Leafiara (prime)/Mechanical Musings/The Autumnwinds' Magical Monk Guide - Revision history

LEAFIARA at 02:07, 25 April 2026

2026-04-25T02:07:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 24 April 2026
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	'''[[Bearhug]]''':		'''[[Bearhug]]''':

	Shockingly good supplement to unarmed combat. UAF attacks can overcome most defenses, but ~~among~~ creatures that ''are'' so good at turtling that UC struggles to punch through~~, most~~ are casters who ~~easily~~ get hit by combat maneuvers. Bearhug is also a rare case of a maneuver with killing power in its own right. I don't necessarily recommend ~~using~~ learning it until you can train at least three ranks ~~since~~ ~~its~~ ~~damage really depends on the endroll~~. It's also a bit worse for small races, but, since it's an SMR-based attack, even they can dish out tons of damage with the high endrolls achievable by inflicting status effects first.		Shockingly good supplement to unarmed combat. UAF attacks can overcome most defenses, but most of the creatures that ''are'' so good at turtling that UC struggles to punch through are casters who get hit easily and hard by combat maneuvers. Bearhug is also a rare case of a maneuver with killing power in its own right. Its damage really depends on the endroll, so I don't necessarily recommend learning it until you can train at least three ranks for decent proficiency. It's also a bit worse for small races, but, since it's an SMR-based attack, even they can dish out tons of damage with the high endrolls achievable by inflicting status effects first.

	Speaking of status effects, Bearhug has great synergy with [[Vulnerable]], which speeds up its damage rounds (not its cooldown). Twin Hammerfists inflicts Vulnerable and so does the Grapple Specialization knockdown perk from Fury, so either of those make for a nice one-two if you're already using them!		Speaking of status effects, Bearhug has great synergy with [[Vulnerable]], which speeds up its damage rounds (not its cooldown). Twin Hammerfists inflicts Vulnerable and so does the Grapple Specialization knockdown perk from Fury, so either of those make for a nice one-two if you're already using them!
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	'''[[Bull Rush]]''':		'''[[Bull Rush]]''':

	Bull Rush is another way to inflict Vulnerable and can knock down a whole room of creatures. It does pretty minimal damage, but is a staple monk combat maneuver, filling a ~~need~~ of controlling the enemy hordes so you can systematically pick them off.		Bull Rush is another way to inflict Vulnerable and can knock down a whole room of creatures. It does pretty minimal damage, but is a staple monk combat maneuver, filling a niche of controlling the enemy hordes so you can systematically pick them off.

LEAFIARA at 22:15, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T22:15:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 26 February 2026
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	\|author-displayed = Leafiara		\|author-displayed = Leafiara
	\|date = 2024-06-19		\|date = 2024-06-19
	\|updated = 2026-02-24		\|updated = 2026-02-26
	}}		}}

LEAFIARA: New (technically old) information on Trading and loot cap. Half-krolvin commentary update.

2026-02-26T22:14:23Z

New (technically old) information on Trading and loot cap. Half-krolvin commentary update.

Show changes

LEAFIARA: Covered Energy Wings, essence belts, hand pylons, and various purified materials.

2026-02-24T22:35:58Z

Covered Energy Wings, essence belts, hand pylons, and various purified materials.

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LEAFIARA at 20:52, 24 February 2026

2026-02-24T20:52:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:52, 24 February 2026
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	'''Multi-Opponent Combat''' stopping at 190 or 200 (or 202 for completionism) comes down to whether you use mstrikes or techniques, respectively. Techniques are much better with weapons than they are with unarmed combat, so Tarine went to 200 because she has weapons trained and Saria won't because she doesn't.		'''Multi-Opponent Combat''' stopping at 190 or 200 (or 202 for completionism) comes down to whether you use mstrikes or techniques, respectively. Techniques are much better with weapons than they are with unarmed combat, so Tarine went to 200 because she has weapons trained and Saria won't because she doesn't.

