Mists of Pandaria is the fourth expansion that Blizzard will release for its hit MMORPG World of Warcraft. One of the most popular features of the new expansion is the new playable character class: the Monk. Mists of Pandaria focuses on the introduction of the new playable race, the Pandarian, and this dynamic and unique new class.
The Monk marks the second character class that Blizzard has added to the game since its release. The first was the Death Knight and was introduced as the first of many ‘hero classes’. A hero class starts at level 55 but requires an existing level 55 character on that account. The Death Knight also has a unique runic power and rune system where players exhaust runic power to earn runes and then use those runes to cast powerful spells.
Unlike the Death Knight, the Monk will start at level 1 but will have a very similar energy system based on Chi, Light Force, and Dark Force. Monks will use basic skills like Jab and Kick to deplete the Chi generated. In exchange for the Chi, they will gain, depending on the ability, a certain amount of Dark or Light Forces. These Forces, in turn, will be used to summon special abilities that deal large amounts of damage.
DPS Monk
The Monk’s main roll will be DPS. Through what will be called the Windwalker specialization, Monk’s will be able to complete this talent tree and specialize his monk for melee combat in dungeons, raids, and while on quests.
Very little is known about the Monk DPS spec at this point, other than that it will likely focus on fist weapons for special moves and use bare feet and hands for regular moves.
monk healing
The Monk brings World of Warcraft’s first melee healing class. He will use the Mistweaver talent tree to master proximity and direct heals. He will use a more conventional mana bar, instead of the Chi system described above. He will wear leather gear similar to that of today’s Restoration druids.
These monks will use staffs, maces, axes, and swords just like the existing healing classes today. They will also damage their enemy, so they can impress a lot of groups by sticking to the lower DPS classes.
monk tank
As if healing and DPS weren’t enough, the Monk class will still go ahead and be able to perform all three main roles in the game: heal, DPS, and tank. Monk Tank will not use a shield, instead often wielding a staff and using his ninja abilities to weave and dodge attacks to mitigate damage and stay alive.
Tanking with a Monk will probably be based on the Chi system as mentioned above. The tanky talent specialization is called Brewmaster and will likely take advantage of what is called the Drunken Ox stance.
All of the monks will look extremely unique, using their bare hands and feet to do most of the damage. They also won’t have the ability to ‘auto-attack’ like other World of Warcraft classes. However, Mists of Pandaria won’t be out until late 2012, so stay tuned for your chance to play the new Pandarian Monk.