Mysterious
Member
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- Mar 4, 2015
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Hey there. So as there have been guides created for other characters I thought I would create one for the monk. I have a very long history of playing D3 since vanilla and have focused on playing barbarians and monks.
With the monk I have currently reached GR64 on hardcore solo and in 3 player hardcore I have reached GR67 (monk, monk, barb). Both of these runs were done playing manually (with two other real players for the 3 player). The highest the bot has managed is GR61 solo hardcore. Currently have 4 accounts all between 850-950 paragon.
The Build and Gear
http://www.diablofans.com/builds/60043-uliana-monk-hc
Items
Check diablo fans link for the wanted item attributes
Full Uliana Set
Focus + Restraint
Hellfire Amulet / whatever best matches attributes needed
Gungdo / spirit guard bracers
The fist of az'turrasq
Lionclaw / In-geom
Belt: binding of the lost
Gems: diamond in helm. Your choice for the rest. I would recommend diamonds if your playing hardcore and emeralds if you play normal.
Explanation
• Uliana’s is currently the best set
• I don’t take leoric’s crown because you can still get enough cooldown (CDR)
• Hellfire- the extra passive should be harmony or sixth sense
• Wear or cube both gungdo and spirit guard because its damage and a lot of survivability
• The fist of az'turrasq is unmatched for damage (your damage mostly comes from exploding palm detonation)
• For the offhand it’s a bit more complex. Lionclaw will allow you to pop more exploding palms in one seven sided strike (SSS) but in-geom gives you constant spam of SSS. Personally I use in-geom up to GR45 (T10) and then swap to lionclaw for GR45+. Play around with them and see how you find it. If you get an ancient one then use that as it will be higher base damage.
• Binding of the lost for survivability. It’s also why I take lionclaw as you can get 14 stacks as opposed to 7 stacks so it means more survivability which you need in the higher greater rifts.
Kanai Cube Items
The Flow of Eternity
Gungdo / Spirit Guards
Broken Promises
Explanation
• Weapon is irreplaceable and unbeatable. If you don’t have it then replace it with furnace or use another build until you have it. It’s just that good.
• Bracers- as explained above. Basically damage + survivability
• Broken promises- this allows you to not have any crit chance on your gear. What that means is you can replace it with stats like CDR and survivability. As I play only on hardcore it means I can have more survivability stats but not lose damage. It’s also a great item when gearing up as it means your items don’t have to have crit.
Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped / Gogok of Swiftness
Esoteric Alteration
Molten Wilderbeest's Gizzard
Explanation
• I play hardcore so esoteric alteration and molten are near unbeatable.
• If you play normal then swap one of them for bane of the trapped or gogok.
• It’s up to you whether you take trapped or gogok. If you need more CDR then take gogok but otherwise take trapped.
Passives
Near death experiance
The guardian’s path
Beacon of ytar
Determination
Fifth passive choices (hellfire): sixth sense or harmony
Explanation
• Even in normal near death experience is mandatory as it keeps you alive from spike damage that you as susceptible to (due to dodge chance).
• Guardians path gives 35% dodge.
• CDR
• Best damage increasing passive. Note mythic rhythm increases the damage of SSS and not exploding palm which is why you DON’T take it.
Skills
Look at the diablo fans link. The skills are fairly standard for an uliana’s monk. Not much to say here.
Overall Explanation
• 3 dodge sources (passive, mantra and dash). You want to keep the dash dodge chance up 100% of the time which you can do with the right CDR (I will also show you how to set the bot up to do this correctly). Overall I think it equates to around 72% dodge chance (can’t remember as I'm usually grouped with a barb war cry to give an 82.2% dodge chance).
• Rest of the survivability comes from high resistances and high vitality. Currently have around 1500 all res and 800k life.
• The damage mostly comes from exploding palm. So the build focuses on maximizing this damage (determination, Cold %, exploding palm %,The fist of az'turrasq and way of the hundred fists: assimilation).
• Paragon is not so important to start with (can do GR50 with 200 paragon, maybe even less). However, once you get above GR50 paragon starts to become more important. I would not attempt GR60 without 600 paragon unless you are playing manually. I may make a paragon farming guide for hardcore at some later date if people are interested, let me know if you are.
Demonbuddy Setup
• Use the latest beta here
• Latest forum available trinity V2.13.33 here
• Latest adventurer here
• Armory here
Trinity Settings
These are the settings that I use. They may not be the best but they work.
Monk Combat modifications
These basically all revolve around the correct use of epiphany. This is why I have “use epiphany off CD” disabled because you cant keep it up 100% of the time unless you have 75% CDR or 100% uptime on in-geom buff) which are both very hard to do (I have max 72% CDR with near best in slot for CDR). It casts it at the perfect times rather than the very random times it would be cast before. It basically is why my monk doesn’t die in hardcore so I highly recommend using my modified version!
Epiphany features:
• Will use whenever an elite is near. This is great with in-geom because it means the CD will be reduced and up again by the time it wears off.
• Use below 90% health- experimental feature not 100% sure it works all the time. Basically there to help reduce taking damage when you need it.
• Use epiphany when you get a CDR shrine. Just like how WoTB is activated for barbarians.
• Will prevent casting of epiphany if epiphany is already activated.
If you have any further requests I can try and add them.
View attachment MonkCombat.cs
Item List
This list is what I use for both my barbs and monk. It should have most of the gear needed. NOTE some items have been removed from the list because I only wanted them for cube! Please check the list and make sure it isn't missing anything you need! Copy this into trinity settings- items- item list- click import and paste it there (remove the "")
"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"
I hope this guide helps you to succeed with your monk whether it's hardcore or normal. If you have any questions or feedback please leave a post and I will try and get back to you. Thanks.
