PoE Sanity

The Monk Minion Build is FINALLY HERE??

By GhazzyTVWatch videoDuration: PT9M

Summary

  • Analysis of the recently revealed unique items: Revery and Hollow Mask.
  • Exploring the potential for a Monk-based minion build utilizing the Acolyte of Chayula ascendancy.
  • Overcoming remnant sustain issues using specific passive tree nodes like Empowering Remnants and Remnant Attraction.
  • The significance of the Hollow Mask in bypassing or fixing the currently bugged Selfless Remnant support gem.
  • Theoretical damage scaling reaching 70% to 200% of damage as extra chaos damage for minions.
  • Potential ascendancy paths and the mystery of the “Communing with the Dreamer” nodes.

Introduction to New Uniques: Revery and Hollow Mask

In the latest teaser from GGG, two new unique items were introduced. While the Revery unique does not seem particularly compelling for minion-focused gameplay, the Hollow Mask (referenced as the Hyon Mask in some contexts) has major implications for minion builds. This item reopens the possibility of a build concept involving the Acolyte of Chayula Monk and the Selfless Remnant mechanic, a concept previously explored but abandoned due to technical limitations and bugs.

The Acolyte of Chayula Monk Synergy

The core of this build revolves around remnants generated by the Monk.

  1. Selfless Remnant Support: This gem is intended to make remnants from supported skills affect allies (minions) in your presence instead of just the player character.
  2. The Current Bug: Historically, the Selfless Remnant support gem has been bugged and non-functional, preventing minion-based Monk builds from being viable.
  3. The Solution: The Hollow Mask includes a modifier stating: “Remnants you create affect allies in your presence as well as you when collected.” This essentially provides a functional, buffed version of the Selfless Remnant support, regardless of whether the gem itself is fixed in the upcoming 0.5 patch.

Sustaining Remnants through the Passive Tree

A major hurdle for this build was the difficulty of picking up and sustaining remnant charges. New additions to the skill tree and lineage supports make full sustain possible even while standing still:

  • Pickup Radius Nodes: Small modifiers leading to major notables increase the range at which remnants are collected.
  • Empowering Remnants: Provides a 15% chance for remnants to grant their effect twice.
  • Remnant Attraction: Increases pickup range by 50% and adds a 10% chance to create an additional remnant.
  • Katale’s Rejuvenation: When used alongside these nodes, this lineage support allows for the automatic collection and sustain of remnants.

Damage Potential of Purple Flames

By specializing in the Acolyte of Chayula, you can guarantee that all manifested flames are Flames of Chayula (purple flames).

  • Standard Buff: Each purple flame provides a stacking buff of 7% of damage as extra chaos damage for 8 seconds.
  • Scaling: This stacks up to 10 times, providing a base of 70% extra chaos damage.
  • Advanced Scaling: With increased effect and the chance for double effectiveness from the tree, this can realistically reach 150% to 200% increased damage as extra chaos for all allies. This represents a massive damage ceiling for any minion type.

Ascendancy Path and “Communing with the Dreamer”

The Chayula Monk has been one of the least played ascendancies, but its nodes are vital for this build:

  1. Waking Dream: Grants the “Into the Breach” skill.
  2. Lucid Dreaming: Guarantees all flames are purple (chaos damage), increases remnant effect, and allows for 50% remnant collection from a distance.
  3. Chayula’s Gift: Provides 10% maximum chaos resistance and doubles your current chaos resistance (useful for non-Chaos Inoculation builds).

There are also hints from GGG’s Mark regarding a “Communing with the Dreamer” mechanic, which may be a hidden ascendancy or additional nodes that further support this playstyle.

Proposed Playstyle and Gear

If the Selfless Remnant support gem is fixed, the build can function as early as the second ascendancy. If not, the Hollow Mask will be a mandatory build-enabler.

  • Leveling: Level as a standard Monk until late Act 3 or early Act 4, then transition into minions.
  • Minion Choices: Sniper Skeletons are a strong candidate, but the damage buff works for any minion with high coverage.
  • Defenses: Evasion/Energy Shield setups utilizing Ghost Dance and a Sun Splinter shield for extra minion levels.
  • Utility: Use curses to reduce enemy chaos resistance to further scale the added chaos damage.

Key References