Monk skills

Old style Monk skill tree, circa Blizzcon 2009. Art by Muldric.

This page lists all Monk skills, as of August 2011. Follow the links to the individual skill pages for full discussion of every skill, including first hand reports and screenshots.

Useful skill links:

• Skills - General skill design and mechanics.
  • Active skills - Skills where effects are activated by the player.
  • Passive skills - Skills where effects are activated automatically, by the computer or by special events.
  • Signature skills - Skills that define characters.
  • Monk Combo Skills - The class specialty; mix and match three hits in a row for big bonuses.
  • Monk Auras - Skills that provide buffs to party members and/or debuffs to enemies.
• Spirit - The Monk's energy resource.
• Runestones - The way to massive skill customization/modification.
• Monk skill archive - Monk skills removed or modified during development.
• Monk traits - Passive skills in Diablo III were called traits for a while before reverting back.

Active Skills

Click to the individual skill pages for more details about these skills including numbers, screenshots, runestone information, blue quotes, and much more.

Blinding Flash

Blinding Flash is available at level 1.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 50 Spirit
• Create a flash of light that blinds all enemies within 20 yards for 5 seconds. Blinded enemies have a 30% chance to miss with attacks and will not attack unless they are attacked first.

Fists of Thunder

Fists of Thunder is available at level 1.
One of two low-level combo skills available to the Monk, this punching attack lands three not-very quick hits, dealing increasing amounts of lightning damage with each attack.
Spirit Generator skill.

• Generate 6 Spirit per attack
• Deal a series of extremely fast punches that deal 100% weapon damage as Lightning damage. Each strike has a 15% chance to interrupt enemy attacks.

Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven is available at level 2.
A spell that heals the Monk and his party.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 75 Spirit
• A blast of holy energy heals you and all allies within 12 yards for X - X Life.

Lashing Tail Kick

Lashing Tail Kick is available at level 3.
A roundhouse kick that knocks back enemies.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 25 Spirit
• Unleash a deadly roundhouse kick, knocking enemies back and dealing 130% weapon damage.

Mantra of Evasion

Mantra of Evasion is available at level 4.
Mantra skill

• Cooldown: 30 seconds
• Recite a Mantra that grants you and all allies within 40 yards a 30% chance to dodge attacks. Lasts 120 seconds.
• This is a Mantra. You can only have one Mantra active at a time.

Deadly Reach

Deadly Reach is available at level 5.
Spirit Generator skill

• Generate: 6 Spirit per attack
  
• Project lines of pure force over a short distance for 125% weapon damage.

Dashing Strike

Dashing Strike is available at level 6.
A fast moving, charge-like attack, more useful for the movement than the damage dealt.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 10 Spirit
• Dash quickly at the targeted enemy or location dealing 50% weapon damage.

Lethal Decoy

Lethal Decoy is available at level 7.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 75 Spirit
• Create an illusion of pure holy energy that attracts enemies to itself and explodes after 5 seconds for X - X Holy damage.

Crippling Wave

Crippling Wave is available at level 8.
A debuff combo, this one slows enemies, while dealing fairly minor damage. Best mixed in for the first or second hit with another more impactful combo.
Spirit Generator skill

• Generate: 6 Spirit per attack
• A series of large sweeping attacks that causes 100% weapon damage to all enemies in front of you. Crippling Wave attacks daze enemies, slowing movement by 50% for 1.5 seconds.

Mantra of Retribution

Mantra of Retribution is available at level 9.
This skill was previously called Retribution Aura.
Mantra skill

• Cooldown: 30 seconds
• Recite a Mantra that causes you and all allies within 40 yards to reflect melee damage back at enemies, dealing Holy damage equal to 30% of the damage sustained. Lasts 120 seconds.
• This is a Mantra. You can only have one Mantra active at a time.

