Guide to Spiritbond monk

[KiddieCake]

http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/795/spiritbondintroqj4.jpg
Hello, im the one that started a topic longer ago when the "600hp" monk was still relatively new.
We now know more about this build, it doenst require 600hp at all, so it should NOT be called a 600hp monk, we call it, the spiritbond monk.

I am NOT the one that made the Spirit bond monk.


About the spiritbond monk
The spiritbond is also a form of the invinci monk, but then with youre normal HP count, so no superior runes are needed.
It works as following:
You have for example, 400 hp
You cast protective spirit + Spiritbond
*Monster hits you for 40 damage
You gain for example 60 hp back, so basicly, you cant die.
Thats not all, monsters have to hit you for 60 atleast, since spiritbond triggers only when 60 damage is reached.
Prot spirit acitvates after the damage, then reduces it, then spiritbond kicks in and heals you for a larger amount.
If 20 monsters are hitting you for 40 damage each and you gain +60 each time, youre invincible.

Why not a 55 monk then?, because this is cheaper. and different
heres a little list Comparison about Spiritbond monking and 55 hp monking (composed of other peoples disccusions on the forums)

Spiritbond monk:
Good:
-No limit of monsters, they cant out damage your'e healing
-No healing prayers needed, since spiritbond is a protection prayer
-Cheaper then a 55hp monk
-Retribution with higher health
-Degen is no point!

Bad:
-Slightly more energy cost, this will be harder vs. single monsters like bosses.
-Some monsters dont hit enough damage, and you eventually die (sometimes with wands)
-Sometimes its hard to run past some not enough-damaging monsters, refer to the above.

55hp monk:
Good:
-Easy to fight single or two monsters, mending is pretty handy at 55hp
-Easier to keep up energy
-Running past some monsters, damage is no issue.

Bad:
-Sometimes, you get outdamaged and die
-Slightly more expensive to create 55hp
-Might sometimes also have a hard time with degen

Thats about it i think, lets get on to the basics.


The build
Now we know how it works a bit, now to farm with it

http://img319.imageshack.us/img319/6338/basicbuildlv4.jpg
1. Protective spirit
2. Spiritbond
3. Essence bond
4. Balthazars spirit
5. Retribution
6. Optional
7. Optional
8. Optional


This is basicly all the skills you need for a spiritbond build, the 3 slots that are open you can fill up yourself.
I usually fill up those spots with a good damage dealer (Shield of Judgment for example) and smite hex when fighting hexers.
You can do those spots yourself, as long as you keep the base the same, you should be fine with anything.

The attributes and armor:
Offcourse you need amror for farming, but not alot, actually, just a little, and its cheap too!
You need 15AL , (or pre searring armor) pants and feet (for energy regen), so get some 15AL trousers in ascalon, or even better
get your ascetic pants and shoes from shing jea monastery in cantha, they look good, and have + energy!
You need an headpiece, you should be fine with a 15 AL headpiece from ascalon or shing jea, but best is to use a festival hat, they are 0 AL and rune-able
I self use a superior smites, boosts my Shield of judgment, and retribution, since health is not a concern.
Anyways, Heres an example of what my spiritbond gear is:

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8765/armorsetupmb1.jpg
Yes, im half naked on the top, you need as few armor as possible for getting as mutch damage as possible, for triggering spiritbond.

Attributes:
I almost always run the same attributes
Smiting prayers: 15 [12+3]
Protection prayers: 10 [9+1]
Divine favor: 9 [8+1]
Rest: Secondary proffesion choice attribute

The weapons:
I use a rajazans fervor wich is ideal (totem axes too), because of their +5 energy always and a 20% enchantment mod, makes them ideal for these kinds of builds.
I think any +5 energy weapon is fine, anyways, lets not talk and just show it, k?
http://img327.imageshack.us/img327/2623/weaponsxk5.jpg
Yes the icon sucks, im sorry, but its low req and its one of the only i have!


