Which race best suits Monk/Bruiser

[DrSlav]

<div><div>Hi folks.  Excuse any misspellings, as I have a cold and feel miserable.</div><div> </div><div>I think I've found a niche for me.  Well, at least for now.</div><div> </div><div>So, I have a Fury, level 13, and I like it.</div><div> </div><div>I have done a couple of Monks, but then moved on.  Now, I'm trying to create a Monk again, but I feel there's something fundamental I'm missing.  I am torn between Monk and Bruiser.  Both fit my style of play, but I am torn as to a species also.  I did a half-elf Monk and Bruiser, but something wasn't right.  Don't ask me what, something just did not click.  I'd like to stick with the Elves, as Human models of avatar are inherently ugly.  No, I haven't tried a Dark Elf.</div><div> </div><div>Given all this, any suggestions?  I'd really appreciate some feedback.</div><div> </div><div>Another question:  If it's so easy to level to 20, why is it taking me so long?  I've spent 2 weeks on this Fury and she's only level 13.  Did I miss something (yet again)?</div><div> </div><div>Doc (Yes, in Real Life, I am a Doctor)</div><div>Keiran - Level 13 Fury</div><div>Erynn - (undecided at this time)</div><div> </div><div>"There's a Daytime Nyquil and a Nighttime Nyquil.  Drink either one of them cause your body doesn't care what time of day it is!"</div><div> --  Lewis Black</div><div> </div><div>Note:  I'll put this on the Bruiser board too.  Thanks in advance folks and see y'all ingame.</div></div>

[ganjookie]

Any race is fine.  Choose which fits you best.<div></div>

[Shipwreck_GPA]

<div></div>Barbarian makes a cool looking Bruiser. Iksars can look pretty cool as a Brawler, too, especially if you try to make your model as beefy as possible.

[ShinmaRyche]

<div></div><font color="#ffff00">Try using the alternate models, they are more "anime"ish and some people prefer them. Play the race you like the most, the difference between them is inconsequential at late game.</font>

[Zigmun]

<div></div><p>Personally I think having some kind of night vision for dungeons is important.</p><p>I also like invis.</p><p>Other than that I think starting stats are pretty insignificant.</p>

[mrstork]

Ratonga! Deagro trait ftw on raids <span>:smileyhappy:</span><div></div>

[ShinmaRyche]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>mrstork wrote:Ratonga! Deagro trait ftw on raids <span>:smileyhappy:</span><div></div><hr></blockquote><font color="#ffff00">True, but if the OP is going bruiser, he can just feign the mob back to the MT if he happens to peel it off. Not that im speaking from personal experience, mind you.. :smileywink:</font>

[Halsy01]

<div>Kerran is the best way to go.</div><div> </div>

[Radigazt]

<div></div><p>Honestly, I keep hearing how race doesn't matter ... but the blunt truth is that through 50 or so levels, I've noticed a major difference in races.  IMHO, the Ogre is definitely the best.  He starts with the best initial Strength and Stamina stats, so in the early game he's uber.  But his racial traits give him +5 Strength and +5 Stamina, which keeps him ahead and is always useful.  Other races get +Agility, but the Ogre gets +5 Defense, which is actually <em>better</em> than +5 Agility, because it's like a whole extra level.  I notice that the +5 Defense adds more to Avoidance than does +5 Agility ... which is a bit disheartening, heh.  Also, he gets +3% Hit Points, and since Bruisers have the highest Health Pools, that's a lot of extra HP's.  Add those on top of an already extremely high Stamina, and that's quite a nice racial trait.  So, with +5 Strength, +5 Stamina, +5 Defense, and +3% Hit Points, that's 4 racial traits that are extremely useful.  Oh yeah, Ogres also get +5 Intelligence ... not that Intelligence matters much for a Bruiser, but its supposed to help our Procs ... although the difference is infintecimal. </p><p>There are a lot of totems that give you various forms, so you can look like a Half Elf, Dark Elf, Gnoll, Wolf, and a bunch of other things.  So, you only look like an Ogre for about 20 levels.  Sure, you'll look like an Ogre every time you zone, and you'll need to re-apply the totem ... but honestly, you'll spend very very very little time actually looking like an Ogre.  If you're undecided on race, Ogres definitely have the best benefits.  There are other decent races, but IMHO, none as good as an Ogre.  I wish they were all equal ... but they don't really seem to be, despite the rhetoric otherwise. </p>

