Curse

jacketate · Nov 07, 2008, 03:43 PM // 15:43

Hey guys

I have been monking for a while now and my game is ok but not great. I read the field and try to pre-prot,(still panic occasionaly and guardian a target being ele spiked) i dont watch bars all the time, i kite etc...I am currently experimenting in RA by playing without the party window. sure makes you watch the field =)

but there are still some aspects of my game that i feel i'm missing. this really applies to all areas of PvP rather than just a GvG

1) spotting incoming hexes
Any tips on how to tell if a diversion or shame is coming in so i don't eat it. can be kind of crushing.

2)Weapon swapping
I've tried to learn it to some extent but like i am not sure if i even have the right sets and i don't know which set to use in each situation. Also is it a big deal?

3)Telling when a spike is guna come
I suppose a spike will usually coordinate with a warrior getting full adrenaline so he can unleash his combo, but i find it hard to monitor how much adrenaline the opposition has, any tips?

4) Other aspects that you think will be useful i would be glad to hear it.

Ciric · Nov 07, 2008, 04:12 PM // 16:12

Memorize skill animations, count adrenaline, count enemy skill recharges.

Rydia Merchan · Nov 07, 2008, 04:23 PM // 16:23

With hexes, its all about watching the mesmer's positioning, keeping up a veil to be sure, and watching the animations on their skills. Diversion has a very distinctive sound. Bad mesmers will spam it on recharge, giving you an advantage to call for a teammate to interupt them, or veil yourself-- that will help you a lot to recognize patterns.

With spikes, you might notice a mesmer throwing a shame/diversion on you as the team converges on a single target. You might also see all your prots being stripped with a shatter. You'll also see warriors changing targets frequently to force you to waste your prots.

Barbie goes guru · Nov 07, 2008, 05:31 PM // 17:31

1) if a mesmer is doing a funny twirl with a purple animation above their head its probably bad news for you.

2) Most players will tell you weapon swapping is very important. it is important, but dont let it distract you from doing your job, start by swapping between prot staff and shield set as, to me anyway, those are the most important sets you have.

3) muck around on warrior, the more experience you have playing in general, but especially on warrior, will give you a reasonable idea of how quickly a warrior can charge adrenaline. you may find this knowledge helps you decide whether to spiritbond a target or just chuck on a guardian to conserve energy.

4) experience is the best aspect you can have imo. sure its possible to refine your skills with clinical weapon swapping and counting adrenaline as has been mentioned, but experience playing against warriors or playing as warriors will give you an insight that could make you a better player that being flawless with improvement 'tricks' will not provide.

Finally, id like to point out im a terrible monk and this is just my opinion.

Chucky333 · Nov 07, 2008, 05:53 PM // 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacketate

Hey guys

I have been monking for a while now and my game is ok but not great. I read the field and try to pre-prot,(still panic occasionaly and guardian a target being ele spiked) i dont watch bars all the time, i kite etc...I am currently experimenting in RA by playing without the party window. sure makes you watch the field =)

but there are still some aspects of my game that i feel i'm missing. this really applies to all areas of PvP rather than just a GvG

1) spotting incoming hexes
Any tips on how to tell if a diversion or shame is coming in so i don't eat it. can be kind of crushing.

2)Weapon swapping
I've tried to learn it to some extent but like i am not sure if i even have the right sets and i don't know which set to use in each situation. Also is it a big deal?

3)Telling when a spike is guna come
I suppose a spike will usually coordinate with a warrior getting full adrenaline so he can unleash his combo, but i find it hard to monitor how much adrenaline the opposition has, any tips?

4) Other aspects that you think will be useful i would be glad to hear it.

1. Not much you can do here. watch the mesmer's position and where he's facing when casting.
Stopping incoming diversions and other hexes is more of a midline responsibillity.
What you can do in order not to eat diversions is simply avoiding being predictable, like, after you get KD'd, most monks would throw a patient spirit, ROF, SB or some other 1\4 cast time spells (provided you dont get quarterknocked) on themselves, that makes landing diversion on key skills much easier.
Obviously being unpredictable is much easier said than done.. i still cast SB after i come up from a KD, it just takes practice i guess, and more communication to rely on your other monk to save you.

2.Well it's important enough to put as much practice as you can on it.
Sets for a typical WoH hybrid bar would be a shield set (+10AL vs X dmg type, most common and dangerous ones are probably slashing, blunt, and piercing, and +30hp) a 40\40 healing set, a 40HCT\20HSR\20% Enchanting staff and a high set.
It will help you alot once you practice it, eventually you get to a point where you just do it automatically before casting something.

3. Eh If you're gonna watch the field, their warriors are the highest priority.
Trying to figure how much adren their wars have is very difficult and much harder than some people here may make it look like.
The best way to do it in my opinion is just to see if a warrior has been hitting someone in an IAS but didnt use any attack skills, thats when you should figure his evis has another name on it and watch him carefully.
Again, much easier said than done. not practical in many cases.
Caster spikes are far harder to prot.. mostly up to your infuser to save them.

4. Communication.. i'm in a new GvG guild atm and im monking, and i dont think people understand how much people can help by simply talking and pointing stuff out.
The fact that there's a main strat caller doesnt mean other dudes shouldn't say it if they see the mes casting a diversion for example, or obviously if the enemy monks put up a aegis.
So always be vocal.. let people know whats bugging you, you have 7 other people on your team and if something is bugging you chances are someone can help you.

