Hardcore & Softcore Builds
Monk Top 5 Hardcore Guide
1. Patterns of Justice Set (Tempest Rush) Level 107+
The Patterns of Justice set was greatly improved in Season 28 which made it the top Hardcore Monk build and it's still ranked the best Hardcore Monk build for the current season.
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Legendary Gems
Bane of the Powerful
Gain a 20% damage buff after killing an elite and 15% increased damage/reduced damage taken against elites.
Enforcer
Increase the damage of your pets and they take 90% less damage.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
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Equipment
Set: Inna's Mantra
(2) Set Bonus:
Increase the passive effect of your Mystic Ally and the base effect of your Mantra is increased by 100%.
(4) Set Bonus:
​Gain the base effect of all four mantras at all times. You gain a 5% damage taken reduction for each Mystic Ally you have out. Your mystic allies no longer take damage.
(6) Set Bonus:
Gain the passive abilities of five runed Mystic Allies at all times. Attacking enemies creates your chosen Mystic Ally that lasts 15 seconds, up to 10 Mystic Allies. The damage of your Mystic Allies is increased by 900% for each Mystic Ally you have out.
Set: Aughild's Authority
(2) Set Bonus:
Reduces damage taken by 15% and increases damage dealt by 30%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Reduces damage taken from elites and increases damage dealt to elites by 30%.
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Weapon: Shenlong's Fist of Legends
When reaching maximum Spirit your damage is increased by 350% and your Spirit is then drained over time.
Weapon: Shenlong's Relentless Assault
When reaching maximum Spirit your damage is increased by 350% and your Spirit is then drained over time.
Feet: The Crudest Boots
Mystic Ally now summons two Mystic Allies and their damage is increased by 200%.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is recommended for your Fire Allies and Epiphany cooldowns.
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Powers
Weapon: The Furnace
Increases damage against elites by 50%.
Armor: Bindings of the Lesser Gods
Enemies hit by your Cyclone Strike take 200% increased damage from your Mystic Ally for 5 seconds. Split Fire Allies gain 3 times this bonus.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Seasonal: The Furnace
Increases damage against elites by 50%.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > % Damage to Mystic Ally
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > % Damage to Mystic Ally
Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance or Armor
Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance or Armor > Life %
Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage %
Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > All Resistance or Armor
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Inna's Mantra Tips​​
1. This set gains all four mantras which makes it a strong multi-player support option.
2. Use Cyclone Strike every 5 seconds when fighting for the 600% increased Fire Ally damage from your Bindings of the Lesser Gods and use your Spirit generator for the Shenlong's Spirit Set bonus.
3. The Harmony passive is more consistent than Guardian's Path but provides less toughness. Harmony is also more difficult to switch for an offensive passive when you are already geared for it.
4. You should look for secondary resistances on items if you are using the Harmony passive which adds your secondary resistances to your All Resistances.
5. The Unity ring which provides 50% reduced damage taken can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Inna's Mantra Set Monk is capable of 105+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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3. Sunwuko's Set with Captain Crimson's Set (Tempest Rush) Level 105+
The third place spot goes to the Sunwuko's Set Tempest Rush Monk with an excellent offense and defense capable of clearing well above 100 Greater Rifts on Hardcore.
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Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.
Taeguk
Gain increased damage for 1.5 seconds when using a channeling skill and 2% armor stacking up to 10 times.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
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Equipment
Set: Monkey King's Garb (Sunwuko)
(2) Set Bonus:
Your damage taken is reduced by 50% while Sweeping Wind is active.
(4) Set Bonus:
Every second your Sweeping Wind spawns a decoy that explodes for 1000% weapon damage for each stack of Sweeping Wind you have.
(6) Set Bonus:
Lashing Tail Kick, Tempest Rush, and Wave of Light have their damage increased by 1500% for each stack of Sweeping Wind you have.
Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings
(2) Set Bonus:
Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.
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Weapon: Won Khim Lau
Tempest Rush activates Cyclone Strike and both skills do 600% more damage.
Weapon: Vengeful Wind
Increase the number of stacks Sweeping Wind to 10 and increase Sweeping Wind's damage by 800%.
Shoulders: Mantle of Channeling
When channeling deal 25% increased damage and take 25% reduced damage.
Bracers: Cesar's Memento
Enemies take 800% increased damage from Tempest Rush for 5 seconds after a Blind, Freeze, or Stun.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
A cooldown is reduced by 1 second every time you use a resource spending attacks.
Amulet: Sunwuko's Shines
Completes the Sunwuko's set.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Topaz
Provides a toughness increase when using the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set and has the offensive benefit of increasing your resource cost reduction.
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Powers
Weapon: Balance
Tempest Rush does 600% increased damage and always critical strikes on 3 or fewer targets.
