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Monk
Pillars of Eternity

Monk

Learn how to play the Monk class in Pillars of Eternity, including their Wound mechanic, key attributes, and abilities like Transcendent Suffering.

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Learn how to play the Monk class in Pillars of Eternity, including their Wound mechanic, key attributes, and abilities like Transcendent Suffering.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Monks accumulate 1 Wound for every 10 points of damage taken.
  2. 2
    Wounds can be spent immediately or saved, with a maximum of 10 Wounds.
  3. 3
    Unspent Wounds expire after 20 seconds (duration reduced by Intellect), and all Wounds are lost at the end of combat.
  4. 4
    Two Monk-specific talents, Lesser Wounds and Mortification of the Soul, affect Wound acquisition and self-infliction.
  5. 5
    When playing a Monk, avoid a strategy of intentionally taking excessive damage, as this can lead to being knocked out. Instead, view Wounds as a resource to be used when needed.
  6. 6
    Consider taking the Swift Strikes ability, especially with the Lightning Strikes talent for increased damage. Be mindful that the 10-second buff from Swift Strikes might expire before Wounds can be spent.
  7. 7
    The Turning Wheel and Iron Wheel abilities allow you to benefit from unspent Wounds. Select burst abilities like Force of Anguish, which can remove an enemy from the fight.
  8. 8
    The Long Pain ability provides a ranged option. Allies can assist in injuring you with Area of Effect (AoE) attacks to generate Wounds for this ability.
  9. 9
    The Dichotomous Soul ability can be used more safely if allies injure you with AoE attacks, as it requires meditation.
  10. 10
    The key attribute for a Monk is Might. A decent Constitution score is important to mitigate damage taken.
  11. 11
    Good Dexterity, combined with Swift Strikes and Two Weapon Style, enables rapid attacks. High Perception is beneficial for abilities like Enervating Blows.
Tips
  • Monks have high Endurance (42 + 14 per level) and Health (6 x Endurance).
  • Their Accuracy is very high (30 + 3 per level), and Deflection is high (25 + 3 per level).
  • Monks receive skill bonuses of +1 to Athletics, +1 Lore, and +1 Stealth.
  • The Transcendent Suffering ability, gained at level 1, increases Unarmed damage and accuracy based on level and scales with Might.
  • Swift Strikes grants +25% attack speed for 10s, costing 1 Wound.
  • Torment's Reach adds +50% Crush damage to full attacks and damages enemies in a cone behind the target, imposing a -2 penalty to Might.
  • Force of Anguish (requires Level 3) can knock targets back and potentially Prone them.
  • Long Stride (requires Level 3) grants +2 move speed.
  • Turning Wheel grants 5% Burn damage per Wound.
  • Clarity of Agony (2 / rest, requires Level 5) reduces the duration of hostile effects by 50%.
  • Soul Mirror reflects 50% of missed ranged attacks back at the attacker.
  • Stunning Blow (2 / encounter, requires Level 5) may Stun the target for 3s.
  • Crucible of Suffering (requires Level 7) grants +10 Fortitude, Reflex, and Will for 20s when a hostile effect expires.
  • Duality of Mortal Presence (requires Level 7) allows a choice between a +8 bonus to Deflection or a +8 bonus to Fortitude, Reflex, and Will.
  • The Long Pain ability (requires Level 7) summons fists with a range of 12m, with damage and accuracy scaling with level.
  • Rooting Pain (requires Level 7) generates a shockwave dealing Crush damage when a Wound is gained.
  • Enervating Blows (requires Level 9) grants a bonus when the Monk scores a critical hit.

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