Monk (character class)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Monk is a character class in a number of table-top roleplaying and computer games, notably the Dungeons & Dragons game.
Many computer role-playing games, including EverQuest, Ragnarok Online and the Final Fantasy series (see below), include warrior classes similar to the Dungeons & Dragons Monk. The Monk class has also found its way into Guild Wars NetHack, which borrows elements for the class from Dungeons & Dragons.
Conversely, in Guild Wars released in 2005, the Monk is similar to the Cleric class of other popular games, using spiritual powers to heal and purge disease.
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[edit] Dungeons and Dragons
The Monk is a character class in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game which is typically portrayed as a master of martial arts. It is loosely based on the stereotype of Shaolin Buddhist warrior monks. The Dungeons & Dragons monk specializes in unarmed combat.
These Monks appear possibly as an attempt to offer more challenging characters. They are often lumped in with Druids, Illusionist, Paladins, and other variations of the original Fighter, Magic User, and Thief classes that have far more limitations placed on how they are played. Monks may not wear armor and typically do not use weapons. Instead their bodies are their weapons. Monks start out doing little damage in hand to hand combat, but they continually increase the amount of damage they inflict to the point were a monk's fist inflicts damage on par with some of the games best weapons. Likewise, monks become increasingly harder to hit as they gain experience.
[edit] In EverQuest
The Monk is a unique class which can be chosen only by the human, lizardman Iksar, or drakkin races. He or she is an expert in hand combat, and can fight with or without weapons, pummelling foes with fists or staves, and able to use only leather armor and lighter.
The Monk's most noteworthy skill is the ability to feign death. This gives the Monk the ability to drop to the ground and cause enemies to forget about his presence, or in MMORPG terms, lose aggro. This technique is useful for pulling, or bringing monsters to a party of player characters to be killed. The Monk class also has the capability to bind wounds, which gives a small boost to his or her hit points, making him the primary puller and a competent off-tank.
[edit] Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
Sigil Games' Vanguard: Saga of Heroes was created by the same executive producer as Everquest, and so Vanguard Monks share many of the qualities as the Everquest Monk. In addition, Vanguard adds a healer class called the Disciple, which is similar to a Monk who also can use unique healing techniques.
[edit] Final Fantasy
- See also: Final Fantasy character classes#Monk
In Square Enix's Final Fantasy series of computer role-playing games, the Monk (Japanese: モンク) is a character class (or "job"). It is frequently also referred as the Black Belt. In Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy III an upgraded, more powerful form of the class appears, named Karate Master or Karateka (からてか). In Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced, Bangaas have the ability to become a monk.
[edit] Ragnarok Online
In Gravity Corp's MMORPG, Ragnarok Online, Acolytes can choose their second job as a Monk. The monk is a physical/melee class with the ability to "heal" and "buff". It is most noted for an ability called "Asura Strike"(sometimes called Guillotine Fist); an attack some consider the most powerful ability in the game, which may result in a 1-Hit knock out. With the right weapon and good stats, Asura Strike can do over 30k in one hit.
4 types of the Monk character class are the Combo Monk, Spirit Monk, the well rounded Dasher Monk, and the hardest to create Asura Monk. Each class requires certain stats combined with specific skills in order to reach their effectiveness.
Descriptions:
Combo Monk - Usually the fastest puncher of the 3 types. Specializes in crushing the enemy before the battle begins. Great for one-on-one fights and item hunts.
Spirit Monk - Throws Spirit Spheres to bypass an enemy's defense and damage the opponent directly. Usually slow.
Dasher Monk- Makes use of the skill "Snap"(sometimes called Dash Like a Bullet) to get around the battlefield quickly. A good hybrid between combo and spirit.
Asura Monk - Highest damager in a single blow. But quite useless when left without sp after an Asura Strike. But may buff oneself due to high sp stats. Great for fun fast kills.
[edit] Fire Emblem
In the Fire Emblem games, the Monks/Priests are usually Light Magic users able to defend themselves through Light-related spells. When they're promoted to Bishop class through the Guiding Ring or Earth Seal items, they add staves to their arsenal.
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Notable Final Fantasy character classes
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Black Mage • White Mage • Red Mage • Summoner • Blue Mage • Thief • Warrior • Dragoon • Monk • Ranger |
[edit] Heroes of Might and Magic
In Heroes of Might and Magic IV, the monk is both a class for heroes and a basic unit. The basic unit is a ranged fighter that apparently uses magic, judging by the way their attacks look. The hero class is reached by learning both Life Magic and Order Magic, and as a special ability takes less damage from Chaos attacks. Both are mentioned here only to show that monks in games aren't always fistfighters.
[edit] Guild Wars
In Guild Wars, monks are spellcasters, without engaging in physical combat. Most monks either heal of buff other party members, but they can also deal holy damage, which is useful against all king of undead enemies.
