Vanguard Monks

Hey, lvl 21 Monk here. I've been grinding hard with handwraps, claws, etc, but figured it's time to level up my sword and staff's now that the recent patches have apparently givin us a both in these departments. I also just finished watching 300 and I want to spear something  :knuppel2: 

my questions:

Are we better off, or at least equal, with swords and staffs lvl 20+ at this point with the recent patches?

I find it slightly unfair, also, that our sword's dont have a slightly lower attack speed seeing how we can only equip ONE sword. Or, if not a lower attack speed, maybe a higher DPS boost? This is based on what ive seen from the lvl 28-32 swords..... martial sword, for example.   Any thoughts on Monk DPS with a sword?

And do you find it easier to solo with swords and staffs due the parrying %?

A martial sword for monks is analgous as a 1H sword + shield combo for tanks or 1H sword + parrying dagger combo for other melees.  Thus, it will NEVER do the same kind of damage as the 2H bladestaff or martial staves, or even monk knuckles.

For soloing, the parry bonus is good if u can find a nice rare sword. This is especially true if u are harmi monk since the reaction attack after a parry is a nice -50%dmg debuff, tho it only lasts 8 seconds. 

It's hard to use a martial sword and try to off-tank though... chances are u'll be doing sucky damage.

So basically the SWORD is ideal for tanking, where as the staff's are ideal for damage. Got it...

I'm still yet to figure out the major difference between the martial staff and the bladed staff, but do you feel they are, at this point, better DPS wise then hand 2 hand? (or, at least, up to par) ?

I am pretty sure all monks get the reaction ability "quivering palm" which applies the 50% debuff.

Seeing as it is on the subject of staffs/swords etc.. I thought I would just ask a couple questions here instead of creating a new thread.

I am still only a low level monk, going back and forth and trying to decide on a race, put my levelling on hold for a bit. Now I am ready to start levelling again, and have now come to a bit of a stand still on what weapons are most useful for my monk.

I am only lvl 12 and currently have been levelling with hand weapons, knuckles/ulak/wraps.. I am curious as to what 2 hand weapon would be most suitable for a monk around my level, especially out of the bladed staff and martial staff and what exactly is the difference between the two. I was pretty set on going dragon stance at level 15, but am starting to lean towards harmonious stance and was also wondering, which staff would be better to level for the time being for either of those stances, and for my level and the next few levels to come?

Also, the Martial Sword had an increase in it's dps in one of the last patches, so I wanted to know if I go dragon or harmonious is it worth levelling Martial Sword right now and how is that weapon in comparism to the staffs?

I know some have asked about weapons, but I just seem to be having a problem trying to find which is more beneficial for me. I know it is advised to level as many weapon choices, but for the time being would appreciate some advice and confirmation, especially post patch on the pro's and con's of these weapons.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read and reply, I also apologise if I seem repetitive in asking something that has been asked multiple times. Some clarification would really help. :)

I'd suggest equally level up all ur weapon skills, especially the 2HS, 2HB, 2HP, etc.
It will save you alot of time later on when u get this cool high dmg weapon and you find out u cant hit jack with it because u have skill 5 in 2hand slash.  And there are many many 2hand monk quest weapons later in the game.

Currently there's a trend in monks going Harmonious for the Tiger Stance and wield 2H bladed or martial staves for max possible damage numbers from using skills.

Lastly, there's not much difference between martial staff and bladed staff, except different animations and the fact that bladed does slashing dmg and martial staff does blunt.

Thankyou Ninbei for replying, much appreciated. ^^

Well I guess seeing I am only level 12, now is a good as time as any to start levelling different weapon skills to prevent frustration at later levels when I obtain an item that doesn't do much dmg due to it's weapon skill being so low, as you had suggested.

Only other thing I wanted to know, which out of the statfs are better looking? Seeing as there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between the two, and granted I will end up levelling both, I was just wondering which has a better appearance?

np always glad to help a fellow monk out. 8)

personally i like the animation w/ martial staff more... but this is just personal preference.

High level staves are ugly though... they look more like low lvl caster rods than legendary staves... Leishui often describe them as Stick w/ Duo Light Bulbs, lol.  Apparently all high lvl staves, martial or bladed, all look alike  :-\

Hopefully it gets changed.

there is a difference between martial staff and bladed staff... one has double dmg on crit and the other has +15% parry like the martial sword does..

Martial staff and bladed staff works the same (except that the bladed staff looks good, the martial staff does not) with double weapon damage on crits. Martial sword on the other hand has the damage of a one hander and a parry chance while being two-handed.
In just about every case, an equal leveled staff is superior to a sword.

First, the DT staff, notice the nice two lightbulbs.
Second the Graystone staff, lighbulbs are actually working on it! (it pretty much look like the DT staff with two metal thingies (why?) on it).
I think first is the T4 look and second is the T5 look.
Why can't we just get plain wooden sticks? :(

Because every time i use northwind breaks the trunk i'll have to buy a new one :(

But hot damn that graystone staff is sweet looking!  im going for that sucker this week!

Call me nuts, but I think Zank looks better.