What to do in battle
Ok you know the build, youre gonna have to fight with it, that means you have to know how!. ill do this step by step, makes stuff easier to understand (i think)
Ill pick very basic monsters, melee , like minotaurs, they dont interupt, hex , condition, so theyre an easy target to practice on (i recommend it ;))

1. Put on essence bond, Balthazars spirit, Retribution.
2. Regenerate your energy ~30 should be fine.
3. Get to the place where your target is.
4. Run in, cast protective spirit, and spiritbond. keep these up at all times!, unless you save deaths lol
5. Keep going untill you think youre think youre ready to deal some serious damage, in my case, Acitvate Shield of Judgment.
6. Keep Casting protective spririt and Spirit bond.
7. Wait till everything is dead , and loot
8. Yay!

That should be good enough, lets hope so, because i had alot of ingame questions already (not that i mind though, i like writing guides)
You should now be able to kill basic melee mobs, i recommend trying minotaurs, or trolls to practice the build, fighting monsters like wardens is a little more advanced.
When you are facing monsters that interupt, (im a mo/me) use mantra of resolve when really needed, that should prevent it, mo/w could use bonettis defense.

The end
First of all, why did i make a new spiritbond topic? i had alot of questions, and it doesnt need 600hp, the build improved alot because of people helping on the forums.
Getting tips, hints, way to farm stuff, improved the spiritbond build, and the 600 wasnt needed.
So i decided to make a new fresh, bigger topic about it. i hope you like it ;)
Ive put quite some work in this, i like writing guides, sorry the topic might be a little image-heavy.
that was it i suppose, i hope anyone found this any good ;)

feedback is greatly appreciated!

if i forgot to add anything important, tell me ill try to find a solution

[KiddieCake]

Extra: Some farming maps and builds (spiritbond)

I am making these short, big images too, im sorry i made em as clear as possible, wich resulted into larger pictures!

Minotaurs and trolls:

1. Protective spirit
2. Spiritbond
3. Shield of Judgment {ELITE}
4. Arcane echo
5. Sympathetic visage / Ancestors visage
6. Retribution
7. Essence bond
8. Balthazars spirit

http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/3251/elonaeo3.jpg
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9783/talusai8.jpg





Wardens in arborstone (outside of altrum ruins):

1. Protective spirit
2. Spiritbond
3. Sympathetic visage / Ancestors visage
4. Purge conditions (anti-traps)
5. Shield of judgment {ELITE}
6. Retribution
7. Essence bond
8. Balthazars spirit

http://img307.imageshack.us/img307/3504/arborstoneyg6.jpg
very long route but very profitable when youre looking for materials!!

[Zii The Mad]

I hope this gets stickied so we finally can be freed from all the stupid 600hp topics with <insert generic spiritbond markup> + extra skill(s) = "utter genius".
"Look at me, I can insert spiteful spirit on a spiritbond skillbar"...

Ok rant over... sorry.

Nice work kiddiecake.
I'd like to point out though, that you dont "need" essence bond. :)
Just tank enough foes.

[zweistein]

Few notes:

* People get upset by not being at max health but being at ~90% health all the time. its because spirit bond heal happens before damage is taken, thus you will be always 10% lower on health.

* Common in builds are /Me with elelental or physical resistance which decreases armour and allows triggering spirit bond even with slightly lower damage from enemies. /W with frenzy to do the same.

* You can solo more of arborstone that whats shown on map. You can take on stone creatues and kill boss with green hammer.

* plus of this build is that it uses only protection prayers, which allows use of other primary profession with 12+1+3 in one tree without comprimising tanking power.

some goodie videos from me:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4748711139723360801&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6032358531980725137&hl=en

[KiddieCake]

Few notes:

* People get upset by not being at max health but being at ~90% health all the time. its because spirit bond heal happens before damage is taken, thus you will be always 10% lower on health.

* Common in builds are /Me with elelental or physical resistance which decreases armour and allows triggering spirit bond even with slightly lower damage from enemies. /W with frenzy to do the same.

* You can solo more of arborstone that whats shown on map. You can take on stone creatues and kill boss with green hammer.

