23 replies to this topic

[evoked987]

Monk are holy followers, often dedicating their entire life to pursue their strong beliefs.

Nevertheless life is a journey and the only constant is change. There is no fixed path or way of life for monks. At different stages, they adopt different means, quickly adapting to the changing environment.

Monk are primarily a combat profession. Their skills vary from close combat, strategic skirmish, to the more sacred spells. A lot of their time have been spent in cultivation, managing conditions and channeling negativity into other forms. They possess resolute mental strength, stamina and have high vitality. They are very versatile fighters and likewise protectors.

Monk wear light armor but can be often identified in multiple appearances. Some appear in a more holy bishop outfit, others in a medieval monk cape, traveler clothing, and also but not limited to chinese monk robes and martial arts gear.






The following contents consist of skills and traits of the Monk. Please note that all numbers serve as a guide and are not conclusive.

It took quite some time to come out with the details of this age-old yet exciting profession. Hope you can take some time to look through the contents as a whole. If there is something you are unclear about, please feel free to clarify and discuss with like-minded people here. I'll also like to know to what extent do you want to play this profession after going through the contents. Lastly, this thread is dedicated to everyone who would like to talk about this multitalented profession.

The details are listed in online word document for better and more comprehensive viewing. They are separated into two files, one on skills and the other solely on traits.

(click the below URLs to see full details)


1. Monk skills


2. Monk traits

[Rukioish]

I'll admit, I was ready to come in here and tell you to go play D3 or something, but I love the skills you have there. It seems well thought out, the monk has an awesome diversity of weapons, and useful skills.

10/10 would reroll.

[Valkaire]

While it is a cool idea which I can see heavily resembles Blizzard's ideas of Monks in their game, I honestly don't see a monk coming to GW2. Especially since Monks in GW1 were pretty much healers and since there's no dedicated heals in the game... Not to mention guardians already fit the "holy warrior" archetype with their mix of martial and holy spells.

Some of the skills are meh to me (for the role, not overall design), including the entire concept of using a longbow/the skills for the longbow. Heated Fog sounds more like at home being an ele skill while Telekinesis sounds more at home being a mesmer skill.

I can tell you put a lot of time into it so kudos for that and job well done but I don't really see this happening in the future. Maybe if they took the hand-to-hand martial artist theme of it and found a different niche to fill (even though I think it was mentioned somewhere earlier that they weren't going to be adding more professions).

Edited by Valkaire, 28 October 2012 - 04:45 AM.

[evoked987]

Thanks for the feedbacks.. I enjoy some skills in there as well too. I would like to know if there is a specific skill that you really like too. Actually I'm equally or slightly more happy with the traits as a whole, some of them are new and unique to the Monk mechanics, also providing additional support to the Monk skills.

I admit some of the skills and concepts are multiverse, but looking at existing professions, it is easy to find overlapping abilities. This is normal in GW2 imo, because they break the holy trinity and result in every profession having at least a fair capability and idea of another.

What I am more concerned about is to give the Monk a character. It is by far one of the most traditional and old MMORPG character, probably only matched by the warrior and mage. In the GW2 Monk, they have a more open role rather than being just solely a healer or a fighter (both unsustainable).

While in the world of Tyria, Monk are holy followers or you can call them travelers too, pilgrims. I doubt anyone actually feel the holiness when they play the Guardian, when I do, I feel more like a meat shield and a protector, which is correct, a Guardian aka protector. There are also multiple calls for a new profession and Monks are near top of the list, if there is an existing profession that already fulfilled the role, then I think there won't be any demands or cravings. I feel some changes could be made to refine the idea even more, would be good if you can share a thought too, more thinking minds is always good haha.

Edited by evoked987, 28 October 2012 - 06:58 AM.

[RabidusIncendia]

I think it would need a new official title.  Will get confusing lore issues if you have the old monks and the new monks, esepcially in something like ascalonian catacombs.

Valkaire, on 28 October 2012 - 04:44 AM, said:

Not to mention guardians already fit the "holy warrior" archetype with their mix of martial and holy spells.

I don't think that's so big an issue.  Many games have both paladins and monks.

