Last updated: June 17, 2026 1:13 PM

Updated information according to the latest Patch/Release

Class Information

Monk

Weapon:

Primary Attribute:

In Path of Exile 2, skill variety is key to adapting to different combat scenarios. When retreating, skills like Wind Blast or Wave of Frost allow you to evade threats while still inflicting damage.

In moments when maximum damage is needed, you can use Ice Strike to freeze an enemy, setting up Glacial Cascade to deliver a powerful follow-up blow. Additionally, using Culling Palm on groups of enemies can grant Power Charges, which can then boost skills like Falling Thunder or enable Flicker Strike for agile attacks.

With the updated Skill Gem system, employing a mix of skills allows players to fully leverage their character’s potential. While it’s possible to build a setup where one skill can clear enemy packs, combining multiple skills yields greater damage output and flexibility in combat.

In Path of Exile 2, crowd control (CC) mechanics now use an internal meter system. When applying effects like Freeze to a boss, this meter fills up gradually until the boss is affected by the CC. After a successful Freeze, the meter’s threshold rises, meaning more Freeze is needed to reapply it, though this increase will slowly decay over time.

This system allows for more consistent and balanced use of CC on bosses, enabling builds with Freeze, Stun, and other CC effects to remain effective even in the later stages of the game.

Boneshatter

TBC

Boneshatter

TBC

Boneshatter

TBC

Boneshatter

TBC

Boneshatter

TBC

Falling Thunder

T1 Active Skill

Attack, AoE, Slam, Projectile, Lightning

Level: 2

Cost: 6 Mana

Attack Speed: 60% of base

Attack Damage: 147%

Requires: Level 3

Requires: Quarterstaff

Infuse a staff with electrical energies, then slam the ground to deal damage in a large area in front of you. Consumes any Power Charges you have to fire lightning projectiles fowards from the impact.

Convers 60% of Physical Damage to Lightning Damage
25% more Damage per Power Charge Consumed
Cone Length is 4 metres
100% more Damage if a Power Charge was Consumed

Attack

Projectiles Pierce all Targets
Converts 100% of Physical Damage to Lightning Damage
10% chance to Shock enemies
100% more Damage if a Power Charge was Consumed
Fires 3 Projectiles per Power Charge

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Killing Palm

T1 Active Skill

Attack, AoE, Physical, Melee, Strike

Level: 2

Cost: 6 Mana

Attack Speed: 65% of base

Attack Damage: 99%

Requires: Level 1

Requires: Unarmed, Quarterstaff

Dash to an emeny and strike them with an unarmed Attack, Culling enemies if their life is low enough. Each enemy killed by this strike grants a Power Charge. Enemies around you that can be Culled will be highlighted. This skill is always performed Unarmed, even if you have a Quarterstaff equipped.

5 to 9 Added Attack Physical Damage
Culling Strike
Can’t be Evaded
+7% to Critical Strike Chance
This Attack does not benefit from Weapons

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Frozen Locus

T1 Active Skill

Attack, AoE, Duration, Cold, Melee

Level: 1

Cost: 13 Mana

Attack Speed: 70% of base

Attack Damage: 100%

Requires: Level 1

Requires: Quarterstaff

Leap backward and strike the ground with your staff to call forth an Ice Crystal, which creates Chilled Ground around it and can be damaged by you and enemies. If the Crystal is destroyed it an icy explosion that deals Attack damage but does not use your weapon’s damage.

Ice Crystal duration is 6 seconds
Ice Crystal has 43 maximum Life
Chilled Ground radius is 3 metres

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Staggering Palm

T3 Active Skill

Attack, Physical, Melee, Strike, Projectile

Level: 2

Cost: 6 Mana

Attack Speed: 65% of base

Attack Damage: 66%

Requires: Level 3

Requires: Unarmed, Quarterstaff

Dash to an emeny and strike them with an unarmed Attack. Heavy Stunning an enemy grants you a Buff that causes your Quarterstaff and Unarmed Attacks to also fire Projectiles for a short duration. This skill is always performed Unarmed even if you have a Quarterstaff equipped.

12 to 18 added Attack Physical Damage
Can’t be evaded
+7% to Critical Strike Chance
Buff duration is 6 seconds

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Tempest Bell

T3 Active Skill

Attack, AoE, Melee, Duration, Nova

Level: 3

Cost: 18 Mana

Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec

Attack Speed: 120% of base

Attack Damage: 100%

Requires: Level 6, 10 Dex, 10 Int

Requires: Quarterstaff

Build Combo by successfully Striking Enemies with any skill. After building five stacks of Combo, create a Bell that can be Hit by your skills, creating a damaging shockwave. Elemental Ailments applied to the Bell cause its shockwaves to deal extra damage of the corresponding type.

