If you’ve decided to embark on your adventure as a Monk in Path of Exile 2, you’re probably eager to refine your build as you approach the endgame. The challenges that lie ahead demand a powerful character, and you may be questioning whether your Monk, leveled since the beginning, is up to the task. While you have the option to respec, choosing the right direction can be daunting.
Fortunately, the Monk class is notably versatile. Whether you prefer dealing Cold or Lightning damage, wielding bare hands or a quarterstaff, or favoring the Invoker or Acolyte of Chayula playstyles, you have numerous viable options for tackling endgame content. To ensure your Monk reaches their full potential in the later stages of Path of Exile 2, follow these strategies to optimize your build.
Optimal Equipment for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Top Weapons for an Endgame Monk
While you can opt for a bare-fisted Monk build, it’s not advisable for the endgame. Instead, quarterstaffs should be your primary weapon of choice. Look for one that enhances your Monk’s core attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and boosts to elemental or physical damage, critical hit chance, and potentially even evasion or energy shield.
For a standout weapon recommendation, consider the Collapsing Horizon Wyrm Quarterstaff. If you can earn this through boss farming or purchase it on the Exchange, you will be greatly rewarded. This level 65 weapon offers a remarkable 100% bonus to elemental damage, an increase in critical hit chance, and enhances the levels of all your spells—ideal for an elemental damage Invoker build, which will be discussed later.
Essential Armor for an Endgame Monk
It’s important to remember that Monks cannot wear heavy armor. Instead, focus on light armor pieces, typically labeled as “robes”or “garb.”As always, prioritize gear that boosts your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, elemental or physical damage, and critical hit chance. A top recommendation is Atsak’s Sight Veiled Mask, which not only increases your Intelligence, Dexterity, and crit chance but also applies poison to enemies each time you land a critical hit.
Top Skill Gems for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Skill Spotlight: Gathering Storm
Among the highest-level skills available to Monks, Gathering Storm requires a level 13 Uncut Skill Gem, along with 66 Dex, 66 Int, and a minimum Monk level of 52. This skill allows your Monk to perform a backflip, creating distance while empowering their staff. Upon slamming down, your Monk deals Lightning damage to all nearby enemies.
This skill’s effectiveness hinges on precise timing; executing it perfectly will trigger powerful lightning shockwaves in the area, leaving a lasting shock field that damages any enemy that enters it. This makes Gathering Storm crucial for crowd control.
Skill Highlight: Tempest Bell
Available relatively early, Tempest Bell requires only a level 3 Gem, a level 6 Monk, and 10 Dex and Int. With sufficient enhancements, this skill can evolve into a formidable boss-damage tool. When activated, it summons a massive bell that releases shockwaves with each attack you deliver. Position it strategically next to an enemy, and you can maximize damage output quickly.
Skill Choice: Shattering Palm
If you’re pursuing a Cold build, Shattering Palm serves as your equivalent to Gathering Storm. You’ll need a level 11 Skill Gem, a level 41 Monk, alongside 52 Dex and Int. This skill allows your Monk to jump forward to strike an enemy, subsequently generating a Cold damage AoE. If you inflict enough damage before it dissipates, affected enemies will detonate into icy fragments, dealing major damage to surrounding foes.
Essential Passive Skills for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Passive Tree Focus: Critical Exploit
Each level you gain in Path of Exile 2 awards a skill point for advancing through the skill tree, beginning with a focus on Int/Dex passives in the upper-right area. One of the essential skills to look for is Critical Exploit, which straightforwardly grants an additional 25% chance for critical hits.
Additional Crit Buff: Moment of Truth
To amplify your critical hit rate even further, consider investing in Moment of Truth. This passive grants a whopping 25% extra crit chance if you haven’t executed a critical hit recently, alongside a flat 20% crit chance increase regardless of past hits.
You can streamline your search for these passives using the built-in search function on the PoE 2 skill tree.
Empowering Passive: Deadly Force
Deadly Force is another excellent selection for enhancing critical strikes, offering a 12% increase in hit chance and an additional 30% damage boost for a few seconds after you make a successful hit.
Mana Management: Flow State
Efficient mana management is crucial for casting elemental spells frequently; meld this issue with your playstyle by picking Flow State, which elevates your mana regeneration alongside skill speed for smoother attack chaining.
Counteracting Resistance: Overload
Confronting foes with Lightning resistance can be troublesome, especially if your build focuses on Lightning damage. To mitigate this, consider the Overload passive, which allows your damage to bypass 15% of an enemy’s Lightning resistance. Additionally, take note of Surging Currents, which provides a similar benefit along with an extra 10 Dex. If you favor an Ice build, examine Storm Swell and Storm Surge for related enhancements.
Top Spirit Gems for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Key Spirit Gems: Herald of Ice & Herald of Thunder
When deciding on how to utilize your Uncut Spirit Gems in PoE 2, Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder should be at the forefront of your build. These skills enhance your Ice and Lightning attacks, respectively, granting a chance to freeze or shock enemies. When you eliminate a foe affected by one of these status effects, devastating shockwaves will erupt from their body, fueling a continuous cycle of damage.
Utility Skill: Elemental Invocation
Unlocking the Elemental Invocation Spirit Gem at level 8 (requiring a level 26 Monk alongside 34 Int and Dex) will boost your energy regeneration when you inflict freeze, ignite, or shock on opponents. This provides a steady source of energy while enhancing your offensive capabilities.
Ascendancies for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Subclass Focus: Acolyte of Chayula
Similar to every other class, Monks have access to two Ascendancies: Acolyte of Chayula and Invoker. The Acolyte path revolves around a dark Mage utilizing Mana Leech to convert outgoing damage into incoming mana. However, this mechanic proves less effective in the endgame, where plenty of mana-restoring options typically exist. Moreover, this subclass may forfeit your Spirit and energy shield restoration based on chosen skills, making it less suitable for endgame play.
Subclass Focus: Invoker
Given these considerations, aiming for an Invoker build centered around elemental damage and utilizing quarterstaffs is likely your best route. Commit to a specific type of elemental damage, and you’ll be well-equipped to handle the rigors of the endgame. Don’t hesitate to experiment within the sizable build framework available, as every player can discover their unique Monk playstyle in Path of Exile 2.
Related Articles:
January 08, 2025 Connections Puzzle #577: Hints and Answers
9:04
February 2023 Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Items and Events Revealed with a Pink Theme
3:35
Discover the Adorable Stardew Valley Secret Furniture Available Only on This Special Date
3:25
Leave a Reply