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PoE 2 Build

[0.3] HOLLOW PALM Unarmed Monk - League Starter to Endgame - Build for Invoker / Chayula

0.3 TTE

Starter

Speed Leveling

End Game

Monk

Invoker

By Perra

Updated on Sep 2, 2025

Sep 2, 2025

Build Overview

This is guide for my League Starter Build - Unarmed Hollow Palm Monk for 0.3

I'm also going to Provide setups for both Invoker and Acolyte of Chayula in this guide.

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VIDEO UPDATE (MAPS) - https://youtu.be/DASFCfn_JkM

UPDATE #2 (CI + T15+) - https://youtu.be/oUJ-muaaf28

IT IS WORK IN PROGRESS Check it often for updates while the guide being changed LIVE.

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This guide will help you to pick the gear and gems and will help you out while progressing.

More info on why MONK (Invoker OR Chayula) + some important tips check the video -------------->

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It is still easier to play first 22 Levels with a Bow, since Lightning Rod got buffed in 0.3

Later on when we reach Hollow Palm Notable we can swap to Unarmed to use Storm Wave with Upheaval for great clear + Tempest Flurry and Tempest Bell against bosses and rares.

We still don't know EXACT Unarmed scaling so for this guide I will hope it is good and will try to rush Unarmed node for around lvl 23+.

If it will NOT work out that Early because of the poor scaling - you can use any Quarterstaff instead until end of the campaign.

If you have questions - hit me on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/ronarray), I will help!

Strengths and Weaknesses

Fast due to Hollow palm Mechanic'
Dont need to Search for a Weapon
Unarmed Monk is Cool
Hollow Palm Scales GOOD

Slower start

Build Variants

Bow Start 1-23

23+ Hollow Palm Swap

60+ Hollow Palm

75+ Crit Swap

85+ CI / Full ES Swap

In 0.3 the early leveling for Monk is still better with a bow.

To get the bow + a skill gem early you can create a ranger and drop Bow + Gem from her into your stash to use at your Monk Character.

Equipment

Bow Start 1-23

23+ Hollow Palm Swap

60+ Hollow Palm

75+ Crit Swap

85+ CI / Full ES Swap

Set 1

Set 2

Equipment Priority

At the Early Lvls just focus on improving your bow and use any pieces of gear you can find, perfectly preparing higher Evasion gear for lvl 22+ Swap.

Iron Ring with rolled damage can help you with DPS so try to get them at lower lvls.

Skill Gems

Bow Start 1-23

23+ Hollow Palm Swap

60+ Hollow Palm

75+ Crit Swap

85+ CI / Full ES Swap

Support Gem Requirements:

Str 0

Dex 45

Int 5

Expand all

Stormcaller Arrow

Lightning Rod

Lightning Arrow

Herald of Thunder

Frost Bomb

IMPORTANT - We can Now use same Support Gems in all the skills.

SCATTERSHOT NOW CALLED MULTISHOT

MARTIAL TEMPO IS RAPID ATTACK NOW

We are going to start with a bow for smoother experience - to get bow + both Lightning Rod and Lightning Arrow at lvl 1 - just create a Ranger character and drop both gems + Bow and Quiver to the stash.

Spending Orbs to add sockets to the Lightning Rod and Stormcaller Arrow is NOT recommended.

Act 1:

Use Lightning Rod for boss damage and trigger it with Chain + Lightning Arrow because there will be no trigger delay.

With next gem, just get Stormcaller Arrow and use it to clear packs while you are running.

Early Game Supports:

Scattershot should be your first pick for Lightning Rod (you can also swap it into Stormcaller Arrow when you are not fighting bosses) + Chain for Lightning Arrow to trigger Rods more often..

After that get Martial Tempo for Stormcaller Arrow or Lightning Infusion if you need more damage to clear packs.

Clear:

To clear the packs while running through we will use Stormcaller Arrow. That skill sticks an arrow to the enemy or piece of terrain and that arrow is hit with lightning after a little duration.

It has a good AoE, nice damage and a very decent chance to shock which will activate Innervate from Herald of Thunder

Single target for Bosses and Rares:

Lightning Rod is our main single target damaging skill.

Since there is a delay to trigger Rods for other skills we should use Lightning Arrow with Chain + Martial Tempo for that .

Mechanic Itself is very simple, just use a Lightning Rod a few times and after that spam Lightning Arrow until boss is down or Lightning Rod disappeared. Rinse and Repeat!

Passive Tree

Bow Start 1-23

23+ Hollow Palm Swap

60+ Hollow Palm

75+ Crit Swap

85+ CI / Full ES Swap

main:

123

set 1:

set 2:

The starting position for monk lacks damage nodes, so we will need to take Concussive Attack (it is not on the tree) and go to the Blinding Strike to compensate for it.