	Finally, regarding that '''Transcend Destiny''' line for clarity's sake... given enough time, Saria will eventually get to 10 Transcend Destiny. What I'm saying is that she's working toward 4 Transcend Destiny now as a reasonable breakpoint, but after that's done, she'll go back and finish ~~the~~ ~~other~~ ~~things like~~ Two Weapon Combat, ~~Multi-Opponent Combat, Transformation lore~~, Climbing, Swimming, and a few mana control ranks that she doesn't have now. ''That's'' the point where she'll be done with normal skills forever and commence the 10 Transcend Destiny push.		Finally, regarding that '''Transcend Destiny''' line for clarity's sake... given enough time, Saria will eventually get to 10 Transcend Destiny. What I'm saying is that she's working toward 4 Transcend Destiny now as a reasonable breakpoint, but after that's done, she'll go back and finish Multi-Opponent Combat, Transformation, Two Weapon Combat, Perception, Climbing, Swimming, and a few mana control ranks that she doesn't have now. ''That's'' the point where she'll be done with normal skills forever and commence the 10 Transcend Destiny push.

LEAFIARA: New table for post-cap training examples.

2026-02-24T20:51:22Z

New table for post-cap training examples.

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LEAFIARA at 00:27, 7 February 2026

2026-02-07T00:27:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 6 February 2026
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	\|author-displayed = Leafiara		\|author-displayed = Leafiara
	\|date = 2024-06-19		\|date = 2024-06-19
	\|updated = 2026-01-27		\|updated = 2026-02-06
	}}		}}

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	By '''[[Leafiara (prime)\|Leafiara]]''' Autumnwind, in loving memory of '''[[Saraphenia (prime)/Memorial\|Saraphenia]]''' Autumnwind.		By '''[[Leafiara (prime)\|Leafiara]]''' Autumnwind, in loving memory of '''[[Saraphenia (prime)/Memorial\|Saraphenia]]''' Autumnwind.

	Last updated ~~January~~ 27, 2026.		Last updated February 6, 2026.

	Feel free to message me on Discord, send a thought, send player mail, or otherwise get feedback to me.		Feel free to message me on Discord, send a thought, send player mail, or otherwise get feedback to me.

LEAFIARA: Added talk about starsong and somnis.

2026-02-07T00:27:08Z

Added talk about starsong and somnis.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 6 February 2026
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	===Gear Upgrades: Weapons===		===Gear Upgrades: Weapons===

	I wrote a [[Leafiara_(prime)/Mechanical_Musings/Choosing_Your_Ideal_Weapon_Script\|guide on the topic of scripts]], but unarmed combat has more limited options than other weapon types, so I'll go over the few that I think are worth looking into depending on your budget--plus flourishes and ~~flares~~!		I wrote a [[Leafiara_(prime)/Mechanical_Musings/Choosing_Your_Ideal_Weapon_Script\|guide on the topic of scripts]], but unarmed combat has more limited options than other weapon types, so I'll go over the few that I think are worth looking into depending on your budget--plus flourishes, flares, and one material!


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	You probably aren't even reading this guide if you can actually reach 171 ranks of a lore, but for the sake of being informative, Transformation is the clear winner if you get there. Multiple DoTs can't stack on a single creature, so it's more valuable to have a stronger initial hit since you'd be firing off tons of those in a single mstrike or weapon technique. If 105 ranks are more your limit, that's a tougher call. Since your mstrikes include a free jab for the first time you attack a creature, your first unfocused mstrike in a swarmy room with Telepathy Lore Flares would have a 75% chance on each creature of getting a DoT rolling. However, ''focused'' mstrikes still favor Transformation due to DoTs not stacking.		You probably aren't even reading this guide if you can actually reach 171 ranks of a lore, but for the sake of being informative, Transformation is the clear winner if you get there. Multiple DoTs can't stack on a single creature, so it's more valuable to have a stronger initial hit since you'd be firing off tons of those in a single mstrike or weapon technique. If 105 ranks are more your limit, that's a tougher call. Since your mstrikes include a free jab for the first time you attack a creature, your first unfocused mstrike in a swarmy room with Telepathy Lore Flares would have a 75% chance on each creature of getting a DoT rolling. However, ''focused'' mstrikes still favor Transformation due to DoTs not stacking.


			'''[[Somnis]] material''' (price range: 100k or 250k bloodscrip bought as-is, or 300k bloodscrip transmuted into when available)

			Lesser somnis is a 100k bloodscrip material that flares to put a creature to sleep after it hits while greater somnis is a 250k bloodscrip material that flares to put a creature to sleep ''before'' it hits. Alternatively, instead of starting with somnis items as the base, you could wait for greater somnis transmutation to re-enter the Duskruin rotation every so often for 300k bloodscrip.

