A complete leveling guide for the Monk class in Path of Exile 2
Introduction
If you’re looking to dominate the early stages of Path of Exile 2 with the Monk class, this guide is for you! Whether you’re new to PoE or an experienced player, leveling efficiently can be tricky. This guide covers gear choices, skill setups, passive tree priorities, and key mechanics to help you breeze through Acts 1-6 and get into maps as smoothly as possible.
Why Play the Monk?
The Monk in PoE2 is a fast, high-damage melee class with strong mobility and excellent synergy between physical and elemental damage. This build focuses on:
✅ Ice Strike as the main attack skill
✅ Tempest Bell for burst damage on bosses
✅ Energy Shield & Evasion for survivability
✅ Converting Physical Damage into Cold & Lightning for massive scaling
Leveling Gear Choices
Your gear priorities depend on where you are in the campaign. Key stats to look for:
- Weapons: High physical damage (since Ice Strike converts it to cold)
- Armor: Energy Shield + Evasion (to maximize survivability)
- Accessories: Dexterity and Intelligence (important for skill requirements)
- Boots: Movement speed (to move out of danger quickly)
💡 Tip: If you have access to higher-level support gems, use them! If not, stick with level 1 versions until later.
Key Gear to Look For
- Chest Piece: Gear that converts life into energy shield
- Rings & Amulets: Physical damage, cold damage, and resistances
- Unique Items (if available):
- Everlasting Gaze (helps with leveling)
- Pulser Kel (if you have it, but not required)
Skill Setup & Leveling Progression
Level 1-14: Early Leveling Tips
Until level 14, some players recommend using Lightning Arrow with Pierce as a ranged bow build. However, Monk’s melee attacks are already strong, so this isn’t necessary unless you struggle.
At level 14, switch to Ice Strike, your core damage skill.
Level 14-40: Core Build Mechanics
Main Attack:
✅ Ice Strike (Converts 80% Physical → Cold)
✅ Cold Infusion (Adds Cold Damage)
✅ Primal Armament (Boosts Elemental Weapon Damage)
✅ Marshall Tempo (Boosts Attack Speed)
💡 Why Stack Physical Damage?
Although this is a cold-based build, physical damage conversion makes stacking physical more efficient than focusing only on cold scaling.
Boss Killer: Tempest Bell
How It Works:
- Drops a bell that deals AoE damage when placed.
- Every time you attack the bell, it sends out shockwaves, dealing extra elemental damage.
- Boosted by Power Charges to increase damage.
Tempest Bell Supports:
✅ Soul Thief (Extra Mana from physical damage)
✅ Font of Mana (Increases Mana Regen)
✅ Heft (Boosts Physical Damage)
✅ Font of Rage (Provides extra Rage generation)
Survivability & Defense Skills
- Ghost Dance – Converts Evasion into Energy Shield recovery
- Wind Dancer – Grants evasion + knockback on melee hits
- Blind – Reduces enemy accuracy
- Ghost Shroud – Absorbs hits using Energy Shield
Passive Skill Tree Progression
Key Passive Tree Priorities
1️⃣ Eternal Youth (Life Flask restores Energy Shield instead of Life)
2️⃣ Resonance (Converts Frenzy Charges → Power Charges)
3️⃣ Deadly Force (Critical Strike Scaling)
4️⃣ Flow State (Mana Regen for smooth skill usage)
5️⃣ Spectral Ward (Boosts Energy Shield per Evasion Rating)
💡 Major Mid-Game Passive: “A on Life” Keystone
- Converts all life into Energy Shield
- Makes you immune to Chaos Damage
- Requires at least 2000 Energy Shield before switching
Advanced Combat Mechanics
How to Maintain Power Charges
- Use Charge Staff to consume Power Charges for bonus Lightning Damage
- Killing Pal ability instantly kills enemies at low HP, generating Power Charges
- Stack 3 Power Charges before using Charge Staff
Frenzy Charge Conversion Trick
- Frenzy Charges are normally useless in this build
- Resonance Passive converts them into Power Charges
- Freezes → Gain Frenzy → Frenzy becomes Power Charge → Extra Damage!
Ascendancy Progression (Monk Class)
1️⃣ First Ascendancy:
- Gain Spirit from Energy Shield & Evasion (Makes Monk self-sustaining)
2️⃣ Second Ascendancy:
- I Am the Blizzard → 10% extra Cold Damage on Freezing
3️⃣ Third & Fourth Ascendancies (Late Game):
- Unbound Avatar → Endgame Scaling
- Protect Me From Harm → Converts Evasion to Physical Damage Reduction
Gameplay & Final Thoughts
🔹 This build is incredibly smooth for leveling.
🔹 Ice Strike melts packs of enemies.
🔹 Tempest Bell destroys bosses effortlessly.
🔹 Charge Staff + Power Charges = INSANE damage boost.
Next Steps:
- Enter maps & optimize gear.
- Fine-tune passive tree for endgame.
- Upgrade to a 5-link setup for max DPS.
📌 Stay Tuned for the Endgame Guide!