[Parasite]

<div></div><p>Iksar :</p><p>5 Defence bonus skill5 Agi3% Power pool5 STR ( i think )Invisibility Trait ( with movement ! )</p>

[DarkMirrax]

<div></div><div>There is no right answer for this , the looks are purely cosmetic and having a high elf monk or a lizzie bruiser in the long run has no effect whatso ever , its not like DDO where each class is specifically suited for a role ie Elf (Ranger/Scout due to +2 rolls on agil etc etc).</div><div> </div><div>End of the Day make a character that looks cool to you , one you love because remember your gonna be with him a long time :smileywink:</div><div> </div><div>As for leveling slowly I hit 20 in 8 hours yesturday with my SK , can i ask what mobs you are fighting ? you solo / Grouping ? Dungeon Runs ???</div><div> </div><div>I would say a fury doest kill the fastest solo cos obviosuly they are healers , thats not to say they dont have great soloabilty becasue they rock , just takes a little longer lower levels. </div><div> </div><div>At your level you should be grouping in BB or Wailing Caves and Xp will fly up , when u are around 17/18 Forgotton Gate and Stormhold are the places to go ..</div><div> </div><div>20-23 Heroic Gnolls in TS  or Owlbears in NEK</div><div> </div><div>23-28 Giants in TS FTW</div><div> </div><div>28-33 ROV Golems</div><div> </div><div>33-40 Runnyeye  or RV Nightbloods</div><div> </div><div>40-50 Sinking Sands , CT temple in Feerott</div><div> </div><div>Follow that and in a month max lvl 50 :smileyvery-happy:</div><div> </div><div> </div>

[Danter]

<div></div><p>Dwarves ftw.</p><p>+3% Max HP.</p><p>+5 STA.</p><p>+5 Defense.</p><p>+magic/disease resists.</p><p>-Kald, 70 <strong><u><em>Dwarf</em></u> </strong>Bruiser Permafrost</p>

[Gora]

<div></div><p>Ogre, barbarian, dwarf, human</p><p>Everyone else</p><p>Dark Elf, Erudite</p><p>And in the end, it's a couple percentage points of difference, depends on how much you care about those %s versus your appearance thru 70 levels of playing.</p><p>Argest</p><p>Najena</p>

[PhozFa]

Pick Ogre they are the sexiest. Elven bruisers can do all my ogre bruiser can honestlly. /shrug<div></div>

[KeandraD]

halfling female bruiser here, never regretted it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  <div></div>

[Madmoon]

<div></div><p>It makes no difference - make any race you like, there is no bad choice.  This is true of any class, but Brawlers especially - almost any statistic helps us.  While strength is our primary attribute, stamina and agility figure in highly, too.  Finally, the higher you get the less those differences pan out, and it becomes more a function of your ability, the strength of your CAs, and finally your gear that makes a difference - the racial differences do not enter the equation.</p><p>As to style, I like the Kerrans and Iksars - the tail flying through some of the animations is pretty neat.  And the Frogloks are pretty wild, flipping and leaping as they do.  For more traditional human models, don't forget humans!  A great deal of detail in them.  Lastly, sadly, all leather armor looks the same.  It's hard to tell a brawler from a druid, though I hate to say it.  So, the look in the future is not - currently - that differentiated, anyway.  :smileysad:</p><p>As to leveling, quest, young man, quest.  Those are great ways to get about.  Try and complete all NON-heroic/epic quests, and see where you are.  Keep an eye out for groups wanting to do this quest or that - try and join them, and have them direct you to the quest giver.  Join groups going into the "dungeons" as those places seem to fly with experience.  Keep food and drink on, sell what you can as a broker, and use your money to upgrade your combat arts.  That should make it move fairly fast.</p><p>Redmouser</p>

[PhozFa]

<span><blockquote><hr>KeandraD wrote:halfling female bruiser here, never regretted it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  <div></div><hr></blockquote>Yum halfings taste good in soup</span><div></div>

[KeandraD]