			This powerful effect significantly increases MM for the next hit (or current hit) in most cases! Materials in general are far behind flares and scripts in terms of bang for your buck, and behind the Skullcrusher flourish as well (not as much so), so there are typically two demographics who should be considering this: 1) those to whom money is no object, who would be well served to buy greater somnis as the starting point because it could be years before the ability to convert existing weapons to it returns to Duskruin, or 2) those who can wait for years for transmutation to be available and have picked up everything else or almost everything else already, making greater somnis a great final touch to add after exhausting other avenues.


			'''[[Vethinye\|Starsong, AKA vethinye]] material''' (price range: 100k, 250k, or 400k raikhen bought as-is, or 450k bloodscrip transmuted into when available):

			A 100k raikhen base cost material that flares disruption. Starsong can be upgraded up to twice for 150k raikhen per upgrade, which can make it flare disruption up to one extra time per upgrade. Fully upgraded, it flares disruption 1 to 3 times; if there's only one creature against the room, all three flares would hit the same creature, but if there's more than one, then additional flares would hit other creatures. Alternatively, instead of starting with starsong items as the base, you could wait for maxed starsong transmutation to re-enter the Duskruin rotation every so often for 450k bloodscrip.

			Like always, more flares are an excellent thing when firing from UC's flurry of free jabs or otherwise quick attacks. The main problem for starsong handwear and footwear is that it's competing with somnis, which in the context of UC is either stronger, cheaper, or both. Personally, I love the extra screen scroll fun of starsong flares blasting all over the place. Objectively, somnis is the way to go. It's a classic matter of fun vs. power.


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	<font color="green">'''Order of Operations Sidebar!'''</font>		<font color="green">'''Order of Operations Sidebar!'''</font>

	If you eventually want it all, you can get it, but there can be a correct order. ~~Buying~~ ~~Animalistic~~ ~~Spirit~~ gear and adding lightning or dispel to it later costs 40k bloodscrip less than buying lightning or dispel flaring gear and adding ~~Animalistic Spirit~~ to it later~~, for example~~. Adding Knockout Flares costs the same 100k bloodscrip regardless of order, but does have a 90k more expensive starting point than Animalistic off the shelf. Adding Skullcrusher Flares or Lore Flares costs the same 100k or 400k bloodscrip regardless of order.		If you eventually want it all, you can get it, but there can be a correct order. For example, buying Phytomorphic gear and adding lightning or dispel to it later costs 40k bloodscrip less than buying lightning or dispel flaring gear and adding Phytomorphic to it later. Adding Knockout Flares costs the same 100k bloodscrip regardless of order, but does have a 90k more expensive starting point than Animalistic off the shelf, so it should be done later. Adding Skullcrusher Flares or Lore Flares costs the same 100k or 400k bloodscrip regardless of order.

			Buying a base material like somnis or starsong and fully unlocking it costs 50k bloodscrip less than transmuting later, but if you want a script--which you should since a script is stronger than the material--then you break even because it'll cost 50k bloodscrip later to add a script to it. However, transmutation prices assume you want the highest tier of the material at all; if you don't, then starting with the base material is by far superior.

	All of this is only talking price without even considering what adding scripts, flares, or flourishes does to gear difficulty. Lightning flares add 100 gear difficulty, but that can be negated with [[Enchant_(925)#Pre-enchanting_Potions\|pre-enchanting potions]] (yes, these also work with ensorcelling and sanctifying). Dispel flares add 100 for the first dispel and 50 more for each thereafter. Knockout flares or Skullcrusher Flares add 150. Animalistic Spirit adds 200.		All of this is only talking price without even considering what adding scripts, flares, or flourishes does to gear difficulty. Lightning flares add 100 gear difficulty, but that can be negated with [[Enchant_(925)#Pre-enchanting_Potions\|pre-enchanting potions]] (yes, these also work with ensorcelling and sanctifying). Dispel flares add 100 for the first dispel and 50 more for each thereafter. Knockout flares or Skullcrusher Flares add 150. Animalistic Spirit adds 200.

