This build has been successfully vetted by the GuildWiki community according to the vetting procedure. This build has been designed for the following use: PvE-general

The Inspired Smiter utilizes the Mesmer's Inspiration line and Smiting Prayers. It is a general-purpose utility build that deals a moderate amount of damage and can deal with a fairly large number of situations. This build is designed for higher end PvE in Prophecies (specifically, using an all-hench party), since players are generally unfriendly to Smiting Monks and will hate you for not being able to heal and resurrect.

Note: if you're not a solo-minded Monk, and if you actually are good at Healing, Bonding, and/or Protecting, then this is not the build for you. This build is designed for folks who made a Monk but quickly found out they were no good at it (such as myself). In this respect it is startlingly similar to an Air Magic Elementalist.

Attributes and Skills

Monk / Mesmer	Attribute Rank
Smiting Prayers	12 + 1 + 3
Divine Favor	3
Inspiration Magic	12

Banish

Bane Signet

Signet of Judgment

Mantra of Signets

Leech Signet

Power Drain

Smite Hex

Drain Enchantment

Please see the Variants below.

Equipment

• A Smiting Rod from Ornhelm Brightaxe or Arliss Vaughn.
• A Jeweled Chalice from Mourn Drakespur or Bariel Darkroot.
• Wanderer's or Censor's armor; Ascetic's is not recommended due to its lower AL and the fact that this build doesn't need the bonus energy.
• Rune of Superior Vigor.
• Extra runes of Attunement or Vitae.

Usage

• Activate Mantra of Signets before battle.
• In general, use skills in this order: Signet of Judgment, Bane Signet, Banish. Timing is important; try to keep the target constantly knocked down.
• If the foe is a melee attacker, you may wish to lead with Bane Signet instead, and save Signet of Judgment for a caster foe.
• Dangerous spellcasters are easily denied by leading with Leech Signet.
• Interrupt with Leech Signet and Power Drain as necessary.
• Use Smite Hex and Drain Enchantment as necessary.
• Reactivate Mantra of Signets as soon as it recharges.
• If there are spirits/minions, use Banish. It deals much higher damage to them.

Counters

• This build can't (directly) heal itself or deal with Conditions, except for Ether Feast.
• Any anti-Signet skill, such as Rust or Panic. However the latter is rare, and the former is easily counter-countered with Smite Hex, Inspired Hex, simple interruption, etc.
• Anti-knockdown skills or foes that can't be knocked down.
• Removal of Mantra of Signets via Wild Blow or such.

Variants

• Ether Feast is a convenient self-heal that is worth considering.
• Mantra of Inscriptions could replace Mantra of Signets, for a possibly better DPS and interrupt recharge; however, it doesn't allow for easy chain knockdowns.
• If in an area where Smite Hex and/or Drain Enchantment are not needed, replace with Resurrect, Symbol of Wrath, or Smite.
• If facing only Hexes, exchange Drain Enchantment for Inspired Hex.
• If facing only Enchantments, exchange Smite Hex for Inspired Hex.
• If facing primarily non-caster enemies, drop Power Drain and take both Mantra of Signets and Mantra of Inscriptions. Or swap in Resurrect, Symbol of Wrath, or Smite.
• When appropriate, consider substituting in a Mantra. For example, versus the Mursaat, Mantra of Lightning may be useful.
• Holy Strike is a dangerous but powerful skill. It is not recommended, because in most cases it is not worth the risk to get within touch range of foes.
• If you have Factions, consider replacing Banish with Spear of Light.

Template

Template Guide The Skills Template for this build is: ATNxgdMcC+hST+gekBXSEA