So, you’ve decided to take on the role of a Monk in Path of Exile 2, and you’re quickly approaching the endgame challenges. You’re eager to optimize your Monk build, especially since the endgame is known to be quite challenging. You know you’ll need the best skills, equipment, and passive abilities to thrive. However, you’re concerned that the character you’ve been leveling since the beginning might not be up to the task. While you can respec your character, you’re uncertain about the direction to take.
The good news is that the Monk class is highly adaptable. You can choose between Cold or Lightning damage, use bare hands or quarterstaves, and opt for either Invoker or Acolyte of Chayula—each option is viable for the endgame. Here are several strategies to ensure that your Monk becomes a formidable force for the final stages of Path of Exile 2.
Optimal Gear for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Top Weapons for an Endgame Monk
While it’s technically possible to create a bare-knuckle Monk in Path of Exile 2, this approach is not recommended for the endgame. Focus instead on using quarterstaves. Choose one that enhances your Monk’s primary attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, as well as boosting elemental or physical damage, critical hit chance, and possibly evasion or energy shield if you come across it.
For a specific recommendation, look into the Collapsing Horizon Wyrm Quarterstaff if you manage to farm bosses for it or acquire one through trades. This powerful weapon requires level 65 and provides a tremendous 100% boost to elemental damage, an improvement to critical hit chance, and a universal increase to all your spells’ levels. This is particularly beneficial for an elemental damage Invoker build, which we will discuss later.
Best Armor for an Endgame Monk
As a Monk, you likely know that heavy armor isn’t a suitable choice; instead, look for pieces labeled as “robes” or “garb.” This continues to be true in the endgame. Look for gear that enhances your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, as well as elemental or physical damage and critical hit chance. Atsak’s Sight Veiled Mask is one worth keeping an eye on, since it increases your Intelligence, Dexterity, and critical hit chance while also poisoning enemies each time you land a critical hit.
Top Skill Gems for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Gathering Storm
This skill is among the highest-level abilities you can unlock as a Monk in Path of Exile 2. It requires a level 13 Uncut Skill Gem, along with 66 Dexterity, 66 Intelligence, and a level 52 Monk. Its payoff is well worth the effort: Gathering Storm enables your Monk to execute a backflip, creating distance from enemies while charging up your staff. Then, you’ll slam down, dashing back into battle and dealing Lightning damage to all nearby foes.
This skill can only be activated while wielding a quarterstaff.
The intriguing aspect of this skill is its timing—executing it precisely will yield the most significant effects. When activated perfectly, Gathering Storm releases lightning shockwaves, electrifying the ground and damaging any enemies that enter the zone for a limited duration. This function makes it a crucial crowd control ability.
Tempest Bell
Tempest Bell is an early-game Monk skill that requires just a level 3 Gem, a level 6 Monk, coupled with 10 Dexterity and Intelligence. However, if properly enhanced, it can remain relevant throughout the game, turning into a powerful asset against bosses. This skill summons a large bell on the battlefield, and attacking it projects shockwaves. Position it near enemies and continue attacking to inflict significant damage in a brief time.
Shattering Palm
For those choosing a Cold build, Shattering Palm serves as your equivalent to Gathering Storm. It mandates a level 11 Skill Gem, along with a level 41 Monk and 52 Dexterity and Intelligence. This skill prompts your Monk to leap toward an enemy, unleashing a Cold-damage area of effect. If you manage to inflict enough damage to nearby enemies before the blast concludes, they will explode into icy fragments, dealing massive damage to all surrounding foes.
Top Passive Skills for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Critical Exploit
Every time you level up in Path of Exile 2, you’ll receive a skill point to spend as you navigate the skill tree. As a Monk, you’ll begin at the upper-right side of the tree, where you’ll discover passives related to Intelligence and Dexterity. One important skill to focus on as you advance is Critical Exploit, which provides an instant 25% increase to your critical chance.
Moment of Truth
To further enhance your critical hits, consider acquiring Moment of Truth, which grants you an additional 25% crit chance if you haven’t landed one recently. You’ll also gain a straightforward 20% increase in crit chance, regardless of your previous critical hits.
Utilize PoE 2’s built-in skill tree search feature to quickly find these passive abilities.
Deadly Force
Deadly Force is another excellent option for increasing your critical damage output. It provides a 12% boost in critical hit chances, along with 30% extra damage for a brief duration after achieving a hit.
Flow State
As a Monk, you’ll rely heavily on mana to cast your elemental spells. To enhance your mana management, pick Flow State, which increases your mana regeneration and skill speed, allowing for quicker attack chains.
Overload
You’re likely to encounter foes with Lightning resistance, which could prove problematic if your build is centered on Lightning damage. To counter this, consider using Overload, as it allows your damage to bypass 15% of the enemy’s Lightning resistance. Also, think about adopting Surging Currents for the same result, plus an additional 10 points in Dexterity. For Ice builds, options like Storm Swell and Storm Surge are excellent versions of this passive.
Top Spirit Gems for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Herald of Ice/Herald of Thunder
If you’re on the lookout for a way to utilize your Uncut Spirit Gems in PoE 2, every Monk should consider starting with Herald of Ice or Herald of Thunder. Ice attacks can occasionally freeze enemies, while Lightning attacks might shock them. With the respective Herald skills, killing an enemy affected by either elemental status will cause shockwaves of damage to radiate from them, establishing a continuous wave of harm.
Elemental Invocation
This level 8 Spirit Gem, which requires a level 26 Monk along with 34 Intelligence and Dexterity, will boost your energy whenever you effect freeze, ignite, or shock. It is a fantastic way to maintain consistent energy levels while enhancing your status abilities.
Ascendancies for an Endgame Monk Build in PoE 2
Acolyte of Chayula
Similar to other classes in Path of Exile 2, Monks have two Ascendancies (subclasses): Acolyte of Chayula and Invoker. Each subclass has unique abilities. Acolyte of Chayula emphasizes a dark path for the Monk, employing Mana Leech to convert some of the damage dealt into mana. However, Mana Leech tends to be less effective in the endgame, where you’ll often have enough ways to restore mana without relying on it. Also, this subclass may compromise your Spirit and energy shield recovery options based on the skills chosen. For this reason, it is advisable not to go for this path in an endgame Monk build.
Invoker
In contrast, the Invoker is a subclass focused entirely on elemental damage. It enhances both your Lightning and Cold damage, giving you a chance to create chilled or shocked ground whenever you apply these effects with I Am The Blizzard and I Am The Thunder. The skill And Scatter Them To The Winds enables you to create powerful shockwaves on landing critical hits. Essentially, the Invoker boosts everything that makes a Monk effective, making it the ideal Ascendancy for endgame play.
With this information at hand, you should be well-equipped to create a quarterstaff-wielding Monk capable of unleashing devastating elemental shockwaves in the endgame. Choose your elemental focus, commit to it, and select Invoker for the best results. Of course, there’s plenty of room for creative experimentation, so feel free to discover what works best for your individual Path of Exile 2 Monk.
