Vanguard Monks

I'm trying to choose between Dragon and Harmonious styles.  I've read all the posts about Harmonious being the most complete and well-rounded, but what I don't know is, with the following in mind, is it the best for me?

First, I want to use hand to hand weapons.. whether bare fists (which someone recommended as good with Dragon?) or claws, wraps, knuckles, etc.  Which means that, if I choose harmonious path, I wouldn't be doing the Tiger Stand + 2H.

Second, I want to do "okay" (for a monk) dps.  I don't have to do the most of all monks, but I don't want to be doing 30% less than the average monk.

Finally, I'd like a style that doesn't leave me consistantly out of endo, or out of Jin.

With those three caveats, could you guys give me some direction as to which style I should choose?  Your advice is much appreciated!

~Gulgash

I can only speak as a harmonious monk, so hopefully someone will give you some info on the dragon

Right now I am a 39 harmonious monk...I use Graystone Fistwraps(37.14 dps) and Claws of the Beastlord(35.8 dps)
You'll read throughout these forums that harmonious is the closest to not being broken and I'd say I have to agree.  Using tiger stance I crit on average 4 out of 6 attacks, with a bard yesterday i hit a crit for 17k.  So with the high crit rate and reed in the wind I can solo 3dots a level above me.

From experience I can tell you that if you want to use fist wraps go right ahead, all the crits actually make me use FD a lot because I draw agro.  Speaking of that we can also tank pretty well, using eternal crane and reed in the wind I can keep my aviodance at a constant 75%.

As for Jin and Endurance, I never really have trouble with jin.  With all the crits and chains that come from them I actually have trouble sometimes using all my jin.  Endurance is the real battle for harmonious monks.  I am constantly depleted of endurance when I solo but in groups I am usually with someone with an endurance regen buff.

With harmonious monks you I would say you have to like debuffing the mobs.  All the debuffs we have that hinder their damage output is another reason why i can probably solo 3 dots.  Also, you cant be afraid to use secrets. If you went dragon thats not as big as an issue because secrets dont stack with your offensive.

Hope that info helps youin your decision

That's exactly the sort of description I was looking for, Andromocles!  Thank you so much!  Could anyone who is dragon style give a similar evaluation for me?

Ive switched between all 3 stances, dragon isnt even worth a glance imo. High endurance costs for same damage as the lowered endurance costs of other stances. None of the stances in dragon work at all really, the storm dragon kind of works, but the damage doesnt scale up with levels. The AoE's they get are same damage as others, but with higher endurance costs, with the exception of 1 cooldown AoE. Don't think weapons affect one path moreso then the others, always go for highest dps combination you can get.

I'd strongly recommend harmonious over dragon having played both and knowing the differences comparing the same gear (ive tested 2h and dw not a huge impact either way). Tiger stance gains a slight advantage from using 2h (or slower weapons in general) but they dont receive a 'penalty' or disadvantage for dw'ing.

Chunli is a 50 Dragon monk and she could provide decent insight on that style.

I pretty much agree that Harmonious is for the time being a preferred path. Although I will say all 3 style stances are in the process of being looked over by Talisker and are being given some much needed love. Opinions may soon change.

~QTM

Quinn, you're making me very happy.  :o

Thank you Quinn!  I play quite a few classes, and spend a lot of time on various vanguard class-sites, and thought I'd let you know that you're doing a great job at keeping us informed of concerns and changes that are in the works.

IMO, there is a strong case that can be made for drunken being the highest dps of the styles, as well as having the best agro management tools.  I haven't tested harmonious yet, but Drunken blows Dragon away in DPS right now.

Check test server patch notes.... the soon is coming sooner than you may think


~QTM

That is a start I suppose. Still kind of a weak update, not what Monks need to bring us to where we should be. But at least they are doing something I guess.

To the OP: Dragon does not live up to the hype of being the DPS oriented style IMO. AE is even worse. Our cone attack does less damage than the general AE all Monks get. Our AE finisher does garbage damage compared to other melee classes AE finishers. As Dragon we get a 3rd finisher in the Divine xx line...which does terrible damage. WTT that for the 3rd and 4th Thundering Fists finishers.

The main reason my group likes me is my ability to use the bugged out FD to seperate some of the tougher pulls in Rahz, and being Kojan my FD/rezz/racial makes life easier on the group if a healer goes down. Not my DPS. I kind of see a little problem with that picture, but maybe it is just me. Personally I would go with a different style if I were you,maybe Dragon will get some issues fixed and it will be better. Until then I will just be a brooding, angry Dragon (no pun intended  ::) ), because I refuse to change styles.

At what level do you aquire a 3rd finisher? Do you know what Harmonious and Drunken get?  I remember seeing this info somewhere but cant remember

Divine Tsunami is attained at lvl 50

25% to dodge and parry is a relic of old times my friend.  Crane stance only add 8% to dodge and parry now after evasion nerf. Also dont forget crane stance incurs a -dmg penalty (although the penalty is negated at lvl50 w/ stance upgrade).  Crane just makes Harm monks evade better in most circumstances, but it surely doesnt make Harm monks better tanks than Drunken due to lack of agro control.