* plus of this build is that it uses only protection prayers, which allows use of other primary profession with 12+1+3 in one tree without comprimising tanking power.

some goodie videos from me:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4748711139723360801&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6032358531980725137&hl=en
Thanks, those are some good points i should have added, but theyre on the 3rd post so thats still pretty good :P , and btw, i learned some stuff from youre videos earlier, theyre good ;)

I hope this gets stickied so we finally can be freed from all the stupid 600hp topics with <insert generic spiritbond markup> + extra skill(s) = "utter genius".
"Look at me, I can insert spiteful spirit on a spiritbond skillbar"...

Ok rant over... sorry.

Nice work kiddiecake.
I'd like to point out though, that you dont "need" essence bond. :)
Just tank enough foes. another good point, im too used of using both essence and balts, its good, but yes, you can swap them out if you need the slot, the reason basicly i made this topic, is because of alot of questions on these monk forums, comparing 55 to Spiritbond, etc.

[MoonUnit]

Very nice guide KiddieCake. :afro:

[zweistein]

nearly forgot: soloing greens, arborstone http://rapidshare.de/files/23869803/cantha_farm_fin.avi.html

[AscalonWarrior]

/W with frenzy to do the same.
Frenzy doesn't trigger Spirit Bond :flowers:

[krispykritter]

Frenzy increases the amount of damage you take which does help to trigger spirit bond.

[KiddieCake]

frenzy works, but i like using the resists more, htey last longer, sometimes if i forget frenzy, i die, it requires you to pay attention, iwch is hard when everyone whispers you:laugh:

[Ragnarok-]

You really don't need Essence Bond. I run with Balths only, Essence just helps [a lot] if you're spamming your skills (which I don't see the need to)

[KiddieCake]

You really don't need Essence Bond. I run with Balths only, Essence just helps [a lot] if you're spamming your skills (which I don't see the need to)yep, i spam them dont ask why lol, and essence isnt needed at all indeed

[Zarfol]

Have to use frenzy before you activate spirit bond, otherwise it's screwed up and you die :).

Just put frenzy on the skill bar before bond, then frenzy -> spirit bond. Works well against aviciara (since their ignite arrows usually hits for like 45 damage w/out frenzy).

[vinnya]

Great Guide KiddieCake!!!!!!
Really Appreciate your posts!!

[Xunlai Agent]

Frenzy doesn't trigger Spirit Bond :flowers:
Read the description of the skill then think about it for a bit then you may consider even posting here...

[KiddieCake]

Have to use frenzy before you activate spirit bond, otherwise it's screwed up and you die :).

Just put frenzy on the skill bar before bond, then frenzy -> spirit bond. Works well against aviciara (since their ignite arrows usually hits for like 45 damage w/out frenzy).
Mmmm i dindt know that, pretty cool

[defrule]

I'm making a new character for this. I really don't like having any pieces of high armor so pre-searing armor will be great. I'm bored anyway but hey, very nice guide. While ppl give it different names, i like calling it the 605 monk, just sounds cool.

[Valkyries]

Excellent guide mate... want to have this back on the front page for people to view.

Hopefully it gets stickied! :wink:

Good work!

[GuildWarsGirlAmy]

Read the description of the skill then think about it for a bit then you may consider even posting here...

Actually test out theories before slamming them while believing you always know best.

If you use frenzy *after* spirit bond, it won't trigger, and if you do it *before* it will.

[Ivan Drago]

Great Guide!

[Zii The Mad]

Actually test out theories before slamming them while believing you always know best.

If you use frenzy *after* spirit bond, it won't trigger, and if you do it *before* it will.
Yes... now kiss and make up.

KiddieCake: Actually a good idea to use that dragon mask, never thought of that before.
Finally a use for it, beside laying around in your storage.
You might wanna take note of the Flamespitter axe's -10 armor while attacking - really helps a spirit bond farmer.

[kansloos]

so if im right, then i could use the "boots, leg, armor, gloves" part if i got preseer (on my mesmer) 5+AL and elemental resistance? ..
then i would have alooot of energy (isnt needed though).

[Ectos N Shards]

Kepkhets refuge, and Totem Axe + Byzzrs Benediction are the combos I use :)


BTW!!! If you are having a problem with too much armor (Such as 15 or higher) try using a Enchantment modded Fiery Flame Spitter and attacking with it (inbetween casting).