<div><span><blockquote><hr>PhozFate wrote:<span>Yum halfings taste good in soup</span><div></div><hr></blockquote>If you (however unlikely) would catch me, I'd jump up and kick your knees <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span></div>

[Jays]

<div></div><p>Troll is definitely the way to go!!</p><p>You ain't going to get a meaner looking SoB than a Male Troll :smileywink:</p><p>Fits perfectly with the Bruiser image!!</p><p>Glossop</p><p>lvl 40 Bruiser </p>

[Lai]

<div>Bah.... trolls... ogres.... barbarians.... sheesh..... for my bruiser I went for the graceful look of a female gnome... sweat & innocent looking yet just the right hight to punch a troll square in the <beep>  .....  (plus its fun going up against epics like Drayek, I can't even see over the top of his toes)... <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />   Honestly though the race doesn't matter once you reach the higher levels, so play a race you enjoy!</div><div> </div><div>-Briza</div><div>60 Gnome Bruiser  (okie... I'm stuck in Baghdad and can't make it to 70 until I get home, leave me alone)  <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><div>Volonta Forte</div><div>The Bazaar</div>

[CosmicAcidGu]

<span><blockquote><hr>Radigazt wrote:<div></div><p> Oh yeah, Ogres also get +5 Intelligence ... not that Intelligence matters much for a Bruiser, but its supposed to help our Procs ... although the difference is infintecimal. </p><hr></blockquote>you're the first person ever advertising the +5 Int buff for ogres. Int is definately the least important stat for bruisers.Finnster</span><div></div>

[Wargod1968]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Laita wrote:<div> </div><div> </div><div>-Briza</div><div>60 Gnome Bruiser  (okie... I'm stuck in Baghdad and can't make it to 70 until I get home, leave me alone)  <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><div>Volonta Forte</div><div>The Bazaar</div><hr></blockquote>Best wishes to you while in Iraq.

[Radigazt]

<div></div><p>CosmicAcidGuru, read the rest of my post.  I stated that Ogres get great starting stats for Strength and Stamina, +5 Str,+5 Stamina, +5 Defense, +3% HP's ... those are the big ones, as I think I detailed well.  The only reason I threw in the Intelligence buff--which I duly noted as making only an "infintecimal" difference--was because I anticipated that some others might suggest that different classes get other stat benefits too.  Clearly, the Intelligence boosting stat is of virtually no consequence, which is why I described it as "infintecimal."  But, the fact is, with starting stats and racial bonuses Ogres are always ahead of the other races.  Their beginning and racial traits give them a base of 30+5=35 Strength and 25+5=30 Stamina.  The 30 base Stamina is buffed further by the +3% Hit Points, which is the reason Stamina is important.  So, while it's not a 2nd Stamina boost, it amounts to the same thing, because for Bruisers Stamina is important because it gives you more Hit Points.  So, in essence, Stamina/HP's are the same thing for Bruisers ... and Ogres have as many as anybody.  Ogres also have more Strength than anybody, and that matters for DPS and for our Power Pools. </p><p>Everyone has access to the same gear and the same Achievement Points, so those are a wash.  You're left with the Ogres having more Strength and more Hit Points than the other races.  Then, Ogres also get +5 Defense, which is the equivalent of an extra level.  Ironically, the +5 Defense is actually slightly more valuable than a +5 in Agility.  So, a rough translation in order of importance would be something like this:</p><p>Strength:  35.......(30 Beginning +5 Str Racial = 35 Base)Stamina:  35.......(25 Beginning +5 Sta Racial + 3% Hit Points Racial = Approximately 35 Base)Agility:      20.......(15 Beginning +5 Defense Racial = Approximately 20 Base)Wisdom: 15.......(15 Beginning = 15 Base)Intelligence:  20..(15 Beginning + 5 Intelligence Racial = 20 Base)</p><p>Honestly, I can't see any race that comes very close to that.  Barbarians get good beginning stats and +5 Str and +5 Defense ... but do not get the +5 Stamina or the +3% Hit Points.  Trolls have good Stamina and get the +5 Str, but get neither the +5 Defense nor the +3% Hit Points, although they get +3% Power Pool, which is something.  Agility doesn't do nearly as much as it used to do for Bruisers. </p>

