The entire Idea behind monk makes no sense

[Cynfael]

I dont know if you read my second message or not, but I did state that I dont expect, nor want the PvE to change. I mentioned how standing behind mobs in PvE is better for positioning and it makes sense to keep it that way. other than that, I appreciate your input mate!

You did mention that, and you're right that I didn't acknowledge it specifically. I suppose it just didn't seriously occur to me that the devs would code the monk kit differently for PvP. Frankly, considering how many melee combos depend on positionals that are difficult to land with any consistency on human players who aren't literally stunned in place, I don't think that the devs had PvP very firmly in mind when they originally came up with these things.

[Rhaja]

I'm just going to chime in that you honestly are better off punching someone from behind. Its safer for you, more lethal to them, and its not just the skull. The spine, kidneys, and knee's are all far more vulnerable when attacked from behind. And that's just striking blindly. Grapples and both joint locks and breaks are also easier to do from someone's back and flank.

In regards to PVP... if you removed the positionals from MNK it would be on the absurd side. Crit is king in PVP and MNK's can do that once every three hits, plus have higher potency from flank and rear. So in PVP getting those positionals are just as much a reward in game as they are in a real match.

I'm also going to add in that I personally don't care for positionals and have had far more fun with my MNK in PotD because nothing has positionals in it.

[Enkidoh]

Also, you need to remember that cannonically you are not actually a true MNK at all, you're really a PGL wearing a fancy crystal which allows you to master some MNK skills quickly. When you get right down to it, you're still just a fistfighter straight out of Ul'dah where you were hired muscle to rough up debtors late on their payments (the lore behind the PGL Guild and class).

You might be throwing in your lot with Widargelt and helping to reestablish the Fists of Rhalgr, but you'll never truly be an actual Ala Mhigan MNK, you'll always be an adventurer fighting as a hybrid of MNK and PGL, which goes a long way to explain why the class's fighting style is so rough and gritty, it's basically streetfighting rather than actual martial arts. That's just accepting facts (and the same goes for every other class in the game as well... well.. except the Heavensward Jobs of course ).

Not that it's a bad thing, in fact, arguably that's what makes the player's character so powerful, because they're not content to just stick with one narrow way of fighting, they blend fighting styles together (as in, cross class skills and using Jobs). It's all a matter of perspective.

[Exiled_Tonberry]

I mean, I don't know about you, but if I was given the opportunity to punch the giant fire breathing dragon that destroyed the world in the face or in the back, I'd probably choose the back.

[Jonditaru]

You know what really grinds my gears?

How we have all these area of effect magics, yet not one of then actually causes any friendly damage!

I mean c'mon! How can Mario here, be spitting fireballs all day, yet won't seem to burn his monk friend, who is punching people on the back of their heads!?!?

[Mejingjard]

Well, I don't know if you have practiced martial arts, OP, but maybe punching someone in face is more painfull, but I challenge you to guard yourself against someone striking you from behind when your attention si focused on someone attacking you from the front
In my opinion , this is more this kind of situation Monks in FF try to simulate rather than just "it hurts more in the face". When your opponent expose his back, he is far more vulnerable than when facing you, giving you a lot more opportunities to land a hit. If you manage to bypass a foe's guard and reach his flanks or back, you have the advantage ^^
Besides I think it is pretty well emulated with monks here as you constantly move to be at the best spot to hit. That inclues taking risks, but you are rewarded for it.
Same as PVP, if you manage to stun or find a way to get in the back of an opponent, he will be easier to hit, either because you will hit harder, but also because his evasion is reduced from behind.

[Neophyte]

Which brings up another interesting question. Why should healers be damage dealers? (o^.^)o

Edit: THIS IS SARCASM

Nah, this doesnt work out here.

1) lore suggests it (almost every healer npc does it)
2) real life paralells (military medic) suggests it
3) fantasy paralells (healing magic users in fantasy like elves in LotR) suggest it

[TarynH]

Nah, this doesnt work out here.

1) lore suggests it (almost every healer npc does it)
2) real life paralells (military medic) suggests it
3) fantasy paralells (healing magic users in fantasy like elves in LotR) suggest it

Solid, obscure reasoning dictates that you are wrong. I won't get into details, as it could be quite lengthy. Just accept that you are wrong. Because nobody can argue with solid reasoning, no matter how obscure it may be.

[SwarleyMcSwarls]

Monk is EXTREMELY strong in PvP scenarios and you now have a pvp cooldown to negate the positioning penalties suffered from not attacking from the flank or rear. Also, this game's bread and butter is PvE so I feel like asking them to fully rework how a class functions just for pvp scenarios isn't going to happen as the game currently stands. Also, the idea of attacking the flank or rear of an opponent is always considered to be more lethal because they can much more easily defend their front. So yes, I see how you are thinking of monk as a boxer and when you think of boxing you think of knockout punches being to the front of the face. But monk is not a boxer. It is designed to function as a sort of kung-fu fighter that flows through their different fighting styles to build up their own damage while also positioning themselves to attack their opponents where they are most vulnerable.


Also, the ninja thing is a little off base as well. Yes, sneak attack is more potency but trick attack is only 100 less potency and has the added benefit of increasing all damage done to the target by 10% for the next 10s because of the attack to their exposed back side leaves the target vulnerable. So sneak attack is a surprise punch in the face (which I'd think you'd be excited about) but trick is the more lethal and also signature ninja attack from behind.

ALSO, looks like you don't have a ninja or rogue at all and just leveled monk. So take some time and learn the classes and the lore and see how you feel about them. If you end up not liking a class the great thing is there are plenty of other ones to choose from that should be more ideal for how you'd want them to be approached.

[Jukebox12]

Frontal would be torso/face flank would be between the ribs and the hips. The back would be upper/lower back and spinal cord. Think of it this way. Quick constant jabs to the ribs are dangerous. Your back is your most vulnerable places. It um weird