LEAFIARA at 03:16, 28 January 2026

2026-01-28T03:16:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:16, 27 January 2026
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	\|author-displayed = Leafiara		\|author-displayed = Leafiara
	\|date = 2024-06-19		\|date = 2024-06-19
	\|updated = 2026-01-25		\|updated = 2026-01-27
	}}		}}

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	By '''[[Leafiara (prime)\|Leafiara]]''' Autumnwind, in loving memory of '''[[Saraphenia (prime)/Memorial\|Saraphenia]]''' Autumnwind.		By '''[[Leafiara (prime)\|Leafiara]]''' Autumnwind, in loving memory of '''[[Saraphenia (prime)/Memorial\|Saraphenia]]''' Autumnwind.

	Last updated January 25, 2026.		Last updated January 27, 2026.

	Feel free to message me on Discord, send a thought, send player mail, or otherwise get feedback to me.		Feel free to message me on Discord, send a thought, send player mail, or otherwise get feedback to me.

LEAFIARA: New profession service tips about login boosts and suffusion.

2026-01-28T03:15:45Z

New profession service tips about login boosts and suffusion.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 27 January 2026
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	Why anyone would train to account for the mstrike MOC thresholds ''and'' the technique MOC thresholds is a good question since mstrikes lock out Fury and Clash for 60 seconds, but I find value in mstrikes and Fury depending on the situation.		Why anyone would train to account for the mstrike MOC thresholds ''and'' the technique MOC thresholds is a good question since mstrikes lock out Fury and Clash for 60 seconds, but I find value in mstrikes and Fury depending on the situation.

	My monk, Sariara, ~~prefers~~ Fury in most hunts, which mostly feature one-on-one combat. Fury scales up more quickly than focused mstrikes in the early game, firing off two attacks by 10 MOC and three attacks by 24 MOC while focused mstrikes don't even get started until 30 MOC. Fury also has excellent synergy with Grapple Specialization, which I'll discuss in the Offensive Specialization section.		My monk, Sariara, preferred Fury in most hunts while leveling, which mostly feature one-on-one combat. Fury scales up more quickly than focused mstrikes in the early game, firing off two attacks by 10 MOC and three attacks by 24 MOC while focused mstrikes don't even get started until 30 MOC. Fury also has excellent synergy with Grapple Specialization, which I'll discuss in the Offensive Specialization section.

	However, Clash is a very weak technique compared to unfocused mstrikes. Mstrikes' bonus jab allows double the number of attacks for the first engagement with the enemy, which means more tier up opportunities and more flare opportunities. During hunts that feature a lot of swarms, she ~~can~~ use focused mstrikes for single targets, even though they're slightly weaker than Fury because of her Grapple Specialization, ~~while~~ ~~leaving~~ the unfocused mstrike option open for battling hordes.		However, Clash is a very weak AoE technique compared to unfocused mstrikes. Mstrikes' bonus jab allows double the number of attacks for the first engagement with the enemy, which means more tier up opportunities and more flare opportunities. During hunts that feature a lot of swarms, she would use focused mstrikes for single targets, even though they're slightly weaker than Fury because of her Grapple Specialization, since that left the unfocused mstrike option open for battling hordes.

	Your MOC training plan doesn't need to assume that mstrikes or techniques are either/or!		Your MOC training plan doesn't need to assume that mstrikes or techniques are either/or!
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	For full detail on Mystic Tattoos, see their wiki page. The simplified version is that Mystic Tattoos have five tiers, each requiring more training from the monk and each adding an enhancive of +1 bonus for a stat of the buyer's choice. To empower Mystic Tattoos, monks use 50000, 75000, 100000, 125000, and 150000 Motes of Tranquility (respective to each tier), which they earn via absorbing the equivalent amounts of experience points. Monks can earn up to 50,000 motes per week and save up to 200,000 total for later use. (You can see your totals with the RESOURCE command.)		For full detail on Mystic Tattoos, see their wiki page. The simplified version is that Mystic Tattoos have five tiers, each requiring more training from the monk and each adding an enhancive of +1 bonus for a stat of the buyer's choice. To empower Mystic Tattoos, monks use 50000, 75000, 100000, 125000, and 150000 Motes of Tranquility (respective to each tier), which they earn via absorbing the equivalent amounts of experience points. Monks can earn up to 50,000 motes per week and save up to 200,000 total for later use. (You can see your totals with the RESOURCE command.)