[mrstork]

<blockquote><hr></blockquote><blockquote>mrstork wrote:Ratonga! Deagro trait ftw on raids <span><img height="16" width="16" border="0" src="../../i/smilies/16x16_smiley-happy.gif"></span><hr><font color="#ffff00">True, but if the OP is going bruiser, he can just feign the mob back to the MT if he happens to peel it off. Not that im speaking from personal experience, mind you..</font><hr width="100%" size="2"><font color="#ffff00"></font></blockquote>Or you could use the deagro triat, slap on KO Combo, and put out even more dps... FD is a crappy way to loose agro screws up my raid parses letting the [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] ranjas get ahead.<div></div>

[fireto]

I agree, especially in the early levels, Ogres are the best choice. For one thing, look at the Ogre mentor quest item you can easily get fresh off the boat. Like +9 or +10 or something to STR and one other stat.And other races, e.g. gnomes, get racial trait bonuses that assume they are casters (e.g. +INT), or that they don't want aggro (aggro reducer trait). Not good for a Brawler.Later on when stat caps are reached it shouldn't matter too much though.

[Nahlis]

<div></div><p>Trollz be da best.  Weez tough and weez hawt.  Dem girlzes love da green!</p><p>*considers ponderously*</p><p>No...waitz...weez definately needz more o dem gnomes around.  Yep... yuuz getz a gnome.  Iz teach em food...er, dat iz... guud!  *burps*</p>

[PhozFa]

<div></div>At higher lvls when you have over 400 stats what does 5 stat dffrence really make? a Few races get +5 def yea thats useful but it really turns out to be a small avd boost. Alot of races have advantages just in diffrent areas. Race is more imporant at lower levels but those fly by. Why did i pick an Ogre? Its ugly, i don't think bruisers should be pretty. They should look like they just got out of a fight cause well.. they pry just did. don't stress over race if you wanna stress over something do it over your gear. And know your CAs inside and out, their advantages, what situations to use them. Those two things make more diffrence than any race. stat wise Erudite is pry the worst choice. Have the right person raise that Erudite to 70 it still has the possiblity to raid tank just as much as an ogre or barb.EDIT : looking at the stat cap thread to show you the effect of that +5 def trait at 70 = 1.25% avd. +5 STA = 25 HPS. Is that type of stuff groundbreaking?<div></div><p>Message Edited by PhozFate on <span class="date_text">03-23-2006</span><span class="time_text">07:39 AM</span></p>

[Pnaxx]

<div></div>Ogres are Uber FO SHO...but they have one drawback.....DUNGEONS!!!! They just don't fit well. I remmeber my Ogre Zerker sometimes alternating, without my help, crouching and standing and having a hard time seeing in those small enclosed spaces. Other than that, they really do rock.

[Gora]

<div></div><p>Barbarians get +crush mitigation as a racial trait. </p><p>Argest</p>

[ganjookie]

Rarrrrr<div></div>

[ffej]

<div></div><p>I have a Froglok Bruiser, and i love him to death, racial traits are pretty good imho</p><p>+2% Max Health, +1% Slashing/Piercing/Crushing mitigation</p><p>+5 AGI</p><p>Chance to cause poison DoT damage on attacker when hit in combat(also roots)</p><p>Hate reduction, AE stun and teleport (random short distance)</p><p>Underwater breathing (hardly earthshattering, but usefull)</p><p>Not to mention there are very few Frog bruisers(Frog Monks , i dunno, but who cares bout monks anyways?) on any one server, so it makes ya kinda memorable</p>

[PhozFa]

<span><blockquote><hr>Pnaxx wrote:<div></div>Ogres are Uber FO SHO...but they have one drawback.....DUNGEONS!!!! They just don't fit well. I remmeber my Ogre Zerker sometimes alternating, without my help, crouching and standing and having a hard time seeing in those small enclosed spaces. Other than that, they really do rock.<hr></blockquote>your kinda right about the size atleast in lower lvl dungeons... GOTD ftw <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span><div></div>

[Nolomite]

<div>I've got a Barbarian brawler for the reasons others have already mentioned, but if I had it to do over, I'd go for Iksar.</div>