For the reasons you mentioned plus the best offense/defense melee balance in the game. There is a reason why in pk, as soon as anyone sees "lightning strike" everyone GTFO for 6 rounds to flees and trys a KO move (and the monk continues to eat your lunch if they are smart and anticipating the KO). Their offense and defense is unparalleled when intensified. Mobs don't have the luxury of GTFO.

Anticipate will save your ass too. Learn big mobs nuke moves and anticipate will make soloing them easy breezy. (Like gas blast).

Respond will let you break no disarm/no remove weapons that eat your lunch too.

Go Acolyte for explore because the reduced mana on healing and protection supposed will be your friend. I know they say the best defense is a good offense, but sometimes you just need defense!

I was able to solo the Dragon Tower Ruins with my monk acolyte.