Do Combat Stances Matter?

[Kazarak]

I just rejoined and I'm playing my 19 monk. I never see enemies using stances anymore. Has this been done away with? Should I bother with stances at all?


Also, how do I become a specialist Monk? Specifically a Spirt Disciple.

[Eeyno]

I have stopped using stances mainly becuase it appears when I do the mobs are switching to counter my stance faster than I can. Switches stances as a caster interupts your cast so it isn't worth the bonuses if you aren't attacking at all.

As far as switching to the different disciples of monk you'll have to find the trainer. Since most have been moved around since the merge I have little clue where they are at. I think the flame one is in Dralk. I need to find the Spirit one myself as my wife is building a monk.

[Kazarak]

I found the Flame one, he was easy to spot in Dralk but he wouldn't give me the time of day. In the old days you had to have Unarmed at 200, apparently that's not enough now. Maybe I have to be level 20. I know there is one in Maghara, or at least there used to be.

[Thorain]

Let's see...

Disciple requirements are level 20 - 200 in unarmed (e.g. level 20 monk should do the trick).

At level 20 - you get a monk quest 'meet the disciples' or some such...

Visit each of the disciples in the order specified, then head back to the monk trainer for a medallion. You can then join the disciple schools...

First trainer is STORM DISCIPLE - he's in Sslanis, up near the south wall, behind the consigner building...

Second trainer is FLAME DISCIPLE - he's in Dralk, standing on a ridge near where you arrive

The order of the remainder I'm not sure about, but it includes:

SPIRIT DISCIPLE - behind the portal in Kirasanct
ICE DISCIPLE - in Magahara, can't remember where though (sorry!)

You then go back to the monk trainer on the island near Kion, get the medallion, and head back join the required school.

Be aware that Taz was full of posts about disciples being classes that required significant attention from the devs as they were underpowered...

[Kagnar]

Ok, being a pure melee player, I can tell you that stances to matter, they don't usually interuppt my attacks, they are just queued to my next action. But yeah I have noticed the difference in amount of damage I do and amount of damage done to me with the stances.

Unfortunately, I have been out of the game for about a month so I don't know if anything has changed but if it is somewhat like how it was when I left they still make a difference.

[Rilramar]

I like stances for another benefit as well

they help keep the lure of wack-a-mole style combat away..since im already chooseing attacks based upon what my partner is doing ( which DoT's stack and when stuns are not going to be wasted) the addition of really watching the mob to see what they are doing and trying to counter it keeps it interesting. Plus i like the additional damage. As a caster dragon I have the advantage of not blocking my own view as to the combat color..except those ruxus like to blob all over the circle. LOL