I recently created a PvE monk, and got it to lvl 20, and now I want to try some 'PvP' on it (RA/FA/AB). I need some help with how I should setup my armor and equipment.

I need som tips on what insignias to use, what defensive set to use, and what casting set to use. Maybe even some general monking tips for PvP.

I appreciate any help

Still Number One · May 02, 2011, 07:05 PM // 19:05

You need multiple weapon sets and + armor insignias for your armor.

I am not sure what people run nowadays for insignia's, but I believe it used to be Disciples. Someone more up-to-date can correct me or vouch for disciples.

Weapon sets:

You need a shield set. Try for a tactics shield, preferable a Q7 or 8 if you can afford one. + 30 HP and then try to get multiple shields with varying insignias to help out in all situations. +10 armor vs fire, water, air, blunt, piercing, etc. If you don't have the money try to get the ones you are facing the most and then save up money for the others as you play. Then either a sword or spear or axe with some type of armor mod, I prefer +5 armor vs all situations as opposed to the +7 vs ele dmg and others. Then either a +5 energy or 10% HSR (probably one of each would be best).

You will want a 40/40 set for any attributes you choose to use, which is mainly healing. A prot 40/40 set is nice to have if running something like RC. Divine Favor is nice if for some reason you are casting a skill like deny hexes or divine healing.

You need a 40/20/20% enchant duration protection staff to use when casting prot enchantments like guardian.

Then you need a high energy set. I'd just grab the attribute you use the most (probably healing) and add +15 -1 regen to both the wand and focus. Use this set in emergency situations only and try not to stay in it because of the -2 energy regen.

You might also think about getting yourself a negative energy set to combat against E-denial mesmers and such, but I doubt this is very vital for RA/FA/AB. In fact multiple shields and weapons for every occasion is more of a luxury than a requirement. But the four main sets (shield set, 40/40 casting set, + enchant duration staff, and high energy set) are pretty vital to get the most out of your character.

Blitz Royale · May 02, 2011, 07:24 PM // 19:24

Thank you very much for the quick and detailed explanation. I think several req. 7-8 shield swill be a little expensive, would it be ok to just use a req.9-13 to get the +8 armor bonus?

Also, if i should get a sup. vigor rune for every armor set I use, I will become really poor. Is a major vigor rune OK?

Sorn Xarann · May 02, 2011, 07:50 PM // 19:50

Just make a pvp monk.

God Amongst Many Mortals · May 02, 2011, 08:02 PM // 20:02

TAKE A LOW ENERGY SET...this is crucial as the meta mesmers have very good energy denial so it is VERY useful to use them, also get used to changing wepon sets takes practice,start at FA i suggest Lux side as you dont have as much pressure on yourself. Then move on to RA but learn to time your skills/stances eg/dont overlap guarding or aura of stability with stances as they dont become as effective as they can and learn when to use big/small heals.....it a learning curve but dont take party heals like in PvE...GL

Haxor · May 02, 2011, 10:38 PM // 22:38

The main hint, and the most difficult one to get used to is simple: Field awareness. Know where your team is, where the other team is. Eventually branch out to guessing the adrenaline on warriors, looking at the casts for mesmers/eles/necros.

If you can do that, you'll be a good monk. Small hints for it include zooming out as much as possible, enlarging the compass, learning to recognize the attribute insignias and working on muscle memory. I'd also suggest finding a good placement for your hex/enchant bar (status modifier thing) so that you can keep a close eye on it.

That's all I can think of right now.

icedwhitemocha · May 03, 2011, 05:51 AM // 05:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorn Xarann

Just make a pvp monk.

Yep. You're gimping yourself trying to play with a poorly equipped PvE monk.

Zeldawind · May 03, 2011, 07:32 AM // 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haxor

The main hint, and the most difficult one to get used to is simple: Field awareness. Know where your team is, where the other team is. Eventually branch out to guessing the adrenaline on warriors, looking at the casts for mesmers/eles/necros.

If you can do that, you'll be a good monk. Small hints for it include zooming out as much as possible, enlarging the compass, learning to recognize the attribute insignias and working on muscle memory. I'd also suggest finding a good placement for your hex/enchant bar (status modifier thing) so that you can keep a close eye on it.

That's all I can think of right now.

Also learn recharge time's of mesmers hexes out of you're head can be pretty usefull against dom mesmers.

Fate Crusher · May 03, 2011, 03:19 PM // 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeldawind

Also learn recharge time's of mesmers hexes out of you're head can be pretty usefull against dom mesmers.

Wow, just watch them. No one is silly enough to spam Diversion/Shame on recharge.

You're a monk. Field of vision is important. Watch where the frontline damage is going - prot it, and target other team's mesmer/necro to watch for hexes. Please don't just have your eyes glued to the Party Window. It's known as being a "red bar monk".

