Here’s a video of the build and then the write-up will follow for those that would rather read.
Intent behind this build:
To make farming runs as efficient as possible. So that means maximizing DPS while minimizing the risk of death. As we all know full-out DPS builds can be risky when running against certain elite packs.
Primary offensive skills:
Crippling Wave with Concussion Rune
- This is a great spirit gen and acts both as an offensive and defensive ability. The slow is great for kiting elite packs and for quickly moving through a dungeon without having to clear the trash(more on that later). The reduced damage also helps your monk’s survivability since we’re taking a purely offensive mantra(mantra of conviction) instead of a more defensive mantra like mantra of healing or mantra of evasion.
Sweeping Wind with Blade Storm Rune
- Sweeping wind is a wonderful passive DPS generator. I love the way you can set it once during a fight and forget about it. With three stacks the +60% AOE damage is insane, and when you consider the additional +48% damage given to you by Mantra of Conviction this almost feels overpowered. Almost 🙂
Mantra of Conviction with the Overawe Rune
- The Overawe rune changes Mantra of Conviction’s base DPS increase from 12 to 24% and increases the DPS increase by 48% for the first three seconds after activating the ability. I can’t stress how incredibly powerful this ability is. If you have the spirit to spare, spam this mantra every 3 seconds!
Primary Defensive Abilities:
Serenity with the Peaceful Repose Rune
- I’ve fully converted from using the 4 second duration rune on Serenity to Peaceful Repose. Having that second heal ontop of Breath of Heaven is invaluable against elite packs in Inferno. With this rune you won’t miss not having Mantra of Healing up.
Breath of Heaven with Blazing Wrath Rune
- Just a must have skill for running Inferno. The heal is great and the 15% DPS increase is even better! Try to keep this buff up at all times, I like to start off fights with Breath of Heaven even if I’m at full health just for that extra DPS boost.
Passives:
I’m using transcendence, seize the initiative, and one with everything. Your choice of weapons/equipment build really dictate what passives you want to use so I won’t go into it here. None of these passives are really VITAL to the build.
Strategy
My strategy farming now is to use Dashing Strike to move between groups of mobs and won’t even bother to stop and kill a trash mob. This allows you to move very quickly through a map. The only times I stop moving is to kill elite packs. Sometimes this can get a bit hairy when you have a pack of regular mobs chasing you ontop of an elite pack, but if you play it safe and kite a bit initially to thin out the crowd you should be fine.
Fights start off by activating sweeping wind, making sure the breath of heaven buff is up, and then spamming crippling strike and mantra of conviction. Heals from serenity and breath of heaven as needed and I like to pop serenity if I’m going to be hit by a big attack, laser beam, frost nova. Maybe I’m just lazy but it’s easier than moving haha.
Butcher tip
Use dashing strike whenever the butcher charges up for his big attack, this will bring you through his body and make his attack miss. Much easier than running to his side and this way you don’t lose any DPS uptime on him.
That’s all I have, check out more monk builds here. I have a million gold giveaway going on, it ends June 30th, and all you have to do is post one healthy gaming tip you’d like to share with others in my facebook page here.
Would love to get feedback on what kind of builds/guides/videos you would like to see more of, please post in the comments below(easier for me to look at these than YT comments)