Introduction

Path of Exile 2 introduces the Monk, one of six new classes aiming to enhance character diversity and gameplay experience. The Monk class focuses on agility, mobility, and elemental damage, offering a distinct playstyle compared to the original classes.

Monk Class Overview

Primary Attributes: Intelligence (INT) and Dexterity (DEX)

Starting Position on Passive Tree: The Monk starts in the top right area of the passive tree, similar to the Shadow class, allowing easy access to both INT and DEX nodes.

Weapon Specialty:

Quarterstaff (Quarterstave): The Monk's signature weapon, functioning as a caster weapon with modifiers such as Spell Damage. It can also roll attack modifiers, emphasizing a melee combat style.

Unarmed Combat: Monks excel in unarmed attacks, enabling a unique playstyle that combines melee combat with agility.

Defensive Options:

The Monk can access defensive layers like Energy Shield, Evasion, and Spell Suppression, with the potential for hybrid builds that utilize these mechanics effectively.

Monk Skill Gems

A variety of skills showcase the Monk's versatility, emphasizing both crowd control and damage:

Falling Thunder: Strikes the ground with lightning; consumes Power Charges to enhance damage and AoE.

Culling Palm: Culls low-health enemies, granting Power Charges upon kill.

Wind Blast: Knocks enemies back while dealing damage.

Ice Strike: Hits multiple times to freeze targets.

Glacial Cascade: Sends spikes of ice that deal increased damage to frozen enemies.

Wave of Frost: Rolls backward while releasing a wave of ice.

Charged Staff: Empowers the Quarterstaff.

Whirling Assault: Spins around, dealing damage to nearby foes.

Shattering Palm: Places an ice bomb that detonates on kill or after damage.

Freeze and Crowd Control Mechanics

Path of Exile 2 introduces new mechanics for crowd control (CC) effects:

Internal Meter for CC: Instead of binary freeze effects, bosses now have an internal threshold that builds as you apply CC. This change allows for more strategic applications of freeze, stun, and other CC effects, making it feasible to use these tactics in endgame content.

Gameplay Strategy

The Monk's gameplay encourages adaptability:

Mobility and Retreat: Utilize skills like Wind Blast to create distance while dealing damage.

High Damage Situations: Combine Ice Strike and Glacial Cascade for effective freezing and damage output.

Power Charge Management: Skills like Culling Palm can generate Power Charges to boost damage for skills like Falling Thunder.

Ascendancies

While details on the Monk's Ascendancy classes remain limited, there are expected thematic possibilities:

Elemental Damage Specialization: Enhancements that focus on increasing elemental damage output.

Mobility and Agility Boosts: Ascendancies that improve movement speed or agility-related mechanics.

Defensive Specialization: Options enhancing survivability while maintaining offensive capabilities.

Path of Exile Currency and Items in PoE 2

Currency Types

Path of Exile 2 continues the tradition of the original game by employing a complex Path of Exile currency system, which serves as both the economy and crafting materials. Key currency types include:

Orbs: Used for crafting and enhancing Path of Exile items (e.g., Orb of Transmutation, Orb of Alchemy, Chaos Orb).

Scrolls: Used for identifying and transmuting items (e.g., Scroll of Wisdom for identifying).

Fragments: Special currency items for specific activities (e.g., Sextants, Prophecies).

Essences: Currency is used to modify items with specific modifiers, catering to particular builds.

Items

Equipment

Weapons: Include a variety of weapon types, with the Quarterstaff being unique to the Monk.

Armor: Offers various defensive stats, and players can find different types of gear suited to their builds.

Accessories: Rings, amulets, and belts provide additional bonuses and resistances.

Unique Items

Path of Exile 2 will likely feature unique items that provide powerful modifiers and unique abilities, much like the original game. These items often have thematic ties to specific character classes or playstyles.

Crafting and Modifiers

The crafting system in PoE 2 will be extensive, allowing players to modify items using various currency types to achieve desired stats and bonuses. Players can expect new crafting options and modifiers, particularly for the Monk class, to enhance elemental damage and mobility.

Conclusion

The Monk class in Path of Exile 2 introduces an agile, mobile playstyle that focuses on melee combat and elemental interactions. As the game unfolds, players will be able to explore various builds and strategies that leverage the Monk's unique skills and abilities.

The Path of Exile currency and item systems remain crucial for crafting and enhancing character builds, providing a rich economic landscape for players to navigate. As more information becomes available, players will better understand how to maximize the potential of the Monk class and optimize their gameplay experience.