Edited by RabidusIncendia, 28 October 2012 - 06:21 AM.

[Rukioish]

RabidusIncendia, on 28 October 2012 - 06:16 AM, said:

I think it would need a new official title.  Will get confusing lore issues if you have the old monks and the new monks, esepcially in something like ascalonian catacombs.




I don't think that's so big an issue.  Many games have both paladins and monks.

Pilgrims! the ultimate adventurers

[Draycon]

They took Monks away, and I don't see A Net doing a British Government special of  U turning on this. However they may change the name and call it something like a Pilgrim like the poster above looks to have mentioned.... but I'm happy with no monk cloth using type character in game.

[Valkaire]

evoked987, on 28 October 2012 - 05:31 AM, said:

Thanks for the feedbacks.. I enjoy some skills in there as well too. I would like to know if there is a specific skill that you really like too. Actually I'm equally or slightly more happy with the traits as a whole, some of them are new and unique to the Monk mechanics, also providing additional support to the Monk skills.

I admit some of the skills and concepts are multiverse, but looking at existing professions, it is easy to find overlapping abilities. This is normal in GW2 imo, because they break the holy trinity and result in every profession having at least a fair capability and idea of another.

What I am more concerned about is to give the Monk a character. It is by far one of the most traditional and old MMORPG character, probably only matched by the warrior and mage. In the GW2 Monk, they have a more open role rather than being just solely a healer or a fighter (both unsustainable).

While in the world of Tyria, Monk are holy followers or you can call them travelers too, pilgrims. I doubt anyone actually feel the holiness when they play the Guardian, when I do, I feel more like a meat shield and a protector, which is correct, a Guardian aka protector. There are also multiple calls for a new profession and Monks are near top of the list, if there is an existing profession that already fulfilled the role, then I think there won't be any demands or cravings. I feel some changes could be made to refine the idea even more, would be good if you can share a thought too, more thinking minds is always good haha.

I probably should have explained more but the guardian takes skills and influences from the Monk and Paragon of GW1 (some shouts from warrior as well). This is where the mix of holy skills and martial skills comes from (can even be seen from the guardian introduction hat you can now find on the wiki).

The problem with having skills that conflict with other professions is mainly a "how did they do that" factor. If you have too many themes in a profession it tends to get jumbled up. In one profession you have Jedi mind powers, control over the elements/weather, martial skills AND powers derived from faith. Not to say the skills aren't cool but maybe if you cut it back to purely martial skills with an emphasis on skills through meditation and/or concentration. as for the name, here has to be something other than monk or pilgrim... Pilgrim is too peaceful/unassuming. I'll try and come up with an idea when I'm on a more convenient device (on a ridiculously small iPod touch keypad).

[Seryth]

Well i'm not sure i would dig the whole Longbow but i guess a second range option to Scepter is a must.
Staff however HAS to be melee as Monk.
And i don't like the F1-F3 thing, don't mind the Skills themselves but it's just to Guardian like. It should be something more unique.

I was totally bummed when they not carried over the GW1 Monk but he was a bit too healery i guess, a new combat oriented Monk (with melee Staff!) would rock hard and unless Anet screws him up would probably one of my favorite professions.

[Valkaire]

Seryth, on 28 October 2012 - 07:14 PM, said:

Well i'm not sure i would dig the whole Longbow but i guess a second range option to Scepter is a must.
Staff however HAS to be melee as Monk.
And i don't like the F1-F3 thing, don't mind the Skills themselves but it's just to Guardian like. It should be something more unique.

I was totally bummed when they not carried over the GW1 Monk but he was a bit too healery i guess, a new combat oriented Monk (with melee Staff!) would rock hard and unless Anet screws him up would probably one of my favorite professions.

Agreed, although I see this as most likely to happen if/when they reintroduce Cantha Maybe a different name because Monk will forever hold a place in my heart as my little healer/protector.

Edited by Valkaire, 28 October 2012 - 07:16 PM.

[actionjack]

Wowie, Great Effort.  Very nice done.

