¶ Monk — Class Overview
¶ Introduction
The Monk class on The Heroes' Journey (THJ) differs significantly from Live servers. With reduced ability cooldowns, expanded out-of-era AAs, and unique combat mechanics, Monks are more versatile and powerful. This guide outlines the key differences, auto-granted AAs, skill progression, and disciplines.
¶ Key Differences from Live
- Reduced Ability Timers:
- Most discipline timers are 15 minutes or less.
- Voiddance and Whirlwind are reduced to 28 minutes.
- Expanded AAs: Many out-of-era AAs are available in every expansion but balanced for THJ.
- Way of Steel:
- Replaces Fists of Steel.
- Procs off kicks and strikes, increasing their damage.
- Does not increase hand-to-hand damage.
- No Weight Penalties:
- Monks can wear and carry any gear without AC penalties.
- Lower weight still provides AC bonuses.
- Unarmed Damage Boost: Increased attack damage and reduced delay when fighting unarmed.
- Custom Monk Epic 1.0 available upon Kunark's release.
¶ Monk Level 1 Auto-Granted AAs
| AA | Cooldown / Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Strike Mastery | Passive | Grants an Eagle Strike attack with a chance to snare; ranks raise snare potency and damage. |
| Wu’s Mastery | Passive | Enhances special attacks; Ranks 1-5: 20 % chance for an extra strike; further ranks can add a third attack (+5 % per rank). |
| Battle Frenzy | Passive | On kill, 10 % chance / rank to gain battle frenzy (endurance restore + damage) for 30 s. |
| Bazaar & Back Gate | 10 min | Teleports you to the Bazaar while out of combat. |
| Eyes Wide Open VIII | Passive | Expands the extended target window capacity. |
| Mystical Attuning V | Passive | Raises simultaneous mystical-effect limit. |
¶ Monk Skills
Monks receive all class skills automatically at level 1, increasing them through use. Some skills (e.g., Bash or Mend) may appear due to the server’s multiclassing system, but they cannot be used unless assigned at least one skill point.
¶ Combat-Specific
| Skill | Level | Cap @ 60 |
|---|---|---|
| 1H Blunt | 1 | 300 |
| 2H Blunt | 1 | 300 |
| Defense | 1 | 260 |
| Dodge | 1 | 300 |
| Dual Wield | 1 | 252 |
| Hand to Hand | 1 | 300 |
| Kick | 1 | 300 |
| Offense | 1 | 252 |
| Throwing | 1 | 280 |
| Round Kick | 5 | 255 |
| Intimidation | 6 | 275 |
| Block | 10 | 255 |
| Disarm | 10 | 305 |
| Tiger Claw | 10 | 305 |
| Double Attack | 15 | 260 |
| Feign Death | 17 | 200 |
| Eagle Strike | 20 | 255 |
| Riposte | 20 | 205 |
| Dragon Punch | 25 | 255 |
| Flying Kick | 30 | 300 |
| Triple Attack | 46 | 225 |
¶ Ancillary
| Skill | Level | Cap @ 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Bind Wound | 1 | 325 |
| Mend | 1 | 200 |
| Sense Heading | 1 | 200 |
| Swimming | 1 | 300 |
| Safe Fall | 1 | 305 |
| Alcohol Tolerance | 1 | 325 |
| Begging | 1 | 300 |
| Sneak | 8 | 113 |
¶ Monk Disciplines
Monk disciplines are activated buffs and abilities that use endurance instead of mana. They can be purchased via Tomes from class merchants in East Commonlands Tunnel and later in Plane of Knowledge.
¶ Discipline List
| Discipline | Effect |
|---|---|
| Stone Strike | Strike your target with a thrown stone, dealing minor damage. |
| Focused Healing | Channels energy to heal wounds, but breaks on aggressive action. |
| Resist Focus | Temporarily increases resistances. |
| Distracting Illusion | Confuses the target, distracting them. (Works up to Level 50) |
| Fear Immunity | Grants temporary immunity to fear effects. |
| Advanced Distracting Illusion | Confuses the target, distracting them. (Works up to Level 58) |
| Earth Strength | Reduces melee damage taken. |
| Flying Kick Mastery | Enhances Flying Kick damage. |
| Perfect Riposte | Allows riposting all melee attacks temporarily. |
| Evasion Reflex | Improves evasion and dodge against melee attacks. |
| Empowered Strikes | Boosts melee attack damage. |
| Blazing Hands | Increases attack speed and damage. |
| Greater Distracting Illusion | Confuses the target, distracting them. (Works up to Level 61) |
| Dragon Punch Mastery | Enhances Dragon Punch damage. |
| Eagle Strike Mastery | Enhances Eagle Strike damage. |
| Lightning Reflexes | Greatly increases movement speed. |
| Greater Focused Healing | Heals wounds with focused energy. |
| Accelerated Blows | Boosts attack speed significantly. |
| Ultimate Distracting Illusion | Confuses the target, distracting them. (Works up to Level 65) |
| Ultimate Earth Strength | Greatly reduces melee damage taken. |
¶ Conclusion
Monks on THJ benefit from shortened ability cooldowns, powerful custom AAs, and enhanced melee capabilities. Understanding these mechanics will allow players to optimize their damage, survivability, and crowd control abilities for a highly effective playstyle.
