In thisPath of Exile 2article, we will be taking a look at how to put togetherthe Thunderous Monk buildfor you to use to get into the late-game or end-game of the game.Path of Exilehas become notorious for the sheer amount of skills and build possibilities available in the game, and the sequel follows suit with an extensive skill tree and a multitude of skill gems. This guide is here to help you get through all that and lay out a path for you to follow as you reach the end of the campaign and prepare for your Cruel playthroughs or endgame.
Introduction
The Thunderous Monkis a melee-focused build that will allow you to wipe out huge groups of enemies with a well-placed attack, like a powerful thunderstrike. For this build, we will be focusing on increasing our damage output with our quarterstaff as much as possible to embody the fury of the thunder.
Starter Class
For this build, we will be starting withthe Monk class, which is one of the seven available for now. On the expansive skill tree,the Monk classstarts on the northeast side.
This side of the skill tree consists mainly of passives related to skill damage, elemental damage, and attack speed, which we will be taking advantage of to maximize our damage output.
Passive Skill Tree
For ourThunderous Monk build,we will be aiming to maximize our damage output using our thunder skills, and we will be going for skill groups that amplify our damage when using the Lightning element.
To that end, as we start on our passive skill tree, we will be taking the offensive nodes route and go for theFlow Like Waternode first.
From this node, there are six different branches we can follow. For our build, we’ll be taking the branch with theEssence of the Stormnode, which adds Lightning damage to all our attacks.
Taking this branch and reaching the attribute node, we will invest in some critical chance with a nearby branch.
This will give us some early critical chances with our build and will help with our overall damage output by going for theMoment of Truthpassive skill node.
After this branch, we’ll go further northeast on the passive skill tree and invest our points in the core skill groups that will considerably increase our damage output with this build.
We’ll be going for the branches on both sides of this particular point in the tree and invest in theSpell HasteandSpell Bladenodes and their corresponding groups of passives, as they increase spellcasting speed and Lightning spell damage.
We’ll also invest points intoKiller InstinctandTenfold Attacks, as they increase our damage output and attack speed when using the Quarterstaff — all contributing to our damage output.
After these two groups, it’s advisable to go for at least one defensive skill group, as the added survivability goes a long way in helping with the build’s defensive capabilities.
Going forImmortal InfamyandImmortal Thirstgives us sustain by recovering HP on every kill and providing mana leech. These nodes help immensely during mapping when fighting enemy mobs and maintaining our mana with leech.
From here, we’ll work our way toward another passive skill branch that will greatly increase our ability to inflictShockon enemies using lightning skills and increase our damage against them.
Investing inHarmonic GeneratorandGeneral Electricnodes, as well as the nodes on that branch, ensures we’ll shock all enemies — making them more susceptible to damage.
After this branch, we’ll move toward another group that enhances elemental damage and resistance penetration — theUnbound Forcesnode and its cluster. In addition to increasing the duration and magnitude of Shock and Chill, this branch gives up to 24% resistance penetration for both Lightning and Ice attacks.
These skill groups form the core of our build. From here, we can head toward the outer ring for theQuarterstaffskill group or invest in other nodes that increase attack damage or speed, depending on your preferred playstyle.
One important note when choosing attributes: while Quarterstaves require both Dexterity and Intelligence, and the Monk class benefits from both, we don’t need equal amounts. You’ll need higher Dexterity to equip your quarterstaff in later levels, and not meeting those requirements can lead to a frustrating respec just to reach stat nodes.
Ascendancy
We’ll go with theInvokerpathway for the Monk.
This path provides additional elemental damage and helps us further increase our damage. From the Invoker branch, we’ll take the nodes from“I Am Thunder”toward“… I Shall Rage”. This path gives bonus Lightning damage and the powerfulUnbound Avatarskill, which increases all elemental damage by 40%, nearly doubling our output.
Active Skill Setup
The active skill setup for this build is simple and straightforward. The core skill is the very first one we get with the Monk:Falling Thunder.
It slams down your Quarterstaff, dealing Lightning damage in a cone. It’s already great for clearing groups, but it gets even better when you consumePower Charges— sending out Lightning projectiles that travel along the ground. The more charges you consume, the greater the area and damage.
To gain Power Charges, we’ll useKilling Palmearly on.
This skill dashes to the enemy and strikes with an unarmed attack that can cull low-HP targets. Each culled enemy gives a Power Charge, which we can then use withFalling Thunder.
Another great skill isTempest Flurry, excellent for rare enemies or bosses.
It unleashes a combo of Quarterstaff strikes that deal Lightning damage. If you land the full combo, a Lightning Bolt hits the target with a 100% chance to Shock — ideal for tougher enemies.
Before unlocking Falling Thunder, another core skill isStorm Wave, which shoots Lightning waves that Shock targets.
This primes them forKilling Palm, followed byFalling Thunderto clear waves with one empowered strike.
As you get more ways to Shock enemies, another charge-generating option isSiphoning Strike, which grants Power Charges off of shocked enemies — making it viable against bosses without adds.
Support Gems
We rely on Lightning damage and Power Charges, so our support gems will boost shock chance and Lightning output.
ForKilling PalmandSiphoning Strike:
ForUnbound Avatar(Ascendancy):
ForSpirit Gems:
Gear and Equipment
The Thunderous Monk builddoes not require any specific uniques to function and will perform well in both mapping and against bosses.
Gears adding bonusLightning damage and Physical damagewill help with this build’s performance, and if you can find gear with + to melee skills, it will increase the effectiveness of this build significantly.
Having both life and mana leech on your gear will also greatly help with survivability when using this build because we do not invest hugely into passive nodes that increase our defensive value with this build.
Leveling Guide
The build levels smoothly with theKilling Palm + Falling Thundercombo. Just avoid running out of mana or getting mana-drained. Grab some Intelligence for more support gem compatibility and mana pool, but remember that Quarterstaves require nearly double the Dexterity compared to Intelligence.
Mapping and Bossing
This build is excellent at both. Maintaining power charges allowsFalling Thunderto wipe mobs and chunk bosses — even Lightning-resistant ones — with three charges. Efficient gameplay = gain charges quickly, then clear maps fast.
Endgame Scaling and Optimization
Endgame scaling is enhanced through cluster jewels that increaseMovement Speed, Attack Damage, and Elemental Damage.The build has great options to scale by investing into either pure elemental damage or critical hit chance while also benefiting from high attack speed.
Path of Exile 2 The Bloodletter Build
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at how to put together The Bloodletter build for getting into the endgame
This build performs well inSSF and Hardcore, thanks to its high damage output and high sustainability through life leech and hit point recovery on kills. It is not reliant on expensive uniques and offers great damage with fast-paced mobility and movement, leading to satisfying gameplay both while leveling and in the endgame portion of the game.
So, this wraps up my article for theThunderous Monk buildguide forPath of Exile 2. I hope you found this guide helpful, and if you have any suggestions or tips, feel free to leave them in the comment section.