Requires 4 Combo to use

Limit 1 Bell

Lose Combo if you generate no Combo for 8 seconds

Base Duration is 6 seconds

Bell is destroyed after 12 Hits

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Tempest Flurry

T3 Active Skill

Attack, Melee, Strike

Level: 4

Cost: 9 Mana

Attack Speed: 140% of base

Attack Damage: 79%

Requires: Level 12, 14 Dex, 14 Int

Requires: Quarterstaff

Perform a series of aggressive strikes, ending with a powerful Shocking blow.

Converts 60% of Physical Damage to Lightning Damage

+4 to Melee Strike Range

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Wind Blast

T5 Active Skill

Attack, Melee, Strike, AoE

Level: 6

Cost: 10 Mana

Attack Speed: 75% of base

Attack Damage: 115%

Requires: Level 21, 20 Dex, 20 Int

Requires: Quarterstaff

Strike enemies at range by generating a gust of wind as you swing. Enemies will be Knocked Back based on how close they are to you.

Knocks Enemies Back on Hit

+42 to Melee Strike Range

150% more Stun buildup

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Ice Strike

T5 Active Skill

Attack, Melee, Strike, AoE, Cold

Level: 3

Cost: 8 Mana

Attack Speed: 140% of base

Attack Damage: 79%

Requires: Level 6

Requires: Quarterstaff

Perform a fast icy strike. Using this Attack three times in quick succession causes a final strike that is slower and more powerful.

Converts 80% of Physical Damage to Cold Damage

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Glacial Cascade

T7 Active Skill

Attack, AoE, Cold, Melee

Level: 4

Cost: 17 Mana

Attack Speed: 75%

Attack Damage: 46%

Requires: Level 12, 18 Dex, 14 Int

Requires: Quarterstaff

Sweep a Quarterstaff upwards, releasing a thin wave of frost which deals damage in a series of small bursts. The final burst of the wave then surges out further with a large spike of ice. Any Frozen enemies hit by the final burst also take another, more powerful hit.

Converts 60% of Physical Damage to Cold Damage

Burst radius is 0.5 metres

Wave length is 4.8 metres

Causes 8 Bursts

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Siphoning Strike

T7 Active Skill

Attack, AoE, Lightning, Melee, Strike

Level: 3

Cost: 7 Mana

Attack Damage: 145%

Requires: Level 6

Requires: Quarterstaff

Dash to a target and Strike them with your Quarterstaff. If the target is Shocked, consumes the Shock to release a Lightning shockwave around the target and grant you a Power Charge.’

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Wave of Frost

T9 Active Skill

Attack, AoE, Cold, Melee

Level: 6

Cost: 19 Mana

Attack Speed: 55% of base

Attack Damage: 77%

Requires: Level 21, 20 Dex, 20 Int

Requires: Quarterstaff

Flip backwards while sending a freezing wave of ice to damage an area in front of you.

Converts 80% of Physical Damage to Cold Damage

Hits are Freezing

Hits Freeze as though dealing 350% more Damage

Base radius is 6 metres

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Charged Staff

T9 Active Skill

Spell, Duration, Buff, Attack, AoE, Melee

Level: 6

Cost: 17 Mana

Cast Time: 0.75 sec

Requires: Level 21, 20 Dex, 20 Int

Requires: Quarterstaff

Consume all Power Charges to infuse your Quarterstaff with electricity for a duration, adding Lightning damage and a Lightning shockwave to your Quarterstaff Attacks. Reusing the skill while the buff is active grants additional duration and damage up to a cap.

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Whirling Assault

T11 Active Skill

Attack, Melee, Strike, AoE

Level: 7

Cost: 31 Mana

Attack Damage: 66%

Requires: Level 27, 25 Dex, 25 Int

Requires: Quarterstaff

Advance while hitting enemies around you with a series of spinning strikes.

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Shattering Palm

T11 Active Skill

Attack, AoE, Cold, Melee, Strike

Level: 7

Cost: 11 Mana

Attack Speed: 65% of base

Attack Damage: 57%

Requires: Level 27, 25 Dex, 25 Int

Requires: Unarmed, Quarterstaff

Dash to an enemy and strike them with an Unarmed Attack, attaching a chunk of ice to their body. When that enemy takes enough damage from Hits or dies, the ice explodes, dealing high Cold damage in an area around them. This skill is always performed Unarmed, even if you have a Quarterstaff equipped.

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Shield Wall

T13 Active Skill

Attack, Melee, Strike, AoE, Movement

Level: 10

Cost: 40 Mana

Attack Speed: 50% of base

Attack Damage: 354%

Requires: Level 47, 40 Dex, 40 Int

Requires: Quarterstaff

Teleport to an enemy and strike them. Consumes Power Charges to perform additional teleporting strikes on nearby enemies.

