Path of Exile 2 offers players an engaging experience centered around different classes and their unique builds, with the swift and agile Monk standing out as one of the most adaptable options available. In the early access version of Path of Exile 2, players can choose from six classes: Mercenary, Sorceress, Witch, Ranger, Warrior, and, notably, Monk. Unlike many traditional fantasy titles, the Monk in PoE 2 primarily leverages remarkable speed and potent melee attacks to inflict damage, while also facing the trade-off of lower defense and health.
What sets PoE 2’s Monk apart from the typical wuxia-style warrior is the ability to harness a diverse range of elemental spells, enabling them to inflict various types of damage. Mastering the Monk class is all about striking a balance—building up Power through daring close-combat assaults before retreating and unleashing formidable magical attacks when needed. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to excel as a Monk in Path of Exile 2.
Best Equipment for a Monk Build in PoE 2
What to Keep & What to Sell
When playing as a Monk, it’s crucial to maintain lightweight equipment, as agility is a fundamental part of the class’s identity. Monks invest heavily in Dexterity and Intelligence, often lacking the Strength necessary for heavy armor. Therefore, they typically favor light and flexible clothing. Look for garments that feature "Garb" or "Robe" in their names, along with basic Linen Wraps for your hands, and Crowns, Masks, or Hoods for headgear.
Due to the randomness of loot in PoE 2, it’s hard to recommend specific armor pieces. Instead, focus on gear that enhances your Monk’s speed, damage, evasion, or energy shield. Increasing speed and damage will bolster your offensive capabilities, while evasion and energy shield can help mitigate the Monk’s low defense and health.
Loot is categorized into four rarity tiers: Normal (white text), Magic (blue text), Rare (yellow text), and Unique (orange text).
When it comes to weapons, although Monks are celebrated for their hand-to-hand combat skills, they can effectively wield Quarterstaves. Prioritize equipment that boosts physical damage, elemental damage, and, depending on your specific build, either lightning or cold damage. As you journey through Path of Exile 2, expect to collect a plethora of gear—some of which may be unusable for your Monk. You can sell, disenchant, stash for other characters, or trade these items with fellow players.
Best Skill Gems for a Monk Build in PoE 2
In Path of Exile 2, players acquire new skills by transforming Uncut Skill Gems into various abilities. One early skill to seek out is Killing Palm, available from level 1. This ability allows you to leap forward and strike an enemy; if their health is low, it’s a guaranteed kill. Additionally, finishing off an enemy with Killing Palm grants you a Power Charge, which is vital for unleashing more potent abilities later on.
At level 6, using a level 3 Uncut Skill Gem, you should acquire the Tempest Bell skill. This skill activates a combo meter that, when filled, drops a bell onto the battlefield. Hitting the bell with subsequent attacks sends damaging shockwaves outward.
At the same level, also consider the Staggering Palm skill, which functions similarly to Killing Palm but stuns enemies instead. Successfully stunning an enemy provides a buff that enables your melee attacks to launch projectiles, facilitating hits on your Tempest Bell or Frozen Locus.
Best Passive Skills for a Monk Build in PoE 2
Each time you level up in Path of Exile 2, you earn a skill point that you can allocate to any number of passive skills within a massive skill tree. Thankfully, the Monk’s skill tree is versatile, allowing for a wide range of build strategies. Focus on skills that enhance critical hit chance and damage, such as Deadly Force, and aim for those that increase your Power Charges.
Try to concentrate on boosting either lightning or cold damage instead of evenly distributing your enhancements among different types. Don’t neglect to take Overload, as it allows your elemental spells to bypass enemy resistances.
Best Spirit Gem for a Monk Build in PoE 2
One valuable Spirit Gem you may encounter while exploring is Lingering Illusion. This gem creates a spectral duplicate of your character that distracts enemies during your dodge rolls. If the Illusion is destroyed, you might gain an additional Power Charge.
For those pursuing a cold or lightning build, Charge Infusion can be beneficial, as it increases your Critical Hit chance by 15% whenever you have a Power Charge. It’s available starting at level 58 and pairs well with other items and abilities that amplify your crits and Power Charges.
Lastly, if you’re working with a cold or lightning theme, don’t forget to include Combat Frenzy, which rewards you with additional effects when you freeze or electrocute enemies. This skill grants a Frenzy charge on such hits, resulting in significant speed enhancements as your powers grow.
Ascendancies for a Monk Build in PoE 2
Monks in Path of Exile 2 have two subclasses, known as Ascendancies, which can be chosen after completing the Trial of the Sekhemas in Act 2. The first subclass is the Invoker, which is centered around elemental damage and offers options to enhance your defense. This subclass is often considered the more potent of the two, with skills focused on elemental attacks and area damage.
For example:
- Scatter Them to the Winds: Grants Elemental Expression on melee crits, creating area-of-effect damage.
- I Am the Blizzard: Provides an extra 10% cold damage and creates AoE ground effects when freezing enemies.
The second subclass, Acolyte of Chayula, focuses on darkness and chaos, relying on mana leech and the Flames of Chayula skill. This subclass presents several intriguing skill options, such as boosting your Chaos resistance and enhancing your mana leech capabilities.
That’s everything you need to develop a Monk build in Path of Exile 2. Remember, there’s ample room for flexibility—experiment with various skills and equipment. Don’t hesitate to respec using the Hooded One if needed, and bear in mind that the Monk class may undergo adjustments and balancing changes between now and the full release of Path of Exile 2.
