You as a BRD and having mantra, will not make or break a party with or without a monk. 20% from the mnk on the other hand is very useful at times. If your having to rely on a 5% mantra or any version to get you through T4 then your healers or tanks are not ready for that turn. T5 mantra, it can help (mnk version), but again if your going to be told to have it as a BRD so you guys can get through it...your prob not going to make it through.

Tough love, your mate's wrong. Get the ability yes, but making you "have" it to progress is ridiculous...ESP putting a time restriction on you. Let me guess he is prob a healer or tank?