[seiryu]

I love to use this build, its the main reason i made a new monk in Cantha.
I still have a hard time with spellcasters and necros in Cantha cos they simply dont do enough damage. (Wahjaan bazaar and the likes) While they are level 20 enemies.

Same goes for the afflicted....especially if they have mesmers and ritualists around..those are a pain.

Any ideas on how to overcome these???



A second question is, i see lota ppl using swords for an weapon cos of the mods and melee contact for agro.
But i want to go mesmer as my second prof.
So its only for the mods and agro to use the sword, right?....i mean, with 0 points in swordsmanship, the blade hardly does damage.


Any replies would be great. :listen:

[Miss Merryweather]

its a nice build for solo power leveling, you dont even need to be a mo/ to use it, just a /mo will work

i got from level 4 to 20 with my necro doing this, prot spirit/spirit bond/retribution/balths spirit... it took a minute or 2 to clear the trolls early on but it works :smiley:

cheapest solo build ever, pre searing armor and any weapon will work, and you get those for free anyway :laugh:

[GhostBoy]

A second question is, i see lota ppl using swords for an weapon cos of the mods and melee contact for agro.
But i want to go mesmer as my second prof.
So its only for the mods and agro to use the sword, right?....i mean, with 0 points in swordsmanship, the blade hardly does damage.


Any replies would be great. :listen:
Swords used by casters are usually with a +5 Energy mod, because it allows them to also hold an off-hand focus for ekstra energy. It adds up to more than the +10 from a staff. So yes, just for the mods.

[KiddieCake]

Swords used by casters are usually with a +5 Energy mod, because it allows them to also hold an off-hand focus for ekstra energy. It adds up to more than the +10 from a staff. So yes, just for the mods.correct, most ppl use +5 energy and 20% enchants, now since factions theres the +5 20% greens around wich are nice, rajazan is a bit more expensive but you can get a totem axe for 4-6k or farm one yourself easily


You might wanna take note of the Flamespitter axe's -10 armor while attacking - really helps a spirit bond farmer.
Yeah i got one myself a while ago and modded it 20% ench, i wasnt really having a good farming weapon, i kept selling my old ones lol, this ones great :D

Excellent guide mate... want to have this back on the front page for people to view.

Hopefully it gets stickied! :wink:

Good work!
Yeah im hoping for a sticky too, because of ppl see it on the first pages maybe lowers the number of "600hp monk" threads




Great Guide KiddieCake!!!!!!
Really Appreciate your posts!!
Very nice guide KiddieCake. :afro:
Great Guide!
Thanks!, im glad to see ppl are apreciating this and liking it :wink:

[noocoo]

Nice guide, thanks~

However, it means that we dont need to get our hp to 601, right?

[KiddieCake]

Nice guide, thanks~

However, it means that we dont need to get our hp to 601, right? nope. i use 405 hp, one supperior rune and no vig rune, doesnt matter really, i think you should limit to 2/3 sup runes

[GhostBoy]

Nice guide, thanks~

However, it means that we dont need to get our hp to 601, right?
You don't need 600+ hp to make the basic build work, but it becomes a bit more effective if you have a high max hp.

The reason for this is the use of Retribution coupled with Protective Spirit. Since PS limits your damage taken to 10% of your max hp, at 480 health, Retribution can never do more than 16 damage (33% of damage taken which is at most 48). At 600 max health, that increases to 20, which gets a better efficiency out of it with a high Smiting Prayers skill.

If you use some other skill, like Shield of Judgement to boost damage, that becomes less of an issue as the extra damage will outweigh the 4 extra damage. But if you have the option, you may as well make it as effective as possible, right? :)

[Aristeaus]

Ladies and Gents. a moment of your time if you please. ;)

I have recently taken to SB'ing the underworld. yet always fall to the grasping darkness's due to thier low damage. currantly i use 15 armour. have any here got advice for this problem? Elemental resistance doesnt seem to help.

