Warrior/Monk

A guide on the "cookie-cutter" W/Mo build. Well, even though it is still a W/Mo, there is actually more than just one build for this profession combination. (I will be double and triple posting since to avoid a long long post... easier to scroll that way?)

Since you're a Warrior, the first thing to decide is weapon. Sword, Axe, or Hammer?

Sword: Max damage is 15-22. You can hold a shield or offhand, and you have access to useful skills such as Sever/Gash/Final Thrust. Great damage over time with bleeding* and deepwound*, and there's also crippling* skill such as Hamstring.

Axe: Max damage is 6-28. Much higher max than a sword, but you might constantly hit at the lower end. You can also use a shield or offhand, and the primary axe skills are Cyclone Axe, Eviscerate, Axe Rake, and Executioners Strike. Many status as well, Cripple, deepwound, and etc.

Hammer: Max damage is 18-35 IIRC. Two handed only, no offhand, no shield. Another drawback is the slow attack speed. Hammer skills focuses on knockdown. It can also blind* (Belly Smash on knock down target) which causes surrounding foes a 90% chance to miss, and there is also deep wound skills.

They all have their pros and cons... so it will be up to the individual to choose.

For the abilities, at level 20, I would advise putting at least 10 on the weapon mastery of choice, 8 on healing prayer, and distribute the rest between strength and tactics (If you are going with tactic skills, that is)

The choice between shield an no shield is simple: Do you need the extra defense? The max def on a shield is 16, and some might say it is not worth it seeing that each armor piece give around 60-80 in the later area. The armor system works quite differently in the game, actually.

You get hits in different body parts, sometimes you can hit in the chest, sometimes the arms, sometimes your head... and only the armor on that specific part counts. With a shield, you will get that extra defense from the shield regardless on where you're being hit. Except of course... when you get hit from the rear. This should help you decide whether you want a shield or not.

*Bleeding causes health degeneration over time.
*Deepwound reduces the max health by 20% over a period of time.
*Crippling greatly reduces the moving speed of the target.
*Blindness causes the foe to miss 90% of the time (melee and arrow).