The Monk in Path of Exile 2 is a versatile and high-damage melee class, and choosing the right Skill Gems is essential for maximizing your power in the endgame. Here's a breakdown of some of the best Skill Gems for Monk builds, focusing on their versatility, synergy with other skills, and utility for crowd control, DPS, and endgame encounters:

1. Tempest Bell (Ultimate Single-Target DPS)

Best for: Boss fights and single-target damage.

Key Features: Tempest Bell is one of the highest DPS options for Monks, especially when used in the ultra-late game. It doesn't require Power Charges like Charged Staff, making it easier to manage.

Synergies: When paired with Overabundance Support Gem, Tempest Bell can deal massive single-target damage with multiple instances.

Why it works: It scales incredibly well in the endgame, especially for fighting powerful bosses like Xesht and Zarokh, King in the Mists.

2. Charged Staff (Amplify Damage)

Best for: General-purpose DPS and synergy with other skills.

Key Features: Uses Power Charges to infuse the Monk's Quarterstaff with lightning, increasing DPS by a significant margin.

Synergies: Works perfectly with Ice Strike, Tempest Flurry, and Flicker Strike for a massive damage boost, especially when Power Charges are properly maintained.

Why it works: Essential for almost all Monk builds due to its ability to amplify damage consistently.

3. Ice Strike (Supreme Crowd Control)

Best for: Crowd control and efficient map clearing.

Key Features: Inflicts Freeze, disabling enemies for a few seconds, allowing for controlled and safe combat.

Synergies: Works beautifully with Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder for explosive AoE damage, and Double Herald to maximize damage and control.

Why it works: Provides great crowd control and utility, making it a favorite for Monk players who prefer handling large groups of enemies while maintaining control of the battlefield.

4. Tempest Flurry (Lightning-Fast Strikes)

Best for: Fast-paced DPS and AoE clearing.

Key Features: Infuses the Quarterstaff with lightning, increasing attack speed and applying Shock to enemies.

Synergies: Boosts DPS with Martial Tempo and Primal Armament Support Gems. It's also great for burst damage in a focused area.

Why it works: This is one of the best DPS abilities for Monks, especially in fast-paced combat. It's excellent for clearing groups of enemies and dishing out heavy damage in a short window.

5. Hand of Chayula (Boss-Killing Essential)

Best for: Boss fights and single-target debuffing.

Key Features: Instantly applies multiple debuffs like Hypothermia, Freezing Mark, and Enfeeble, which weaken bosses and high-tier enemies.

Synergies: Best used for Ice Strike Monks, but also compatible with Hand of Chayula for enhanced boss fights.

Why it works: Crucial for efficiently downing endgame bosses, where stacking debuffs can help overcome even the toughest foes.

6. Flicker Strike (Screen-Clearing Speed)

Best for: Mobility and AoE clearing.

Key Features: Monks blitz across the battlefield, instantly striking multiple targets in quick succession.

Synergies: Combine with Momentum for more damage based on movement, and Perpetual Charge to retain Power Charges for further mobility and damage.

Why it works: Great for quick, high-damage strikes and clearing out mobs, especially in tight spaces.

7. Storm Wave (Best Ranged AoE Skill)

Best for: Crowd control and AoE damage.

Key Features: Releases a shockwave in front of the Monk, hitting multiple enemies in an area.

Synergies: Enhance with Upheaval for improved crowd control and scaling.

Why it works: Perfect for dealing with packs of enemies and providing additional ranged AoE damage to Monks who might struggle with close-quarters combat.

8. Falling Thunder (Electrifying AoE Dominance)

Best for: AoE damage and Power Charge scaling.

Key Features: A slam attack that triggers lightning shockwaves when Power Charges are present, allowing for large-scale AoE damage.

Synergies: Combine with Killing Palm to generate Power Charges and Momentum for more damage.

Why it works: Can easily clear entire screens with proper Power Charge generation and investment, providing excellent wave clearing.

How to Generate Power Charges

Required for: Charged Staff, Flicker Strike, and Falling Thunder.

Options for Power Charge generation:

Killing Palm: Generates Power Charges from low-health enemies.

Resonance (Passive Notable): Increases Power Charge generation.

Combat Frenzy (Spirit Gem): Provides additional Power Charge generation and retention.

Best Monk Passive Skill Notables for Skill Gem Synergy

Resonance: Essential for generating Power Charges, especially for Charged Staff and Flicker Strike.

Momentum: Increases damage the farther you move, which is great for mobility-based builds.

Martial Tempo: Boosts attack speed for skills like Tempest Flurry.

Perpetual Charge: Helps retain Power Charges after using certain skills, ensuring consistent damage output.

By carefully choosing the right Skill Gems and combining them with powerful passive nodes, your Monk build can handle both AoE clearing and single-target damage efficiently, ensuring success in the toughest content in Path of Exile 2. And you have Path of Exile 2 items and Path of Exile 2 currency, do you have any specific gear you're aiming for or any particular modifiers you want to prioritize for your build?