When do you use Earth Stance?

[Khurse]

Hey all.

I have a 17 Human Dark side (though dex build, just kinda playing around to figure out what I like about the class) and I have the Master of Mountans, and have the AP's to pick up both Grandmaster of air and earth, just I don't think I've ever used the earth stance

Looking through the forums,I have noticed a number of builds for dps comparisons using the extra damage from earth stance.

Just curious when you monk experts decide to switch to earth instead? Is it generally for boss fights ?

Thanks!

[Brother_Solar]

It's not the stance itself you use, but the ki strikes that come from it. You should use those strikes whenever you can; they add pure physical damage to your attack and are useful on any target.

Before level 20, I have used the stance to survive longer in Elite instances (it actually helps quite a bit to have some damage reduction), but at level 20 all pure monks receive DR 10/Epic, so Earth Stance becomes obsolete. Only the strikes remain useful.

[TPICKRELL]

Hey all.

I have a 17 Human Dark side (though dex build, just kinda playing around to figure out what I like about the class) and I have the Master of Mountans, and have the AP's to pick up both Grandmaster of air and earth, just I don't think I've ever used the earth stance

Looking through the forums,I have noticed a number of builds for dps comparisons using the extra damage from earth stance.

Just curious when you monk experts decide to switch to earth instead? Is it generally for boss fights ?

Thanks!

Most monks don't use Earth Stance, they get Grandmaster earth for the earth ki strike. You do not have to be in a stance to use the related ki strike. Stay in Wind Stance or Fire Stance and use whatever strike is appropriate for a particular mob.

[REALb0r3d]

Really if you're low on HP switching to ES gives you a boost to HP from the Con so if you're going down a quick switch can save you.
Other than that basically its for levels under 20 for DR.

[Angelus_dead]

Really if you're low on HP switching to ES gives you a boost to HP from the Con so if you're going down a quick switch can save you.
But if you're low on hp, a quick switch INTO wind stance can also save you...

[Maldavenous]

I mostly use Earth Stance when soloing instances with a larger number of creatures while leveling up. The DR cuts out almost all grazing hit damage.

[J1NG]

I've really only used it during emergency situations where I need HP over anything else, like in the Hound, when I've got the Hound's agro (Usually when the main intimi has died or DC'd) Since I've got high saves already, switching into the Earth (Grandmaster) Stance gives me another 60hp to stand there whilst the others get the group back on their feet.

Otherwise, I only use the Earth Strikes.

J1NG

[MrLarone]

But if you're low on hp, a quick switch INTO wind stance can also save you...

surly you mean OUT OF.

e.g. you're at -2 in windstance. whilst you can't change stance you can cancel wind stance removing the -2 con penality thus recieveing more hp, enough to get you moving again at least.

that's a nice little sub-argument for using wind over fire for me, the free die hard feat =)

as for using earth stance:

1) i need more HP
2) i want to slow down when running long distance to stop the group train getting too long ;-)

[TPICKRELL]

that's a nice little sub-argument for using wind over fire for me, the free die hard feat =)I've seen this hint before, but i couldn't get it to work. It would not let me switch stances until I got back to 1 hit point. Anyone ever had this work for them?

[MrLarone]

I've seen this hint before, but i couldn't get it to work. It would not let me switch stances until I got back to 1 hit point. Anyone ever had this work for them?

the trick is NOT to switch but to stop windstance. i.e. don't click on another stance, click on windstance so the the blue edge animation stops ;-)

yes it works and yes it rocks (not to be confused with earth stance)

[sirgog]

surly you mean OUT OF.

e.g. you're at -2 in windstance. whilst you can't change stance you can cancel wind stance removing the -2 con penality thus recieveing more hp, enough to get you moving again at least.

that's a nice little sub-argument for using wind over fire for me, the free die hard feat =)

I'm not sure, but I'm thinking A_D is talking about those foes (particularly at the low and mid levels) that prioritise attacking players that are still standing over finishing off those that are incapacitated.

EG - you are a Mnk10 on 8/199 hp, and in Fire Stance. You switch into Wind and fall to -2/189, and mobs on you drop aggro and attack someone else that's still up. Had you not done this, you might have been hit from 8 to -13 hp (and killed) by the next attack.

[TPICKRELL]

the trick is NOT to switch but to stop windstance. i.e. don't click on another stance, click on windstance so the the blue edge animation stops ;-)

yes it works and yes it rocks (not to be confused with earth stance)Thats what I did wrong, thanks for the clarification.

[MrLarone]

You switch into Wind and fall to -2/189, and mobs on you drop aggro

lol, that's a whole level twitch i'm not ready for.

personally i abundant step and peg it.

[TPICKRELL]

lol, that's a whole level twitch i'm not ready for.

personally i abundant step and peg it.I'm with you. Playing dead is intellectually an interesting tactic, but the margin of error looks pretty small to me. To much chance of getting hit by a glancing blow or arrow while switching stance and going to -12 instead of -2...

[Mobeius]

To Be honest, since I am a TR Monk and I have obtained the Jidz Tetka bracer, I stay in Earth stance A LOT. level 15 and my fists do as much as a level 20 monk, once I hit 16 it will do more than a 20th level monk.

However, with that said, once I hit 20, I will probably not be in Earth stance as often.

Due to that bracer I actually switch stances a lot more for a miriad of reasons.

[jmonty]

right before i log off so myddo looks better

lol