Inner Sanctuary

Inner Sanctuary is available at level 11.
A defensive skill that creates a small protected circle around the Monk into which no monster can enter. Spells and ranged attacks will still strike the Monk though.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 80 Spirit
• Create a circle of protection on the ground for 8 seconds that cannot be passed by enemies.

Exploding Palm

Exploding Palm is available at level 12.
This skill became an instant legend when the Monk debuted at Blizzcon 2009. It's a combo skill that deals two light damage hits, before the third booby traps the target with a beating heart visible above their head. If a monster dies with the heart still there, they explode in a supernova of blood, dealing substantial AoE damage to all nearby enemies.
Spirit Generator skill

• Generate: 6 Spirit per attack
• The first two strikes in the attack deal 100% weapon damage. The third strike causes the target to bleed for 65% of weapon damage per second for 3 seconds. If the target dies while bleeding, it explodes, dealing 40% of the target's maximum Life as physical damage to all other enemies nearby.

Mantra of Healing

Mantra of Healing is available at level 14.
Mantra skill

• Cooldown: 30 seconds
• Recite a Mantra that causes you and all allies within 40 yards to gain increased Life regeneration by X Life per second. Lasts 120 seconds.
• This is a Mantra. You can only have one Mantra active at a time.

Tempest Rush

Tempest Rush is available at level 16.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 3 Spirit plus an additional 12 Spirit per second.
• Run directly through your enemies knocking them back and hobbling them, slowing their movement by 40% for 3 seconds. Also deals 75% of weapon damage per second while running.

Sweeping Wind

Sweeping Wind is available at level 17.
Spirit Generator skill

• Generate: 6 Spirit per attack
• Strike a target for 100% weapon damage. Every third hit creates a vortex of air that surrounds you. The vortex of air lasts 5 seconds and deals 20% weapon damage per second to all enemies within 10 yards. This vortex effect can stack up to 3 times for a total of 60% weapon damage per second to nearby enemies.

Serenity

Serenity is available at level 18.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 35 Spirit
• You are enveloped in a protective shield that intercepts all incoming damage for 3.0 seconds and grants immunity to all control impairing effects.

Way of the Hundred Fists

Way of the Hundred Fists is available at level 21.
One of the most popular combo skills, this attack lands a crushing series of body shots on the enemy. It was shown in modified form in the Monk cinematic; used to pulverize the ribs of a Morlu Caster.
Spirit Generator skill

• Generate: 6 Spirit per attack
• A rapid series of punches strikes enemies for 135% weapon damage.

Mantra of Conviction

Mantra of Conviction is available at level 22.
Mantra skill

• Cooldown: 30 seconds
• Recite a Mantra that causes all enemies within 20 yards of you to take 25% additional damage. Lasts 120 seconds.
• This is a Mantra. You can only have one Mantra active at a time.

Seven Sided Strike

Seven Sided Strike is available at level 24.
A very powerful attack, when used in Blizzcon 2009 this skill allowed the Monk to teleport to an enemy, to strike it or other nearby enemies five times, and all without ever being hit in return. It was expected to be nerfed, and has not been seen in action since.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 50 Spirit
• Cooldown: 60 seconds
• Dash rapidly between many nearby enemies 7 times striking for 130% weapon damage with every hit.

Mystic Ally

Mystic Ally is available at level 27.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 50 Spirit
• Summon an elemental ally capable of engaging enemies in combat until it is destroyed. The ally deals X - X physical damage per swing.

Wave of Light

Wave of Light is available at level 29.
Spirit Spender skill

• Cost: 50 Spirit
• Cooldown: 30 seconds
• Focuses the power of Light to smite all enemies in front of you for X - X Holy damage followed by an additional X - X Holy damage to all enemies in a line.

Passive Skills

Passive skills replaced Traits during late game development in 2011. Many Traits were simply changed to passive skills, but some are all new. See the Monk traits page for a full list of those passives.

Resolve is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 10, which reduces damage inflicted by monsters for a short period of time.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Resolve</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system.

