Strategy Tips for Monk fighting?

[Kernow]

Hi all this is my first post on this board <span>:smileyhappy:</span> I have a lvl 23 Monk on splitpaw server - generally i solo, sometimes 2-box, but will be grouping more soon i think. I've read a few posts on this board that hint at different fighting strategies with a Monk. I'm going to download a log file parser and do some of my own experiments to find the best fighting techniques for me. I would be interested to know what everyone else's techniques are though? For example, I read that some people don't use auto-attack (does that mean they don't use melee at all to prevent riposte damage), but will use different combinations of Monk abilities for max damage. One technique i find particularly interesting is that some will stun a mob with Hand Clap then jump round the back to inflict Rapid Swings...does anyone have any more of these tips? thx! <div></div>

[bonesbro]

Welcome! I know that guardians will sometimes tank without attacking epic mobs, to avoid riposte damage, but I don't think that's a worthwhile strategy for tanking the 1-50 leveling game.  Even at low levels, autoattack damage is a fair chunk of your overall damage.  It's almost certain that you'll end up taking more damage due to the fights lasting longer than you will in avoided ripostes.  To cut down on ripostes it's generally recommended to use a 2h weapon instead of dw weapons when tanking. Hand Clap won't stun, but Shoulder Charge will.  The stun move you described works pretty well <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> A lot of the damage you take will come from special attacks - they seem to hit more often, and they do more damage.  Stuns, stifles, and interrupts not only prevent the mob from using a special attack but also interrupt one that the mob is starting to cast.  For example, Crushing Blow is used by most mobs, and the animation is usually jumping up into the air and pounding you with their right fist.  The moment they start to jump, hit em with a quick stun or stifle kick.  It will prevent CB from landing, plus they're stunned so they aren't doing any attacks for a few seconds, plus they couldn't attack for the second or two while they were casting.  Getting your timing just right will take the mob out of the fight for even longer. If you took the stifle kick at 20, you can multiply its effectiveness by timing your stun and stifle attacks well.  It lasts about 5 seconds and is on a 10s recast timer.  Land your stifle and wait about five seconds, then use a stun.  You'll almost certainly interrupt a special attack.  Stifle will be up a moment later, so you just kept the mob mostly useless for 15 seconds.  Later you'll be getting two more stuns - one at 30 and one at 47, so you can continue this cycle a few times.  And at 50 it's really easy: silent fist will stifle them for ~15 seconds (after resists), then stifle kick, then two stuns, then stifle kick, then stun and interrupt, and now silent fist is up.  Assuming you don't miss, you can completely prevent them from using special attacks. I suggest reading through the "How do I tank" and "How do I do damage" FAQlettes - there are a few more tips in there.  Might have to browse back a page or two. <div></div>

[Jenj]

<P>One tactic I would suggest: stun/CA combo..</P> <P>There are 3 CA lines that do .5 - 1 tick stuns: Winter's Talon, Rapid Swings, and Chargin Tiger. Heres the combo to start the fight.</P> <UL> <LI>Lead in Icy Talon (1 tick stun) [or Winter's Talon]</LI> <LI>Move behind mob, do Lunging Mongoose (1-tick stun) [or Dart Sparrow]</LI> <LI>Flying Dragon</LI> <LI>Charging Tiger (1/2 tick stun)</LI> <LI>Silent Fist (or Freezing Palm)</LI></UL> <P>If you do it correctly, you shouldnt get swung at until the last CA (well maybe the mob might get 1 swing). Combo also works nicely when you are tank and you can get typically get all your Rapid Swing strikes to hit.</P> <P>-Jenjer</P>

[Kernow]

excellent tips guys, thanks very much  <span>:smileyvery-happy:</span> <div></div>

[Squidwalk]

<P>Yea thanks for the extra tips. I need to respec and get that stifle kick. Anyone know exactly what its called, or what its a training replacment for?</P> <P>Anyway, I have my main hotbar setup so my attacks are good combos. I think. I start from left to right and work my way down it. Here is how my bar is setup. I"m a 32 monk.</P> <P>Rapid Swings, Stun, Stumbling boar, rushing bear(stun), Winters talon, kick, kick, Heroic opportunity starter, swooping dragon, taunt. </P> <P>If you notice I have a stun right before my two hardest hitting most damage dealing attacks. My logic was if they are stuned when I use my harest hitting attack, I have a higher chance of landing it and doing more damage. Don't know if thats actually having any effect but it seems to work. </P>

[Gaige]

I'm the same way, all my freezes/stuns/interrupts/stifles first and then my big damage arts.