Alternatively, get used to the animation of Diversion and other harmful hexes.

Tab is also your best friend, on any profession.

floor · May 03, 2011, 03:57 PM // 15:57

My Top Tips:
*Learn where ur cancel action button is, and get very fast at smashing it when diversion lands on u. U have no excuse for diverting half ur bar.

*Protection skills are better than heal skills. Dont just stare at the red bars and push them up to full, this is dumb and will actually cost u more energy in the long run.

*Clean ur frontline of weakness/blind/snares as fast as u can. This might drain a lot of ur energy but if u dont, ur team wont kill and eventually u lose. A monk has 2 jobs, keep ppl alive, and keep ppl clean. Both are equally important. If u dont clean ur frontline u lose. If you dont keep ppl alive, u lose.

good luck!!

Zeldawind · May 03, 2011, 04:29 PM // 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fate Crusher

Wow, just watch them. No one is silly enough to spam Diversion/Shame on recharge.

Alternatively, get used to the animation of Diversion and other harmful hexes.

Tab is also your best friend, on any profession.

Well at higher level it doesnt get spammed anymore but at lower level you can run into spamming of diversion etc.

Still i found it always handy to know the recharge since if you see a mesmer casting over 1 second and you know diversion could be recharged and wait a split second to see if diversion was targeted at you or you're team monk. w/e

Still Number One · May 03, 2011, 05:32 PM // 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitz Royale

Thank you very much for the quick and detailed explanation. I think several req. 7-8 shield swill be a little expensive, would it be ok to just use a req.9-13 to get the +8 armor bonus?

Also, if i should get a sup. vigor rune for every armor set I use, I will become really poor. Is a major vigor rune OK?

Higer req. shields do work, just not as well. The reason you would want a Q7 or 8 is because bars nowadays typically have about 8 tactics invested in them so you get the full 15-16 AL bonus. If you don't meet the req you get 8 AL (although I think the strength shield is glitched and gives you 9. Did they fix this?). But yes, you can get away with 8, you just aren't maximizing efficiency. Try to save up money and get the shields at a later date. It gives you a nice goal to look forward to.

As far as superior vigors, yes you really should use superior. I know they can be expensive for newer players at first, but the 9 health really makes a bigger difference then people think. Again, you could get away with a major, but I really really really advise against it (even more than i advise against Q 9 shields). 20k or whatever it is really does become chump change once you get better at the game. Make some zkeys, do a few PvE dungeons, if you absolutely want to farm you can. 20k really isnt hard to get once you figure out how.

bitchbar player · May 03, 2011, 06:06 PM // 18:06

Or just roll a pvp monk.

Terrible Surgeon · May 09, 2011, 05:22 AM // 05:22

Just play and get the feel of pvp and surviving. Things like preprotting and kiting you will learn by playing. Kiting is number one if you are a monk and positioning is also very very important. Equipment doesn't matter a lot imho. If you are good you can win with bad equipment. If you play with bad equipment and can carry a RA team then get good equipment things will seem even easier.

Experience is all you need, not equipment.

Champen · May 09, 2011, 11:24 AM // 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitchbar player

Or just roll a pvp monk.

This guy is a genius ; ))

Reverend Dr · May 09, 2011, 06:47 PM // 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrible Surgeon

Experience is all you need, not equipment.

My experience says that swapping to an appropriate +10 armor shield will reduce incoming damage by about 27%. If you don't have that shield, it really can make a difference.

Fate Crusher · May 09, 2011, 08:00 PM // 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrible Surgeon

bla bla
Experience is all you need, not equipment.

I hope this was sarcasm? Camping a staff set for an entire match is not beneficial in any situation.

Apart from a shield set as mentioned above, a staff is only useful for Prot skills that need 20% longer enchant (Guardian, SoA, Shielding Hands). By no means should you be standing around with a staff. Either get on a shield set and spear players for adrenaline and heals via Vigorous Spirit, or get on a 40/40 Heal set to benefit your heal spells.

This is applicable to all caster professions in RA and it is one of my biggest pet peeves to see players with staffs for no reason. It's a team game and you're not helping your monk by painting a big red target on your forehead.

To disregard smart weapon sets and armour usage, is ignorance and it will not get you far. Besides, why put yourself at such a disadvantage straight away?

i farm baddies · May 10, 2011, 06:07 PM // 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fate Crusher

To disregard smart weapon sets and armour usage, is ignorance and it will not get you far. Besides, why put yourself at such a disadvantage straight away?

saddest part of ra right here.

kedde · May 11, 2011, 09:36 PM // 21:36

Entering RA is to put yourself at an inherent disadvantage.

clear · May 11, 2011, 09:49 PM // 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedde

Entering RA is to put yourself at an inherent disadvantage.

Obviously this dude is a syncer...