Why do monks use a sword an offhand combo?

Well, im a little new to Guild Wars and im really loving this monk class. But I was looking at some other monks and they are all using a sword and shield combo? Can someone tell me why? Is there something im just missing?

sword(or spear) allows for 1-handed +5e and 20% longer enchants. the sheild gives +8al, health, and +10al vs xxxxx which makes the monk a 78al target insted of 60al.

What you see is what is typically called a defensive set, basically the sheild makes the monk harder to kill (mostly useful in PvP) while the sword (or any other 1hand weapon) give the enchanting mod, which wands can't have. PLus some caster-hate monsters only notice you as a caster if you are using a caster weapon, meaning you wont get Backfired if you have a sword but the wand-and-sheild weilding-warrior will be hexed.

Thats very interesting, thanks.

What mods are shields supposed to have on monks?

To be more precise, there is a mod for shields that gives +10 Armor vs X type of damage. Example : +10 armor vs Fire Damage. Thus, when going into gvg, good monks will bring a shield for about every damage type and equip the one that will be the most useful for the actual battle.

For PvE, shield+sword is useful for 30/60 aditionnal health which makes you less likely to take aggro, and also of course the bonus armor is always good.

Beside, for those who doesn't weapon switch (see sticky topic in "monk" for informations about that subject), sword+shield is generally the best set since you don't usually need more energy, as long as you manage it correctly.

Ideally you should have a Shield with a +10AL for every damage type, but that can get pretty expensive, so slashing or fire is probably your best bet.

And I would suggest a +30HP mod instead of a 20%Enchanting on your sword, you have staffs for a reason.

From what I've been hearing from people is that if a Monk goes Monk/Warrior it has better capabilities of healing it self rather than War/Mo. So its probably Ideal that a Mo/War would have a sword and a shield/off-hand item combo.

lol ya think?

if you are playing PVE I'd go with a wand/offhand combo for the HSR & HCT bonuses (or enchants)... since you don't usually need the extra armor in PVE, esp. not in NM.

Wands don't have enchanting mods

I prefer a sword and a focus tough. Energy is your friend.

I agree with Fragile feeling....Doh...lol

but offhand does (there was or is quest reward non max offhand with 10% ench) :;D

That is no longer a defensive set. You're trying to do 2 things in 1 weapon set which is unneeded. Thats what the high energy set is for...

I'm surprised I don't see more monks with spears. You can get the same benefits of having a sword or axe without the risk of running into battle if you accidently click on an enemy or whatever.

There's only like 2 good looking spear skins, and everyone knows that the better you look, the better you monk.

I would prefer weapon swapping when in need of energy or a chance to cast faster and half recharge.

hell ya, we all know a monk using a voltaic spear heals waaay better than a monk wielding say a greater highlander spear, which looks pretty cool. Good sarcasm there, anyway my monk uses an emerald blade simply because i love how he holds it. The short time i was the owner of a voltaic, the way he was holding it was alright but i prefer a sword.

Normal mode: use whatever, it doesn't matter.

Hard mode: shield v slashing or shield v fire (situational) and a spear to keep you away from mobs. If you can refrain from clicking the red dots and running up to them, you don't need a spear. Like normal mode, if you know what you're doing, bring whatever because you can do it with an empty skill bar, equipment wont make that much of a difference.

PvP: +30s, all of the shields, but that's what pvp characters are for. Learn to weapon swap and you'll be fine.