Returning player considering monk

[Dragonlor]

<p>Hello all! I have played EQ2 off and on for a few years now.  I am just returning.  Most of my characters have never made it past the 30s mostly due to alt-itis.  Upon my return, I was considering starting a monk for something new, but I notice a lot of negative posts concerning the monk, especially after GU38.  I know that the vocal minority is usually heard loudest on the boards so I was hoping some veteran monks (and some new monks as well) could tell me how the world of Norrath is for a monk these days.  I predominately solo and join pick-up groups due to my schedule.  First and foremost I like a bit of variety when possible (although I relaize that most classes invlove various degrees of simple button mashing).</p><p>Thanks!</p>

[Khandor]

Monks are awesome. I've played many classes and yes some are better at things than a monk, but monks are just fun simply put. They also look badass when you play em and I love my monk.Remember, lots of people come to the forums to complain, they're not -that- bad, it's just that if you want the monk to the be the -BEST AT EVERYTHING- then you gotta put a lot work into it, but for what you're doing, monk is perfect.

[x0rtrun]

Monks are still very fun. I wouldn't trade mine if for anything. It does take a bit more work to be good at it though.

[Morrolan V]

<p>Monks are a lot of fun.  Many people I know have brawler alts that they play for fun when they are not raiding.</p><p>Monks are jacks of all trades, which means they are great for 98% of the content in the game.  They can DPS, tank and have great soloability.  The rap against the class has really been that they have had no real defined role on raids.  It doesn't sound like that's really an issue for you.  Even if it were, though, that issue is better than it was.  With the new raid-wide buffs and better hate utility, we are more desireable on raids than we have been in a long time.</p><p>So, I recommend the class heartily!</p>

[Ciara52]

<p>When I originally read the negative posts about monks I deleted mine.   But I remade a monk and a bruiser.</p><p>Everyone is right  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  That monk is a great class to play!  Granted I am only lvl 15 running around Antonica but</p><p>she sure can hold her own in a fight.   I'm not a raider really even on my highest lvl character so that parts not an</p><p>issue for me.  </p><p>I'm like you I solo alot and so far this is the best character for soloing that I have made.   </p><p>I sure don't regret remaking her.  </p><p>I think  you'll find yourself having a great time with a monk  </p>

[x0rtrun]

The complaints about monks are very much on the technical character balance side, and don't reflect at all how much fun it is to play a monk. So don't let the complaints deter you from playing an otherwise awesome class.

[Gladiia]

<p>If you enjoy melee, and you aren't hard pressed to be a big raider, then absolutely, positively, monks FTW!!  They can't solo as much as a few of the other classes, but they can solo very well - and if you get a duo with another class that can heal (not neseccarily a 'healer'<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> you can do absolutely awesome things with ease.  </p><p>I guess I was somewhat lucky when I found a guild that would let me raid on my monk with them every week - and now that our speed buff is raid wide, I feel more useful.  We don't 'shine' in raids, but the combination of the speed buff, 'adequate' raid DPS, an emergency heal, and group-feign death does come in handy for raid forces that aren't already super uber.</p><p>And in case you didn't catch it from the above posters - monk is just downright fun.  I have fun with my alts, but it just doesn't compare to the monk =D</p>

[Antas22]

Monks aren't well balanced in comparison to the other classes, particularly in the end game. Thus, the complaining you see on these boards. Monks <i>are</i> a load of fun, and one of the few classes that frequently gets groups for different purposes. Most are pigeon-holed into their specific specialty, and they do perform those roles better than a Monk can, frankly. But Monks will consistently get groups for either tanking OR DPS, so you can have some variety (other tanks will sometimes land DPS roles as well, but less often). The one major frustration you will run into as a casual Monk is people constantly second-guessing you, particularly in the context of tanking. Many folks will take some convincing that, yes, you are a capable tank. At times, you'll just have to swallow your pride while your group sits out front of an instance spamming chat channels for a plate tank. It's just an unfortunate part of the territory (this has the flip-side of the extreme satisfaction of proving them wrong once they give in).And for flat out insane stunts, nothing beats a monk. Sure, other classes may be able to kill things solo better, but nobody, not even Bruisers, can match a Monks ability to get quest updates deep in dungeons in places other classes couldn't THINK of doing solo.

[Nokrahs]

long story short : my monk rocks!