Maxiemonster's -HUGE- Boon Prot guide!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Boon Prot has been effected by the changes to their elite energy management and Divine Boon. This build is far from as effective as it used to be. The information is also based on information from before the Nightfall release, but as I don't see a point in updating this, I will keep it this way.



Introduction:
Boon Prot revolves around Divine Boon (+70/73 Health) and Divine Favor (+38/41 Health) bonusses, making even condition and Hex removal effective heals. Boon Prot is very effective, and is the favorite Monk build of many people (including me). It can be used everywhere, as it's strong against everything (Hexes, conditions, physical, elemental, and armor ignoring damage). It's definitly not the easiest build to play, but when you get the hang of it, you'll be a great Monk.

I'm also open for suggestions, and maybe even builds you find more effective. This thread is about discussing Boon Prot, and not just reading my build, so feel free to talk here.

The Skills:
Reversal of Fortune - One of the reasons you're running Boon Prot over Boon Healing. It has a 1/4 second casting time (not interuptable, unless you're getting spammed), and a 2 second recharge time, and still, it has a very decent effect. This'll be your main healing spell for enemies not suffering from conditions or hexes. Mend Condition - Another reason to run Boon Prot over Boon Healing, as Healing Prayers doesn't have any condition removal. It has a 3/4 second casting time (which is decent), and a 2 second recharge time (that's why you're not running Mend Ailment). Use this when someone in need of healing and is suffering from one or more conditions. Don't use it too quickly when someone is not in need of healing, I'd limit to Blind and Dazed only, and even then, not in all cases. Guardian - A bit less effective unconditional heal then Reversal of Fortune, especially because of the 1 second casting time. The 2 second recharge time rocks on the other hand. Only use this over Reversal of Fortune when someone is getting hit by melee attacks, and of course, if you've got the time to cast a 1 second casting time spell. Contemplation of Purity - The skill you'll be using to get your conditions and hexes off yourself. It'll remove both Divine Boon and Mantra of Recall (and Guardian, and maybe even Reversal of Fortune if you're enchanted with those) removing up to 2 (or 4) hexes and conditions. Don't use it too quickly though, as you'll have to recast Divine Boon, and removing Mantra of Recall at the wrong time might mess up your Energy management. This skill is less effective when running Energy Drain. Divine Boon - Not much to explain.. Energy Management:Mantra of Recall - Highest Energy return for PvP, and it's an Enchantment. It's great combined with Contemplation of Purity (which is a must when running Mantra of Recall) because it increases the Hexes removed, conditions removed and Health gained. Also great as a cover Enchantment, not forcing you to recast Divine Boon that much. It does require you to wait 20 seconds after casting however, and it costs 10 Energy, which is quite high.
Energy Drain - A bit lower Energy return then Mantra of Recall, but still enough in most cases. It doesn't require you to wait to gain Energy (unless you still have to move into battle), like Mantra of Recall, which is especially great after you've got ressurected with a low amount of Energy. It does require you to move further into battle, which is a position you don't want to be in. Also, when your target doesn't have 8 or more Energy, you'll of course get less Energy, that's why I find the draining factor annoying, even though some love it. Hex Removal:Holy Veil (Recommended) - Holy Veil has a quick recharge time (12 seconds) and heals because of your Divine Favor and Divine Boon. In some battles you'll be asked to remove more then 1 Hex every 20 seconds (even more then 1 Hex every 12 seconds occasionally), and this is the only spot for you Hex removal. Also, the healing is great, as you're not always capable of waiting 1.75 seconds (casting time and 0.75 seconds of time between casts) untill casting a heal.
Inspired Hex - Slow recharge time (20 seconds), but it has a slight Energy management factor (11 Energy, excluding the 5 Energy from casting), giving you a bit more flexability. This skill does not give you any Divine Favor or Divine Boon boost, because it's a Mesmer spell. This means that if the target is at low Health, you'll need to cast another skill to heal him, making the Energy management rather useless in those cases, as this is not needed with Holy Veil. Personally, I don't think this extra bit of Energy management is needed, but some think it is. Keep in mind that you're using this for Hex removal, and not for Energy management.
Hex Breaker - I only advice using this when you're in a 3 Monk (maybe 2) backline, and one of the other Monks is running a Blessed Light build. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend using Hex Breaker over Holy Veil or Inspired Hex. Your choice:Signet of Devotion - This Signet is great when running Mantra of Recall. Use this when there's little danger (read; time to cast a 2 seconds casting time spell). You can save alot of Energy with Signet of Devotion, and it's great when you die, and your Mantra of Recall still needs alot of seconds to end. Try not to limit casting Signet of Devotion just when you've already ran out of Energy, because you shouldn't be running out of Energy. Recommended in combination with Holy Veil, as it saves up Energy, and you don't have the Energy management of Inspired Hex when running Holy Veil.
Protective Spirit - Great against spiking, especially when cast on a allied caster. Keep in mind that if the ally you cast this on has alot of Armor or Health this skill isn't all that effective. This skill is great in PvE, especially against some bosses, which deal insane ammount of damage. Recommended in combination with Inspired Hex, since Protective Spirit requires alot of Energy, you'll need the extra Energy management.
Spirit Bond - I personally prefer Protective Spirit in most cases, though, if your team isn't running much players with low Armor and/or Health, this could be a better choice. Just like Protective Spirit, it's recommended in combination with Inspired Hex
The Attributes:
When running Mantra of Recall:
11 Divine Favor
10 Protection Prayers
10 Inspiration Magic
1 Domination Magic