With the monk I have currently reached GR64 on hardcore solo and in 3 player hardcore I have reached GR67 (monk, monk, barb). Both of these runs were done playing manually (with two other real players for the 3 player). The highest the bot has managed is GR61 solo hardcore. Currently have 4 accounts all between 850-950 paragon.
The Build and Gear
http://www.diablofans.com/builds/60043-uliana-monk-hc
Items
Check diablo fans link for the wanted item attributes
Full Uliana Set
Focus + Restraint
Hellfire Amulet / whatever best matches attributes needed
Gungdo / spirit guard bracers
The fist of az'turrasq
Lionclaw / In-geom
Belt: binding of the lost
Gems: diamond in helm. Your choice for the rest. I would recommend diamonds if your playing hardcore and emeralds if you play normal.
Explanation
• Uliana’s is currently the best set
• I don’t take leoric’s crown because you can still get enough cooldown (CDR)
• Hellfire- the extra passive should be harmony or sixth sense
• Wear or cube both gungdo and spirit guard because its damage and a lot of survivability
• The fist of az'turrasq is unmatched for damage (your damage mostly comes from exploding palm detonation)
• For the offhand it’s a bit more complex. Lionclaw will allow you to pop more exploding palms in one seven sided strike (SSS) but in-geom gives you constant spam of SSS. Personally I use in-geom up to GR45 (T10) and then swap to lionclaw for GR45+. Play around with them and see how you find it. If you get an ancient one then use that as it will be higher base damage.
• Binding of the lost for survivability. It’s also why I take lionclaw as you can get 14 stacks as opposed to 7 stacks so it means more survivability which you need in the higher greater rifts.
Kanai Cube Items
The Flow of Eternity
Gungdo / Spirit Guards
Broken Promises
Explanation
• Weapon is irreplaceable and unbeatable. If you don’t have it then replace it with furnace or use another build until you have it. It’s just that good.
• Bracers- as explained above. Basically damage + survivability
• Broken promises- this allows you to not have any crit chance on your gear. What that means is you can replace it with stats like CDR and survivability. As I play only on hardcore it means I can have more survivability stats but not lose damage. It’s also a great item when gearing up as it means your items don’t have to have crit.
Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped / Gogok of Swiftness
Esoteric Alteration
Molten Wilderbeest's Gizzard
Explanation
• I play hardcore so esoteric alteration and molten are near unbeatable.
• If you play normal then swap one of them for bane of the trapped or gogok.
• It’s up to you whether you take trapped or gogok. If you need more CDR then take gogok but otherwise take trapped.
Passives
Near death experiance
The guardian’s path
Beacon of ytar
Determination
Fifth passive choices (hellfire): sixth sense or harmony
Explanation
• Even in normal near death experience is mandatory as it keeps you alive from spike damage that you as susceptible to (due to dodge chance).
• Guardians path gives 35% dodge.
• CDR
• Best damage increasing passive. Note mythic rhythm increases the damage of SSS and not exploding palm which is why you DON’T take it.
Skills
Look at the diablo fans link. The skills are fairly standard for an uliana’s monk. Not much to say here.
Overall Explanation
• 3 dodge sources (passive, mantra and dash). You want to keep the dash dodge chance up 100% of the time which you can do with the right CDR (I will also show you how to set the bot up to do this correctly). Overall I think it equates to around 72% dodge chance (can’t remember as I'm usually grouped with a barb war cry to give an 82.2% dodge chance).
• Rest of the survivability comes from high resistances and high vitality. Currently have around 1500 all res and 800k life.
• The damage mostly comes from exploding palm. So the build focuses on maximizing this damage (determination, Cold %, exploding palm %,The fist of az'turrasq and way of the hundred fists: assimilation).
• Paragon is not so important to start with (can do GR50 with 200 paragon, maybe even less). However, once you get above GR50 paragon starts to become more important. I would not attempt GR60 without 600 paragon unless you are playing manually. I may make a paragon farming guide for hardcore at some later date if people are interested, let me know if you are.
Demonbuddy Setup
• Use the latest beta here
• Latest forum available trinity V2.13.33 here
• Latest adventurer here
• Armory here
Trinity Settings
These are the settings that I use. They may not be the best but they work.
Monk Combat modifications
These basically all revolve around the correct use of epiphany. This is why I have “use epiphany off CD” disabled because you cant keep it up 100% of the time unless you have 75% CDR or 100% uptime on in-geom buff) which are both very hard to do (I have max 72% CDR with near best in slot for CDR). It casts it at the perfect times rather than the very random times it would be cast before. It basically is why my monk doesn’t die in hardcore so I highly recommend using my modified version!
Epiphany features:
• Will use whenever an elite is near. This is great with in-geom because it means the CD will be reduced and up again by the time it wears off.
• Use below 90% health- experimental feature not 100% sure it works all the time. Basically there to help reduce taking damage when you need it.
• Use epiphany when you get a CDR shrine. Just like how WoTB is activated for barbarians.
• Will prevent casting of epiphany if epiphany is already activated.
If you have any further requests I can try and add them.
View attachment MonkCombat.cs
Item List
This list is what I use for both my barbs and monk. It should have most of the gear needed. NOTE some items have been removed from the list because I only wanted them for cube! Please check the list and make sure it isn't missing anything you need! Copy this into trinity settings- items- item list- click import and paste it there (remove the "")
"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"
I hope this guide helps you to succeed with your monk whether it's hardcore or normal. If you have any questions or feedback please leave a post and I will try and get back to you. Thanks.
Last edited:
