Build example | Monk Diablo III Guide
Last update: 01 February 2017
I've spent about 80 hours so far playing as a monk. I've started playing this character class during the days of beta of Diablo III and my initial goal was to turn him into a "quick barbarian". Investing only in Dexterity which allows to increase 'damage per second' value is however a good idea only until Act IV of the Normal difficulty setting. After I you've begun playing the campaign on the Expert difficulty setting I had to rethink my first strategy. Ultimately I've started searching for a more balanced character, increasing the strength of the attacks based on the amount of the force of spirit and also not forgetting about the equally important defensive and regenerating skills.
Below is an example of a build I've used to advance to 60th level of experience, along with a list of the most important skills and runes. This build isn't the only way of developing a successful monk - there are millions of possible combinations for each character class in Diablo III and dwelling on them and explaining them would require a person with more knowledge and better memory than Deckard Cain himself. Feel free to add your favorite builds in the comments to this section of the guide.
What is my Monk build based on? Mostly on high health regeneration and on high stamina. I don't focus on trying to kill every character I meet with only one hit, but to assure that my Monk will survive in the worst possible conditions, using his speed and his defensive and offensive skills to my advantage. . When it comes to collecting items, I always tried to keep the ones that enhance Vitality and dexterity to the maximum level, while granting bonuses to Health Orbs, health regeneration or health steal with each hit. I've been using mostly wrist weapons while playing the game. It's crucial to choose weapons which offer very fast attacks and it's also more than welcome if they provide bonuses to Monk's life bar with each attack he performs. It's also recommended to use weapons which can be upgraded even further thanks to amethysts and rubies.
Check the list of active and passive skills seen below to learn which skills I recommend using. It's worth adding that this build acknowledges the changes made in the game's balance that were introduced on May 22, 2012. Aside from the name of each skill I also say which rune should be used and on which experience level it becomes unlocked.
Active skills
 | Fists of Thunder + Quickening (42) This is the Monk's starting skill and it's also among the best three attacks this character class has to offer. The attack itself deals lightning damage and if you add the suggested rune you'll also ensure that your spirit energy will generate very quickly. This is a very important skill if you want to use Wave of Light and Mantra of Healing more often, because they require a lot of spirit energy. |
 | Lashing Tail Kick + Vulture Claw Kick (7) This skill is very useful throughout the entire game. It inflicts serious damage and it also knocks back enemy units. Combining it with the Vulture Claw Kick rune will allow you to perform even more deadly fire blows. Once you've advanced in the game you might want to suggest start using the Hand of Ytar rune (52), because it's very effective against fast enemies with unpleasant attacks, like for example with bees from Act II. |
 | Serenity + Peaceful Repose (23) This skill allows to surround the Monk with an invisible shield that lasts three seconds. It's extremely useful while fighting very strong enemies and groups of champions. It's good to use this skill in combination with Mantra of Healing or Breath of Heaven. As for the runes, this skill is a good match basically with any of the runes you can choose from, however I've chosen Peaceful Repose, because it works as an additional source of health regeneration. After advancing to higher experience levels you may want to take interest in Instant Karma rune (54) instead and each time you want to you use it you should leave the battlefield to gain a few extra seconds for regeneration. As for the early parts of the game, you may also try using a different combination: Blinding Flash + Self Reflection (12). |
 | Sweeping Wind + Blade Storm (33) I have to admit I underestimated this skill for a very long time and when I've finally discovered its usefulness it became one of the key elements of my build. The skill is especially useful when you're surrounded by a large group of monsters, however you may also use it on other occasions, assuming you have enough spirit power. Being able to damage all opponents standing around the Monk is more than enough to recommend this skill over Crippling Wave. If you like to play dynamically you won't need the first rune, because the skill will be charged almost every time. At first I was using the Fire Storm rune (38), but ultimately I've changed my mind and decided on the Blade Storm rune. The reason for that is simple - being able to affect a larger area isn't as important as being able to inflict more damage. |
 | Wave of Light + Explosive Light (25) I've started using this skill as soon as I've unlocked the rune mentioned above. The skill is very helpful when you want to escape from the battlefield after being surrounded or simply if you want to inflict serious damage to enemy units. I don't like other runes than the recommended one, because they strike in a straight line and therefore can make hitting faster targets difficult. You may on the other hand consider using a different combination from time to time, like for example Seven-Sided Strike + Sudden Assault (23) or Fulminating Onslaught (60). They could come in handy while fighting small groups of stronger opponents (when there's more of them the damage is being divided into many monsters, making the skill much less effective). At the beginning of the game you may also consider combining Wave of Light with Cyclone Strike - you can pull the monsters towards you and then push them back (and most likely kill them) with Explosive Light (or with Lashing Tail Kick + Vulture Claw Kick). |
 | Mantra of Healing + Sustenance (31) The application is simple - with the drop of the health points by half, you need to activate mantra to regenerate your health in combat. Repeat every 4 seconds. It is also useful in team, because its effects embrace allies also - my companions thanked me many times, for using it, whenever we were surrounded by a swarm of enemies. At the beginning stages of the game, the Mantra of Healing can well be supplanted with Breath of Heaven + Circle of Scorn(14) or the Circle of Life (21). |
Passive skills
 | Transcendence (16) This is the most important one of all Monk's passive skills. It saved my life more than once after my health dropped to a dangerously low level. You can also count on this skill healing you outside of combat. You just have to activate an active skill which spends spirit power in order to regain a certain number or health points in exchange for energy points. |
 | One With Everything (45) This is a useful skill on the higher difficulty levels, because that's when you'll be receiving more elemental and magic damage from the monsters. This skill allows to invest in items which increase only one type of resistance. Aside from this skill I also like to use Seize the Initiative (20) and Pacifism (30) and it all depends on the types of monster I encounter. |
 | Resolve (10) Decreases damage that you take, which increases the chances of survival in tougher battles. Outside of battles, it is a good idea to use it interchangeably with the Epiphany (20), which allows you to regenrate the pool of Spirit. |
An additional advantage of the build described above is that most skills can be obtained on the same level. To be more exact, you should be able to unlock them somewhere around level 25 and you should be near the end of Act II by then.