Quote:
Originally Posted by Rasp
I tried that, and it really isn't that great (if you're using a pet).
Imagine being in a big lure, then your pet dies because you're trying to keep the other players alive. (ALL your skills become unuseable for a few seconds, long enough for your party to start dropping)

After this, I quickly deleted that character. I only wanted /Ranger for the pet.
I'm personally using an E/Mo. That way I can be a DD or a healer, depending on the situation, with just a few attribute points redistribution.
This is why you don't take a pet when it's likely he will die. I'll take a pet with me anywhere I have six party members, but as soon as I'm doing 20 missions/quests/PvP games with 8 people the pet goes. That's when it's either time to dust out healing spring, dryder's defense, and stormchaser or just focus on monk abilities. Mo/R players tend to be less-successful monks because they feel the need to capitalize on very visible abilities (damage traps, marksmanship, beast mastery). I'm not knocking trappers--dust trap in particular can completely turn the tide in a chaotic PvP battle. I'm just saying a monk shouldn't wield a bow or have a prominent Achilles' Heel running around in combat.
Mo/W builds are nice if you're a smiting or protection monk. In my experience these players tend to focus a little less on healing than I like from primary healers...which is fine, as long as they understand how to manage themselves in battle. It's frustrating to see a Mo/W charge in thinking censor's eq will save her, then have a mesmer consume her whole because of all her enchantments or have a ranger consume her with well-chained ranged attacks.
Mo/Me builds can be successful, but it depends on their role. Primary healers will probably find themselves relying heavily on support due to not having fast casting to support their energy-stealing and hex abilities. Protection monks, on the other hand, pair wonderfully with Mesmers.
This is pretty much true for pairing with all of the other caster classes. You'll find it requires careful balancing of attribute points and well-chosen skills. Most monks try too hard to have more than one job in PvP battles. I understand the argument, but I feel monks can't be effective unless they choose a role and put effort into excelling in that role. If you get distracted not only by your monk attributes but by your secondary as well, you'll be a less-effective monk in general. It's all about focus and balance.
[ ]