Armor: Kyoshiro's Soul
Gain 2 stacks of Sweeping Wind every second Sweeping Wind does not do damage.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Seasonal: Lefebvre's Soliloqy
Cyclone Strike gives 50% damage reduction for 5 seconds.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > Life %
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Resource Cost Reduction > Life %
Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > Life % > Armor
Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Cold Damage %
Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > Tempest Rush Damage %
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Resource Cost Reduction > Dexterity > Vitality
Monkey King's Garb (Sunwuko) Tips​​
1. Tempest Rush Flurry stacks should be released with Blinding Flash. You should also apply Blinding Flash on cooldown for the 800% damage increase on the Cesar's Memento bracers.
2. You should look for secondary resistances on items if you are using the Harmony passive which adds your secondary resistances to your all resistances.
4. The Unity ring which provides 50% reduced damage taken can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Sunwuko Set Monk is capable of 105+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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4. Uliana's Stratagem Set with Captain Crimson's Set (Seven Sided Strike) Level 104+
Uliana's was buffed in Season 30 but remains ranked fourth for the best Monk builds in Hardcore.
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Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.
Taeguk
Gain increased damage for 1.5 seconds when using a channeling skill and 2% armor stacking up to 10 times.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Set: Patterns of Justice
(2) Set Bonus:
Sweeping Wind gains the effect of every rune and movement speed is increased by 5% for each stack of Sweeping Wind that you have.
(4) Set Bonus:
Attacking with Tempest Rush reduces your damage taken by 50% and increases your spirit regeneration by 50.
(6) Set Bonus:
Hitting with Tempest Rush increases the size of your Sweeping Wind and increases its damage by 20,000%.
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Weapon: Won Khim Lau
Tempest Rush activates Cyclone Strike and both skills do 600% more damage.
Weapon: Vengeful Wind
Increase the number of stacks Sweeping Wind to 10 and increase Sweeping Wind's damage by 800%.
Bracers: Cesar's Memento
Enemies take 800% increased damage from Tempest Rush for 5 seconds after a Blind, Freeze, or Stun.
Belt: Kyoshiro's Soul Belt
Gain 2 stacks of Sweeping Wind every second it does not do damage.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for increased life percent and toughness.
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Powers
Weapon: Balance
Tempest Rush does 600% increased damage and always critical strikes on 3 or less targets.
Armor: Aquila Cuirass
Gain 50% damage reduction when above 90% primary resources.
Ring/Amulet: Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
Reduces a cooldown by 1 second when using skills that use primary resources.
Seasonal: Lefebvre's Soliloqy
Cyclone Strike gives 50% damage reduction for 5 seconds.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > Life %
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Area Damage > Life %
Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > Armor > Life %
Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Cold Damage %
Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Tempest Rush
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
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Patterns of Justice Tips​
1. Tempest Rush Flurry stacks should be released by using Blinding Flash. You should also apply Blinding Flash on cooldown when you are fighting for the 800% increase in damage from the Cesar's Memento bracers.
2. The Harmony passive is more consistent than Guardian's Path but provides less toughness. Harmony is also more difficult to switch away from for an offensive passive when you are already geared for it.
3. You should look for secondary resistances on items if you are using the defensive Harmony passive which adds your secondary resistances to your All Resistances. You will then have the option of rolling Armor or Life Percent as defensive rolls because items with a secondary resistance cannot roll All Resistance.
4. The Unity ring which provides 50% reduced damage taken can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Patterns of Justice Set Monk is capable of 107+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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2. Inna's Mantra with Aughild's Set (Mystic Ally) Level 105+
Inna's Mantra Set is still strong despite changes to the build in an earlier season and has 10 Mystic Allies to help take the damage and access to all four Mantras for group play.
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Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increase attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gain dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Set: Uliana's Stratagem
(2) Set Bonus:
The third hit of your Spirit Generators applies Exploding Palm.
(4) Set Bonus:
Your Seven-Sided Strike deals 777% of its total damage with each hit. All damage taken is reduced by 77% for 7 seconds after applying Exploding Palm.
(6) Set Bonus:
Increase the damage of your Exploding Palm by 12,500% and Seven-Sided Strike detonates Exploding Palm.
Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings
(2) Set Bonus:
Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.
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Weapon: The Fist of Az'turrasq
Exploding Palm's Death Explosion has its damage increased by 500%.
Weapon: Lion's Claw
Seven-Sided Strike performs 7 additional strikes.
Bracers: Gungdo Gear
Exploding Palm's death explosion causes Exploding Palm and Exploding Palm's damage is increased by 100%.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.
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Powers
Weapon: The Flow of Eternity
Seven-Sided Strike has a 60% reduced cooldown and deals 100% increased damage.
