Monk Difficulties

I have real difficulties using my Monk character with Henchmen. The Henchmen don't seem to be able to do sufficient damage on their own to take down many of the mobs. As a result, unless I spend attribute points on smiting and take 2-3 smiting skills along, I really struggle in missions.

Problem is I don't really want to do much smiting as I'm trying to get into the discipline of being a healer/protector and I struggle to have sufficient skills in those areas if I use attribute points and skill slots on smiting abilities.

I suspect my secondary (Ranger) doen't help on the damage dealing and so I was considering starting again (only 13th level) with a Necro secondary. However I like Monk/Rangers stylistically (and they seem to be quite rare), so should I change, persevere and just look for player groups or is there something I'm doing wrong?

Many Thanks

Henchmen < other players

Seriously, henchman are usually low level compared to other players, and the AI the game uses for them is rather stupid to be honest. About the only henchman worth truely anything is the healer henchman. The rest have their uses, but if you are relying on them totally, you are going to find that the game is a bit harder.

This is especially true for a pure healing monk, where you can't help offset their lack of damage output with any real damage of your own.

i'm not saying henchmen are worthless, just don't expect them to be equal or better then getting players to help you. Besides, as a healing monk, you really should have no problem finding a group to mission with, especially at higher levels where most parties like to take two monks along.

Henchmen are better than other players when you're familiar with the mission. Too many people still don't know what they're doing, don't listen to the "leader", etc.

With my mesmer . .
# of times attempting The Wilds with other players before completion - 4

With my monk . .
# of times attempting The Wilds with henchmen before completion - 1
This is after I failed with two PUGs.

Henchmen are good, just not when you're a monk. They dont deal damage as well as other people and they die much more easily so your heals wont be as sufficient. Henchmen are typically good for a warrior or elementalist, or basically anything that can deal massive damage. It kind of sucks for the healers out there but its how it is. On the other side, its not hard to find a party when you're a monk. However finding a good party comes across a bit less frequently.

Word from the wise, if you get a good party, hold onto it as LONG as possible.

I can hench fine with my mo/r for getting from place to place. Missions are another story however. Most missions can be henched, however, as a monk primary, a couple missions are going to be nearly impossible with henchies unless you really customize your build for it. One good example is Thirsty River, you will not be able to kill the priest + priest boss with henchies unless you're packing massive disruption to disrupt the priest boss while your henchies bash away at the priest.