It would be useful if a monk could remove beads and examine them to tell roughly how much longer they will last.
Also the amount of mana to be invested in beads is capped, if the cap could be moved up a bit more that would be great (perhaps 25%).
I propose that the increased amount of mana in the beads does not increase the monks power at all, but to keep it the same as the current capped beads.
However if the increased mana investment would make the beads last longer, it sure would make playing a monk more tolerable.
Monks currently are all about preparation, preparation, and preparation.
I understand this, and agree as monks are very powerful when prepped and very very weak when not.
However as many people have detect magic up to see when your empowerment and stances fail, we monks sure dont need our beads to break on us also! Which is why examining your beads is very useful.
This would also perhaps influence newbs in trying out the class for the long haul, as I know a few that get frustrated easily?
Any constructive suggestions / criticisms? (go easy on the flaming please)
I see no reason against the suggestion.
I've never had problems with beads, but still...
no real problem. it wouldnt be anything game-changing tho. you should know how long your beads last just by trial. if you know they're probably close to gone.. dont attack til you make new ones. if you're getting attacked, well then knowing how long they have left isn't exactly the top of your priority list, is it? especially since, as a monk, if you are getting attacked, you are probably unprepared anyway, beads or not.
again, though, it seems like a solid suggestion that does have its uses, especially for people who have never played monks before.
What we do is have a spare set of max beads on inventory.
This way you will never be caught with your pants down.
Also, if you think monks need preparation, then stay away from Battlemages.
A battlemage is casting spells round the clock. Quite a micromanagement pain. With several important ones falling during battle.
What we do is have a spare set of max beads on inventory.
This way you will never be caught with your pants down.
Ding ding! Wins the prize. 
Dey
Lol, that one is almost signature-worthy. 
so is that just mya being mya or can you actually do that? stupid question i know, but ive never tried it o.O i hated my monk
You can have as many beads in your inventory as you like. Just make some max beads, then after about 100-150 hours (you're perfectly save in this region) make some more at max.
Dey
Yeah I know what your saying, but it takes so many hours to meditate after making max beads, that it would be cool to be able to pump in more mana to make em last, and its not always possible to halt and make some more beads periodically.
Gear for example, steel whatever, other grouped chars do not like delay, heh!
With the amount of stuff going on sometimes, its easy to forget or lack time: how long your beads have been used for, and to make another set.
And with my max beads im quite sure i didnt get 150 hours.
And to Mya: yeah monks needs preparation because it takes HOURS if your in the wrong empowerment, where as bmgs take a few seconds to cast their spells, though admittedly they have tons! heh still those few hours in changing empowerment and evading the foe as a monk can be pretty hair raising. Being prepped for a thief, and being attacked by a shaman, buggery thats no fun.
Yes, monks were also supposed to be the class that was strong against every class as long as they were prepared. Instead they've ended up in the berserker category, they're very good in the hands of a vet who knows a lot about them and can get them very good equipment but in an average player's hands they're usually a big bag of fail. (I'm just judging from my experiences and the numbers I've seen that have been good/bad compared to the number of good/bad in other classes.)
I don't think a timer OR making them removable is a good idea...
Detect magic and pry will get you owned.
Beads are already removeable there just no drop.
The suggestion isnt a timer, its when you examine the beads it tells the monk how long is left, not a timer that is seen as an a magical aura.
Frankly, I've never liked the basic design of monks. In many instances, the only viable strategy for the class is "lag your opponent to death". I've never, ever lost to a monk that used a different strategy than just going for straight lag (yes, with perhaps a dirt or disarm thrown in somewhere - I don't consider that a major strategy shift). Monks in defensive are harder to take down, sure, but getting the actual win with it is nearly impossible against opponents that, frankly, don't kill themselves (in the same way people kill themselves fighting mobs).
I'd love to see the class totally revamped and moved away from the lag and chakera reliance. How that should be done... shrugs Got me.
Monks need a major revamp, them and Druids are imo the major ones that need something done to them. After that Berserkers and possibly a few tweaks to Warriors.
I seen absolutely nothing wrong with Monks, either, having pinned several, and having been quite successful with nearly all of them.
I don't think they're unbalanced, I just don't like the basic principles of the class's design.
Exactly, I'm not saying a monk is weak or that they're unable to PK. Just that they need their stances rethought (not a new stance, but fix the old ones), and the need of luck in battle to be effective. I've pinned a monk and I hated some things about it. I'd be prepared in good equipment and fight someone once, chakras fly left and right and I just destroy them. I leave their equipment and they come after me later on. I'm in the same stance, same equipment and barely get a few chakras in and notice just how much harder the fight is.
I don't rely solely upon chakra strikes but they're a large part of a Monk's arsenal and not being able to depend on them takes away from the class.
Don't get mad at me.
But if you do not like the stile of Monk Mechanics you should play a Blademaster.
They are like a monk but with completely different mechanics.
Actually, I would like it if monks were a bit more like blademasters, which cannot rely on lag so much and require a bit more strategy and depth to their in-combat actions.
It's not about whether or not I enjoy playing one. It's the basic design of the class being centered purely around lag. Warriors and zerks require more tactical thought.