Teleports and Strikes 3 additional times per Power Charge, with 285% more Attack Speed

You cannot gain Power Charges while using this Skill

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

As a highly mobile class, the Monk’s Ascendancy options will likely enhance this agility. One specialization may focus on further boosting mobility, allowing the Monk to maneuver quickly through the battlefield. Another could lean into elemental damage, empowering attacks with elemental effects to add a unique offensive edge. A third option might prioritize survivability, providing additional defenses to make the Monk more resilient in close combat.

With these possibilities, each Ascendancy could offer a distinct playstyle, and we’ll update this section as more information becomes available.

Overview of Path of Exile 2’s Skill System

Path of Exile 2 introduces a unique approach to character abilities, setting it apart from traditional action role-playing games. Instead of skills being tied to specific classes, they are represented as items called Skill Gems that can be socketed into your character’s Skill Gem page. This innovative system allows any class to use any skill, providing immense flexibility and customization in building your character.

Disclaimer: The information in this guide is accurate at the time of writing and will be updated post-launch to remain current.

Understanding the Different Types of Skill Gems

In Path of Exile 2, your character’s abilities—whether it’s engaging in melee combat, casting spells, or summoning creatures—are all derived from Skill Gems. By equipping and combining various gems, you can tailor your playstyle to suit your preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of gems you’ll encounter:

Active Skill Gems
- Description: These gems grant you the primary abilities used during gameplay, such as attacks, spells, and summoning skills.
- Function: Equipping an Active Skill Gem allows you to use that ability in combat. These are the core skills that define your character’s capabilities on the battlefield.
Support Gems
- Description: Support Gems modify and enhance the effects of Active Skills.
- Function: When linked to an Active Skill Gem, a Support Gem can alter the skill’s behavior—for example, increasing its damage, changing its element, or adding additional effects like area damage or life leech.
Buff Gems
- Description: Buff Gems provide enhancements that can be either temporary or permanent.
- Function: These gems offer boosts to your character, allies, or minions, such as increased attack speed, improved defenses, or enhanced elemental resistances.
Uncut Gems
- Description: Uncut Gems are special items that can be transformed into a gem of your choice.
- Function: Depending on the type of Uncut Gem, you can select an Active, Support, or Buff skill to add to your collection. Additionally, Uncut Gems can be used to level up existing Active Skill Gems, increasing their effectiveness.
Meta Gems
- Description: Meta Gems are advanced gems that trigger under certain conditions or modify skills in complex ways.
- Function: These gems introduce sophisticated mechanics, such as automatically casting a linked skill when specific criteria are met. More detailed information about Meta Gems will be provided as it becomes available.

Active Skill Gems in Path of Exile 2

In Path of Exile 2, Active Skill Gems are essential items that grant your character a variety of abilities, including melee and ranged attacks, spells, and summoning skills. Unlike traditional class-restricted systems, these gems can be used by any class, offering a high degree of flexibility in how you build and play your character.

Acquisition and Customization

Uncut Skill Gems: Throughout the campaign, you’ll discover Uncut Skill Gems. These are blank gems that can be engraved to become the Active Skill Gem of your choice. This allows you to select skills that align with your desired playstyle.
Skill Gem Sockets: Each character has access to nine Active Skill Gem sockets located in the Skill Window. You can equip these sockets with any Active Skill Gems you obtain, customizing your character’s abilities to suit various combat scenarios.

Equipping and Managing Skills

Skill Window Placement: Active Skill Gems are placed into the leftmost sockets of your Skill Window. Once slotted, these skills become available for use in combat.
Skill Bar Assignment: After equipping a skill, you can assign it to your Skill Bar, typically found at the bottom right of the screen near your Mana Orb. This location may vary based on your platform and whether you’re playing solo or in co-op mode.
Flexible Configuration: You can change the skills assigned to your Skill Bar at any time. By clicking on the Skill Bar, a popup window will display all your available skills, allowing you to rearrange them according to your needs.

Categories of Active Skills

Active Skill Gems can be classified into several types, each serving a different combat role:

Melee Attacks: Focused on close-range combat, these skills are ideal for characters who engage enemies directly.
- Examples: Boneshatter, Earthquake
Ranged Attacks: These skills allow you to attack enemies from a distance using bows or other projectile weapons.
- Examples: Lightning Arrow, Escape Shot
Spells: Magical abilities that can damage enemies, apply effects, or manipulate the battlefield.
- Examples: Contagion, Ball Lightning
Minion Skills: Summon creatures or entities that fight alongside you, providing additional damage or support.
- Examples: Raise Zombie, Bind Spectre

Skill Gems and Weapon Requirements

While any class can use any Skill Gem, many skills are designed to work with specific weapon types. This means that to use certain abilities, you must have the appropriate weapon equipped. For instance:

Weapon-Specific Skills: Lightning Arrow requires a bow to function, as you cannot fire arrows without one.
Equipment Synergy: Choosing the right weapons to match your skills is crucial for maximizing your character’s effectiveness in combat.

All Games

Monk

Boneshatter

Boneshatter

Boneshatter

Boneshatter

Boneshatter

Attack