Monk "55 build" clarification

Given that the search function is a bit hit and miss here I really would like to know about this "55" monk setup.

From what I gathered just by browsing: It has the potential to make you psuedo-invulnerable due to a careful choice of skills, having set up your armor with mostly superior runes (and one major?), and the repeated mention of a "-50 focus item".

My questions:

What are the specifics to setting this up?
How many and what runes are we talking about here?
Can someone clarify where and how I can get this "-50 focus item"?

Thank a bunch in advance for those who can inform me.

You need superior runes on every piece of your armor and the -50 icon can be obtained from the 'cities of ascalon' quest in ascalon city from the scribe geezer (or you could be lazy and buy one for around 4k)

the skills are pretty simple, mending and balthazars spirit are your maintained enchantments

then use prot spirit (needs to be on at all times)
healing breeze
zealots fire
SOJ
bonettis defense
and another aoe smite (i prefer symbol of wrath these days since they nerfed aoe attacks because of it's low energy cost and high dmg per second)

Hope this helps

(forgot to add, the skill setup i mention is mainly what i use for griffons/trolls and the uw other skills are needed for different enemies)

I can't answer the first question there, but the second two are easy.

At level 20, you have 480 hitpoints. There are only two ways of bringing this down. (a) the use of major or superior runes, with the exception of vigors and absorptions. Major runes for your profession will reduce hitpoints by 50, and superiours reduce hitpoints by 75.

Multiply that by five, and you're looking at a HP reduction of 250 (if using majors), leaving you with 230 hitpoints. If using superiors, your HP reduction is 375, leaving you with only 105 hitpoints.

Now, as for the -50 focus item, there's only one that I know of in existence, and that's part of the reward for the cities of ascalon quest from symon the scribe (he's in ascalon city, by a fire behind the fountain - a lot of people miss him since he is kinda out of the way). This is a necro item, but the -50 hp will affect you regardless of the class you are. Add that to a set of five superior monk runes and voila! - you're monk is now at 55 hp total.

Wow you guys are awesome, thanks for helping clear that up!

The specifics for setting up the 55 build would a set of armor, each having a superior rune. Buy all 4 monk sup runes, and a second monk superior of whichever the cheapest is (becase you will not get the bonus, only the negative HP). Many people choose Droknar's asthetics armor for the bonus energy, but you can pull it off with any armor (even pre-sear if you were so inclinded).

As stated before, the -50 focus item is a quest reward from the Cities of Ascalon quest given by the Simon the Scribe. This item is actually a blood req. item, but the -50HP "bonus" takes effect regardless of character class.

The specific build (skills needed) changes depending on what area and what kind of monsters you are fighting. The one skill that is a must no matter what/where you are would be protective spirit. Other skills chosen are based on your particular preference and the monsters you will be fighting.

the cheapest is tats in LA... def doesnt matter but the ene bonus is the same as tats in forge... save some money and use the forge armor for when ur healing in party or doing quests...

Symbol of Wrath *is* an AoE spell.

Oh good.. I'm a bit lacking in money atm!

Yup, my 55 build armor is LA tats, saves you some cash cos those sup runes cost a fair bit, hmmmm, maybe i should have mentioned this in my first post?

Something else that hasn't been mentioned is your main hand weapon, use a sword or axe with a 20% enchant pommel/grip on and a furious hilt/haft is a plus

Or if you're feeling rich enough get a HoD +5 energy sword and put the furious and enchant mods on it (just got mine btw :P )

So it's safe to assume that this would indeed trigger AI scatter huh.. that sucksss...

Show me where i said it wasn't?

read it again smart a**

was just pointing out that since they nerfed aoe i dont think aura with a 25 energy cost is very efficient in comparison to wrath which only costs 5 energy


sheesh, some people are so quick to criticise

forgive me for be ignorant but why would any1 want to only have a Hp 55 ?

surely one hit and u die?

Protective spirit only allows you to lose no more than 10% max health per hit from melee or spell, so you only lose 5 hp per hit which with your health at 55 healing breeze and mending easily compensate for.

SoJ:

Signet of judgement?

or

Shield of judgement?

Would like to have that clarified. Thanks.

shield of judgement. signet is almost completely useless in a situation like this, and it is an aoe too.

You have to be a hard farmer to make a build like this as superior runes have hit the roof.When my monk is fineshed the game after 2 more missions I am going to be useing major runes instead i do have the focus icon.

I'm a 55hp monk atm, but farming solo takes too much time. I'm going now with 1 necro/mesmer in the UW

You'll be taking twice the dmg or more.

and with the already less effective AoE smite making this last longer, that might not be something you can compensate for once your in there.

Especially if you are griffoning and get a rockshot on you.

Thank you

Then what would you suggest then I am not paying close to 100k for superior runes?That is how much they cost almost as much as a Warrior superior absorbtion run at 100k more than a sigil.ATM I am useing minors.