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Path of Exile 2 patch 0.3.0 introduced several major mechanics, and one of the most exciting among them is the Hollow Palm Technique Keystone passive. This node allows you to fight bare-handed while still using Quarterstaff skills, effectively transforming your character into a living weapon. While any class can technically use it, the Monk stands out as the best fit thanks to its natural synergy with Quarterstaff-based skills.

For players who have long wanted to roleplay as an "Iron Fist Monk," this Keystone scratches that itch. The Hollow Palm Acolyte of Chayula build focuses on lightning-fast attacks, flexible scaling, and an unusual but rewarding playstyle. This guide will cover the viability of Hollow Palm as a league starter, skill gem setups, passive tree pathing, and gear recommendations in Path of Exile 2 (Patch 0.3.0).

Is Hollow Palm a Viable League Starter in Path of Exile 2?

The short answer: Yes-but with some caveats.

·The Hollow Palm Technique is available just 12 points away from the Monk's starting area, meaning you can transition into the build relatively early.

·However, the Monk is notorious for a slow leveling process due to fewer early-game damage nodes. The Hollow Palm Technique doesn't magically solve this-it requires investment in Dexterity, attack speed, and critical chance before the build feels strong.

That said, once you have a solid passive tree foundation and the right support gems, this build becomes one of the most fun and visually satisfying ways to progress through the campaign. The endgame viability is still up for debate in 0.3.0, but for campaign and early mapping, it's both effective and entertaining. Players who want smoother gearing may also consider using Path of Exile 2 Items from the trade economy to speed things up.

Skill Gem Setup for Hollow Palm Acolyte

Once you unlock the Hollow Palm Technique via your first Ascendancy trial (around level 20), you can fully lean into the fist-fighting style. Until then, you may want to use Lightning Arrow with a bow for faster progression, as Quarterstaff skills can feel clunky in the early acts.

Here's a recommended Hollow Palm gem setup:

1. Tempest Flurry: Rapid Attack - Lightning Attunement - Elemental Armament

·Your bread-and-butter attack skill, boosted by Hollow Palm's scaling.

2. Herald of Thunder: Longshot - Magnified Area

·Provides sustained lightning damage and AoE coverage.

3. Storm Wave: Lightning Attunement - Elemental Armament

·A strong utility skill for extra coverage and elemental layering.

4. