More Complex Healer Types?

My husband, my daughter and myself recently purchased this game. I generally take the role of a healer type in games. I have been playing MMORPG's for about 8 years (or close to it, we started with UO). I have always enjoyed the role of a healer type character. I am a chronic restarter trying to find the right fit. I told my husband I would not do that this time around, so I want to start off on the right foot.

I have read these boards and am coming out more unsure of what I want to do than when I came to them. Because of so many years of playing whack-a-mole (watch health bars and hit the one that is low with health) I have started looking for quirkier healers when I start a game. An example- In EQ2 I tried every healing class there was, my primary ended up being a Defiler. I can hold my own quite well when in a "need a heal" situation, the problem is I tend to get bored with nothing else to do in many day to day situations.

In PVE while levelling I need a build that will keep me entertained, but also allow me to play the primary healer. I think that protection healing sounds interesting, but if Healing prayers has builds to level with then I am all for it.
I will always be grouped with as many of the above mentioned players as is allowed in that zone.

My husband is playing a Wa/Ra (wilderness line). I need to be able to function well with him or I go nuts. My daughter is still deciding, so suggestions are welcome. She would be happy, and efficient in almost any role, including another monk, so suggestions are welcome for her as well.

Can anyone give me suggestions on combinations to take from 1-20 that compliment my husband and when played well can be a great Monk but are not extremely basic in playstyle. Our goal is to take our time, and get as much out of the lower levels as we can so that when we hit end game we are well equipped and ready for anything.

Thankyou in advance.

Quote: Originally Posted by Memeep

Hey Memeep.

First off, it's nice to hear of a family all enjoying the game together. Probably not very common these days, but definately sounds great However cliche it is that you take the monk role, the husband takes the warrior.

Anyway, to the builds. The builds I'll mention are aimed for PvP, not PvE. This does not mean they are any less effective in PvE, infact generally quite the opposite. They are very fine tuned and durable, using pretty much the best skills and attribute spreads available. This does however mean that you may not have all of the skills available to use them to begin with (especially the elites), but it is something to aim for. Another complication is secondary proffesion, but that is something you can change later.

I'll try by starting off with a fairly basic healing build that you should be able to get going with.

Monk/?
Healing Prayers:16 (12+3+1)
Divine Favour: 13 (12+1)
Protection Prayers: Any remainders.

- Orison of Healing (Healing Prayers)
- Heal Other (Healing Prayers)
- Healing Touch (Healing Prayers)
- Healing Breeze (Healing Prayers)
- Mend Ailment (Protection Prayers)
- Holy Veil/Remove Hex (Monk Other)
- Heal Party (Healing Prayers)
- Ressurect (Monk Other)

That should get you through the game fine, it may be slightly basic for you though. Now onto the slightly more advanced monk builds:


Boon Protection
Monk/Mesmer
Divine Favor: 16 (12+4)
Protection Prayers: 9 (8+1)
Inspiration Magic: 10

- Reversal of Fortune (Protection Prayers)
- Guardian (Protection Prayers)
- Protective Spirit (Protection Prayers)
- Mend Condition (Protection Prayers)
- Inspired Hex (Inspiration Magic)
- Contemplation of Purity (Divine Favor)
- Energy Drain [Elite] (Inspiration Magic)
- Divine Boon (Divine Favor)

This build uses Protection Prayers, boosted with Divine Boon. It gives you large fast heals, with a side order of protection. It is fairly energy intensive, so you also pack Energy Drain. This skill allows you to drain energy from foes, and use it yourself. Inspired Hex will also help with your energy, giving you a return when you remove a hex with it. The rest of the skills are fairly self explanatory if you read the descriptions.


Word Monk
Divine Favor: 9 (8+1)
Healing Prayers: 15 (11+4)
Protection Prayers: 9 (8+1)
Inspiration Magic: 8
Illusion Magic: 3

- Word of Healing [Elite] (Healing Prayers)
- Orison of Healing (Healing Prayers)
- Protective Spirit (Protection Prayers)
- Mend Condition (Protection Prayers)
- Heal Party (Healing Prayers)
- Inspired Hex (Inspiration Magic)
- Drain Enchantment (Inspiration Magic)
- Distortion (Illusion Magic)

This build specialises more purely in healing. It allows you to use heals a lot more often, as your energy regeneration wont be lessened by divine boon as it is with the Boon Protection Build. The heals are slightly smaller, aside from Word of Healing, which is good at bringing people up from very low levels.

Heal Party is especially usefull in PvE, against spread health degeneration or just for topping everyone up. Drain Enchantment allows you to remove an enchantment from a foe, and it gives you energy in return. Distortion is always usefull if you get a warrior or ranger in your face.


Anyway, best of luck with monking. Hope you continue to enjoy the game

I am looking forward to this. Just so you do not get the wrong impression. I know the monk lady and warrior man is cliche, but when he plays a healer he just ticks me off. So it is my issue not his, he has played healers before, makes me want to jump up and yell at him real life, so best I just stick to healing.

I will end up with 2 monks, just the way I am, I know they can change as they go, but with 2 groups of people at different points in the game it will be easier this way. One for the 3 of us and one when we are playing with a group of friends who just started playing as well, so all suggestions are welcome, and will help as I go with both of the monks.

I have taken a few monks to level 20 in PvE and am thus familiar with the earlier parts of the game.

I must say stick to pretty heavy healing at first. The bonus of Divine Favor just doesn't seem worth the points until you can invest a fair amount without hindering your ability to replenish life through healing prayers. Also, the skills available for much of the game's early progression are geared towards strong heals. Plus you will have more healing skills to choose from early on. Later in the game, when you have some more diverse skillsets across the attribute lines, you will get a better opportunity to experience many different builds.

Never be afraid to experiment. It's not hard to find out when you have made a poor build choice or a poor tactical decision.

Now if I could only get my family to play too....

Quote: Originally Posted by Fungus Amongus

Just on a side note... my husband and I met while I was working for a game company... so we kind of started out gaming. I am still trying to figure out ways of getting more women to play with their husbands and vice versa. It is really healthy for a relationship to share something recreational like this. Same with the kids, easier to talk to parents when we have something in common. Thankyou for all of the advice.

For everything prior to ascension (about 50% of the game) you don't need the most efficient healer to complete the quests/missions. You may want to try bringing a couple of smiting skills (or skills from your secondary profession) to break up wack-a-mole monotony.

This may lead to a party wipe or two that could have been avoided if you had brought more healing, but your team can learn a lot from failing early in the game. For example, if your team mates learn how to 'shake aggro' it will make the end game quests/missions considerably easier.