While I do like most of it, I feel there still a bit of theme clash, between that of a western monk and eastern one.  Feel would be better to pack it with Cantha, and make it more martial art focus (but with still dash of healing magic and mantra and meditations)

My vote is still with no on long bow (since by common lore, Monk does not like to seed blood, thus they usually avoid piercing and bladed weapons).  But could also have room for 2 hand hammer too.

The main mechanic seem a bit weak too...feel it just like another skill, and not fully define them.

Edited by actionjack, 29 October 2012 - 04:19 AM.

[evoked987]

Monk acquired longbow because some do practise them as a form of learning and skills, but whether they use them for combat is another thing. When being forced to fend for their lives, I am sure they would, as in they already have other combat weapons such as H2H etc, and even magical weapons, they are called weapons for a reason. As in the world of GW2, you could choose to or not to use the longbow at all.

In some parts of our world, Monk carry guns too, but in the world of Tyria, it would be better if they are more traditional, so longbow imo is still very acceptable. Also it is good to have a non-magical range weapon.

Yea there's a bit of a mix between east and west since Monk is very general, but the mix is caused by our real life thoughts, in game, the idea is always open. I would say it is more of a Eastern monk because themselves are very wide-range, covering holiness, magical abilities and also combat range. However, I don't want to leave the option of a more Westernise one, particularly of their alternative and exotic look. I don't see any disadvantage if a player could pick what type of style and route he wish to devout as a Monk, it would be a luxury to have that choice. The ability to customize yourself as a Monk can be seen with the types of utility skills available and which ones you are going to put, also traits which are often overlook until you start using a profesion, and also at the starting point of the profession mechanics. The way we view things can sway very easily, it is also about how Anet puts it, and of course how some of us wants it. From the point of making a character, to later parts of selecting gear, and also skills animation.

I feel there is just the slightest resemblance in profession mechanic as to the Guardian's. But a more comprehensive look shows that the Guardian is more of a supportive role and can use all mechanics. While as a Monk, you have to pick a path while on board a journey, you may be able to change it while preparing for different obstacles, but it is not easy to when you are already in a combat or engaged to something. Another point to take note is the Monk profession mechanics mainly affect yourself, as in you reap what you sow.

More weapons could be introduced too, basically these are the ones from the current range that catches my thoughts the most. I think the staff could be more uniquely used too, I tried to insert a little combat-feel here by having the Pugilist's Staff skill. I feel the skill could have good synergy with some of the utility skills. I'm not entirely sure how most people would feel in having a magical weapon doing absolutely non-magical stuffs so that idea was put to shelf. That is where the Mace comes in, a combat weapon from the weaponsmith properly use for combat purposes, haha. If there is an existing or new weapon you think a must have then you could also suggest how you wanna introduce it to the profession.

Edited by evoked987, 29 October 2012 - 06:53 AM.

[actionjack]

Here is where the main "clash" that I feel comes from.  The light Armor class.  Since the outfit is now shared, I just don't see clearly of a robe/dress wearing Monk doing the punching and kicking.  While can than move it to the medium armor class, but than it just doesn't fit with the magical part of things.

Now, since I am in the school of "more class is better", I could see it divided into two, Devotee and Master

Devotee would be similar to that of Monk + Rititalist + Dervish, making it a AoE control, healer/support, battle priest.  They can summon divine avatar/spirit to guard and area, or guard themselves (covering them like an armor).  Can go magical range or melee too.

Master would be a medium armor melee class.  They would be mostly physical, martial artist theme, but have Chi and pressure points too add more diversity.

That is short and brief of it.  If can find my CC heart again, might try to add more detail later.  

[Blixcoe]

My web-browser gets epilepsi when I try to enter you links..
I can't see them >
*

[Andemius]

It's a nice idea, but personally I don't want monk as a profession. Seems a bit too much like a mix of ele and guardian to me.

Good work on the skills/traits though.

[Tchaikovsky_1812]

I'm pretty sure in the lore it says all monks were wiped out from GW1 / together with dervish became the current guardians??

Not 100% but pretty sure its something like that.

[VanderBeltLegacy]

Tchaikovsky_1812, on 07 November 2012 - 05:55 PM, said:

I'm pretty sure in the lore it says all monks were wiped out from GW1 / together with dervish became the current guardians??