[Antillio]

Is it just me or am i the only 1 using Blessed Aura to make my enchants go even longer ? :) i traded blessed aura in for essence bond since i dont need that as much as i use channeling to effectivly boost my energy, blessed aura keeps the pace to recast yer PB and PS a lil slower wich i like alot. zealouts fire = a win/win skill here to xD just don't spam spells with it on and no enemies will flee but you'l do a nice on top dmg. Great guide btw i'm once again feeling love for my monk since i never was a fan of 55.

[GhostBoy]

Ladies and Gents. a moment of your time if you please. ;)

I have recently taken to SB'ing the underworld. yet always fall to the grasping darkness's due to thier low damage. currantly i use 15 armour. have any here got advice for this problem? Elemental resistance doesnt seem to help.
If you are a warrior secondary, try using frenzy before SB. Otherwise try removing your chest and legging armor and switch any runes to the remaining 3 pieces.

[gnarly]

Been using this build for a while - very good and easy.

The equipment I use is a totem axe and a collectors hallowed idol from factions - 5 putrid cysts for a req9 smite, +1 smite@20%, +30 idol - ideal if u ask me :grin:

I dont go anywhere with this build without ele resistance - so mes sec it is.

If u take smite hex it is also possible to kill avicara wises - though still tricky - forget the guiles they rend enchants.

One thing to bear in mind with the avicaras is to take note of the type of weapon they are using - if its an FDS - DONT hit ele res - you will die quickly. Precasting SoJ helps as their interupts can be a pain.

Also if u can try and aggro trolls along with the avicaras as they always trigger SB and thus the heal.

You can take out the giants at the rear of the troll cave too - it helps if u precast SoJ.

Great build,

Gnarly

[KiddieCake]

...forget the guiles they rend enchants...
Gnarly
Yeah, i usually try to coverhex my ps and then they rend quickly cast sb, i never get em killed though so usually i loot and run away ;)

[CallMeDerek]

I tried this build and its cheap and simple. Besides cost issues compared to a 55 monk though, can this build be used in any areas where a 55 can't?

[KiddieCake]

I tried this build and its cheap and simple. Besides cost issues compared to a 55 monk though, can this build be used in any areas where a 55 can't?i soloed 1 heretic before, im sure 55 can do it but its more tricky, i just waited for him to strip sb then recast, summit goes easily

[Lunari]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4748711139723360801&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6032358531980725137&hl=en

where are those Grawls??? I love seing Grawls dying

[myrslok]

yep, i spam them dont ask why lol, and essence isnt needed at all indeed
It's not needed, no. But if you got a huge amount of enemies say 12-15 it does make u able to spam spiritbond along with zealots fire. Also go with shockwave for extra dmg + KD dmg =)

I say if u don't Need to be another prof, shockwave is the way to go!
Zealots is only good if it does like double dmg really (icy stuff?).

[myrslok]

Stupid question maybe, but i'm guessing u can't solo UW with this?

[MoonUnit]

where are those Grawls??? I love seing Grawls dying

Those Grawl are outside Droks in Witman's Folly.

[NobleNick]

http://img319.imageshack.us/img319/6338/basicbuildlv4.jpg
1. Protective spirit
2. Spiritbond
3. Essence bond
4. Balthazars spirit
5. Retribution
6. Optional
7. Optional
8. Optional


This is basicly all the skills you need for a spiritbond build, the 3 slots that are open you can fill up yourself.
I usually fill up those spots with a good damage dealer (Shield of Judgment for example) and smite hex when fighting hexers.
You can do those spots yourself, as long as you keep the base the same, you should be fine with anything.

Attributes:
I almost always run the same attributes
Smiting prayers: 15 [12+3]
Protection prayers: 10 [9+1]
Divine favor: 9 [8+1]
Rest: Secondary proffesion choice attribute

Thanks for the guide KiddieCake.

Well, I am a tyro 55/105 Monk (can do both, but prefer 105) : farmed Sand Dragons a bit to the East of Elona's Reach, and can farm Hydras outside. Augury. Things that deal poison and other degen are a problem, though.

