Fighting Monk, also known as Monk, is an Epic hero that all players receive for free after 30 days of play. Monk is unique because he has one of the longest movement ranges among heroes (7 movement range), allowing him to reach almost every enemy on the map on turn 1. Although he may initially appear as an assassin capable of swiftly eliminating 1 or 2 ranged enemies, his skills compel players to build him as a frontline tank to maximize his abilities.
Skills
Monk has 1 basic attack, 2 special attacks, and 2 passive abilities.
Faithful Punch (Basic Attack)
Faithful Punch has a 20% chance to inflict Decrease ATK debuff on the target for 2 turns.
Peaceful Mind
Peaceful Mind deals damage to all enemies around Monk and has a 100% chance to inflict No.B.rate debuff for 2 turns on enemies hit.
Vipasana
Vipasana deals damage to all enemies around Monk and has a 50% chance to inflict Mute debuff for 1 turn on enemies hit.
Meditation (Ascend 3 Passive)
Meditation is a passive skill Monk unlocks at level 3 in Ascend. Meditation restores 25% of Monk’s Max HP if he does not take any actions.
Blocker’s Advantage (Faction Passive)
Monk belongs to the Arms Reach faction and unlocks Blocker’s Advantage at Ascend level 2. Blocker’s Advantage gives Monk a 20% chance to add 1 shield if he blocks an attack.
Artifact Build:
Before we go to the artifact build we need to understand how Monks, playstyle properly are going to be. On his first turn, he should use his skill Vipasana to apply Mute to 1-3 enemies or Peaceful Mind to debuff the No.B.rate of 1-3 enemies for 2 turns. After using one of these attacks, he should remain stationary to absorb hits and heal with Meditation. Despite Blocker’s Advantage tempting players to focus on high block rate, it’s crucial to remember that it only provides a 20% chance of shielding.
Considering Monk’s skills and playstyle, I propose 2 defensive builds. The first does not rely on Shield Builder, because it may be challenging to obtain within the initial 30 days but the goal should be the Shield builder.
Build without Shield Builder:
At 30 days, you should equip Monk with rank 5 or even rank 6 artifacts, but rank 4 artifacts with suitable stats can also be used. Focus on the Max HP set to capitalize on Meditation, aiming for HP substats on artifacts or, alternatively, Def and Res to enhance Monk’s survivability.
- Sword: ATK main stat
- Helm: HP main stat
- Chestplate: Res or B.rate main stat (Def not available)
- Shield: Def main stat (Res not available)
- Gloves: HP main stat
- Boots: HP main stat
Consider prioritizing Res on the Chestplate, but incorporating some B.rate for Blocker’s Advantage may be beneficial. If Monk gets the shield buff it could be crucial for him to withstand the attacks he’ll endure on the first turn.
Build with Shield Builder:
This build closely resembles the previous one, but replaces four artifacts with the Shield Builder set. This ensures Monk gains one shield per turn, effectively blocking the first attack directed at him. Again, prioritize HP substats on artifacts, or Def and Res for added survivability. With Shield Builder in use, Blocker’s Advantage becomes redundant.
- Sword: ATK main stat
- Helm: HP main stat
- Chestplate: Res main stat
- Shield: Def main stat (Res not available)
- Gloves: HP main stat
- Boots: HP main stat
My take on Monk:
My experience with Monk has been mixed. Currently, I primarily use him in Kao’s dungeon and arena battles. In Kao, Monk plays a vital role, helping my team reach level 20 by holding 1 of the minions away from the rest of the team. However, in arena battles, he often die in the first turn due to being targeted by all enemies. While it’s advantageous that he draws attacks away from my other heroes, I wish he could survive longer to absorb hits in the next turn. Additionally, his high movement range sometimes prevents my other heroes from reaching enemies before Monk is defeated, limiting my damage output.
I have yet to use him in Asle’s peak but he should be a VIP hero for this dungeons if he have the shield build set
Overall, I rate Monk a 3 out of 5. While he is a valuable hero to obtain for free, I have reservations about his effectiveness for every player after 30 days, especially considering that other heroes may have better synergy with existing teams. However, in specific scenarios like Kao and Asle’s Peak, where his abilities shine, I would consider him a VIP hero, possibly warranting a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
by Flarup – Mod – [KoA/WoA]