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ScottG · 07-19-2003, 01:01 AM

Sorry to pull a 180 on you but this is why I think Monks are the WORST class (hybrid or otherwise):

Its really all down to the attributes, but.....

1. Monks completely waste attribute points toward Piety, the only upside here is that you have marginally better mana reserves than lower race minimum piety levels would have. The downside is tremendous as far specializing in attributes and unlocking their special skills.

2. Melee-Meatshield duty: Strength and Vitality are needed, as is a High AC, as is the capability of utilizing weapons with not only high damage potential but also additional effects. The two attributes that Monks don't utilize at creation are Strength and Vitality (huge mistake). Monks don't use armor and don't utilize weapons (unless you throw away the advantage of martial arts - and then really only to staffs). The offset for AC is that they do aquire Stealth and they class level up with damage resistance. Stealth is great but it doesn't allow additional effects that some armor might have, moreover the Rouge class can acquire stealth and light armor. Damage resistance is quite nice but the amount of it throughout most of the game is very low (because it scales by Monk class level, you might finish the game with only 20% and stumble through most of it with 12% or less) - a better damage resistance alternative for some race/class combinations (might) be Ironskin or simply utilizing a dwarf.

The offset for weapons is that they specialize in Martial Arts and get critical kill skill. Unfortunetly critical kill skill works much better with greater number of attacks (speed and dexterity) and with a high senses attribute. Furthermore you actually have to HIT your opponent first to even try for a critical, and maxed strength (and to a lesser extent higher dexterity) rule this. This then means that you should have 4 high or maxed attributes for quality criticals (strength, dexterity, speed, and senses) which is virtually impossible with this character. The obvious result is that criticals will suffer.

3. Magic duty: 5 level penalty for magic (which all hybrids have) is really tough. Things then get better here..... Intelligence is a primary attribute of magic casting and happens to be a primary attribute of the Monk. Furthermore Senses is the primary attribute of Psionics and again a primary attribute of the Monk. Again however, niether of these attributes will be Maxed early in the game because they are being "drained" by the requirements in dexterity and speed upon character creation.

SO.......... what does all of this suggest:

The complete (do it all) Monk needs 7 attributes (which is worse than even a Ninja) - and in reality is nothing more than a figment of ones imagination. It also suggests that a Monk is better developed as a late blooming Psionic that can take an occasional hit and serve an occasional insta-kill. The alternative mediocre at everything Monk can be achieved latter in the game by maxing Strength and Intelligence at creation and throughout the game. (This I believe is CT's preferance for development.) The real problem here though is that it will take quite a while to max these attributes because of the initial non-strength attribute and piety requirement of the Monk class.

....well, play around with the numbers on creation and I think you'll see what I'm talking about. If you want a challenge - choose a Monk.

07-19-2003, 01:01 AM	#4
ScottG Drow Warrior Join Date: June 13, 2003 Location: Never Never Land Age: 55 Posts: 267	Sorry to pull a 180 on you but this is why I think Monks are the WORST class (hybrid or otherwise): Its really all down to the attributes, but..... 1. Monks completely waste attribute points toward Piety, the only upside here is that you have marginally better mana reserves than lower race minimum piety levels would have. The downside is tremendous as far specializing in attributes and unlocking their special skills. 2. Melee-Meatshield duty: Strength and Vitality are needed, as is a High AC, as is the capability of utilizing weapons with not only high damage potential but also additional effects. The two attributes that Monks don't utilize at creation are Strength and Vitality (huge mistake). Monks don't use armor and don't utilize weapons (unless you throw away the advantage of martial arts - and then really only to staffs). The offset for AC is that they do aquire Stealth and they class level up with damage resistance. Stealth is great but it doesn't allow additional effects that some armor might have, moreover the Rouge class can acquire stealth and light armor. Damage resistance is quite nice but the amount of it throughout most of the game is very low (because it scales by Monk class level, you might finish the game with only 20% and stumble through most of it with 12% or less) - a better damage resistance alternative for some race/class combinations (might) be Ironskin or simply utilizing a dwarf. The offset for weapons is that they specialize in Martial Arts and get critical kill skill. Unfortunetly critical kill skill works much better with greater number of attacks (speed and dexterity) and with a high senses attribute. Furthermore you actually have to HIT your opponent first to even try for a critical, and maxed strength (and to a lesser extent higher dexterity) rule this. This then means that you should have 4 high or maxed attributes for quality criticals (strength, dexterity, speed, and senses) which is virtually impossible with this character. The obvious result is that criticals will suffer. 3. Magic duty: 5 level penalty for magic (which all hybrids have) is really tough. Things then get better here..... Intelligence is a primary attribute of magic casting and happens to be a primary attribute of the Monk. Furthermore Senses is the primary attribute of Psionics and again a primary attribute of the Monk. Again however, niether of these attributes will be Maxed early in the game because they are being "drained" by the requirements in dexterity and speed upon character creation. SO.......... what does all of this suggest: The complete (do it all) Monk needs 7 attributes (which is worse than even a Ninja) - and in reality is nothing more than a figment of ones imagination. It also suggests that a Monk is better developed as a late blooming Psionic that can take an occasional hit and serve an occasional insta-kill. The alternative mediocre at everything Monk can be achieved latter in the game by maxing Strength and Intelligence at creation and throughout the game. (This I believe is CT's preferance for development.) The real problem here though is that it will take quite a while to max these attributes because of the initial non-strength attribute and piety requirement of the Monk class. ....well, play around with the numbers on creation and I think you'll see what I'm talking about. If you want a challenge - choose a Monk.