When running Energy Drain:
12 Divine Favor
9 Protection Prayers
9 Inspiration Magic
3 Domination Magic

The equipment:

Armor parts:Divine Favor Scalp of Minor Protection Prayers - Your main Scalp.
Divine Favor Scalp of Superior Divine Favor - Put this on before (re)casting Divine Boon.
Full Acolyte's set (Armor +10 (while Enchanted)) - Use this set when fighting enemies that don't use Armor ignoring skills.
Full Sheperd's set (Health +35) - Use this set when fighting enemies that use Armor ignoring skills (like Blood Spike).Weapon sets:
I've included links to the only or most easy way to get an item with the modifiers that are the best. Of course, there are some items I'd replace with items that are only dropable, but the chance of ever finding those exact items is so small, it's not even worth mentioning.A kiting set:A Long Sword obtained from the Charr at the Gate quest, upgraded with a Sword Pommel of Defense/Enchanting.
A Protective Icon obtained from John Verado.
or
A Long Sword obtained from the Charr at the Gate quest, upgraded with a Sword Pommel of Defense/Enchanting.
A Wooden Buckler obtained from the collector Leijo. Casting set:Garbok's Cane obtained from Garbok Handsmasher.
A Jeweled Chalice obtained from the collectorMourn Drakespur.
or
A Protective Rod obtained from the crafter Gertrud.
A Protective Icon obtained from the collector Brandon Harlin.
or
A Katana obtained from the crafter Shichiroji upgraded with a Sword Pommel of Enchanting.
A Protective Icon obtained from the collector Brandon Harlin.
A Katana obtained from the collector Telamon, upgraded with a Sword Pommel of Defense.
A Tattered Fan, a Forgotten Fan or a Frozen Fan as your offhand. A Protective Rod obtained from the crafter Honglei Sun.
A Jeweled Chalice obtained from the collector Kraviec the Cursed. Miniature Charr Shaman - Because it's adorable.

The basics:
Kiting:
Kiting means running away, trying to avoid taking damage, or reducing the damage taken. Kiting close ranged melee characters is simple, just run in circles (preferably small ones, as you shouldn't run away from your allies). Kiting Area of Effect is easy as well, just move out of spells like Fire Storm or Mealstrom as soon as you can. Kiting Point Blank Area of Effect is a bit harder. When you see someone cast something like Earthquake, try to move away from him, as he can't chase you while casting. Of course, this'll require you to watch the spells enemies are casting.
Also, don't forget to switch to your kiting set. And in case you wonder why you need a kiting set that badly, it's quite simple. As you're not as easy to heal as your teammates (no Mend Condition, and possibly lower armor, and the risk of your heals to get interupted), you can need every armor you can get. The more armor you have, the more Energy you save when someone is attacking you, which makes up for not being able to use Mend Condition.

