Skill Transition: Siphoning Strike (Path of Exile 2 Monk Build)
Siphoning Strike is a key transition skill for the Monk in Path of Exile 2, particularly in the mid-to-late game. This skill allows you to sap shock debuffs from enemies to Path of exile currency generate Power Charges, which is essential for maximizing the damage of high-impact abilities like Falling Thunder and Charged Staff. Transitioning to Siphoning Strike allows your Monk to maintain a steady flow of Power Charges, significantly improving single-target damage output while also providing utility for both offense and defense.

Here’s a breakdown of how and when to integrate Siphoning Strike into your leveling process, and how it synergizes with your overall Monk build.

Why Siphoning Strike?
Power Charge Generation: Siphoning Strike lets you gain Power Charges when you strike enemies affected by shock, which is crucial for enhancing your damage in both single-target and AoE scenarios.
Shock Synergy: You can apply shock to enemies using skills like Storm Wave or Tempest Flurry, and then use Siphoning Strike to capitalize on this debuff, generating Power Charges to use your more powerful abilities, such as Falling Thunder and Charged Staff.
Sustainability: This skill also helps maintain your Power Charge uptime in longer fights, especially against bosses or tough rares. By using Siphoning Strike, you'll be able to continuously stack Power Charges for a sustained damage boost.
When to Transition to Siphoning Strike
You should look to transition into Siphoning Strike once you’ve reached mid-game (around Acts 4–6) and have gained access to skills that can consistently apply shock, like Storm Wave and Tempest Flurry. The more Power Charges you can generate and sustain, the higher your Falling Thunder and Charged Staff damage output will be. Here’s when and how to make the switch:

Mid-Game Transition (Acts 4-6)
Skill Choice: As you level through Acts 4 and 5, you’ll want to replace your initial skills like Killing Palm or any low-level single-target skill with Siphoning Strike.
Shock Application: Make sure you’re using Storm Wave or Tempest Flurry to apply shock to enemies. Siphoning Strike requires the target to be shocked in order to generate Power Charges, so having a reliable shock application is key.
Power Charge Generation: Once you apply shock, Siphoning Strike will grant you Power Charges. This is crucial for ensuring you have the necessary charges to Path of exile currency for sale use your high-damage abilities like Falling Thunder when you need them most.