Path of Exile 2 Sorceress and Monk Abilities Overview

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Sorceress and Monk Revealed at ExileCon 2023

During ExileCon 2023, Grinding Gear Games unveiled two new character classes for Path of Exile 2: the Sorceress and the Monk. The showcase included a 30-minute gameplay demo, giving players a firsthand look at how these classes operate. Grinding Gear Games co-founder James Rogers highlighted the team’s dedication to creating rewarding skill-based gameplay.

Sorceress Skills

The Sorceress is an Intelligence-based class that specializes in elemental destruction. She wields lightning and ice spells and possesses the following skills:

  • Spark: A lightning attack that can bounce between enemies. When combined with a Piercing support gem, Spark can hit multiple targets in a room. Adding an Arc support gem transforms Spark into a powerful single-target hit.
  • Ice Nova: An area-of-effect skill that damages and slows all nearby enemies. This skill is especially useful for the squishy Sorceress, providing a means of escape from close-quarter combat.
  • Frost Bomb: Places a bomb that temporarily reduces enemies’ cold resistance. It synergizes well with other cold skills, allowing the Sorceress to maximize her damage output.
  • Arctic Armor: A defensive buff that accumulates while the Sorceress remains stationary. This armor enhances her melee defense and causes monsters that hit her to take cold damage. However, staying still leaves the Sorceress vulnerable to enemy attacks.
  • Comet: A high-damage skill with a long cast time and high mana cost. It is most effective against slow-moving or stationary enemies. Using Comet automatically moves the Sorceress slightly away from danger.

The Sorceress offers a unique playstyle that focuses on elemental magic rather than occult magic and summons like the Witch class. Although some skills may seem familiar, Grinding Gear Games assures that they will play differently, providing an exciting experience for players in Path of Exile 2.

Monk Skills

The Monk is a melee fighter known for their raw strength and mobile combat style. This class revolves around power charges, which greatly enhance its skills. The Monk possesses the following abilities:

  • Wind Blast: Knocks away enemies, making it effective for crowd control. The closer the enemies are to the Monk, the farther they get knocked back. However, it is less effective against larger groups of enemies.
  • Killing Palm: Strikes an enemy and marks them for death. When the marked enemy dies, the Monk gains a power charge. Many Monk skills interact with power charges, making Killing Palm an essential setup skill. It also includes a built-in dash forward, ensuring accurate targeting.
  • Whirling Assault: Covers a significant amount of ground but deals less damage compared to other skills. The Monk can turn while executing this skill, allowing for additional hits on monsters if timed correctly.
  • Falling Thunder: Creates a small lightning area-of-effect in front of the Monk, dealing damage without consuming power charges. However, with power charges, Falling Thunder becomes a larger AoE attack with extra projectiles, making it capable of clearing out groups of enemies.
  • Flicker Strike: A skill that teleports the Monk to a nearby monster, consuming power charges and temporarily increasing movement speed. Flicker Strike is useful for delivering a finishing blow to challenging bosses when power charges are built up.
  • Glacial Cascade: Conjures a wave of ice that deals damage primarily at the end of its path. To maximize damage, the Monk should immobilize the enemy before placing the wave. Striking frozen enemies with Glacial Cascade inflicts even more damage.
  • Shattering Palm: A Palm strike that places an ice bomb on the target. Once triggered by sufficient damage or the target’s death, the bomb explodes, damaging and potentially freezing nearby enemies.
  • Ice Strike: Performs three consecutive attacks with a chance to freeze the target.
  • Wave of Frost: Launches a cold attack that freezes enemies and allows the Monk to retreat simultaneously. This skill complements Glacial Cascade effectively.

The Monk excels in versatility and agility, with many skills incorporating movement abilities. The class’s mobility is further enhanced by the addition of the dodge roll mechanic, allowing quick repositioning and evasion during combat.