Dwarven Monk - Dwarven Ale or +5 Defense

[Fozzy]

Hello Fellow Monks,I'm a new adventurer in the new lands of Norrath.  My monk is now currently level 12.  However, I have that "green box" racial update (at least I think it's racial as it's all related to dwarves).It gives me a selection of abilities I can apply to myself.  Some of which are...20% chance for +5 dmg buff (30 min cooldown)+30 disease resist+30 spell dmg resist+5 STAM+5 DEF+2 str (buff 30 min cooldown)+5 artisan+5 weaponcraft1 Dwarven Ale (30 min cooldown)My Question is, what is Dwarven Ale?  I only get one Ale every 30 mins, so it must have some kind of buff.  Also, I was planning on brewing my own concoctions as my craft... would I be able to brew Dwarven Ale then?What are some of the suggestions of the Monk community for this racial ability?  I'm considering +5 Def or Ale (depending what it is and if it can be brewed by other means by us stout dwarves).Cheers,Brawlner level 12 Monk<div></div>

[NerissaRavenHeart]

<div><blockquote><hr>Fozzyuw wrote:Hello Fellow Monks,I'm a new adventurer in the new lands of Norrath.  My monk is now currently level 12.  However, I have that "green box" racial update (at least I think it's racial as it's all related to dwarves).It gives me a selection of abilities I can apply to myself.  Some of which are...20% chance for +5 dmg buff (30 min cooldown)+30 disease resist+30 spell dmg resist+5 STAM+5 DEF+2 str (buff 30 min cooldown)+5 artisan+5 weaponcraft1 Dwarven Ale (30 min cooldown)My Question is, what is Dwarven Ale?  I only get one Ale every 30 mins, so it must have some kind of buff.  Also, I was planning on brewing my own concoctions as my craft... would I be able to brew Dwarven Ale then?What are some of the suggestions of the Monk community for this racial ability?  I'm considering +5 Def or Ale (depending what it is and if it can be brewed by other means by us stout dwarves).Cheers,Brawlner level 12 Monk<div></div><hr></blockquote>I think I'd go for either +sta or +def. One or the other. The others imho are not that great.Masuimi</div>

[Xxooo-Coav]

<P>any of the racial traits that have a reuse timer, really arent all that great anyway. </P> <P>I would choose a permanent enhancement if I were you, regardless of what it was.. lol</P> <P>I think I have 2 racial buffs, and I think I have used each one once (right after I got them).</P>

[Coccinea_Maga]

<P>Barbarians get a version of that in their traits as well.  It gives you the ability to summon one (1) level 20 drink every 30 minutes; If I remember correctly, the drink is no better than store bought for regen properties.  It does not scale, so as you get higher in level, the more useless it becomes.  </P> <P>I would choose something that will be more benefical to you in the long run -- resists and permanent stat boots.</P>

[Fozzy]

<div></div>Excellent,Thanks for the helpful comments.  I would agree that I'd preffer passive abilities to timer ones, particularly on 30 min timers or the like.  Also, since I'm new to the EQ2 mechnics, what does +5 do?  Just your skill check of if you get hit or not?  Or does it have any extra effect on your mitigation?<span></span><span></span>Cheers,Brawlner<div></div>

[Zigmun]

<P>+5 Defense is like having an extra level.</P> <P> </P>

[Bewts]

<blockquote><hr>Zigmund9 wrote:<div></div> <p>+5 Defense is like having an extra level.</p> <hr></blockquote> Not really... Defense, stanima, resists and I THINK there is one for max HP percent increase?<div></div>