PoE2 Campaign Speedrun Guide for New League: Monk

Hey, exiles! Welcome to your Monk speedrun guide for Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.2, Dawn of the Hunt, launched April 4, 2025. This is built for total newbies—zero prior characters, no trade crutches, no carries—just you, solo, tearing through the campaign to maps. I've rolled fresh Monks to feel that newbie grind, and this guide's packed with every detail to keep you moving fast and free. Inspired by the Ice Strike Invoker meta (check Maxroll's icestrike invoker full build for endgame polish), we're focusing on early league speedrunning—Acts 1-6, no jail time. Let's get you to endgame, pronto!  

The Monk's a boss-blaster—high damage, low hassle—but he's fragile early. Patch 0.2's new ascendancies (Warrior/Mercenary confirmed) might juice him up, but this assumes raw basics. We're channeling Ice Strike's zoomy power to hit maps fast. Need more? Maxroll's guide has your back for late-game tweaks—here's the league-start rush!  

UI Tweaks: Options > “Show Life/Mana Values” > check it (bottom-right numbers pop). Add “Show Life Above Head”—track HP mid-fight without squinting.  

Mindset: Every level refreshes the blacksmith. Check it—higher damage wins. Don't hoard; swap and move.

You're a glass cannon—let's make it quick and cold.  

Weapon Priority: Hit the blacksmith—grab the highest DPS weapon (tooltip number). “Added cold damage” is gold; if not, slam a Crafter's Orb (cheap, drops aplenty) for a cold rune socket. Damage trumps all—swap every upgrade.  

Gear: Equip higher stats—evasion, energy shield (ES), armor, life. Need 10 Strength? Re-spec a talent point, equip, re-spec back (no cost—free at Black Wraith later). 20+ gap? Pass. Boots: 10%+ movespeed. Gloves: added damage if lucky. Resists? Later.  

Frozen Locus (first gem): Your god-tier opener—dash and smash with cold damage. Max range for peak DPS—kite bosses, don't brawl. Socket Concentrated Effect (drops later) for tighter, beefier hits. Lost on supports? Uncheck “Show Recommended Gems” (bottom left)—all options show.  

Quarterstaff Strike (default): Pre-14, add Cold Infusion and Martial Rhythm (drops/NPC)—cold basics 'til Ice Strike.  

Bell (level 3 gem, ~11): Boss/elite buster—keep stay close, repeat when it fades. No supports yet—raw AoE rocks.

Spirit Gem: Around 11, clear Freson (hunting grounds)—beat the boss for a spirit gem + 30 spirit. Pick Frost Knot (right-click to activate), socket Overpowering Effect and Cold Infusion. It's passive—amps cold chaos.  

Map Bonuses: “+” icons = attribute/skill rewards (bosses/chests). Clear 'em—newbie XP's worth it. Miss one? Backtrack anytime.  

Talents: ~19 points (4 free). Grab 3 skill for life-regen nodes (bottom-left)—survival clutch. Re-spec at Black Wraith (main quest, ~10).

Playstyle: Frozen locus kites—zap ranged mobs first or bleed out fast. Bosses? Steady Strike or Bell spam if brave. Deaths? Normal—stay mobile.

Level 14's your glow-up—mobility and freeze take over.  

Ice Strike (~14, post-Freson): New main attack—replaces quarterstaff Strike. Socket Martial Rhythm and Cold Infusion (swap from Strike). Freezes, shatters with Frost Knot—plus, it pulls you to mobs for hop-skip travel.  

Lightning Knot (second spirit gem, ~Act 2): Activate, socket Lightning Infusion—swap Cold Infusion to Frost Knot. Chains freeze/shock synergy.  

Frost Wave/Frost Mark (drops): Temp clears/freezes—don't upgrade, just transition.

Gear: Phys damage weapons (Ice Strike converts 80% to cold)—pure lightning flops (no conversion). Added elements? Fine if phys is solid. Chest: +30 spirit (unlocks Lightning Knot). Boots: 10%+ movespeed—shop every level.  

Talents: 2 shock effect nodes (near Lightning Knot)—wait 'til you have it. Spirit's short 'til +30 gear—hold off.  

Trading (25+): Markets unlock—save hours! 

Weapon: “Conquest Staff” > level filter (e.g., 25) > max 1 Crafter's/Transmutation Orb. Sort phys DPS, whisper, teleport, trade (Shift+split orbs), “thank you.” No reply? Next—cheap gear's everywhere.  

Gear: Chest: “spirit,” min 30. Boots: “movement speed,” min 10%. Armor: max armor 0, min evasion/ES.

Trial of Chaos (~20): Rebel's Path, top-right—beat Barbara, enter Trial. Honor = HP—kite with Ice Strike, win 2 ascendancy points (save 'em). Tough? Return later—once clears it.  

Playstyle: Ice Strike clears, Bells for bosses—Wave pre-empts ranged mobs.

Dual-element domination—ice and lightning shred.  

Charge Staff (drops, ~30): Crit orb needed—80% phys to lightning. Socket Lightning Infusion.  

Battle Fury (~36, 90 spirit): Freeze = fury orb—socket Overpowering Effect. Needs +30 chest + Azakni Swamp Witch (3-4 spirit).

Talents: Resonance (top tree)—fury orbs become crit orbs, Charge Staff stays live. Add shock nodes post-Lightning Knot. Order: 1-2-3 (Maxroll's tree for visuals).  

Gear: Phys max, lightning prefixes—mana regen if possible. Chest: +30 spirit 'til Fury. Jewel (1 Exalted): “fury,” +element/attack damage—near Resonance.  

Chaos Temple (36): Dragonbreath—post-Charge Staff. Gear weak? Struggle—2 ascendancy points, point shock.  

Playstyle: Ice Strike freezes, Fury procs, Staff chains—Knots explode. Bells for bosses—spam 'em.

Cruel's fast—gear up or stall.  

Skills: Ice Strike + Charge Staff + 4 Bells (upgrade drops) + Frost/Lightning Knots. Later: Cold Flame/Swift Dance/Ghost Dance (spirit gems)—survival if spirit's high.  

Talents: Swap regen for ES/evasion—re-spec ascendancy (free, 15 points = 1 spirit). Point: ES > life recovery, double evasion, evasion-to-ES—triple tank.  

Gear: Weapon: phys/lightning—trade if slow. Armor: pure ES (450+), evasion chest (drop spirit post-wash). Boots/gloves: ES focus—trade's cheap (1 Crafter's).  

Playstyle: Shields eat hits, Bells nuke—bosses can't dent you. Maps at 65—full steam!

Ascendancies: Monk might snag one (unconfirmed)—Trial early if so.  

Balance: Life/ES buffs could ease Act 1 (March 27 livestream). Ice Strike's meta-safe—Spark's the nerf bait.

Ice Strike to ice/lightning fury—you're a map-ready Monk by 65, no fuss. Patch 0.2's league start is yours—cheap, fast, and fierce. Check Maxroll for the full build post-campaign—you've got this, exile!