Why are you rolling a Monk?

[Zenrix]

I would assume most of the people in this thread are rolling Monks on release. I'm curious why you guys chose the Monk for your first class and how you intend on playing the class solo and in groups, the type of builds you will use and what made you choose the class instead of the 4 others.

For me personally I thought I would for sure play a Barb on release until I got my hands on the monk in the beta. After having more fun on the monk than any other class I started checking out all his late game skills/runes and decided it would be my class come release. More than anything I like the speed of the monk and the the ability to have many different play styles depending on your build (high damage, tank, support, heals, etc.). I also see the monk as a very strong PvP class and great for Inferno groups.

[svenop]

to FACEPUNCH stuff



at 2.9 APS

[DiabloCalibur]

For me, one word: Visceral.

Okay fine, more words: I know said word is thrown around a lot in gaming these days, but when I saw the Monk's Blizzcon debut for the first time, that is definitely what I felt while watching him zip around fisting monsters to death; watching the other classes had no such affect. Though for a while I was almost swayed to another class by the absence and seemingly incompleteness of his animations with weapons and his overall class flavor... but I decided that that's a derp-stupid reason not to play a class I'm most interested in. Also, like you said I'm really into the idea of heavy damage coupled with speed.

As far as playstyle, I think you're absolutely right about the versatility of the Monk and his abilities. Couple that with Mantras and perhaps the highest number of healing skills and you'll always want a Monk on your side in PvE. But I think with that versatility also comes complexity, and I believe the Monk will be the hardest to play if you don't head in the right direction correctly.
As well, I believe the Monk will have some trouble in PvP, though that of course remains to be seen. I say this because of the way his charge skills work; the best charge is usually charge-level three and in PvP, burst damage is where it's at. This is why the Martial Arts Assassins in D2 were anything but viable in PvP - especially when facing squirrelly competetion. But luckily we Monkees will have many more tools to deal with that.

All this, and I'm a player who almost always goes for casters.

[priest]

I've always been a purist in real life. the monk feels like a holy class of I don't give a **** about people demons and angels, just focusing on the balance.
So from that standpoint I think he's the one bringing something to the table that is not so overdone these days, like the renegade warrior, the rebel mage or vengeful hunter.
The witch doctor is also pretty cool in pure RPG terms, but I've chosen the monk because he gets even more close and personal than the barb, seems more versatile and difficult to master. That and because I guess like 40% of players will start with a barb and I don't wanna be mainstream.

[redrach]

I like the idea of a melee class that relies on the use of active defensive skills to survive, instead of raw passive stats. Meaning you'd be in the thick of things and require fast reflexes to survive.
How accurately the monk will fit this description... we'll have to wait and see.

[Hadrial]

For me, one word: Visceral.
As well, I believe the Monk will have some trouble in PvP, though that of course remains to be seen. I say this because of the way his charge skills work; the best charge is usually charge-level three and in PvP, burst damage is where it's at. This is why the Martial Arts Assassins in D2 were anything but viable in PvP - especially when facing squirrelly competetion. But luckily we Monkees will have many more tools to deal with that.

I beg to differ, just slap on Mantra of Retribution with Retaliation, let them attack you with everything they got and just heal through it. 60% Thorns on melee and ranged.

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculato...XSR!ZdX!ccabaa

You won't have unlimited healing, but with this build you will have at least
Breath of Heaven (25 Spirit) 6202-7442 HP every 15 seconds.
Serenity (10 Spirit) 3s immunity + 6202-7752 HP every 20 seconds.
Inner Sanctuary(30 Spirit) 1550HP * 5s= 7750 HP every 20 seconds.

So in one minute, if you use each skill as soon as it comes off of cooldown, you will have used:
Breath of Heaven * 4 = 100 spirit, 24808-29768 HP.
Serenity * 3 = 30 spirit, 18606-23256 HP.
Inner Sanctuary * 3 = 90 Spirit, 23250 HP. (If standing in the AoE the entire time)
Total: 66664-76274 HP Every minute.

[Such Violent Storms]

Monks are just badass. Everyone wishes they could walk into a bar and if they get assaulted by some bulky douchebag, then just Way of the Dragon everything with the addition of bright awesome powers. Bruce Lee + heavenly celestial force. Unyielding strength and absolute indomitable control.

This
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TranquilFury

This
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...itationPowerup

And This
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...entSuperpowers

I would love to have Monk powers IRL.

[Fusuke]

Monks are just badass. Everyone wishes they could walk into a bar and if they get assaulted by some bulky douchebag, then just Way of the Dragon everything with the addition of bright awesome powers. Bruce Lee + heavenly celestial force. Unyielding strength and absolute indomitable control.

This
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TranquilFury

This
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...itationPowerup

And This
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...entSuperpowers

I would love to have Monk powers IRL.

Haha those links had me laughing out loud, haven't read so much bull**** for awhile. :P

On the otherhand, I would not say a monk has superpowers. It is just they trained their mind and body, so that they can reach a higher spiritual level.

Personally I will play monk, because its kind partially a cultural heritage, since im asian IRL. :P

[Hadrial]

Played monk in EQ and enjoyed it. Played Paladin in D2 and enjoyed it.

Monk class has so much to bring to the table. Damage/Healing/Dodge/Reflection auras, group heals, mass damage reduction, on top of being able to do either AoE or Single Target damage. That and Dashing Strike looks awesome.

[Manatou]

Coz of the female monk's russian accent, mmm yes plz i'll have some of that.. of the 5 classes i tried in the beta, she was my top choice. Solo melee goodness.. party support goodness. I'll be partying up with some errr noobs, and they'll need a monk to keep them alive, but i'll run all 10 slots anyway, so best class is a bit irrelevant y'know, with a shared stash, you'd be a fool not to take advantage of it.