I decided to try SB Monk: had fun trying this out; but got my patoot handed to me on a platter. Average fight length = about 7 seconds :sad: So I came back to see what I am doing wrong.

I have PS, SB, Balth's, Retribution, (no essence bond), Zealot's, Signet of Judgement, Healing Breeze, and Reversal of Fortune. RoF is great with Zealot's; but just need to find that sweet spot of not quite spamming it enough to force mobs to flee.

Are you are supposed to use BOTH SB -AND- PS? Oops, didn't use PS. How does that work? Wouldn't PS keep SB from triggering? Someone pease walk me through the math and sequence of events... please?

Oh, and another thing: What is the easiest way to get to that farming spot to the SW of Elona's Reach? The exit to the NE of Elona's gives me no joy....

[KiddieCake]

you use both SB and PS , yes, i havent really farmed drakes yet, do they dmg enough?

also, theres loads loads and more loads of variants on spiritbond builds, blessed aura is great too, etc etc,

[nubnub]

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/nnubb/tools/spiritbond.jpg

[KiddieCake]

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/nnubb/tools/spiritbond.jpg

hahaha that gave me a laugh, its still possible but its pretty messed up.

[Nikhera]

I used to farm Wardens in Arborstone as a Mo/R with EoE, on reccomendation of Azrael STX who is a total genius...

It always went to smoothly...and it was always so nice not to get any stragglers and see them all go down at once...

Ah well XD Thought I'd share since I'm unable to do it anymore.

[jomud]

why doesnt it work anymore?

i thought only SoJ was nerfed to death

[Viti Ligo]

why doesnt it work anymore?

i thought only SoJ was nerfed to death

Spirit bond only works for 10 attacks now...

[jomud]

OMG WAH thats BAD

RIP indeed, SB.

Why does ANet keep nerfing the good farmbuilds? >.<

[Ambuu]

OMG WAH thats BAD

RIP indeed, SB.

Why does ANet keep nerfing the good farmbuilds? >.<


Its because they get too good.
Then more people start doing it, and then people make macros or something for it.


Then it gets nerfed.

But us farmers dont quit then. we find another place to farm.



My idea: Make the farming code more effective.

Like after a certain number of farm runs, start to decrease the number of good drops. And the farmer will have to wait a certain time period before the drops start getting good again (like 24 hours or so)

[cilenia]

but when you do that its not farming anymore right? Then its just fighting a couple of mobs faster and then wait 24 hours to go again...

[Viti Ligo]

I have a quite effective way in my mind to prevent green farming: make them drop once/character , so if you get some green item you won't get the same green never again with same character - so they would really be unique items.

[Razma Dreizehn]

Hmmm.... I almost like this idea.

[Knight hu says ni]

so is spiritbonder screwed now that spirit bond only does 10 attacks?

[Viti Ligo]

so is spiritbonder screwed now that spirit bond only does 10 attacks?

Spirit Bond

Enchantment Spell. For 8 seconds, whenever target ally takes more than 60 damage from the next 10 attacks or spells, that ally is healed for 40...88 Health.

That's the current description.

[zweistein]

Its because they get too good.

Then more people start doing it, and then people make macros or something for it.

Then it gets nerfed.


In that case, 55hp monk would have been nerfed a long time ago.

[KiddieCake]

Spirit Bond

Enchantment Spell. For 8 seconds, whenever target ally takes more than 60 damage from the next 10 attacks or spells, that ally is healed for 40...88 Health.

That's the current description.
good of u pointing that out

spiritobnd is kind of dead, not entirely dead, but not really nice vs alot of mobs anymore, i tried decreasing the htis with guardian, worked but very unrealiable imo.

[Little Hex]

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/nnubb/tools/spiritbond.jpg
In your dreams yes.
http://forums.gwonline.net/showthread.php?p=4512937#post4512937

[KiddieCake]

But thats not the spiritbond build, i still liked spiritbond more as soa, but anyways, just to bring back some memories, that farm run was a couple of days (i think) before that AI nerf.

i found em in my screenshot folder and decided to post em ;)
The duoing was great, just the smiter with some modifications and me as a Spellbreaker Spiritbond tank, worked well, those scales could be really tricky when not done right but we got to the spiders, then i made a stupid mistake and we died.

