Master the Monk in PoE 2 – Tips, Skills, and Martial Arts

PoE 2 Monk Guide: Overview, Skills, and Ascendancies

Introduction to the Monk Class

Path of Exile 2 introduces the Monk, one of six new classes launching alongside the original six from PoE 1. With these new additions, the game is poised to offer significantly greater build diversity and character fantasy, appealing to a wider range of playstyles and preferences.

The Monk class brings a distinct identity to the game, carving out a unique niche compared to the original classes. Its focus on mobility, hand-to-hand combat, and spiritual abilities differentiates it from the traditional archetypes.

This guide will explore everything currently known about the Monk class, including its mechanics, skills, and ascendancies. Let’s dive in!

PoE 2 Monk Overview

The Monk is a new class in Path of Exile 2 that combines Intelligence (INT) and Dexterity (DEX) attributes. This positions the Monk in the top-right section of the passive skill tree, near the Shadow class, giving access to nodes that focus on both INT and DEX.

The Monk’s gameplay emphasizes mobility and precision, making it a melee fighter that relies on agility over brute strength. The class’s signature weapon is the Quarterstave (or Quarterstaff), which is specialized for attack builds. Quarterstaves can roll attack-based modifiers, while staves typically offer caster-style modifiers such as spell damage. The Monk also excels in unarmed combat, highlighting hand-to-hand fighting styles.

If the passive tree in PoE 2 is similar to PoE 1, the Monk’s starting area will provide access to Dexterity-based nodes that emphasize cold damage, while Intelligence nodes will lean toward lightning damage. Additionally, defensive layers like energy shield, evasion, and spell suppression will likely be easily accessible, providing flexibility in both offensive and defensive gameplay.

Freeze/CC Mechanic Changes in PoE 2

Path of Exile 2 introduces significant changes to crowd control (CC) mechanics, including how Freeze effects are applied. These changes were highlighted during the Monk gameplay showcase and represent a departure from the binary mechanics of PoE 1.

In Path of Exile 1, CC effects like Freeze were binary — they either worked or didn’t. This often led to bosses being completely immune to CC effects, as allowing players to freeze or stun-lock them would trivialize the game’s challenges.

In Path of Exile 2, CC mechanics now utilize an internal meter system. When you apply Freeze or other CC effects to a boss, this internal meter gradually fills. Once the meter reaches a certain threshold, the boss becomes CC’d. For example, if you freeze a boss, the Freeze effect is applied, but the threshold for freezing them again increases. Over time, this increased threshold will decay, allowing CC effects to be reapplied.

This system ensures that CC mechanics are more balanced while remaining impactful. Players can now reliably apply CC effects, such as Freeze or Stun, even in the later stages of the game. This allows CC builds to maintain relevance without compromising the challenge posed by bosses.

Monk Skill Gems

The Monk class in Path of Exile 2 is highly versatile and not restricted to Quarterstaff Skills, although Quarterstaff-related abilities are expected to be the go-to choice for many Monk builds. Below is a list of skill gems that align with the Monk’s gameplay, emphasizing agility, precision, and a mix of physical, elemental, and utility effects.

Skill Gems

• Falling Thunder
• Glacial Cascade
• Killing Palm
• Frozen Locus
• Staggering Palm
• Tempest Bell
• Vaulting Impact
• Wind Blast
• Ice Strike
• Tempest Flurry
• Wave of Frost
• Siphoning Strike
• Storm Wave
• Freezing Mark
• Charged Staff
• Mantra of Destruction
• Hand of Chayula
• Whirling Assault
• Shattering Palm
• Flicker Strike

These skills highlight the Monk’s ability to utilize both melee and spell-like effects, creating a balance between physical damage and elemental power. Some skills provide powerful mobility options, while others focus on crowd control or sustained damage over time.

Putting It All Together

In Path of Exile 2, gameplay revolves around leveraging a variety of skills tailored to different combat scenarios. The Monk class thrives on adapting its skillset based on the situation, utilizing mobility, utility, and damage-dealing abilities to dominate the battlefield.

If you find yourself needing to retreat or avoid danger, abilities like Wind Blast or Wave of Frost allow you to reposition safely while simultaneously dealing damage to enemies. These skills are excellent for maintaining control during chaotic encounters.

When it’s time to maximize your damage output, you can start with Ice Strike to freeze your target, then follow up with Glacial Cascade for a devastating burst of damage. This combination takes advantage of both control and raw power.

Against mobs, Killing Palm can be used to generate Power Charges, enhancing the damage of subsequent abilities like Falling Thunder or enabling the use of Flicker Strike for high-speed movement and attack.

The new Skill Gem system in PoE 2 encourages combining multiple skills for greater effectiveness. While it’s possible to specialize in a single skill for clearing packs, integrating multiple abilities into your rotation can significantly increase your damage output and versatility. The Monk exemplifies this philosophy, thriving when skills are used synergistically rather than in isolation.

Monk Ascendancy Classes

In Path of Exile 2, every class will eventually have three Ascendancy Classes for further specialization. During Early Access, each class will have access to two Ascendancies. For the Monk, these are the Invoker and the Acolyte of Chayula, each offering a distinct playstyle and mechanics.

Invoker

The Invoker focuses on elemental power, enhancing your ability to deal damage through elemental skills and inflicting ailments on enemies. This Ascendancy emphasizes both offensive and defensive strategies, allowing you to:

• Amplify your elemental skills for greater damage.
• Inflict elemental ailments, such as Shock or Chill, to hinder enemies.
• Use meditation to recharge your Energy Shield up to twice its maximum capacity, providing exceptional survivability.

The Invoker is ideal for players who prefer an elemental damage focus with strong defensive mechanics to sustain their character during prolonged fights.

Acolyte of Chayula

The Acolyte of Chayula revolves around "Embracing the Darkness," introducing unique mechanics that sacrifice Spirit for Darkness, a resource that enhances your defensive and offensive capabilities. This Ascendancy allows you to:

• Replace your Spirit pool with Darkness, which bolsters your defenses.
• Gain passives that boost Chaos Damage, turning you into a hybrid of resilience and devastating offense.

The Acolyte of Chayula is a perfect choice for players who enjoy manipulating dark magic and prefer a blend of tankiness and Chaos-infused damage.

Wrap-Up

This concludes everything currently known about the Monk class in Path of Exile 2.

The Monk offers a unique blend of mobility, martial arts, and flexible mechanics, making it a versatile choice for players. Whether you prefer elemental attacks without relying heavily on spells or want a melee class that emphasizes agility and adaptability, the Monk might be the perfect fit for your playstyle.

With its ability to balance offense, defense, and speed, the Monk excels at adapting to various combat situations. Its wide array of mechanics and skill options ensures it will cater to a variety of players, making it one of the most flexible and exciting classes in Path of Exile 2.