Need some help deciding on zerker..

[hairywook]

Hey there, i am kinda stuck picking a class to go with my Mystic.<div></div><div>I cant decide between a monk and a zerker. Id like to be able to duo heroics once i get to high level. I was originally going to go with a monk however it seems to me that a buckler specced zerker would actually end up having better uncontested avoidence while still haveing nice dps as well as having higher mit due to plate.</div><div></div><div>But what i am unclear on is the actual effect of CONTESTED avoidence. Will the monks higher contested avoidence be more useful? </div><div></div><div>And finally how does a zerkers dps compare to a monk at high level? </div>

[Xalmat]

Monk contested avoidance is best against greens and blues, and tapers off rapidly against whites, yellows, and oranges. Once a mob punches thru a monk's contested avoidance, they're a leather wearer and get hit <i>much</i> harder than a plate wearer will.Because of this, a plate wearer like berserker will always have the edge in the tanking department, due to their very high mitigation.My understanding is that monks and berserkers are roughly equal in the DPS department depending on gear and such. But Monks have the advantage at higher levels of always dual wielding (or a 2 hander) while tanking, while Berserkers are usually required to wear a shield for tanking.

[hairywook]

Hmm thanks for the reply. It seems that basically it comes down to the zerker has decent dps and good tanking ability. Where the monk has less tanking abilty but higher dps once dual wielding.<div></div><div>I would like to go with the monk, i just don't want to get to level 80 only to find out i get squashed when trying to duo heroic content.</div><div></div><div>I guess i will most likely just flip a coin since both have thier advantages and issues.</div>

[tikasa]

<p>The nice part is that You are already a Warding class.   This makes the weaknesses of the Avoidance mute.   If you were going to choose a priest or a druid the choice would have to be Zerk as the only viable option.    Brawlers take alot of Spike damage... spikes do not matter to wards... slow or burst it still all gets used.    For the most part both classes take the same AMOUNT of damage... the Brawler has the possibility of taking 2 big spikes in a row that makes it tough for Priests and Druids to keep up with ... Zerks take steady damage ...</p><p>   DPS will be close...  so it all comes down to utility...   Monks are easier to equip... and have ALOT better chance to solo heroic content....    Groups will not like a Monk for tanks however so be prepared if you go that route...</p>

[hairywook]

Hmm well i think i will just end up logging in tonight and picking one of the two. I like how the zerker looks compared to a monk, and due to higher mitigation and avoidence prolly can tank heroics a bit better. But the monk is cheap to level up due to str line and in the end i assume will have a much easier time getting into groups/raids then a zerker. Worst case I get to level 80 and find the monk can't handle some stuff i want to kill, i can always make a guard/zerker then.<div></div><div>Anyway thanks for the replies guys</div>

[Xita]

<p>i played a monk, they are a nice class, but I play a zerker now. If you get behind on your wards with the monk you do have the ability to heal yourself, you don't have that with the zerker, so i guess it depends on how much energy you want to spend watching your mystic.</p>

[Pnaxx]

<p>I am an 80th Bruiser, so while I may not know specifically, I think I have an opinion here that may be valid...but by now you prob already rolled your choice.</p><p>But if not, I would say Monk for sure. Brawlers are made for what you want to do. When you are duoing, Monks will kill mobs much much faster than Zerker. Monks can also FD if things get to dicey givin you the ability to keep things movin. Zerkers, as plate tanks, don't dsp as well as the leather wearers in a duo situation. Zerkers really shine as a tank in a group. There you will have dps closer to a Brawler. But duoing, not so much. And since you are a Warder, you give the Monk the same as plate armor. So , go with the monk.</p>

[hairywook]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I decided on the monk and rolled both chars this evening.<div></div><div>even though i only got to level 10 so far im having fun.</div>