Why is Mystic best duo partner for a Monk?

[PhoenyxT]

I'm trying to decide which priest path to take with my wife's new monk.  We will duo 95% of the time together, only occasionally joining groups.  Our primary playstyle is duo-ing together without relying on other classes for assistance.  Killing things fast is always nice, but ultimately we care more about not dying and dealing with the penalties and delays of doing so.  (That said, I know that in many MMOGs, the best defense is ability to kill as fast as possible.)  From our playtime before when EQ2 first came out, I know that it's hard to avoid group encounters, and I know that monks are weaker at holding group hate, so I'm guessing that as the priest I will need to be able to deal with aggro that I attract. So with all that preamble, what do you think?  I've seen Fury vs. Warden debated hotly in all the searches that I've done, and I've seen Shaman-based classes mentioned too.  Especially with all the flak about recent changes to both Furies and Wardens, is there a clear winner for duo-ing with a Monk now? I appreciate any advice you can give.<div></div>

[thedu]

Well, the only reasons I can think of pairing Monks with Mystics is Wards, Buffs, and Debuffs. Monks are primarily avoidance tanks -- well more so DPS.  I would think that any Scout class could work well with Mystics primarily because melee is dependent on Str and avoidance on Agi. Although, I don't think we really have too much in terms of AGI buffs, but loads of STR. Wards will absorb whatever damage a Scout can't avoid or can't mitigate.  With debuffs you can Slow mobs; Lower vital stats such Str, Agi, and Sta; Reduce DPS; Snare with DDs Of course this always dependent on how well you work as team. <div></div>

[Surly_Smurf]

<DIV>Now this is just my personal opinion and folks who actually parse can tell me I'm 100% off base.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Personally, I feel I have a so-so relationship with Avoidance Tanks. Not bad, but not stellar. Certainly doesn't feel like a buddy flick; like we were meant to be together a la Laurel and Hardy or Abbot and Costello or Chocolate and Peanut Butter. I have felt for a long time (even before revamp but definitely after revamp) that I have enjoyed grouping with Mitigation Tanks more so than Avoidance Tanks. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh sure, the Avoidance Tank can theoretically avoid hits entirely but when he DOES take a hit, he's going to take it hard due to his lower mitigation. Our wards now use the mitigation of the tank so the Mitigation Tank is going to get hit more often but our wards are only being eaten up for what didn't get mitigated by the armor. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>From my perspective it feels easier to keept a Mit tank up than an Avoid tank. Now, I cannot say what it feels like from the Tank's perspective, since I only occasionally play a mid level monk who mostly solo's, anyway.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also, how much of this is impacted by my personal play style and by "Tradition" choices while leveling I cannot say, either.</DIV>

[Dr^Ney]

I have been grouping and duoing a lot with a monk, like 75-90% of my levels up to 53. And so far what I like best is that i can put up a ward and before the monk gets hit I have time to throw in my de-buffs before i need to refresh the ward and maybe cast a small heal. Another good thing is that monks do decent dps when in offensive stance at the cost of me healing a bit more, but the extra power I use for healing is no way near the power (time) I would have to use if I had to do the extra damage myself.If you are set on playing a mystic I would recommend a Monk as duo partner, if not for better healing abilities then at least for the added DPS.

[Belthaz]

<DIV>Pre LU13 wards absorbed dmg as 0% mitigated, so there was no difference between a tank having 2k and 3k. This made brawlers work nice together with wards cause of their avoidance.</DIV> <DIV>I still think that wards work great together with brawlers, since we can 'heal' in advance of the hits, instead of after, so its less likely that a series of hits would kill the tank compared to what other healer classes have for healing.</DIV> <DIV>An equal equipped plate tank vs a brawler is probably taking the same dmg if parsed over time, but avoidance is random, mitigation is not, making brawlers more squishy than plate tanks. In the long run plate tanks are better at soaking up dmg.</DIV> <DIV>With that said, I think Mystics are the best healers to duo together with Monks.</DIV>

[Surly_Smurf]

<DIV>You're probably right. If I played other types of Healers (Druid or cleric) I might see that more. As a Warden with mostly HOT's keeping a monk up might feel like running a marathon entirely up-hill. No idea of course, since Mystic is the only healer I've ever played.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Mystics Rule! :smileyvery-happy:</DIV>

[BALTO]

hmm skimming thru, didnt see it mentioned. Ward + Mend = happy monk. keep'n those wards slapped on, an cure'n all the dots.  while the monk burst heals themselves with mend to counter the lil damage that splashes  pass the ward. also duo'd more often with a necro, which we leave the spot heals to his life transferance, leaven me more time to throw up antoher group ward for the three (the disposable tank be'n included) of us. <div></div>

[Acomo]

This post started in '05' is mystic still the best partner for a monk or is fury a better or as good option?

[Effi]

It also ended in '05 <img src="/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> I see you also resurrected a thread in the Monk forum as well...Best off starting a new thread asking for current information if you can't find something relevant in the first few pages of the forum. That said: In my opinion- between Mystic and Fury, Mystic. Wards are more efficient for avoidance tanks and Mystic's buff set is geared better for melee.

[Nahlis]

If your not 100% set on the Monk I'd suggest you look into a Mystic/Brigand combo.  Have been doing a lot of duoing with a Briggy lately and it's really a very effective combination.  Their chain armor makes warding much easier than with monks, their dps is stellar and they even come complete with their own taunt if you manage to pull aggro off of them.