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PoE 2 Build

0.5 Martial Artist League Starter

presentationMonk
presentationMartial Artist
Starter
Speed Leveling
0.4 TLotD
Creator
Updated on Jun 4, 2026
Jun 4, 2026

Build Overview

Full Endgame Guide: https://mobalytics.gg/poe-2/profile/nicktew/builds/copy-of-0-5-martial-artist-spin-2-win-end-game

Martial Artist is looking to be absolutely insane for 0.5 with some of the best ascendancy nodes in the game, that happen to synergize perfectly with Whirling Assault which was already in my opinion the most well rounded melee skill. It covers the whole screen, does insane single target damage, and is very comfy to play.

We don't unlock Whirling Assault until level 41, so this guide will get you through the campaign primarily using Glacial Cascade + Frozen Locus to blow up packs and bosses alike. It's a very simple yet extremely effective leveling build, which GuyThatDies was able to complete the campaign using in just 3:48 minutes (video here) This leveling guide is effectively a copy paste of his so 100% of credit goes to him, however I added tabs so you can swap to Whirling Assault once appropriate.

Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Fast Clear
  • Great Single Target
  • Very straight forward relative to other monk leveling builds (no power charge nonsense)
  • VERY Squishy (while leveling)

Build Variants

Feels like crap until Frozen Locus

Equipment

item
1
item
4
item
1
item
2
item
5
item
3
item
item
Equipment Priority
+5

In weapon set 2 we are using a talisman for Pounce for faster movement during the campaign. When you get to a boss you need to take it off so you can benefit from Tempest Flurry. If you don't want to deal with this then just don't use Pounce it's not a big deal

Regex: "!(uiv)" "melee|quarter|mov|[egdl] da.* to a"

Weapon/Focus: %IPD / Flat > +# Skills (No weapon when you get Hollow Palm Technique)

Boots: Movement Speed > Resists / Life / Evasion

Rings: Flat Damage > Resists / Life

Gloves: +# Skills > Flat Damage > Resists / Life / Evasion

Helmet/Body Armour: Resists / Life / Evasion

Amulet: +# Skills > Life / Resists

Belt: Rawhide Belt with Resists / Life

Skill Gems

Support Gem Requirements:

Str 0

Dex 10

Int 25

1

Glacial Cascade

supportconcentratedareaplayer
supportaddedcolddamageplayer
2

Frozen Locus

supporticebiteplayer
supportaddedcolddamageplayer
3

Tempest Flurry

supportshockplayer
supportaddedlightningdamageplayer
4

Herald of Ice

supportaddedcolddamageplayer
5

Frost Bomb

6

Pounce

Gem Priority
+7

Tempest Flurry is ONLY FOR BOSSING - we use it purely to apply high shock value

Place down Frozen Locus on packs - > Glacial Cascade hitting the locus you spawned = big boom. Ideally you want to kite mobs into the Frozen Locus and use the Glacial Cascade from behind you as you continuously run forward past the mobs for optimal clear. For a visual demonstration watch this video here

Upgrading Priority: Glacial Cascade > Frozen Locus > Tempest Flurry

Level 1 Skill Gems:

  1. Renly: Glacial Cascade
  2. Clearfell: Frost Bomb

Level 2 Skill Gems:

  1. The Mud Burrow: Frozen Locus
  2. The Red Vale: Glacial Cascade

Level 3 Skill Gems:

  1. The Rust King: Glacial Cascade
  2. Lachlann: Frost Bomb
  3. Crowbell: Pounce

Level 5 Skill Gems:

  1. Leitis: Glacial Cascade
  2. The Manor Ramparts, League Mechanic: Tempest Flurry

Tier 1 Support Gems:

  1. The Mud Burrow, Devourer: Concentrated Area for Glacial Cascade
  2. The Grelwood, Areagne: Cold Attunement for Glacial Cascade
  3. Tomb of the Consort, Haunted Treasure: Ice Bite I for Frozen Locus
  4. Ogham Village, The Executioner: Cold Attunement for Frozen Locus
  5. The Manor Ramparts, The Gallows: Shock for Tempest Flurry (At level 14)

Passive Tree

main:
123
123
set 1:
20
20
set 2:
20
20

Go for Hollow Palm Technique and then to Concussive Attack.

Quest Rewards

Check which quests you’ve completed on your character
Ogham Manor — Candlemass, the Living Rite
+20 to maximum Life
Valley of the Titans — Medallion
30% increased Charm Effect Duration
+1 Charm Slot
The Spires of Deshar — Sisters of Garukhan
+10% to Lightning Resistance
The Venom Crypts — Venom Draught
30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold
Qimah — Tabana's Pillar
+5% to all Elemental Resistances

How it Plays

Clearing Monsters:

Place down Frozen Locus on packs - > Glacial Cascade hitting the locus you spawned = big boom. Ideally you want to kite mobs into the Frozen Locus and use the Glacial Cascade from behind you as you continuously run forward past the mobs for optimal clear - for a gameplay demonstration watch this video:

At level 10, you'll get Herald of Ice and your clear will improve dramatically

Single Target:

Use Freezing Mark, shock the boss with Tempest Flurry, and then freeze with Frozen Locus (you'll need to blow it up with Glacial Cascade).

When the boss freezes, you'll get two buffs: Freezing Mark buff, and Ice Bite II buff from Frozen Locus. You'll consume the freeze and deal massive damage with Glacial Cascade.

You'll then have 4 HUGE multipliers: The shock (which goes up to 90% by the end of the campaign), 30% gained as cold from Freezing Mark, another 30% gained as cold from Ice Bite II, and a 425% more multiplier from Glacial Cascade consuming freeze.


Video Guide

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