Curse

boranchistanger · Jun 05, 2005, 02:30 AM // 02:30

My guild is starting to seriously PvP and we are finding that the hardest thing to do is to keep the monks alive. With this party build, how should be go about having the monks get hit as little as possible?

R/Mo
W/N
W/Mo
N
E
Mo
Mo
Mo

-Boran

DarrenJasper · Jun 05, 2005, 02:45 AM // 02:45

It's a question any serious PvP guild has to ask at some point.

We've experimented with a lot of different things. Having a prot monk lifebond the others, vigorous use of live vicariously... We ran into a build recently that made highly effective use of Spell Breaker, so we've been fiddling with that. Using Spell Breaker can be almost as much of a pain in the ass as getting it, though.

Paine · Jun 05, 2005, 06:27 PM // 18:27

There comes the question. The trick is to have about 2-3 monks.
2 should be healers and the last guy should be a smiting monk.
Your enemies will probably think that it's a healer. While they focus on the smiting monk, the other monks should heal him and the rest of your party own =)

Neo-LD · Jun 05, 2005, 06:31 PM // 18:31

... and if they dont pick that monk? Its a 1/3 chance dude. No sense bringing a crap character just to use a distraction. Might as well bring some prot spells to keep himself and the other monks alive.

ratatass · Jun 06, 2005, 03:52 AM // 03:52

Number one. Dont let your monks start running.
Number two: Try to keep formation.
Number three change targets often if target doesnt go down quickly. BUT Keep focus Fire!!!!!
Number Four if you are desperate take fertile season.

There are many variations. Life bond is a good way to go. We have run one Mo/me with Blessed signet/Mantra of Inscription and lifebonds to keep the other 2 monks alive and the target of focus fire alive. Essence bond can be used there too.

That works if you can keep the Life bonder alive. Healing Seed , Reversal of Fortune and Protective spirit on him. Also let one of the monks be Mo/E (spam healer) with Ward against Melee (Earth attribute 5 is ok). Takes a load of the when Warriors comes chasing in. The last monk Mo/Wwith stances and possible Watch yourself is also good.

An alternative could be that the ranger carries one life bond and the W/Mo Life bond or Life Barrier. Have the warrior go all Adrenaline attacks. Also bring posion arrows (just my opinion) and have the Ranger continously keep multiple targets poisoned) (just had to add that....If not just use two lifebonds from the ranger /tigers fury and Barrage with zealus bowstring.

Also add Ward against Elements from the Elementalist. Also make sure he has good spike damage capability.Air is good.

The Necro should carry at least Rend Enchantments. I hope the necro is a secondary mesmer....you need some of those goodies.....

But back on topic. Life Bond is alright, Ward Against melee will take care of most PUGS with loads of Warriors. Protective spirit for ELE spike damage. Also make sure your monks doesnt carry the same skills so they unload 3 Healing Seeds at the same time on the same target.

All and all just take a good long look at the skill lists for each profession and use Cains Teambuilder to design around a concept. Study some of Fiannas and KORS team builds. KOR runs 4 monks, 3 W/mo with Life Barrier and a mesmer in some of their builds and it is highly effective. BUt that is also due to their ability to stay in formation and to keep focusing on targets. They also switch targets every 3-5 seconds. Their warriors are also buffed by the monks so they do insane damage.

Ramble Ramble.

Ratatass

Minwanabi · Jun 06, 2005, 03:55 AM // 03:55

Quote:

and if they dont pick that monk? Its a 1/3 chance dude. No sense bringing a crap character just to use a distraction. Might as well bring some prot spells to keep himself and the other monks alive.

First, smiting monks don't suck, they can do more sustained damage than most other jobs, the downside is that they're soft targets. At the same time, I agree that you should have either a monk, or a monk secondary on another caster class focused on protection.