Armor: Binding of the Lost
Gain 5% damage reduction for every Seven-Sided Strike hit for 7 seconds.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Seasonal: The Furnace
Increases damage against elites by 50%.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > % Damage to Seven-Sided Strike
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > % Damage to Seven-Sided Strike
Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %
Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Physical Damage %
Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Exploding Palm
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
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Uliana's Stratagem Tips
1. Apply Exploding Palm to enemies with the third hit of your spirit generator for a 40% damage increase for Seven-Sided Strike when using the Mythic Rhythm passive skill.
2. Using the Mythic Rhythm passive for increased damage and applying Exploding Palm with the third hit of your resource generator is a better option than the Exploding Palm application from a Madstone helmet. The Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set can also be equipped if you don't use a Madstone.
3. The Unity ring which provides 50% reduced damage taken can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Uliana's Stratagem Set Monk is capable of 104+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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5. Monk Legacy of Dreams (Wave of Light) Level 95+
The Legacy of Dreams Wave of Light Monk is the strongest Legacy of Dreams build for Monk but is somewhat weak offensively and defensively and takes the fifth place spot.
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Legendary Gems
Legacy of Dreams
Legendaries increase damage and reduce damage taken without sets equipped. Double this effect for Ancients.
Bane of the Trapped
Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
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Equipment
Weapon: Kyoshiro's Blade
Increase Wave of Lights damage by 150%. When 5 or fewer enemies are hit its damage is increased by 250%.
Weapon: Rabid Strike
Spirit spenders that teleport you during Epiphany are mimicked on a nearby target for free.
Helm: Tzo Krin's Gaze
Wave of Light is now cast at your enemy.
Chest: Cindercoat
Gain 30% fire resource cost reduction and fire damage is increased by 20%.
Shoulders: Pauldrons of the Skeleton King
Chance on death to be restored to life with 25% health and cause nearby enemies to run in fear.
Legs: Blackthorne Jousting Mail
Elemental 20% damage increase.
Bracers: Pinto's Pride
Wave of light slows enemies by 80% for three seconds and deals 150% increased damage.
Hands: Stone Gauntlets
Getting hit increases your armor by 50% stacking up to 5 times. Negative effects are negated by Ice Climbers.
Belt: String of Ears
Reduces damage taken from melee attacks by 30%.
Boots: The Crudest Boots
Mystic Ally now summons two Mystic Allies and their damage is increased by 200%.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: Convention of Elements
Rotates through damage types and gives a 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gain a free random passive skill from the character class that creates the amulet.​
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for increased life percent and toughness.
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Powers
Weapon: Incense Torch of the Grand Temple
Decreases the spirit cost of Wave of Light by 50% and increases its damage by 550%.
Armor: Ice Climbers
Gain immunity to Freeze and Immobilize effects.
Ring/Amulet: Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
Reduces the cooldown of one of your skills by 1 second when hitting with a resource spending attack.
Seasonal: Band of Rue Chambers
Spirit generators generate 50% more Spirit.
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Intellect > Dexterity > Area Damage > All Resistance
Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %
Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage %
Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Wave of Light
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
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Legacy of Dreams Wave of Light Tips
1. The Ice Climbers boots negate all of the negative effects on the Stone Gauntlets gloves.
2. Dashing Strike (Blinding Speed) should be used frequently to increase your dodge chance by 40%.
3. The Hellfire Amulet can be switched to an Eye of Etlich amulet for an effect similar to a defensive passive.
4. The rune for Mystic Ally can be switched to the more offensive Air Spirit for Spirit regeneration and increased maximum Spirit on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Legacy of Dreams Wave of Light Monk is capable of 95+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
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Recommended Mercenary
Templar
Weapon: Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
Slows enemies attacks and movement speed.
Templar Relic: Enchanting Favor
Follower cannot die.
Shield: Freeze of Deflection
Blocks have a chance of a 1.5 second Freeze.
Helm: Blind Faith
Chance of Blinding enemies on hit.
Shoulders: Homing Pads (Emanates)
Town portal is uninterruptable and while casting town portal you gain a protective shield.
Gloves: Gloves of Worship (Emanates)
Shrine effects last 10 minutes.
Bracers: Nemesis Bracers (Emanates)
Pylons spawn an enemy champion.
Waist: Cord of the Sherma
Chance to blind and slow enemies for 4 seconds.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Immune to freeze and Immobilize effects.
Ring 1: Unity
Splits damage taken with the wearer of this ring.
Ring 2: Wyrmward
Lightning damage has a 35% chance to stun.
Amulet: The Flavor of Time (Emanates)
Pylon effects last twice as long.
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Feel free to check out the other sections of the site for more on Diablo III Hardcore:
Diablo III Advanced Tips and Tricks
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And that's all for the Monk Top 5 Hardcore Guide. Better items await you in Greater Rifts!
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