Path of Exile 2 is known for its challenging difficulty, often drawing comparisons to Diablo meets Elden Ring. While it offers an immense amount of freedom and depth, it can also be tough—bosses are punishing, and even regular enemies can take you down if you’re not prepared. Unlike Diablo 4, where any class can easily carry you to max level, Path of Exile 2 demands a solid build, especially during the campaign, where you’ll face some of the game’s most intense content.
If you’re just starting out with the Monk class, it can feel rough in the early stages. Don’t worry though—we’ve got you covered with this easy mode Monk leveling guide to help you tackle tough bosses and enjoy a smooth ride through the campaign. Let’s dive in.
Monk Leveling Build: Invoker Ice Striker
The best Monk leveling build for now is a combination of Ice Strike and Charged Staff. Why? Because it’s incredibly powerful, allowing you to cut through the campaign with ease and melt bosses on your way to the endgame.
Ice Strike Skill: Path of Exile 2
Levels 1 to 14: Skills and Gear
Let’s face it—playing as a Monk from levels 1 to 14 is a grind. The class starts slow, and it’s not exactly a walk in the park. In fact, it might feel like the weakest class in the game at the start. However, as soon as you unlock Ice Strike at level 14, things will improve significantly.
Here’s what you’ll need for this early grind:
- Falling Thunder with Lightning Infusion + Perpetual Charge
- Killing Palm with Profusion + Life Drain
- Tempest Bell with Magnified Effect
Gameplay Loop:
- Use Killing Palm on marked enemies to generate Power Charges.
- Build up 3 charges and unleash Falling Thunder on the next wave of enemies for massive AoE damage.
- When facing bosses or elite enemies (the gold ones), drop Tempest Bell to hit both the bell and the boss for a significant damage boost.
It’s tough in the early game, but be patient. A better weapon will make a huge difference. Aim to get the best Quarterstaff you can find—it will massively increase your DPS.
Pro Tip: Buy a better Quarterstaff from a vendor ASAP!
Levels 14 to 31: Ice Strike and Support Gems
At level 14, the real fun begins! You’ll unlock Ice Strike, which becomes your primary damage dealer for the rest of the campaign. With the right support gems and a solid weapon, you’ll be melting everything in your path.
Here’s your updated skill gem setup:
- Ice Strike with Martial Tempo + Ice Bite
- Tempest Bell with Magnified Effect
- Falling Thunder with Lightning Infusion + Perpetual Charge
- Killing Palm with Profusion + Life Drain
Gameplay Loop: Now, your main attack is Ice Strike, which will easily do most of the damage for you. As before, use Killing Palm to generate Power Charges, Falling Thunder for groups of enemies, and Tempest Bell to smash bosses.
Levels 31 to Endgame: Charged Staff
At level 31, you unlock one of the game-changers for your Monk build: Charged Staff. This passive skill significantly buffs Ice Strike, making you a force to be reckoned with. To unlock Charged Staff, you’ll need to reach level 31 and acquire a Level 9 Uncut Skill Gem. Once you have it, replace Falling Thunder with Charged Staff.
Here’s your final setup for the campaign:
- Ice Strike with Martial Tempo + Ice Bite
- Charged Staff with Persistence + Perpetual Charge
- Tempest Bell with Magnified Effect
- Combat Frenzy (from the Ranger tree)
- Hypothermia
Gameplay Loop: The real fun starts with Combat Frenzy. This skill requires a level 8 Uncut Spirit Gem and 61 Dexterity, but it’ll convert Frenzy Charges into Power Charges, meaning you won’t have to rely on Killing Palm anymore. Additionally, freezing enemies will grant you Power Charges, which lets you endlessly chain Charged Staff.
With Hypothermia active, your cold attacks will deal more damage, and you’ll curse bosses to make them even more vulnerable. To finish off bosses, you’ll apply Hypothermia, hit them with Ice Strike until you have a charge, activate Charged Staff, and use Tempest Bell to melt them.
Alternative (If You Don’t Have Combat Frenzy Yet): If you haven’t found a level 8 Uncut Spirit Gem, you can still use Killing Palm to generate Power Charges. It’s not as efficient, but it will get the job done:
- Ice Strike with Martial Tempo + Ice Bite
- Tempest Bell with Magnified Effect
- Charged Staff with Persistence + Perpetual Charge
- Killing Palm with Profusion + Life Drain
Monk Skill Tree Points
One of the biggest mistakes you can make while leveling is overthinking the passive skill tree. Don’t get too bogged down in the massive tree, especially early on. Just focus on increasing your Attack Power, and that should be enough to power through the campaign. You can always fine-tune the tree later once you reach the endgame.
What’s Next?
This Monk build will take you through the campaign and all the way to the endgame. If you want to take your build to the next level, we’ll be adding sections on Passive Skills and Ascendencies soon.
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With the right build and strategy, your Monk will become an unstoppable force in Path of Exile 2. Keep pushing through the levels, and remember that every boss is a stepping stone toward your ultimate success. Good luck, and may your journey through Wraeclast be full of epic loot and victories!
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