Brightblade’s Guide to Monks: Skills and Powers
Written by: Brightblade
This is a comprehensive guide to the monk class in the online massive RPG game Dark Ages (
http://www.darkages.com). Within this manual are important and useful information on the various spells and skills a monk may possess as well as how to best use them.The Monk
The monk class is one of the most versatile and powerful classes if played well. Its strength lies in its ability to take punishment more than anybody else does and walk away smiling. A monk is a master of martial arts and has complete control of his body, which is hardened through years of hard training. Being a monk means battle is fought via melee and although the monk possesses curative magic, they are by far less potent than a priest’s spell. The attack ability of monk is NOT as effective as a warrior’s but lacks for its attack strength, it more than makes up for its ability to evade hits and attack speed.
A monk cannot wear shoes while wearing his armor nor can he use a sword. He CAN wield a sword but attacks with a large penalty and do considerably less damage than a warrior. A monk wielding a weapon cannot use his special martial art skill. The best weapon a monk can use is his fist, feet and his tough body.
Armor for Monk
What armor can a monk use? A monk can wear virtually anything other class can use except shoes/boots, but the best armor a monk can wear is his fighting clothes, bracers and greaves. Also each class can only wear clothes that are appropriate for their class. A monk can also use the many types of rings, amulets, earrings, and magical jewelry that are found in the game.
Skills and Powers
Here are a list of the skills and spells that a monk can use. These are by far not a complete list as Dark Ages is a dynamic live world that new things are being added constantly. But so far, these skills and spells are the rather more stable ones but note they may be changed/enhanced or even removed when the game masters decides to.
Fighting Skills
Poison Punch (max level 100) – A powerful punch that strikes the body of the opponent and leave a powerful corrosive poison doing gradual damage for a limited duration.
Kick (max level 100) - One of the first attack skill of a monk. Do considerable damage based on skill level.
High Kick (max level 100) – One of the earlier attack skill of a novice monk. Do considerably more damage based on skill level. Requires at least 5 in kick to learn.
Ambush (max level 100) – One of the first evasive skill of a novice monk. It allows the monk to jump over the target and land a few punches on the targets back before expecting counterattack. Higher skill level allows more frequent successful execution.
Double Punch (max level 100) – Attack skill that allows monk a chance to punch twice in a single round therefore effectively doubling the damage. Higher skill level allows more frequent double attack.
Assail (max level 100) – This skill embodies your basic attack skill such as punching and hitting. The higher the skill goes the harder you hit.
Defensive/Offensive Spell
Mist (max level 100) – A spell like ability of the monk to evade hits. When successfully cast a spell icon will appear and the monk’s evasion ability will be boosted. Self only spell. Duration is approximately 2 minutes.
Beag Nochd (max level 90) – A powerful "dark sphere" spell attack. Do massive amount of damage comparable to the elemental mor series of wizard spells. Drain massive amount of will (mana): 720 /casting. Damage is exponential to spell level.
Cure poison (max level 100) – A monk’s ability to cure poison can be useful during times when the priest is too busy to comply. A poison coursing through a body can seriously handicap or weaken any fighter. It should be cured or purged as soon as possible.
Cure blindness (max level 100) – A monk’s ability to cure blindness can mean life or death during an escape from a fight gone bad.
Drain (max level 100) – A spell that allows the monk to drain health points from its victim and adds it to his own. When successfully executed, up to maximum of 500 HP can be drained from the victim and added to the monk, the victim is instantly slain. Spell cannot drain more than 500 HP nor is it possible to drain HP from creatures with more than 500 current HP. A less useful spell as the monk goes up in insight.
Taunt (max level 100) – A monk’s skill similar to the rogue’s to entice or angers a creature into attacking you. Especially useful when trying to rescue companions from chasing monsters.
Dion (max level 90) – A special metaphysical skill that envelops the monk’s body in a protective flame that gives total invulnerability to physical attack for 5 seconds. Note: Spell can and still do damage on a monk protected with this spell. Takes up 200 will (mana) per casting.
Special Skills
Monks are granted some unique non-combat skills and abilities. These are quite useful during your daily Temuairan life.
Tailoring – Ability to repair your own armor. Warning, sometimes failure will cause you to destroy your armor. Also, learning this trade will allow you to improve the armor class of your normal armor.
Look – Ability to determine your current location. Will display the name of your current location. Useful for exploring new areas or dungeon or finding your way back to civilization if you are lost. Note: Getting lost inside an unknown dungeon or crypt can be harmful to your health.
Perish Lore – A special skill to determine the perishable items. Useful in identifying new items or determining ones that will perish with the bearer when they die.
Food Lore – A special skill to determine the statistics of edible items.
Herbal Lore – A special skill to identify magical potion. Getting this trade allows you to harvest the local flora and making magical potions with the right ingredients.
Monk Forms
Monk forms are specialized types of fighting a novice monk can learn from another player or NPC teacher. When the appropriate form is learned, the monk acquires a special set of physical and metaphysical skills and spells.
Draco Form
Draco Stance (max level 90) – A metaphysical skill that is the same as Dion.
Snort (max level 90) – The same as the monk skill taunt.
Draco Tail Kick (max level 90) – A powerful kick that can do tremendous damage. It randomly does damage to enemies that are adjacent to the monk.
Kelberoth Form
Kelberoth Strike – A blinding furious attack that draws 50% of your health.
Kelberoth Stance – Braces your body for attack. Do less damage upon you.
Roar – Stun all that is a few paces from you.
White Bat Form
Dark Spear – An attack that momentarily blinds your opponent’s eyes.
White Bat Stance – Momentarily disappear from your opponent’s sight.
Echo Sense – Know some information about your opponent.
Scorpion Form
Poisonous Strike – An attack that poisons your opponent for a short duration.
Scorpion Stance – Hardens body for attack.
Trance – Temporarily charm your opponent.
SURVIVAL TIPS and TRICKS