Due apologies

So.

So I have to take back basically everything I said about the monk in my last post (or post before, can't remember or be arsed to go check).  Turns out that once you get past the early horse levels, the class really diverges from the rogue playstyle and comes into its own.

I don't have anything too intelligent to say about the Brewmaster spec at the moment.  I just reached level 40 a little while ago, so I still don't have any real idea how things are going to shake out at the end game.  I've also not been reading other blogs on the subject, other than WoW Insider, so I'm not yet up to speed on all the particulars.  But since having nothing intelligent to say has never stopped me from running my mouth (fingers?) before, here's a few thoughts.

1) I love the hell out of the monk leveling experience, from level 20 onward.  Getting to zen meditate your way to the hidden mountaintop monastery every day in order to get a 50% XP buff that stacks with heirlooms (I think) on top of a free item upgrade every ten levels is just win.  Druids and DKs get this kind of thing too, but it isn't nearly so comprehensive for either class (and you have to find your own way back to where you were questing rather than just zen meditate your way right back out).

2) The Brewmaster tanking style is incredibly engaging.  Whereas the protadin is a very steady, rhythmic heartbeat, the brewmaster feels like you're actually fighting.  Hit this ability, hit that ability, stagger, balance, kick, punch, KEG SMASH, FIRE BREATH RAWR.  And you still don't die!  It's like being a Z-warrior.  Awesome.

3) I like that the Brewmaster mitigation philosophy isn't a duplicate of the bear's "your leather contributes triple."  Stagger is actually pretty inventive, and I have a generous handful of abilities that are all about mega-amping my avoidance (or just throwing up a damage shield, it's all good). 

4) Having to decide whether or not I use my chi to power avoidance or attack is interesting.  Again, something that's lacking on the paladin -- the Royalty paladin players might have to worry about saving Shield of the Righteous for the big boss hit, but truthfully you're pretty safe to just hit it every time you're full on holy power.  No real decisions there.

5) On an aesthetic level, I really appreciate the monk.  I love wearing basically no armor and being unkillable because my toon is just that damn good.  I mean, armor is nice, but any schlub can wrap himself in field plate and take hits.  My monk survives through skill and training, and I like that.  Also?  Beating the screaming Jesus out of everything I come across with my fists.

6) Touch of Death works on bosses :D

It's too early to say if I "have a new main."  I mean, no, I probably don't, if only because my paladin has all the achievements and all the history and everything, and there's the whole archetype to consider.  Not to mention, having to max out fishing, archaeology and cooking on yet another toon would be somewhat tiresome.  I'm also not sure yet if the monk thing is a product of it being new and shiny, or if my ardor has some legs under it.  We'll see if I can drag myself through Outlands and Northrend -- that'll be the real test.