Hey guys and gals,

I've been away from VG for about 12 months.  I recently came back, like A LOT of people, and have been plesantly surprised by how well the game is running.  However, with so many changes I feel kind of lost regarding content and what's new for our class.

My Harmonious Monk is 36 now.  I love the changes to dps and class overall.  Man, when I left it was a brutal life for the Monk.  It feels pretty sweet now.  FD is actually useful!  /gasp

In 2007, I finished Pantheon for my Ulak, did Panther's Mask, finished HL quest line.  But I totally forget what I was working on.  My question is this:

At my level, where is the next essential area to hunt with a Monk?  I checked Cragwind but tbh I am not about to farm 500 slivers for the 2hander.  As great as it looks, I imagine Graystone would be a better call in a few levels. 

What gear/quests are considered a MUST DO for Monks approaching 40? 

What has been added that all Monks "need to know"?

And also, is Reed in the Wind still our only learned abiltity?

Finally, is Celestial Ward faction worth doing now for the Shuriken?  Back in the day it was nerfed and Monks were pretty upset about it.  So I never started that grind.

Thanks for the feedback, and really happy to be back!!

Hello,

Its been so long that I played VG that I don't even remember what server I played on, let alone what its called now after the mergers, lol.  But I was Jaxinor a lvl 50 Dragon Monk and the last main things I remember doing were the questlines for the hat from rahz and pretty much hunting nameds in rahz and in the swamp place with the factions, and the insect place, and the treants and elfish place.  So I'm pretty sure I'd be pretty sure I'm quite a bit behind on gear (I had really good gear when I left, at least imo).

Anyways, I was wondering a about a few things and was hoping to find a few answers here.

1) Has monks been balanced to better represent their roles?  I tried going through the updates archives but its been so long that I have played that I couldn't really make an accurate judgement of whether we got some loving.  I also didn't see any major overhauls like other classes recieved, but I may have missed that. Furthermore, are monk styles balanced better than they were previously.  When I left dragons were supposed to be dps but were easily outclassed by harmonious, and had incomparable utility, and I actually tanked for my group till 50 as a dragon but I tried drunken and they were obviously better suited for that with comparable dps.

2) Finally raids are in!! (I had always played with the intention to raid, and that was the ultimate reason I had decided to leave)  What are the raids like? Good, bad, unique, cookie cutter?  How is the raid interface?

3) Itemization?  Is it better, or is there only a few worthwhile items from certain places.  Was there any ever changes made to the delays that caused so many problems with monk weapons?

4) Finally, how is the fun factor now? (i know, really broad question)  Last I played the game got really stale contentwise, and fun was just always being with my groupmates helping them out and what not. 

I really got the itch to play an MMORPG again and I don't see much that is interesting.  I always liked VG I just couldn't hack the lack of content.  Anyways, thanks in advance to anyone who can help answer some of my questions.  And maybe I'll see you in game!! 

Ty for the response.  I'll probably at least try it out until the free trial is up.  Found out that I was on Hilsbury, now on Xeth.  If DL ever finishes I'll shoot you a tell or something.

It actually ends july 31st at midnite.  But I don't work, and the only other things I really do is go fishing and drinking on the weekends, so I'll have plenty of time.  Just still waiting on this bastard of a download.  I really miss roadrunner, dsl is ftl.

Dealing with PuG is gonna be the hardest thing for me, and learning where I can get gear upgrades.  But hey, i've done it before, i'll do it again.