Another noobie monk with another noobie question =)

[Jetblackrogue]

<DIV>Im starting a monk, and I wanna be a tanking monk (oxymoron? Perhaps).  I'm not sure how to go about it, what training to take, what traits etc.  Im debating between sta/hp, or agi/hp.  +Defense or +Avoidance as traits (Ive already had a resounding yes for defense).  Are there any pointers or tips that anyone could give me? </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks much,  Atimus</DIV>

[Cusashorn]

<DIV>Well speaking from a casual player standpoint, You're not gonna encounter all that much equipment that focuses specifically on boosting stamina.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Agility is you ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT STAT. Period. Even if you're an offensive monk, you're agility is still your greatest stat, and not your strength.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As for being a tanking monk... Well. Around level 35, you might find some armor from Enchanted Lands called  Enchanted Thicket Woven Armor.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Each peice gives some insane stat boosts to stamina, agility, and Strength, and has other good stats as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Unfortunatly, the armor has lower AC values than other equipment. By the time you're level 50, you'll have to sacrifice the +8 stamina +10 str on the leggings for armor that lets you mitigate better. Quite a serious blow to your HP value, but its not like you'll encounter anything with better stats and mitigation.</DIV>

[ganjookie]

<span><blockquote><hr>Jetblackrogue wrote:<div>Im starting a monk, and I wanna be a tanking monk (oxymoron? Perhaps).  I'm not sure how to go about it, what training to take, what traits etc.  Im debating between sta/hp, or agi/hp.  +Defense or +Avoidance as traits (Ive already had a resounding yes for defense).  Are there any pointers or tips that anyone could give me? </div> <div> </div> <div>Thanks much,  Atimus</div><hr></blockquote>2 really easy steps to do this. 1. Make a Guardian 2.  Name him "Monk" See, EZ!!!</span><div></div>

[Gaige]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Cusashorn wrote:<BR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Agility is you ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT STAT. Period. Even if you're an offensive monk, you're agility is still your greatest stat, and not your strength. <HR> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>I don't agree with this.</P> <P>I think its sta/str, and then agility if you are a tanking monk.<BR></P>

[Yojimbo99]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Cusashorn wrote:<BR> <DIV>Well speaking from a casual player standpoint, You're not gonna encounter all that much equipment that focuses specifically on boosting stamina.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#3333cc>There are several options avail ranging from dolls to various treasured pieces floating around to tailor your needs to a stat you want bumped up wether a few odd ball armor slots and most varied are jewelery items to flesh out any desired needs. not to even mention potions, imbued goodies, food ect</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#3333ff></FONT> </DIV> <DIV>Agility is you ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT STAT. Period. Even if you're an offensive monk, you're agility is still your greatest stat, and not your strength.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#3333ff>Gonna have to disagree with this  on both counts and of  course its just mho speaking its mind..Agility is grand but you are going to get hit and i dotn care how much agility you have so if you slack off on sta your hit points are gonna take a blow and when you finnaly get one your way hope no one minds rezzin you. As far as offesive is conserned str is by far more important both damage and power come from it  agil will help you hit more( or so the thought is) but if you are standing outa the defensive front arc of a mob and using your stances/bufffs you get a big increase to your crush skill which makes you hit harder and more acurately. I think this idea of over inflated agil numbers are part of the problem atm(re vamp might change things in that regards..could be that it once again becomes a primary focus over all other stats even if taking a loss on one) but monks at 50 running around with 3k hit points and 200 agil 80 sta are not ready to tank with the way advoidance currently works. In short balance to your physical stats are prob your best option.. you will need str for damage/power (and hitting a bit harder help that agro thing) agil to help evade the shots coming at you and sta for the all mighty hit point total</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As for being a tanking monk... Well. Around level 35, you might find some armor from Enchanted Lands called  Enchanted Thicket Woven Armor.</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#3333ff></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#3333ff>Its and ok dropped set of armor but prob best used to tailor aspects of your toon. lacks varied resists adn if i recall the mitigation isnt the best on it. But there many sets to chose parts from to get a desired result in both stats  resists  pow/hlth bonunes..emerald hide, player crafted common and rare. at least one ok gi (blood drenched) and other quested dropped loot</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Each peice gives some insane stat boosts to stamina, agility, and Strength, and has other good stats as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Unfortunatly, the armor has lower AC values than other equipment. By the time you're level 50, you'll have to sacrifice the +8 stamina +10 str on the leggings for armor that lets you mitigate better. Quite a serious blow to your HP value, but its not like you'll encounter anything with better stats and mitigation.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>But to the OP best bet is somewhat balanced approach stat wise ( focusing on a bit more str/sta the better route maybe and not by alot) If you need more of something that a grp cant provide you can bust out a one those varied things like food/ potions to get you where you think you need to be<BR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As far as traits go...if  the race you chose has any def /parry options i would say those are a must along with any damge resists ( barbarian option of 3% crush resist comes to mind)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also take those HP increases  think those are like 1-3% total to your hp pool </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And upgrade your taunts and defensives stances as soon as you can afford to </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If i left anything out or someone disagrees im sure ill be reading it here</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Rolangard Frostfist; Slayer of Fairies</DIV> <DIV>toxx's favorite lvl 50 barbarian monk</DIV><p>Message Edited by Yojimbo99 on <span class=date_text>07-15-2005</span> <span class=time_text>12:58 AM</span>