Improved Divine Boon:
Switch to a Divine Scalp of Superior Divine Favor just before casting Divine Boon, and also switch to a +1 Divine Favor (20% chance while using a skill) off-hand or staff if you don't mind casting and removing Divine Boon untill it's even better (I don't do this, as I don't have the patience). This will get you a Divine Boon of 15 or 16 Divine Favor, which gives you +70 or 73 Health each heal!
If Divine Boon gets removed (by enchantment removal or Contemplation of Purity), just recast it as soon as you need it, unless you're absolutly safe, it's not that important, but it's a nice way to get some free extra Healing (which means you'll have to spend less Energy).

Weapon set 1 and 2:
Weapon set 1 is your kiting set, Use this when you're the target of any non-Armor ignoring damage. The +15 Armor (+5 when not enchanted) is great. The +45 Health is always nice, but keep in mind, when switching to other weapon sets, or when your enchantment gets removed, your Health pool is lowered by 15 or even 45 Health.
Weapon set 2 is your casting set. If you choose for the Inspiration Magic set (which is highly recommended when using Energy Drain, but also very nice when using Mantra of Recall), switch to this set just before you cast your Inspiration Magic spell. When you choose for the Protection Prayers set, use this whenever you're not kiting or getting your Energy drained to get that small boost to all your Protection Prayers spells.

Weapon set 3 and 4:
These Weapon sets are there to counter Energy draining. When you see you're losing Energy because an opponent is draining your Energy, switch to your 3rd Weapon set. This "blocks" the Energy at a low Energy pool. This means when you switch to you 4th Weapon set, you have the difference of the Energy (49 Energy), and the Energy draining barely had effect (even though Mind Wrack might be triggered earlier if used, so you might want to cast Holy Veil when the Energy draining starts). Try to get your Mantra of Recall on, and switch back to your Weapon set 1 as soon as you can.
You can also switch to your 3rd weapon set when you're out of Energy, and you really need to cast spells (watch out with this, this means death in many cases), or just before you cast Rebirth in PvE.

Hex/Condition Removal:
Cooperating with your teammates is very important. Make sure your teammates call the Hexes or conditions they want off them, as you can't see what they're suffering from. For this you'll obviously need to know the names of important Hexes that need to be removed (unless you realy trust your teammates calling the right Hexes). Also, try to learn the skill pictures of the "anti-Monk" hexes, so you can remove them off yourself when a nasty one is cast on you, without having to hover over the hex, which takes way too much time.
Also, don't spam your Hex removal. You should never use your Hex removal just because someone has a Hex on him, even though you have no idea what Hex it actually is. If 2 seconds after you cast Inspired Hex on a useless Hex your Warrior screams at you to remove the Spiteful Spirit that was cast on him, that'd be a waste. Just use your Hex removal when there's a Hex that really needs to be removed, and not whenever there's a Hex that can be removed.
I've seen alot of people using Inspired Hex only for the Energy management, but that's not where it's about. The Energy management is great, but not the reason to use it. Consider Inspired Hex a "free" Hex removal, as you'll get the Energy back that you just used, but not as a way to gain Energy, that's not what it's for.

Interface:
Click here for a picture of my interface.

A good interface is very important, so customize it wisely. Most of the time, Monks look at the party member screen, their skill bar (so they can see when they can recast a skill), and their Energy pool, so those are the 3 things I've centered. As those 3 things were already at the bottom, I also placed my compass and chat screen at the bottom, because they are nice to have around as well.
I left out my Experience bar (why would you want to know this when you're level 20 anyway?) and my Health bar (you're in the party screen yourself as well, and the only things you gain from it are the exact ammount of regen/degen pips you have, which you don't really want to know anyway). My Weapon Bar is hidden under the Menu button (made it very small), so I can still switch using F1-F4, without having it filling up my screen.

That's about all of it. I hope you enjoyed the guide,
Maxiemonster.