i just started playing. Monk or theif?

[Lionx]

Monks have the highest HP in the game. They have much better regular attack power than the thief, and can equip around the same kinds of armor as a Thief, even better ones too. Later on they do really high damage, and their skills round them off to be one of the most versatile fighters out there :P

I dont find this armour thing to be true, what does the THF wear at lvl 7? Leather Armour, but the MNK wears the Kenpogi series, in fact theres basically the WAR set and the MNK/SAM/NIN set, so they dont get similiar equips. MNK has cloth armour, while THF get light plate armour if they choose to wear it. Doublet is the only thing i think they share.

They are one of the best dmg dealers that do dmg over time, their DEX isnt as bad as DRK who one shot things for dmg, but you do dmg alot, and with Focus, your Multi-hit WS will connect more often and do more dmg. MNKs use Fists and Blunt weapons, hence they will have an advantage vs bone type undead monsters. But on the same note because they are blunt, they are weak vs hard shelled type armours. Good SATA(Sneak Attack+Trick Attack, aka Fuidama).

Active Abilities:
-Hundred Fists Monk: 1 (2hr ability)
Single Increases attack speed (typically 1sec delay)
-Boost Monk: 5
Builds your power up to give a stronger attack, stackable
-Dodge Monk: 15
Increases your Evasion of blows.
-Focus Monk: 25
Increases your accuracy
-Chakara Monk: 35
Heals Hit Points, based on your VIT stat
-Chi Blast Monk: 41
Sends a blast of mental energy to damage the enemy. Based on MND stat.
-Alarmed Monk: 45
Increases you chance of a counter attack while lowering your defense.

Passive Abilities:
-Martial Arts I Monk: 1
Improves your hand to hand attack percentage
-Subtle Blow I Monk: 5
Reduces the amount of TP gained by enemies when striking them.
-Counter Monk: 10
Will occasionally block an attack and counter attack for damage.
-HP Max Up Monk: 15
Increase in Maximum Hit Points
-Martial Arts II Monk: 25
Increases your hand to hand attack percentage
-HP Max Up II Monk: 35
Increases your Maximum Hit Points.
-Kick Monk: 51
Attacks include random kicks for damage
-HP Max Up III Monk: 55
Increases Maximum Hit Points
-HP Max Up IV Monk: 75
Increases Maximum Hit Points.


THFs on the other hand are hate control, not so much pre-30, but afterward they are used primarily for that and the Distortion Skillchain. Their Viper Bite does massive ammount of damage later, especially coupled with Trick and Sneak. Basically they control hate with Trick attack(which converts all hate from the dmg done from THF onto the person they are facing, namely the tank or trick partner). They use Sneak Attack to amplify that attack and make it much more devestating, and even ViperBite at times, doing over 400 damage one hit easily. But besides that one hit wonder, they do mediocore damage. At lvl 45 they get Treasure HunterII, and hence increase the drop rates of RARE labeled items, namely treasure and coffer keys. They are not to be underestimated despite what people say.

Active Abilities:
-Perfect Dodge Thief: 1(2hr Ability)
You evade all physical attacks.
-Steal Thief: 5
Chance to steal an item from the enemy.
-Sneak Attack Thief: 15
A powerful blow to the enemy. This can be used before combat is initiated, or during battle, but only when you are directly behind the enemy. Damage based on DEX trait.
-Flee Thief: 25
Lets you run twice as fast.
-Trick Attack Thief: 30
High Damage Attack that transfers all hate from strike to the person you are facing. Damage based on AGI trait.
-Mug Thief: 35
Chance to steal Gil from the enemy
-Hide Thief: 45
You disappear, basically the Invisble effect making you unable to be detected by sight.

Passive Abilities:
-Gil Finder Thief: 5
Enemies drop more gil for you.
-Physical Evasion Up I Thief: 10
Increases your evasion ability
-Treasure Hunter I Thief: 15
Mobs have a greater chance of dropping common items.
-Resist Gravity Thief: 20
Resists the effect of Weight(therefore ups the resists you from running slower from status effect).
-Physical Evasion Up II Thief: 30
Increases your evasion ability
-Treasure Hunter II Thief: 45
Mobs have a better chance of dropping RARE items.
-Phusical Evasion Up III Thief: 50
Increases your evasion ability
-Triple Attack Thief: 55
You have a chance of striking three times in a single attack




How much role does money play? ALOT. Items can be found of enemies, but thats pretty rare. Rare and strong armour drop off NMs(super monsters), but they spawn irregularily by the hour(or even a 4 hour spawn), so usually you will buy or craft your items. Crafting is an investment, so dont go in any craft without at least 10K. Takes gil to make gil. Also economy needs to be studied to know how and what item will benefit you from crafting.

BTW there is no such thing as secondary damage. There is damage and thats it. The tank, if its PLD or NIN, doesnt do alot of dmg for the most part, as they are just there to gather hate, the only way a WAR gathers hate is dmg, and thats the only tank that does it. Theres roles, namely: Tank, Damage Dealer, Healer, Nuker, Support. Thats how it is, each person is filling a role, and theres no secondary, unless backup healing.