Beta

Resolve was not seen until it showed up in the Diablo III beta as a level 10 passive. Passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, but Resolve stayed where it was.

References

• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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The Guardian's Pass

Fleet Footed is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 10, which gives the Monk extra speed.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Fleet Footed</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system.

Beta

Fleet Footed was not seen until it showed up in the Diablo III beta as a level 12 passive. When passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, Fleet Footed was moved to level 10.

References

• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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Transcendence is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 16, which gives Life when Spirit points are spent.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Transcendence</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system.

Beta

Transcendence was not seen until it showed up in the Diablo III beta as a level 13 passive. When passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, Transcendence was moved up to level 16 and nerfed a bit, healing 62.0 Life instead of 118.6 Life.

References

• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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Chant of Resonance is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 20, which improves the duration of all Mantras and grants them Spirit regeneration.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Chant of Resonance</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system.

Beta

Chant of Resonance was not seen until it showed up in the Diablo III beta as a level 15 passive. When passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, Chant of Resonance was moved up to level 20.

References

• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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Seize the Initiative is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 20, which grants more Defense based on the Monk's Attack.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Seize the Initiative</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system.

Beta

Seize the Initiative was not seen until it showed up in the Diablo III beta as a level 17 passive. When passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, Seize the Initiative was moved up to level 20.

References

• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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Exalted Soul is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 24, which increases maximum Spirit.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Exalted Soul</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system. Exalted Soul was first revealed in the July 2011 Press Event as a level 10 passive.

Beta

When the beta started in September 2011, Exalted Soul was moved to level 19, and later moved to level 18. When passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, Exalted Soul was moved up to level 24.

References

• Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report — IncGamers 1st Aug 2011
• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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Sixth Sense is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 27, which increases the chances of dodging an attack.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Sixth Sense</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system.

Beta

Sixth Sense was not seen until it showed up in the Diablo III beta as a level 20 passive. It was later moved to level 19, and when passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, Sixth Sense was moved up to level 27.

References

• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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Pacifism is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 30, which reduces damage when stunned, feared or charmed.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Pacifism</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system.

Beta

Pacifism was not seen until it showed up in the Diablo III beta as a level 23 passive. It was later dropped to level 20, and when passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, Pacifism was moved up to level 30.

References

• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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Near Death Experience is a Monk passive skill unlocked at Level 58, which enables the Monk to cheat death.

Description

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Monk">Near Death Experience</skill>

Synergies

No synergies with any active skills or other Monk passives are known.

Development

Passive skills have had a long and storied history. When Diablo III debuted at the WWI 2008, skill trees included passive skills, much like in Diablo II. In 2010, it was announced that passive skills had been renamed traits and separated out from active skills. At the July 2011 Press Event, Blizzard announced that passive skills were once again in the game, replacing the traits system. Near Death Experience was first revealed in the July 2011 Press Event as a level 25 passive.

Beta

The beta started in September 2011, but Near Death Experience stayed the same, although it was later dropped to level 22. When passives were reorganized for Beta Patch 14, Near Death Experience was moved up to level 58.

References

• Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report — IncGamers 1st Aug 2011
• HardRock's Monk Passive Skills — IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
• Monk Passive Skills — Blizzard's Official Diablo III Site

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Development

Removed Skills

The following skills were removed or renamed prior to the July 2011 Press Event:

• Hands of Lightning - Renamed to Fists of Thunder
• Long Reach
• Circle of Wrath
• Holy Aura
• Dominate Aura
• Retribution Aura
• Resist Aura

Impenetrable Defense, Radiant Visage, and Force Without Thought were removed from the Monk's skill listing between Blizzcon 2009 and Blizzcon 2010.

• See the Monk skill archive for a full listing of skill changes over time.

References

• Full Monk Skill Tree Stats and Discussion
• Monk gameplay report
• BlizzCon 2010 Monk Hands-on report
• Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report -- IncGamers 1st Aug 2011

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