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/4141/gw007cg7.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7998/illegalpm9.jpg

[pharcyde]

hey kiddiecake i rele got to thank you for this post, ive been away for gw for quiet some time and reading this made me want to play again :D

so thank you very much for bringing gw back in my life :P

[KiddieCake]

hey kiddiecake i rele got to thank you for this post, ive been away for gw for quiet some time and reading this made me want to play again :D

so thank you very much for bringing gw back in my life :Pim sorry to say but the build doesnt really work anymore, i t works but not effectively, i would suggest going regular 55 monk or Shield of absorption monk

[sullivangraphicslbc]

http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/795/spiritbondintroqj4.jpg
Hello, im the one that started a topic longer ago when the "600hp" monk was still relatively new.
We now know more about this build, it doenst require 600hp at all, so it should NOT be called a 600hp monk, we call it, the spiritbond monk.

I am NOT the one that made the Spirit bond monk.


About the spiritbond monk
The spiritbond is also a form of the invinci monk, but then with youre normal HP count, so no superior runes are needed.
It works as following:
You have for example, 400 hp
You cast protective spirit + Spiritbond
*Monster hits you for 40 damage
You gain for example 60 hp back, so basicly, you cant die.
Thats not all, monsters have to hit you for 60 atleast, since spiritbond triggers only when 60 damage is reached.
Prot spirit acitvates after the damage, then reduces it, then spiritbond kicks in and heals you for a larger amount.
If 20 monsters are hitting you for 40 damage each and you gain +60 each time, youre invincible.

Why not a 55 monk then?, because this is cheaper. and different
heres a little list Comparison about Spiritbond monking and 55 hp monking (composed of other peoples disccusions on the forums)

Spiritbond monk:
Good:
-No limit of monsters, they cant out damage your'e healing
-No healing prayers needed, since spiritbond is a protection prayer
-Cheaper then a 55hp monk
-Retribution with higher health
-Degen is no point!

Bad:
-Slightly more energy cost, this will be harder vs. single monsters like bosses.
-Some monsters dont hit enough damage, and you eventually die (sometimes with wands)
-Sometimes its hard to run past some not enough-damaging monsters, refer to the above.

55hp monk:
Good:
-Easy to fight single or two monsters, mending is pretty handy at 55hp
-Easier to keep up energy
-Running past some monsters, damage is no issue.

Bad:
-Sometimes, you get outdamaged and die
-Slightly more expensive to create 55hp
-Might sometimes also have a hard time with degen

Thats about it i think, lets get on to the basics.


The build
Now we know how it works a bit, now to farm with it

http://img319.imageshack.us/img319/6338/basicbuildlv4.jpg
1. Protective spirit
2. Spiritbond
3. Essence bond
4. Balthazars spirit
5. Retribution
6. Optional
7. Optional
8. Optional


This is basicly all the skills you need for a spiritbond build, the 3 slots that are open you can fill up yourself.
I usually fill up those spots with a good damage dealer (Shield of Judgment for example) and smite hex when fighting hexers.
You can do those spots yourself, as long as you keep the base the same, you should be fine with anything.

The attributes and armor:
Offcourse you need amror for farming, but not alot, actually, just a little, and its cheap too!
You need 15AL , (or pre searring armor) pants and feet (for energy regen), so get some 15AL trousers in ascalon, or even better
get your ascetic pants and shoes from shing jea monastery in cantha, they look good, and have + energy!
You need an headpiece, you should be fine with a 15 AL headpiece from ascalon or shing jea, but best is to use a festival hat, they are 0 AL and rune-able
I self use a superior smites, boosts my Shield of judgment, and retribution, since health is not a concern.
Anyways, Heres an example of what my spiritbond gear is:

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8765/armorsetupmb1.jpg
Yes, im half naked on the top, you need as few armor as possible for getting as mutch damage as possible, for triggering spiritbond.

