![[PoE 2] Martial Artist LEVELING Build Guide - IN DEPTH 0.5 League Starter Monk - Path of Exile 2](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/i6vzzrQIJ6w/maxresdefault.jpg)
Overview
This in-depth Martial Artist Monk leveling guide takes the unusual step of starting a Huntress to mule a spear and the twister gem into the stash, then rolling Monk and using twister + viper slash as the early clear setup. Twister scales off triple viper slash buildup and supplementary burst from barrage once the second uncut skill gem lands. The plan is designed for fresh-league play with no mule support beyond the in-act gem moon completion.
Around level twenty-three, the build flips entirely. Spear and buckler come off, Hollow Palm Technique is allocated on the tree, and the playstyle shifts into the Storm Wave / Falling Thunder / Killing Palm rotation. The Martial Artist ascendancy node — which spawns bells around the character — becomes the long-term power-charge generator that feeds Falling Thunder on bosses.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- True league-start friendly: relies only on found gear and gems available in the campaign
- Twister leveling pushes through acts one and two with strong AoE
- Hollow Palm swap removes weapon dependency and unlocks Storm Wave scaling
- Multiple charge-generation options (Killing Palm, Siphoning Strike, Devour) for different gear realities
- Detailed support and tree breakdown for both pre- and post-Hollow Palm phases
Cons
- Monk early game is mechanically complicated — the muling step matters
- Pre-Hollow Palm setup needs disciplined triple viper slash + twister combo execution
- The level twenty-three swap requires stockpiled level-seven gems before pulling the trigger
- Power-charge generation on bosses can feel inconsistent before the ascendancy bells are reliable
Key Skills
- Twister — primary leveling clear, used after triple viper slash buildup
- Viper Slash — combo enabler for twister
- Storm Wave — main skill after the Hollow Palm swap
- Falling Thunder — power-charge spender for boss bursts
- Killing Palm — generates charges off the ascendancy bells
- Ice Tipped Arrows + Frost Nexus — mid-acts cold conversion bridge
Gear & Anointments
Early priority is a basic iron head spear from the rusted arms options near the red veil. After the Hollow Palm swap, hands stay empty — gear scaling shifts to a good quarter staff with high elemental damage (perfectly three elemental) once way stones and maps come online. Talisman on the second weapon set is used to add Rend for the 50% damage gained as lightning buff while power charges are up. Herald of Ash is the recommended first spirit gem for clear; War Banner or Wind Dancer are mentioned as alternates depending on bossing or survivability preference.
Endgame Notes
The endgame tree leans into the Hollow Palm cluster, Unbound Forces, Sweep for area damage, Alternating Current for mana and shock magnitude, and Eken Thunder for raw damage. Stepify and Decent Heat to the right are the next progression goals. Charge Stuff with Prolonged Duration eventually layers in to make the most of the charge generation loop.
Credits & Source
Build credited to Ronarray. See the source video for the full step-by-step leveling walkthrough, supports, and tree screenshots: PoE 2 Martial Artist LEVELING Build Guide - IN DEPTH 0.5 League Starter Monk.