Hundbert · Nov 07, 2008, 06:01 PM // 18:01

It's all good advice Rebel Squirrel.
I'd just like to add some additional information in reply to your (jacketate's) questions.

Quote:

2)Weapon swapping

Read the sticky by divine ambassador. It covers all you need to know about weapon swapping.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10222589

Quote:

3)Telling when a spike is guna come

This has something to do with the entire party. If your team knows what prekiting is it'll give the monks a better chance to see the spike.
Positioning is most important. If the enemy warriors can unload on different targets without having to move so much the monks have to reflex and the pressure builds up too.

Asplode · Nov 07, 2008, 07:19 PM // 19:19

I wouldn't depend too much on watching the mesmer's casting animation, because if you fixate on just one, you can get blindsided by fastcast Diversions.

It's also a matter of using periphery to keep track of things; If you focus too heavily on anything in particular, you're going to be hurting elsewhere.

Also, getting diversion casted on you is a culmination of several things going on in the midline; your positioning is forward for some reason, whether it's legitimate such as danger on your frontline, or just careless.

If that's not the case then the enemy mesmer has pushed far enough to start casting on you. This typically means he should be vulnerable to some punishment, though that's not always the case.

Don't get flustered and start getting on your ranger's case if you're getting hex spammed: guardian, aegis, blurred, blind, weapon of warding and just bad luck can be a bitch if you're trying to interrupt something physically.

If there's anything else I can provide, it'd be that monking requires a great amount of patience and synergy, and it's a point I don't think is emphasized nearly enough with the amount of glamor that's tagged to more menial facets of optimization. You could be an excellent monk but if you don't have great communication with your partner and the rest of your team, your guild is going to be lousy. Make sure you have that first, because without it it's going to be hard to tell if you're succeeding or not as an individual.

The important bit: build the foundations of a good backline defense before concerning yourself with the fancy ins and outs of what's accepted as skillful monk play.

Grand Theft Ecto · Nov 08, 2008, 02:32 AM // 02:32

You won't always be able to keep check of their mesmer due to a variety of reasons, like say running towards your (out of range) frontline or trying to fool their ranger/warriors. Keep the cancel button within reach. Shit can happen, but one skill gone for a minute shouldn't cause a teamwipe. If you really need to cast through it just divert skills that you can do without for some time, like infuse or rof, that's preferable over a 60%+ chance that someone'll die. In HA and RA you can generally afford a covered veil in case its needed.

Weapon swapping is quite useful for fast casts, though obviously not important enough to cause panic swapping. Casting words on a prot staff or guardians on a 40/40 heal set isn't ideal but rarely causes issues. Swapping takes time and focusing on it requires energy/attention that could've been spent elsewhere. Though try to automatically swap to sets for certain skills, the 40% fast cast element has made many a midliner cry out in despair.

Spikes will virtually always involve an unloading warrior. Consistently counting adrenaline is amazing if you can afford it, but seeing a warrior (or two) move to a target they're not right next to is generally enough information. Be wary of fake spikes though, in case a party member is in close proximity.

Don't complain about things not getting interrupted, won't work since every member of your team would like at least some opposing skill on everlasting recharge, midline will get annoyed. (try playing a interrupting ranger in gvg with no exp on it, you'll cry) Try to get them to pay more attention to the nail on your particular coffin when its needed. Less rupts/drains on their water ele(s) will drain your energy due to draws/veils even if all shames and diversions get owned. +it makes other people QQ.

As others mentioned, don't focus on a certain aspect. You can do an awesome job blocking their runner while keeping everyone alive, but your frontline might be in tears with their shutdown in the meanwhile. Basically comes down to experience and being focused/motivated. Or having other people carry you.

Div · Nov 08, 2008, 03:29 AM // 03:29

Dshot the diversion/shame yourself. If your team doesn't let you go Mo/R, throw a hissy fit and ragequit ^_^

Byron · Nov 10, 2008, 07:07 PM // 19:07

Guru won't let me post a video, so lyrics will have to do.

Push it to the limit
Walk along the razor's edge
but don't look down, just keep your head
and you'll be finished

Open up the limit
past the point of no return
You've reached the top but still you gotta learn
how to keep it

Hit the wheel and double the stakes
throttle wide open like a bat out of hell
and you crash the gates
(crash the gates)

Going for the back of beyond
Nothing gonna stop you
there's nothing that strong
So close now you're nearly at the brink
so, push it

(Ooo yeah)

Welcome to the limit
(The limit)
Take it maybe one step more
The power game's still playing so
you better win it

Push it to the limit
(The limit)
With no one left to stand in your way
you might get careless, but you'll never be safe
while you still feel it

Welcome to the limit
(The limit)
Standing on the razor's edge
don't look down just keep your head
and you'll be finished

Welcome to the limit
...

Push it to the limit
....

Push it to the limit
...

Ele Mental · Nov 28, 2008, 07:36 PM // 19:36

LOL at gta3 lyrics
Even more of a dead game than gw

komma · Nov 28, 2008, 07:50 PM // 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ele Mental

LOL at gta3 lyrics
Even more of a dead game than gw

actually the song is "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)", performed by Paul Engemann.