For most of POE 2 Currency U4GM’s early life, the Monk class was considered stylish but underwhelming. It had speed, flashy animations, and unique Spirit mechanics—but lacked the raw power and survivability needed for endgame dominance. That all changed with the release of the 0.4 update.

Patch 0.4 didn’t just buff the Monk—it redefined the class. Through a series of mechanical improvements, Spirit scaling reworks, animation speed buffs, and better defensive tools, Monks now sit at the very top of the meta. In many ways, they are the most complete class in Path of Exile 2 right now.

Let’s break down why Monks rule the 0.4 meta, how the update changed the game, and why this class now outperforms nearly every competitor.

The Fall and Rise of the Monk

Before 0.4, Monks struggled in two key areas: survivability and scaling. Their Spirit-based resource system felt restrictive, their damage lagged behind ranged classes, and many of their signature skills were slow and awkward to use.

Patch 0.4 solved those problems in three major ways:

  1. Faster animation frames

  2. Massive Spirit regeneration buffs

  3. Improved scaling on Monk skill gems

These changes turned the Monk from a fragile skirmisher into a fast, high-damage, high-sustain hybrid capable of clearing maps, tanking bosses, and deleting endgame encounters.

Spirit: The Engine of Monk Power

At the heart of the Monk is Spirit, the resource that fuels nearly all Monk abilities. Prior to 0.4, Spirit management felt punishing. You were often forced to pause, wait, or use filler attacks while your Spirit regenerated.

Patch 0.4 completely changed that.

What Changed

  • Spirit regeneration values on gear were increased

  • More Spirit nodes were added to the passive tree

  • Support gems now scale from Spirit more effectively

This means Monks can now spam abilities nonstop without running dry. Builds like Storm Palm and Shadow Serpent are only possible because Spirit is no longer a limiting factor.

Spirit is now the Monk’s greatest strength, not its weakness.

Speed Rework: Faster Than Ever

One of the most noticeable changes in 0.4 is how fast Monks feel. Their attack animations and recovery frames were shortened, making every action smoother.

This benefits Monks in several ways:

  • Higher effective DPS

  • Easier dodging and repositioning

  • Faster clearing and boss mechanics

Compared to Warriors or heavy melee builds, Monks now feel like they are playing a different game—one where speed and precision matter just as much as raw damage.

The Meta Trio: Three Builds That Define the Class

While there are dozens of Monk variations, three builds define the 0.4 meta:

Storm Palm Lightning Monk

  • Clear speed king

  • Lightning chains across entire screens

  • Best currency farmer in the game

Iron Fist Juggernaut Monk

  • Nearly unkillable

  • Face-tanks bosses

  • Ideal for Hardcore

Shadow Serpent Poison Monk

  • Highest single-target damage

  • Scales into late endgame

  • Budget-friendly boss killer

Together, these builds cover every major endgame role: speed farming, boss killing, and survival. No other class currently has this level of versatility.

Why Monks Outperform Other Classes

Against Warriors

Warriors have more raw armor but lack Monk mobility and Spirit sustain. They clear slower and struggle with repositioning.

Against Rangers

Rangers deal high damage but lack defensive layers. They die quickly in high-tier content where Monks can survive.

Against Casters

Casters are powerful but often immobile. Monks maintain DPS while constantly moving.

The Monk combines mobility, sustain, and damage, something no other class can do as effectively.

Beginner-Friendly Yet Endgame Viable

Another reason Monks dominate is accessibility. Shadow Serpent and Storm Palm scale well even with cheap gear, making them ideal league starters. At the same time, Iron Fist can scale into absurd levels of defense with high investment.

Few classes feel this good from early leveling all the way into endgame.

The Future of the Meta

Unless Spirit scaling is heavily nerfed, Monks are likely to remain dominant. Their flexibility, speed, and power make them the most well-rounded class in Path of Exile 2.

Final Thoughts

Patch 0.4 turned the Monk into a top-tier powerhouse. With unmatched mobility, strong scaling, and builds for every playstyle, Monks don’t just participate in the meta—they define it.

If you want to dominate Path of Exile 2 right now, there is no better choice than the Monk.