	As profession services go--so I'm comparing Mystic Tattoos to Battle Standards, enchanting, ensorcelling, [[Song of Luck (1006)\|Lucky Items]], ranger [[Resist Nature (620)\|resistance]], sanctifying, and warrior weighting--this ''can'' be a really high impact one for CS casters, who benefit heavily from boosting Aura or Wisdom. It can also be solid for any character close to specific Agidex thresholds, and some people like simply enhancing Logic to absorb more exp.		As profession services go--so I'm comparing Mystic Tattoos to Battle Standards, [[Bloodsmith (1135)\|Bloodstone Jewelry]], [[Covert Arts]], enchanting, ensorcelling, [[Song of Luck (1006)\|Lucky Items]], ranger [[Resist Nature (620)\|resistance]], sanctifying, and warrior weighting--this ''can'' be a really high impact one for CS casters, who benefit heavily from boosting Aura or Wisdom. It can also be solid for any character close to specific Agidex thresholds, and some people like simply enhancing Logic to absorb more exp.

	~~However,~~ Mystic Tattoos are ~~definitely on~~ the ~~lower end~~ of profession service value overall~~, so~~ don't create a monk expecting to start rolling in silver. (...at least not via tattooing, but more on the silver-making secrets of monks later!) GM Estild, the head of dev, has acknowledged that Mystic Tattoos (and warrior weighting) need further improvement at a future point~~, but that it'll have to wait until empaths and rogues even have services at all~~.		Mystic Tattoos are in the midrange of profession service value overall; don't create a monk expecting to start rolling in silver like a cleric, sorcerer, or wizard eventually can (...at least not via tattooing, but more on the silver-making secrets of monks later!), but they'll likely make more from tattooing than non-capped bards, paladins, or rangers, or any level rogues or warriors do from their services. At the time of this writing, empaths make more than monks with their service, but they also have the newest service, so that might be a temporary situation. Either way, GM Estild, the head of dev, has acknowledged that Mystic Tattoos (and warrior weighting) need further improvement at a future point.

			<blockquote>
			<font color="purple">'''Advanced Tattooing Tips!'''</font>

			Mystic Tattoos were designed with the intent that a typically trained monk should be able to do a tier 1 at level 20, a tier 2 at level 40, a tier 3 at level 60, a tier 4 at level 80, and a tier 5 at level 100. In practice, I find that many monks are anywhere from 5-15 levels ahead of that schedule--''and'' that's even assuming that you want a 100% success rate unboosted! Here are some options to jump ahead of the curve:

			* Use BOOST ENHANCIVE STATS (from [[Login_Rewards\|daily login rewards]]) for +10 tattooing skill. (However, since this temporarily increases your max health and max spirit and your tattooing ability gets reduced when those two stats aren't full, you'll need to wait until health and spirit recover after using the boost. Voln members can do this most easily since Symbol of Renewal is one of the game's very few tools to instantly recover spirit.)
			* Use BOOST GIFT EONAK (also from daily login rewards) to take the best of two rolls when determining your success. To put that in perspective, a 50% success rate would become 75% with Gift of Eonak active, a 60% success rate would become 84%, a 70% success rate would become 91%, an 80% success rate would become 96%, and a 90% success rate would become 99%.
			* Suffusion allows converting your Motes of Tranquility to extra skill bonus on a single tattoo upgrade at a rate of 2000 motes to 1 skill bonus. Since it's a one-off boost and yet requires trading potentially weeks of resource gain, I don't recommend using suffusion for tattooing characters other than your own monk. Even with your own monk, I'd usually just advise patience--but if patience isn't your thing, then trading off a week of resources for five levels or so of skill might appeal to you!
			</blockquote>


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	<font color="blue">'''Race''':</font>		<font color="blue">'''Race''':</font>

	Aelotoi~~, burghal gnomes~~, dark elves, ~~elves~~, ~~forest gnomes~~, half-elves, halflings, and sylvankind are all basically the same power for monks. Faster is better, but more encumbrance is worse, so find your balance. Giantmen have a niche.		Aelotoi, dark elves, dwarves, elves, half-elves, half-krolvin, halflings, and sylvankind are all basically the same power for monks. Faster is better, but more encumbrance is worse, so find your balance. Giantmen have a niche.