Overview
This is a general Martial Artist Monk league-start guide for 0.5, focused on getting through the campaign and into T15 content smoothly rather than on a single expensive endgame item. The creator deliberately keeps it broad because several skills were changed and new runes were unknown before launch. It serves as a companion to a written Path of Building guide with trees per level for both hardcore and softcore.
Leveling starts with Glacial Cascade, Frozen Locus and Frost Bomb, then transitions at level 22 into the core setup used for the rest of the game: Storm Wave for consistent lightning damage and shock, Freezing Mark for a damage buff on frozen enemies, and Wave of Frost to freeze packs. Elemental Weakness through Hand of Chayula helps against bosses.
Gathering Storm with Ice Wall was nerfed, so single target now comes from other options. The long-term plan is Falling Thunder powered by power charges generated through Mantra of Destruction with a combo-point support. The creator also plans to test the new Delirium gloves in the endgame.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Clear, structured leveling plan with a matching written Path of Building guide
- Core setup from level 22 lasts the rest of the game
- Freeze and shock give both safety and damage
- Budget-friendly: aims for T15 content without mirror-tier gear
Cons
- Single target was weakened by the Gathering Storm + Ice Wall nerf
- The Falling Thunder boss setup requires building combo points first
- Pre-league plan, so some choices may change after launch
- Full passive details live in the Path of Building file rather than the video
Key Skills
- Storm Wave — main clear skill, lightning damage and shock
- Freezing Mark — marks enemies for a damage bonus once frozen
- Wave of Frost — freezes packs and adds damage with Ice Bite
- Falling Thunder — power-charge boss damage in the endgame
- Elemental Weakness — resistance reduction for bosses
Gear & Anointments
- Quarterstaff with + melee levels and high physical base; heavy bases appear from Act 4
- Check the Act 4 island vendors for rare rings and martial weapons
- Energy shield helmet for evasion scaling, ES/evasion body armour
- Boots with movement speed and resistances
- Amulet with energy shield, evasion and + melee levels
- Rings with flat elemental and physical damage for attacks
Credits & Source
Build credited to Rakin. See the source video for the full build’s gameplay footage and voice commentary: 0.5 - GUIA COMPLETO PRO MONGE - LEAGUE STARTER POE 2.