Monkeying around - Iksar vs Human

[Tethelin]

I’ve been working on two monks, one level 20 Iksar and one level 22 human and I’m about ready to roll with one over the other.. For those who have played a monk to higher levels can you tell me if Iksar is really THAT much better of an option?

I can tell the Iksar regen is nicer and the AC boost helps but I’m having a hard time getting past the faction issue and exp penalty.

If the faction/exp penalty annoys me too much am I going to be way worse off in later levels if I roll with the human over Iksar?

If Iksar is the be all end all, any tips for getting around safely are appreciated.

[Jimjam]

The regen isn't that different until level 51. By then mobs hit for huge damage anyway that dwarfs natural regen.

As such, the regen is a non factor when in situations where you aren't really using regen to heal (maybe a cleric chealing or being generous with HoTs).

If you will still be soloing 51+ then a good chunk of your self heal will be through bandages and mend, but regen here will be a bit more relevant than the first situation.

[jolanar]

If you don't want to play Iksar then don't. They are the superior choice for combat, but not gamebreakingly so. This is especially true if you don't plan to solo for exp in your 50's. Don't knock the 20% less exp that humans require to hit 60 either.

As an Iksar, there are many times I wish I was a human for the faction. But then again, I've had a good bit of fun working on my faction as an Iksar. Just be aware there are some factions you can never fix, and lots of factions that only a crazy person would even bother trying to fix.

[Benanov]

As an Iksar, there are many times I wish I was a human for the faction. But then again, I've had a good bit of fun working on my faction as an Iksar. Just be aware there are some factions you can never fix, and lots of factions that only a crazy person would even bother trying to fix.

At least you get the Secret Handshake that is indifferent con from behind. :)

[monkeydoc]

Iksar is hands-down the better choice, in my opinion. The regen is bonkers past 50. Being able to just FD and heal faster than a sitting human just feels good. I also don't see faction as an issue. You have two of the most amazing skills in the game to make faction a non-issue: FD and Sneak. It's easy to repair the factions you'll want, anyway.

The exp penalty is a real bummer. I'll give you that one. And "iksar monk in a fungi with addy & SoS and black panther skin" is the least unique thing on the server.

So, in the end: Iksar.

[Legidias]

Regen is a non-issue. Iksar is for the AC bonus.

In pure classic, humans would be better at the start due to better H2H.

Iksar = more defensive but takes 20% longer to level.

Humans = slightly better fist dmg

[Tethler]

And "iksar monk in a fungi with addy & SoS and black panther skin" is the least unique thing on the server.



Lol. Described my monk, except I'm poor and don't have a fungi.

[kjs86z]

Just go Iksar.

[Madbad]

Human monks go harder

[Tenagra]

After getting my Iksar to 44 i'd personally go Human. I've seen so many other ikky monks that look nearly identical to me and it's kinda lame but I value fashion-questing quite a bit.

[Ravager]

Humans can regulate their internal body temperatures without the need to find a rock in the sun. So they have that going for them.

[Trzzle]

I never understood the faction complaints. You can bank and vendor anywhere regardless of faction. Plus Freeport faction you can just fix extremely easily by tapping Lucan once and then turning in 10 stacks of Brandy.

Fashion is the only reason to every pick Human. If you don't like how Iksar looks, then play Human instead. Otherwise Iksar.

[Jimjam]

After getting my Iksar to 44 i'd personally go Human. I've seen so many other ikky monks that look nearly identical to me and it's kinda lame but I value fashion-questing quite a bit.

The trick is to roll female iksar.

[Tethelin]

Seems like most people are saying Iksar so I'll tough out the faction and exp penalty. Thanks all.

[Tethelin]

I never understood the faction complaints. You can bank and vendor anywhere regardless of faction.

Could you please elaborate on this? How can you vendor and bank anywhere if everybody hates you?

[jolanar]

I never understood the faction complaints. You can bank and vendor anywhere regardless of faction. Plus Freeport faction you can just fix extremely easily by tapping Lucan once and then turning in 10 stacks of Brandy.

Fashion is the only reason to every pick Human. If you don't like how Iksar looks, then play Human instead. Otherwise Iksar.

It's a play style thing. I love running around doing old random quests and being able to do anything I want and not be limited by faction. For the hardcore folks who spend all their time raiding and grouping in Seb, well they probably don't give a damn about those things.

Could you please elaborate on this? How can you vendor and bank anywhere if everybody hates you?

Sneak makes all vendors indifferent when you are behind them.

Bankers will allow you to bank out of line of sight, while feign deathed or even if they are attacking you you can still bank with them. Line of sight banking can be done in many cities and sneak/fd banking can be done in the rest.

[Benanov]

Sneak makes all vendors indifferent when you are behind them.

This is what I refer to as the "Secret Handshake"

(I think the term was coined pretty early on; I heard it at the first EQ con in St. Louis.)

[Jimjam]

This is what I refer to as the "Secret Handshake"

(I think the term was coined pretty early on; I heard it at the first EQ con in St. Louis.)

Honestly sounds like a euphemism for reach around. Is this intentional?

[Stroboo]

female Iksar > Male Human > female Human > Male Iksar. The girl lizard headdress coloring is slightly better then mustache/go-tee facial hair imo.

20% exp penalty is real and def something to consider though, faction/banking is really a non factor once you get used to it, imo.

[sonicjoose]

No question iksar?

[Jimjam]

I died banking in OT yesterday on my iksar. /fail

[Ruhtar]

As others have said, the only real negative to an iksar is the exp penalty. The regen is really nice, especially when you're trying to FD your way through a zone or extremely unlucky with hammering.

I made my monk a female iksar and while at first I was a bit turned off by the tail, the character model grew on me and now I wish I had other classes as the female iksar.

But at the end of the day, you need to play whatever you find attractive and what you enjoy leveling. Playing something you can't stand looking at will make it extremely difficult to get to 60.

[Bbeta]

As someone who has leveled both human and iksar to 60 and raided both extensively. I will have to say hands down Iksars are much better for all types of game play.

The regeneration alone is enough to make me never want to roll my human monk again.

I played a 60 human monk on blue for 4 years, then went to red before velour and played iksar monk there, got 60 velious dropped and he was awesome. After red started to totally die I came back to blue and playing a human I could see / feel how much the regeneration made a difference. The numbers over time are insanely huge. I rolled an iksar monk on blue and never looked back.

Yes youll level a human monk faster but if you play the game correctly you'll be level 60 for much longer then the time it takes to get an iksar monk to 60.

TL:DR iksar > human coming from the weirdo that leveled 4 monks on p99. 2 humans and 2 iksars

[Sicc]

Don't sleep on Forage either