Monk: Question on Benefits of Offensive vs Defensive Gear

[easy_lee]

Mid level (37) monk on server, and I'm wondering what you guys suggest I prioritize as far as gear. Right now, I spend quite a bit of time soloing, but in groups I'm generally the puller.

It seems simple to me that I want to focus on AC, Strength, and Haste (have an FBSS) for solo. AC and strength seem to have the biggest influence on my general ability to solo.

But for groups, should I focus on other stats? Since I'm often the puller, it seems like resists, stamina, and HP would be my most important stats, followed by AC, since most of the damage I take as a puller comes from spells.

Gear like Robe of Living Fungus, Crown of the Froglok Kings, etc would be better for grouping, whereas Sythrak Hide Vest and FBSS would be important to have for soloing. Then again, if I'm dps in a group, I want the strength gear again, so I'm back where I started.

What do you guys recommend? Should I build for damage, survival, or a mix? Or should I just cough up the change and carry a few pieces to switch out for different situations?

[nothsa]

At level 37, you best bet is to get what gear you can get. When your a big higher level and can have some tinker bags and other weight reduction backs, you can make a resist and str set. Thought now hit points and AC are usually what you focus on.

[webrunner5]

Trouble is as a Monk you need about every stat pretty good. But we both know that ain't happening. I think for pulling you need more Hit Point gear. Casters higher levels are pretty nasty. Well they are sort of nasty any level. MM comes to mind. I don't think Resist gear works as well on here like it does on live. But no way you can have good resist gear on and be a puller-Tank. You would loose too many good stats to the items. On Raids well yeah you need resist gear.

I don't know if you are a Human or Iksar but if Human a Fungi is almost needed higher up to solo. And I have found around level 45ish and above that AC does seem to work like it kind of is suppose to and so keeping your weight down does help then.

A Monk is really expensive to equip well. You can go broke buying just Tink Bags. I would go for AC and HP items like nothsa said if your str and sta are pretty balanced.

[Estu]

HP can improve your soloing efficiency as well because it means you can heal more HP with bind wound, and it means you heal more HP per use of mend (since mend heals proportionally to your max HP).

[Vohl]

Don't sweat stats.

Your first priority is to get the best weapon(s) you can.
Your second priority is to get the best haste you can.
Your third priority is a split between AC and HP gear. Maximize both, with 1AC=10HP.
Keep your weight under 15 if at all possible to benefit from bonus AC, especially at higher levels.

Additionally, get some cheap high +HP /+STA gear without regard for AC. Bag this. In between fights, swap this in as needed to BW up over 50%. It will increase your HP binding by 5-10%, reducing downtime by quite a bit. Mend if a typical fight requires all your HPs.

When soloing, find the weakest DB mobs you can consistently kill. Get a feel for how far they will beat you down. Ideally, fight things that you can take down at 50-60% HPs, so you can bind, rest, and occasionally Mend to keep the XP flowing.

Dungeons, especially away from casters, are ideal due to high XP-multipliers. At your level, the Runnyeye canal area has a lot of warriors that will probably work for you.

[easy_lee]

HP can improve your soloing efficiency as well because it means you can heal more HP with bind wound, and it means you heal more HP per use of mend (since mend heals proportionally to your max HP).

That's a good point, think I'll opt for a mix then, focusing on HP, AC, and strength wherever possible.

Is FBSS over Thick Banded Belt worth the loss of 15 strength and 8 AC, for a soloer/puller? I'm thinking the answer is yes, but haven't completed my testing to determined the exact effects of a point of strength yet.

On the other hand, swapping for TBB would give me the cash I need to buy a tinker bag, ultimately raising my AC by giving me a place to store heavier loot. Thoughts?

[Spacebar]

Is FBSS over Thick Banded Belt worth the loss of 15 strength and 8 AC, for a soloer/puller? I'm thinking the answer is yes, but haven't completed my testing to determined the exact effects of a point of strength yet.
On the other hand, swapping for TBB would give me the cash I need to buy a tinker bag, ultimately raising my AC by giving me a place to store heavier loot. Thoughts?

I'd still say FBSS. Haste is pretty much the top stat, even over that 15 str and 8ac.

Also, with regards to weight, if you haven't gotten one already, try to grab a Large Soiled Bag http://wiki.project1999.com/index.php/Large_Soiled_Bag . Great for holding food, bandages, throwing weps and a lot of ur gear. They run about 1k, I think, which is much lower than the price of a tink bag.

But yeah, pretty much all the info in this thread is solid, but I'd consider just focusing on one important set (FBSS/AC/HP), and then getting other swap pieces once you have the bag space.

[easy_lee]

Thanks for replies guys, I'll bear all of this in mind when gearing.

[fishingme]

Going to agree with weapons>haste>str>hp>ac. ada club + sos. As more of backburner stats agi/dex is good. The crescent no drop gear in dalnirs is great pre-planar.

[MaksimMazor]

Tranix Crown is pretty useful for pulls