The core of this build revolves around the Hollow Palm Technique, which disables weapon use but massively boosts unarmed damage based on your dexterity. As an Invoker, you'll channel elemental invocations to amplify your strikes, turning you into a whirlwind of damage while stacking defenses like evasion, energy shield, and life regeneration. Speed comes from high movement bonuses and attack speed, making you nearly untouchable.
Pros:
Cons:
Focus on the Monk's ascendancy path that enhances invocations and unarmed combat. Prioritize nodes for dexterity, attack speed, and spell suppression. A sample passive tree emphasizes the right side for agility and the center for life nodes.
Here's a breakdown of key clusters:
| Cluster Name | Key Nodes | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Dexterity Mastery | +50 Dexterity, Increased Attack Speed | Boosts base damage from Hollow Palm |
| Evasion and Energy Shield | Spell Suppression Chance, Energy Shield Leech | Enhances survivability |
| Invocation Synergies | Increased Invocation Effect, Elemental Penetration | Amplifies damage output |
| Life and Regeneration | +Maximum Life, Life Regen per Second | Sustains through tough fights |
Aim for around 1000+ dexterity by level 90 for massive damage scaling.
Gear focuses on dexterity rolls, resistances, and uniques that synergize with Hollow Palm. Budget options for starters, with upgrades for endgame.
| Slot | Recommended Item | Key Stats | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helmet | Rare with Dex and Resistances | +Dex, Chaos Resist, Spell Suppression | The Formless Flame (for fire res) |
| Body Armor | Oskarm's Nudge | Dexterity, Evasion | Rare evasion base with life |
| Gloves | Hollow Palm Technique (Keystone) | N/A (passive) | N/A |
| Boots | Rare Boots | Movement Speed, Dex, Resistances | Atziri's Step for spell dodge |
| Amulet | Rare with Dex | +All Attributes, Crit Multi | Astramentis for massive attributes |
| Rings | Two Rare Rings | Dex, Resistances, Damage Mods | Mark of the Elder for elder influence |
| Belt | Rare Stygian Vise | Life, Resistances, Flask Effect | Headhunter (endgame luxury) |
Don't forget flasks for utility – quicksilver for speed, basalt for physical mitigation.
Your main skill is likely Lightning Strike or a similar invocation-linked attack, supported by gems that boost speed and damage.
Main 6-Link (Body Armor):
Aura Setup:
Use a table for quick reference:
| Gem Slot | Gems |
|---|---|
| Main Attack | Lightning Strike - Multistrike - Faster Attacks - Ele Damage - Crit Strikes - Penetration |
| Auras | Grace - Determination - Herald of Thunder |
| Utility | Flame Dash - Steelskin - Blood Rage |
Start with basic unarmed skills and transition to Hollow Palm around level 28. Leveling is smooth: focus on dexterity gear early. In maps, zip through packs with high speed, using invocations for burst on elites. For bosses, kite and sustain with regen.
Tips:
This build shines in Patch 0.3's updated mechanics, making it one of the strongest Monk options available.