Attributes:
I almost always run the same attributes
Smiting prayers: 15 [12+3]
Protection prayers: 10 [9+1]
Divine favor: 9 [8+1]
Rest: Secondary proffesion choice attribute

The weapons:
I use a rajazans fervor wich is ideal (totem axes too), because of their +5 energy always and a 20% enchantment mod, makes them ideal for these kinds of builds.
I think any +5 energy weapon is fine, anyways, lets not talk and just show it, k?
http://img327.imageshack.us/img327/2623/weaponsxk5.jpg
Yes the icon sucks, im sorry, but its low req and its one of the only i have!


What to do in battle
Ok you know the build, youre gonna have to fight with it, that means you have to know how!. ill do this step by step, makes stuff easier to understand (i think)
Ill pick very basic monsters, melee , like minotaurs, they dont interupt, hex , condition, so theyre an easy target to practice on (i recommend it ;))

1. Put on essence bond, Balthazars spirit, Retribution.
2. Regenerate your energy ~30 should be fine.
3. Get to the place where your target is.
4. Run in, cast protective spirit, and spiritbond. keep these up at all times!, unless you save deaths lol
5. Keep going untill you think youre think youre ready to deal some serious damage, in my case, Acitvate Shield of Judgment.
6. Keep Casting protective spririt and Spirit bond.
7. Wait till everything is dead , and loot
8. Yay!

That should be good enough, lets hope so, because i had alot of ingame questions already (not that i mind though, i like writing guides)
You should now be able to kill basic melee mobs, i recommend trying minotaurs, or trolls to practice the build, fighting monsters like wardens is a little more advanced.
When you are facing monsters that interupt, (im a mo/me) use mantra of resolve when really needed, that should prevent it, mo/w could use bonettis defense.

The end
First of all, why did i make a new spiritbond topic? i had alot of questions, and it doesnt need 600hp, the build improved alot because of people helping on the forums.
Getting tips, hints, way to farm stuff, improved the spiritbond build, and the 600 wasnt needed.
So i decided to make a new fresh, bigger topic about it. i hope you like it ;)
Ive put quite some work in this, i like writing guides, sorry the topic might be a little image-heavy.
that was it i suppose, i hope anyone found this any good ;)

feedback is greatly appreciated!

if i forgot to add anything important, tell me ill try to find a solution

Keep up the good work..
Thanks!

[GuildWarsGirlAmy]

600 monks are still fun and profitable to use, especially dual smiting with heros. In hardmode cathedral of flames, for example, there are good drops, and mobs die in like 2 seconds.

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/7971/drops2ho7.jpg

[Alaris]

I've done a lot of farming of 1st city HM using a N/Mo 55/SS build. I'm thinking of doing it with a monk now. The mobs are generally 3 in size, but can be aggro'ed to more. Either that, or the Waijjun Bazaar, concentrating on warriors and eles.

Given that the spirit bond is more stable, or so I heard, I thought about using that instead of the 55 build. Anyone who used it there, I'd like a confirmation, and any tips.

I'm a Survivor (1), and I'd like to keep it that way.

[Nikhera]

I used to farm for exp in Wajjun Bazaar with two heroes - one a smiter + BIP and another one that stacked enchantments and spirits.

It worked sort of like the 600 monk in that I used Retribution + Holy Wrath for damage and Symbiosis and Vital Blessing, etc. to get my health ridiculously high.

The first piece of advice I would give you is...don't do it. Lol. I lost my Survivor this way - it was always really stressful and compared to other methods (boxing) really boring and slow. Not to mention, the drops were pretty crap, so I was losing money on scrolls.

If you really want to go ahead with this, then the most important tip is to stay calm. Remember to maintain your enchantments and careful of the mesmers, because they interrupt you. Don't rush or it could cost you.

Secondly, either be really cautious with Symbiosis, or don't use it at all! This was my cause of death. I rushed out of its range too soon, didn't realize my health was too low and when I lost the bonus it killed me. This also goes hand in hand with the advice above, don't rush. Take the time to heal up all the damage you took.

Watch out for enchant removal, too. Those enchants are your life line, without them you're dead.

Other than that, maybe practice on an expendable character first. It's really straightforward, really.