my 3 builds - any input or advice appreciated! even though game isn't even out yet!

[saint_of_killers]

So, even though its all pretty much conjecture at this point, ppl obviously are prepping for builds, including myself. I've come up w/ 3, so far... all of which are intended to be used in Inferno, I suppose, and each build has at least one "get out of jail" card/defensive ability.

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/monk#WfgRXQ!ZfV!ZcaaZc - full heals + dmg-debuffing. Pretty self-explanatory. I'd just be a healer and hope the 3 others can DPS down bosses or elites!

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/monk#WfgRXQ!ZfV!ZcaaZc - AoE + dodge build. Tried to get in as much AoE as possible, while still having as much dodge as possible. I figure since I'll be in the middle of a big group, I may as well try to duck some of those punches coming my way! The defensive ability is pretty much just the Serenity and slow rune on Exploding Palm (although I'm debating if I'd rather use the +dmg to target rune instead). Also, I wasn't sure if Crippling Wave or Deadly Reach + AoE rune would be best... but in the Beta, i tended to like Deadly Reach more than Crippling Wave.

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/monk#UdTgQk!gcX!Zaaacb - single-target + fast engaging/disengaging. This build is all about getting in to combat ASAP and killing 1 target and having to safely, err strategically*, retreat if needed. Way of the Hundred Fists for fast and hard hitting, Dashing Strike for engaging or disengaging, SSS w/ tele rune so it can hit 1 target...and teleport! 2 Mantras for situational purposes - Conviction when engaging, Healing when disengaging. Also, really torn on the Passive Skills for this build. There's about 5 or 6 I like for it, but obviously can only pick 3...

Anyway, any and all input would be appreciated, thanks!

[silverhawk]

Here are two of the builds with fixed links...

Build 1 (Heals + Debuff) and Build 2 (Single Target)

For Build 1 - looks okay for a support build, but I would go for Blazing Wrath rune on Breath of Heaven, but yeah pretty much you won't be dealing any damage. This type of build probably won't work in Inferno since potentially people don't really need healers because of affixes like life leech, life regen, life after each kill, damage to life, etc., and items like potions.

Also, Mantra of Healing doesn't scale well later on because 310 life is like nothing when items have affixes that give more ie. life regen 17 (regen 281-410 life per second), unless you are going purely for the damage resist rune, which may or may not be a good idea (time will tell) ...

I'd say go for a mantra that is more support like Evasion with Backlash rune or Retribution with Retaliation rune if your party is mostly melee or Conviction if your party is a mix of ranged and melee with Submission if your damage is high or Overawe if you have bad damage.

Lastly, keep in mind that you will still need to do damage with Crippling Wave to generate spirit to feed the heals you are going for. Perhaps switch out Guiding Light for Chant of Resonance to help you generate spirit and wear spirit regen helm/fist if you really want to focus on just healing...

For Build 2 (single target) - I can't really recommend having two mantras on the hotkeys at the same time. Perhaps switch the Healing mantra to an active skill that will help you kill faster like Sweeping Wind or Exploding Palm. As I mentioned above, Healing mantra looks overrated to me because end game items make the heals / sec trivial.

Also, the passive Combination Strike is useless for that build since you have only 1 spirit generator (WotHF)... perhaps go for something like Resolve, Guardian's Path, or One with Everything to help boost survival.

[saint_of_killers]

For Build 2 (single target) - I can't really recommend having two mantras on the hotkeys at the same time. Perhaps switch the Healing mantra to an active skill that will help you kill faster like Sweeping Wind or Exploding Palm. As I mentioned above, Healing mantra looks overrated to me because end game items make the heals / sec trivial.

Also, the passive Combination Strike is useless for that build since you have only 1 spirit generator (WotHF)... perhaps go for something like Resolve, Guardian's Path, or One with Everything to help boost survival.

Thanks for the input.

And yeah, the Single Target build was one I was most lidless of. I was definitely thinking of dropping Mantra of Healing, but figured it fit too well in the fast-strike-then-bounce-out. But I understand the potential lack of scaling and waste of a slot. As for the need of faster killing, I get that too. I figured I could just Dashing Strike constantly (there's no min range, right?) - 100% weapon dmg for 25 Spirit constantly popping is only beat by Exploding Palm and Lashing Tail Kick, in terms of Spirit efficiency, except it satisfies the quick engage while SSS is on cd.

...but of course, I can supplement it w/ another attack, like you said. Back to the drawing board!