PoE Sanity

NEW Martial Artist Ascendancy looks INCREDIBLY COOL!

By ZizaranWatch videoDuration: PT8M3S

Summary

  • New Ascendancy: The Martial Artist is the third Ascendancy class for the Monk, focusing on melee combat, stun mechanics, and specialized “hollow” techniques.
  • Key Mechanics: Includes bell-based combat (Hollow Focus/Resonance), astral projections (Hollow Form), rune socketing (Runic Meridians), combo generation, and damage mitigation through mobility (Way of the Mountain).
  • Unique Customization: Way of the Stonefist allows players to transform equipped gloves into powerful “Fists of Stone” that convert explicit modifiers for increased defensive and offensive utility.
  • Playstyles: Supports both freeze-based staff builds and “Hollow Palm” style unarmed combat.
  • Release Date: The Return of the Ancients league launches on May 29th.

Introduction

The Martial Artist Ascendancy is introduced as a new option for the Monk, characterized by self-taught discipline and the transformation of the body into a weapon. Unlike the traditional path of the Monk, this Ascendancy emphasizes punching and physical force.

Core Ascendancy Skills

The Martial Artist utilizes several unique skills that focus on specific combat styles:

  1. Hollow Focus & Resonance: Spawns ethereal bells around the player. Hitting these bells causes them to shatter, dealing critical damage via shockwaves. These bells are always primed for stun and are always critically hit, fueling Hollow Resonance to deal damage around the player.
  2. Hollow Form: While channeling, this skill spawns clones (astral projections) that perform attacks. Power charges can be spent to triple the number of clones spawned.
  3. Runic Meridians: Grants five additional rune sockets, allowing players to utilize new runes introduced in the Return of the Ancients league.
  4. Martial Adept & Martial Master: Focused on chaining attacks together and generating large amounts of combo resources to empower skills while providing protection.
  5. Way of the Mountain: Grants a “stony carapace” while mobile. This provides massive damage bonuses and reduces damage taken from smaller hits.
  6. Way of the Stonefist: Transforms any equipped gloves into “Fists of Stone.” This provides high evasion and energy shield while simultaneously converting the explicit modifiers on the gloves, allowing for unique gear scaling.

Endgame Build Demonstrations

The showcase highlights two primary ways to play the Martial Artist:

  • Snow-bound Executioner (Staff Build):

    • Uses a staff alongside Shattering Palm and Herald of Ice to freeze enemies and trigger shockwaves.
    • Relies on Way of the Stonefist for defensive stats and Way of the Mountain for damage and protection while clearing.
    • Switches to Ice Strike and Tempest spells for boss encounters to increase bell deployment and cooldown reduction for Hollow Resonance.

  • Hollow Palm Technique Build:

    • Utilizes the “Hollow Palm Technique” keystone (turning fists into weapons).
    • Combines Staggering Palm to power Whirling Assault.
    • Centers on Hollow Form and power charge generation, using Killing Palm to sustain charges during clear and Culmination to maintain a power charge engine during boss fights.

Key References