monk race selection - how much does it really matter?

[ex9]

<DIV>I've been playing a Scout a while, but am going to start a Monk as my new Main.  I've looked around the board some but haven't seen much info about how painful it is (or is not) to have a monk of a non-standard class (ie. gnome, ratonga, etc).  Be the time you do the class quest at 10, you get some stat bonuses, which should help.  Just looking for an idea of how much I'd be handicapping myself be going w/ a non-standard monk race. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks for the input. </DIV>

[Vigh]

<DIV>Ratonga's that betray to qeynos get told by almost every merchant that they dont have any cheese left</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>which can be annoying ...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Wiou]

nothing really besides betrayal. Pick the race you want to play and as long as you're having fun. Ratonga's are good though because of their very natural high agility. They are a wee bit lacking in strength though. But every race has their own downsides. Except human. <div></div>

[ex9]

<DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Wiou wrote:<BR>nothing really besides betrayal. Pick the race you want to play and as long as you're having fun. Ratonga's are good though because of their very natural high agility. They are a wee bit lacking in strength though. But every race has their own downsides.<BR><BR>Except human.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>And speaking of humans, I remember hearing that they have higher resistances than other races.  Is that a number added to their resistance or a percentage?  If it add 10, for example, who cares?  My 20 Swashie has resistences in the mid-hundreds. If it's a percentage increase, that's a different matter entirely.  </DIV>

[Bur]

I know everyone says play the race you like blah blah blah but.. You will see a difference in avoidance from higher having agility You will see better damage from having higher strength You will see more health from having higher stamina Now if these things wont bother you play whatever you like, if it makes a difference to you pick a good race. To give you a good idea of the balance of stats and how big a difference that 30 extra STR at creation is with t5 rare armor, fabled, some nice weapons ect i'd say i'm around 140/135/130 in str/agi/sta (barbarian). <div></div>

[Dulbec]

<P>I personally think any race can be a great monk; the initial stats don't really impact that much.</P> <P>That said, you should be aware that some monks have regretted their racial choice because of racial traditions.  The most contentious of these is the +5 defense tradition.  +5 to defense is equivalent to having a defense of a character one level higher.  It is important to note that more goes into avoidance/mitigation than defense skill alone, but +5 is fairly significant. (human, ogre, iksar, dwarf, barbarian).  There also is a +2 defense / +2 deflection tradition for the more agile races that could be useful as well. (high elf, wood elf, ratonga, halfling).</P> <P>This is just to inform you of something that's not obvious from the player manual / in-game information.  Some have regretted their race decisions and fore-warned is fore-armed.  In all seriousness, play the race you want.  Nonstandard monk races can be extremely fun, and the game is about fun!</P>

[Khotori]

<P>Hi, good responses to the OP's question about the races for the Monk class.  I started out with a Human monk with average stats - 20 across the board, having gone down the traditional route used in EQ 1 where Humans and Iksars were the only races who could be monks.  When I realized any race can be a monk in EQ 2. I created a Barbarian monk and enjoyed every moment being my Barbarian monk.  Agility for Barbarians isn't that great, but it can be built up over time with equipment, weapons, items and jewelry.  I chose Barbarian for the strength and stamina stats other than the look and size, knowing that monks are considered tanks in EQ 2.</P> <P>I really think it is up to you to choose a race you like and know you will enjoy.  Weigh the pros and cons of each race you're considering.  Stats at lower levels don't add up much until later as some people mentioned.  I don't think it hurts to experiment with different races to find the one you like and feel has alot of potential as a monk.</P> <P>Good luck choosing your race :smileyhappy:</P>

[syri]

<P>I have just started a half-elf fighter that I am gonna make into a monk, she is gonna look pretty wicked in her monk gear.</P> <P>Her stats should iron out eventually but I dunno about the racial traditions.</P>

[Kronadin]

I play a gnome monk and never had any problems... I love the little guy! :smileyhappy:

[Cron]

My Ratonga Monk just recently hit level 20.  At this point, I have had no problems soloing single mobs a level or two above mine.  I have only had minor difficulty in keeping mobs off other players in groups.  For full-disclosure, this is only my second character since I started in February.  I do have a 4-year history with EQ1, but not all that understanding of game mechanics transfers.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I am hoping I end up loving this little rat at higher levels as much as I do now.  She's my main now and I love her to death!!!! Charsi Monk - 20th level Artisian - 8th level Butcherblock Server <div></div>

