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PoE 2 Build

[0.3] Hollow Palm Technique Acolyte of Chayula League Starter Guide w/Acts Walkthrough (Invoker and Chayula Viable)

0.3 TTE

Monk

Acolyte of Chayula

Starter

End Game

Verified

By MisoxShiru

Updated on Nov 20, 2025

Nov 20, 2025

Build Overview

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Overview

This build is centered around getting Hollow Palm Technique up and running as soon as possible (Level 13). While there are many ways to play this playstyle, this build will focus on using Shattering Palm and Ice Strike for clear and Tempest Bell for single target.

As the title says, this build is viable for both Invoker and Acolyte of Chayula. I went Acolyte of Chayula, but it is definitely very gear dependent and is not quite as ideal for starting a league as Invoker. My recommendation is to start as Invoker and swap to Acolyte of Chayula once you are able to get the Original Sin version of the build up and running.

Why Acolyte of Chayula?

BUT the reason why I chose Acolyte of Chayula is because it has the node Sap of Nightmares. This allows you to leech based off of Chaos Damage. When combined with Essentia Sanguis and Original Sin, you are able to leech Energy Shield, which most other ascendancies don't get. Given that this build is a SUPER close range build, you will get hit a lot, which will prevent your energy shield from recovering. That is why, the synergy with the Acolyte of Chayula is massive for this build.

What if I want to play Invoker?

The guide still works with Invoker - just don't use the Original Sin version of the guide as that is Acolyte of Chayula Only.

When should I swap to Original Sin?

It is HIGHLY advised that you swap to Original Sin at the earliest, after your 4th Ascendancy.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Doesn't need to keep it's weapon up-to-date throughout the campaign, so it is a very smooth leveling experience.
Very fast attack speed and high base critical chance if built well.
Looks very stylish
Essentia Sanguis allows the Acolyte of Chayula to leech Energy Shield
Non-Spell Chaos Builds are Unique

Untested new build, so it is unknown how well it will scale into the end game
Heavily reliant on Original Sin to take advantage of Chaos Damage Leech for sustain

Build Variants

Act 1 Pre-Hollow Palm

Act 1 Post-Hollow Palm

Act 2

Act 3 & 4

Early End Game

Mid-End Game

End Game - Pre-Original Sin

End Game - Post Original Sin

Equipment

Act 1 Pre-Hollow Palm

Act 1 Post-Hollow Palm

Act 2

Act 3 & 4

Early End Game

Mid-End Game

End Game - Pre-Original Sin

End Game - Post Original Sin

Set 1

Set 2

VERY IMPORTANT!

If this is a league start character, make sure to sell items from The Bloated Miller in order to make enough gold to buy a Hardwood Spear from Renly the moment you get to the first town to make sure you can use your Twister Whirling Slash combo!

Equipment

Do not feel obligated to stick to the exact items I have listed. This is just a guideline for the items and stats you should be getting. Just remember to pick up items and prioritize Maximum Life on armor pieces and Physical Damage on Weapons, Rings, and Gloves.

Also try to get as much % Cold Resistance as possible in order to have a smooth fight against Count Geonor even if that means dropping an Iron Ring to get a Sapphire Ring.

Also if you have Lesser Glacial Rune or Lesser Storm Rune, you can use those to supplement for missing resists.

Skill Gems

Act 1 Pre-Hollow Palm

Act 1 Post-Hollow Palm

Act 2

Act 3 & 4

Early End Game

Mid-End Game

End Game - Pre-Original Sin

End Game - Post Original Sin

Support Gem Requirements:

Str 10

Dex 15

Int 5

Expand all

Whirling Slash

Twister

Frozen Locus

Frost Bomb

Gem Priority

VERY IMPORTANT!

Since Hollow Palm Technique is not something you can get instantly, you need to level with some other skills before then.

If this is a league start character, the make sure to buy a Hardwood Spear from Renly and use the Uncut Skill Gem to get Whirling Slash or create a Huntress and transfer the gear to your Monk. Make sure you have a Hardwood Spear on your Weapon Set 1 and a Wrapped Quarterstaff on your Weapon Set 2 to use Frozen Locus.

Clearfell

In Clearfell (the first map), there should be an Abandoned Stash in the Mysterious Campsite where you get another guaranteed Uncut Skill Gem - use that to get Twister.

Then, head into The Mud Burrow and defeat The Devourer to get another Uncut Skill Gem to get Frozen Locus.

At this point your main combo should be Whirling Assault -> Frozen Locus -> Twister.

Grelwood

In Grelwood, make sure to find Areagne's Hut - kill her to get an Uncut Support Gem. Use this to get Martial Tempo for Whirling Slash.

The Red Vale

After completing The Red Vale, The Rust King will drop another Uncut Skill Gem - use this to upgrade Twister. The levels for Whirling Slash don't matter, so prioritize Twister and then Frozen Locus.

The Grim Tangle

In The Grim Tangle, kill The Rotten Druid to get another Uncut Support Gem. Use this to get Retreat for Twister.

Cemetery of the Eternals

In The Cemetery of The Eternals, find The Sarcophagus (an interactable) for a chance to get an Iron Ring.

In The Tomb of The Consort, you can defeat the Rare monster that spawns from the Haunted Chest (another interactable) to get another Uncut Support Gem. Use this to get Persistence for Twister.