is mercy stroke necessary for mnk?

[Radacci]

Damage is damage no matter how small (and Mercy Stroke is actually stronger in base potency than all of Monk's non-DoT moves, heh). Not to mention that the alternatives are garbage. Keen Flurry can repel some unavoidable damage in some fights (most notably T13), but even then Mercy Stroke isn't something you should switch out for it.

Invigorate, Blood For Blood and Mercy Stroke are the must-haves as they're what DPS is all about: damage, and the resource you need to do it.

I'm just saying it's not *necessary* you're not gonna be gimp, if you don't have it. as opposed to a WAR without provoke.