[stfields]

<DIV> <HR>  know everyone says play the race you like blah blah blah but..<BR><BR>You will see a difference in avoidance from higher having agility<BR>You will see better damage from having higher strength<BR>You will see more health from having higher stamina<BR><BR>Now if these things wont bother you play whatever you like, if it makes a difference to you pick a good race.<BR> <HR> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Half true. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'll agree that more agility = more avoidance.  Obvious.</DIV> <DIV>I'll agree that more stamina = more health.  Ok.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This is just a side argument honestly... but strength = power for monks.  If you mean "better damage because you have more power to spam damage arts" then fine.  But, if you mean more strength = more damage...  I honestly am not so sure.  I've seen a troubadour buff me up to about 300 strength from a base of 100 strength and have only seen a power pool increase.  However, I have not parsed my damage with strength buffs.  So, anyone with better info is more than welcome to clarify.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Even with all that said, the starting bonuses are meager.  Consider that a Ratonga starts with 30 agility (right?).  My human starts with 20.  Might seem like a big difference... and maybe it is at level 3.  A single piece of gear or careful selection of specializations can remedy that.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For the most part, it really doesn't matter.  The gear you pick and the specializations you choose make a much bigger difference than anything.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There are a few things for you to think about though.  Check what racial traits you can receive.  Some might be more befitting for a monk than others.  I would only use something like that as a "tie-breaker" if someone was torn between 2 races.</DIV>

[woo]

<DIV>strength does add damage.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>just not very much, same is true for agility/avoidance and stamina/hp</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>as far as race.. big picture not a big difference.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>i personally chose Half Elf, i like the looks of elves, and half elf has best sta/str/agi overall (i think actually 2nd to kerra or halfing i forget..)</DIV>

[SageMarrow]

<P>considering that you will be corralled into doing your job as tank in many situations, </P> <P>pick a good race with traditions that help you do your job in the end.</P>

[kerra]

<DIV>The only thing balanced about this game IS that any race can perform well at any profession. :smileyvery-happy:</DIV>

[SageMarrow]

LOL, aint that the truth <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#003399 size=1>(but that is also another thing that makes it linear and suck!!!)</FONT></DIV><p>Message Edited by SageMarrow on <span class=date_text>04-11-2005</span> <span class=time_text>04:06 PM</span>

[Mystiq]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Vighor wrote:<BR> <DIV>Ratonga's that betray to qeynos get told by almost every merchant that they dont have any cheese left</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>which can be annoying ...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>ROFL</P> <P>Actually i have yet to read this, maybe it's because I have npc say filtered to a different tab. My warlock is a ratonga that has betrayed to qeynos, and I often hear stuff like "If i wanted to associate with rats I'd hunt in the catacombs". Utter crap I tell you!</P>

[Bur]

Maybe i'm the only one to pay attention but I notice the difference between 130 STR and 140 STR or whatever.  I do parse constantly so that could be why.  Bottom line: stats matter. <div></div>

[BLOODka]

My advice, play what you want. I havent seen a race yet that isnt TOO much different, I like creating odd combos anyway. I got my Halfling Monk, had an Ogre Druid, and maybe I'll start a gnome berserker who  knows....it's up to you and with gear later on it wont really matter.

[Nemi]

<DIV>My advice?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Choose a race you enjoy looking at. Unless you play in 1st person all the time, you're going to be staring at your toon for a LONG time, might as well like the look of it.</DIV>

[IrulanDunedanc]

Also, never ever ever do your appearance customization by committee.  There's a number of little details on my char I would have done differently if I hadn't been listening to the people looking over my shoulder. :smileytongue:

[ArivenGemini]

<span><blockquote><hr> <div>This is just a side argument honestly... but strength = power for monks.  If you mean "better damage because you have more power to spam damage arts" then fine.  But, if you mean more strength = more damage...  I honestly am not so sure.  I've seen a troubadour buff me up to about 300 strength from a base of 100 strength and have only seen a power pool increase.  However, I have not parsed my damage with strength buffs.  So, anyone with better info is more than welcome to clarify.</div><hr></blockquote> with a 15-20 strength difference between my monk and my buddys dwarf monk at the same level, with white+ weapons he does 10+dps more than I do... I have to work a LOT harder to meet his normal combat based DPS..   but I get hit less <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </span><div></div>