The Monk class in Path of Exile 2 is an exceptional choice for players seeking a blend of elemental attacks and unparalleled mobility. With excellent clear speed and versatile damage-dealing abilities, the Monk shines during the campaign and transitions smoothly into the endgame. This guide provides an optimized leveling path to help you dominate the campaign and establish a strong foundation for endgame progression.

Build Overview

This Monk build focuses on lightning-based abilities and synergy between your core skills. Starting with Glacial Cascade, you'll leverage its shatter mechanic for devastating clears. As you progress, you'll pivot to Tempest Flurry, Siphoning Strike, and Falling Thunder, which form the cornerstone of this build's immense damage potential. For single-target DPS, Tempest Bell amplifies your effectiveness against bosses and tougher foes.

Leveling Skills and Support Gems

Act 1-3: Early Game Setup

Primary Skill: Glacial Cascade

Use this for AoE clears. Its shatter mechanic (triggered when hitting frozen enemies) can eliminate entire packs with one cast.

Single-Target DPS: Falling Thunder

A high-damage lightning skill that scales with Power Charges. Use sparingly until Power Charge generation is consistent.

Utility Skill: Killing Palm

Execute low-HP enemies to finish fights quickly and set up Falling Thunder.

Transition Skills: Act 4+

Storm Wave: Replaces Glacial Cascade for more consistent lightning damage and shock application.

Tempest Flurry: Provides reliable shock application and synergizes with Herald of Thunder for sustained damage.

Siphoning Strike: Replaces Killing Palm for better synergy with Falling Thunder, converting shock debuffs into Power Charges.

Tempest Bell: Deploy during boss fights to echo damage from all your abilities. Amplifies both direct and AoE damage.

Key Supports

Early Game: Use flat damage and mana regeneration supports.

Mid Game: Transition to lightning-specific support gems, such as Added Lightning Damage, Shock Duration, and Critical Strike supports.

Late Game: Incorporate Charged Staff for a substantial DPS boost.

Passive Tree

Early Nodes

Dreamer: Provides mana sustain from kills, solving resource issues during early progression.

Blinding Strike: Grants a 10% chance to inflict blindness, reducing enemy accuracy and increasing survivability.

Mid-Game

Focus on:

Evasion/Energy Shield Hybrid Nodes: Boost survivability.

Power Charge Nodes: Enhance Falling Thunder's damage.

Quarterstaff Nodes: Improve damage output and defense.

Endgame Transition

Grab Herald nodes near the eastern tree for improved elemental damage and synergy with Herald of Thunder.

Ascendancy

Best Choice: Invoker

Notable: I am the Thunder...

Creates shocked ground for easy shock application and enhances the Siphoning Strike.

Second Notable: Choose based on your playstyle:

...And I am the Storm: Huge damage spike during boss fights.

Lead me through Grace...: Boosts Spirit regeneration, beneficial for sustained fights.

Equipment

Weapon:

Use a quarterstaff with:

Percent Physical Damage

Flat Physical Damage

These modifiers drastically improve your damage output.

Armor:

Focus on Evasion and Energy Shield bases.

Priority Affixes:

Flat HP

Resistances (to cap elemental resistances by Act 5).

Accessories:

Equip amulets and rings with Lightning Damage, Crit Chance, or Power Charge bonuses.

Build Tips

Tempest Bell: Always deploy during boss fights and against rare monsters for maximum DPS.

Glacial Cascade and Storm Wave: Use these skills to handle ranged enemies safely.

Power Charges: Ensure you generate these consistently for Falling Thunder to deal peak damage.

Subterfuge Mask Node: Optimize helmet choice to maximize Evasion bonuses.

Final Thoughts

This lightning-focused Monk build offers exceptional clear speed, mobility, and a straightforward gameplay loop. By following this guide, you'll cruise through the Path of Exile 2 campaign and enter the endgame with a robust, high-DPS character ready for further optimization.

To enhance your experience, consider investing in PoE 2 Currency, PoE Currency, and PoE Items to speed up progression, acquire necessary equipment, and fine-tune your build for the most challenging encounters. These resources can help you unlock your character's full potential and dominate both the campaign and endgame activities.