Not 100% but pretty sure its something like that.

no that's just Fan Theory, anet STATED classes have "evolved to not need dedicated healers" or a trinity system...which is BULL FLOP, we still need war/Guardian "tanks", as LvL 80 Scholars/Adventurers with Toughness/Vitality/Power traits/gear still get slapped around faster, then your average mixed trait lvl 80 Wars/Guardians(friends and i spent GOLD to test this), in PvE anyway.

personally i feel this game style doesnt match the the class style, but i thought it was good, and left a link in my post to direct other players here, who'd preffer this.

[Killyox]

long story short: NO

We don't need monk and it wouldn't even be good to have one in GW2 because D3 has it , MOP has it and GW1 had it but it was completely different. Monk in GW2 is totally different monk from the likes of yours. Making it like yours would also give wrong feel for old GW1 players and we really don't need more mmos with monks.

[Raagar Deathclaw]

I really like the idea but agree with some of the other posts that monk should have more of a focus on the martial/internal cultivation theme you already have going, possibly more skills that affect only the monk or possible have a "fringe" benefit to allies. I understand why you added the longbow but i think that "ghastly arrow" could pose multiple problems especially in wvwvw. Overall a great proffesion and with some tweaking i'd be very excited to roll a monk toon =)

[ZCKS]

Killyox, on 12 November 2012 - 09:10 AM, said:

long story short: NO

We don't need monk and it wouldn't even be good to have one in GW2 because D3 has it , MOP has it and GW1 had it but it was completely different. Monk in GW2 is totally different monk from the likes of yours. Making it like yours would also give wrong feel for old GW1 players and we really don't need more mmos with monks.

This ^ sadly.

The term "Monk" just implies to much to what monks were in GW1 & almost nobody wanted to play a heal bot.

That being said I can see some of your ideas being used for say a revamped "Ritualist", or maybe a shamanistic type class at a future point.

[konsta_hoptrop]

I am looking forward for new profession  like Dervish. Based on 2 handed weapons, combined with spells. Weapon set -Scythe , polearm weapons or 2handed Axe , GS and longbow for range. Or maybe without longbow if other weapons have long range gap closer abilities(skills).But i dont know what type of armor they would use. Heavy or medium. If Anet add more hooded medium armor sets with some evil elements. Because medium sets so far fit only for assassins and rangers (1-2 for engineers).

May be some class like Archer with double crossbow (like Demon Hunter from D3) would be cool too. With more AoE skills and combined with some nuke spells. More destructive then ranger and not so based on pet help. With weapon set :Crossbow, dagger , crossbow/crossbow, shortbow , katar like weapons or some throwing weapons .

Or warrior like class with spears and polearms with big aoe circles skills , not so based on spells but more brutal force. But that sound more like new weapons for warrior.

But only 1 of them in the first expansion and 1 new race.  Possibilities for races are limited - Kodan, skritt or bird like people near southwest exit of Lions arch. They would be the best choice for a new race. Skritts are weak and really small and not so attractive. If Anet improve their model to fit for playable race . Kodans are good for a new race but they are too simular to norns. Ogres , hylek and centaurs are possible too but their bodies are  too weird to share  same armor sets as humans and norns . May be some brand new race coming from a new lands.

Sry for my bad english

Edited by konsta_hoptrop, 22 February 2013 - 09:01 AM.

[Craywulf]

From lore perspective, I don't really see the correlation to GW1 Monk and this new proposed Monk.

[Zylo]

If this class became available, I would immediately forget my main. Monks were both my favorite profession in GW1 (although admittedly the playstyle of a monk that you described is different, still awesome though) and are an amazing concept in general. It'd be interesting to see the mechanics you could institute for hand-to-hand combat fighting style against enemies like elementals, where the jagged earth elementals might cause bleeding when you strike them or the fire elementals deal extra burning damage. World of possibilities.

[Chaos Archangel]

I guess the lore doesn't fit, but I'd surely LOVE to play this class.

And who's to say they wont be adding classes/weapons in Expansions? Maybe the Monk just wasn't ready for launch.