Last verified against: 0.5.4b · updated 2026-07-09
Monk Martial Artist Combo Bell Build Guide
Overview
0.5.0's new Monk ascendancy, and currently rated the strongest of the three by community rankings. Hollow Focus periodically conjures ghost bells that shatter into a shockwave when struck, a mechanic that works with zero gear investment, unlike Invoker's Cast on Critical setup.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hollow Focus works from level 1 with no gear requirement, a genuinely free power spike
- Doesn't require the Hollow Palm Technique keystone, so you can use quarterstaves and normal melee weapons instead of going fully unarmed
- The only Monk ascendancy that can embed Runes directly onto the body, scaling further as GGG adds more runes each patch
Cons
- As a newer ascendancy, some specific numbers are still being refined by the community relative to older, more established builds
- Combo-based play (Whirling Slash into Twister, or bell-stacking) requires understanding stage mechanics rather than a single button
Ascendancy Nodes
- Hollow Focus — Periodically conjures a ghostly bell; when struck, it shatters into a damaging shockwave
- Hollow Resonance — Causes additional shockwaves as you attack, compounding with Hollow Focus
- Way of the Mountain — Damage reduction and stun resistance scaling, countering Invoker's Meditate defense
- Way of the Stonefist — Benefits unarmed combat specifically, for players who do take Hollow Palm Technique
Full Guide
Why This Ascendancy
0.5.0’s new Monk ascendancy, and currently rated the strongest of the three by community rankings. Hollow Focus periodically conjures ghost bells that shatter into a shockwave when struck, a mechanic that works with zero gear investment, unlike Invoker’s Cast on Critical setup.
Putting It Together
Follow the passive tree priority and leveling guide sections above in order, most of this build’s power comes from hitting the right nodes at the right stage rather than rushing everything at once. Cross-check the ascendancy node names against the in-game tree before following this as a precise, click-by-click plan, especially for anything marked as not yet individually verified above.
Skill Gem Setup
Gear Priority
+Projectile levels
Combo duration
Elemental damage
Passive Tree Priority
- Early game: Attack speed, Crit chance, Life
- Mid game: Combo-point clusters, Hollow Technique support nodes
- End game: Full bell-stacking or Twister-hybrid setup depending on preference
Leveling Guide
- Act 1–3: Whirling Slash as your first gem, Twister from the Act 1 lost campsite
- Act 4–6: Layer in Frost Bomb and Barrage for boss damage and clear respectively
- Mapping: Full Hollow Focus bell setup, or hybrid into the Whirling Slash/Twister spear combo, both are viable on this ascendancy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this new ascendancy worth league-starting?
Yes, it's currently ranked as the strongest of the three Monk ascendancies specifically because Hollow Focus doesn't need gear investment to function.
Do I have to go unarmed?
No, Martial Artist explicitly doesn't require the Hollow Palm Technique keystone, so quarterstaves and normal melee weapons work fine.
Related Guides
Sources cross-checked: RPGStash Martial Artist ascendancy guide · MMOSO Martial Artist ascendancy guide · Mobalytics Martial Artist leveling guide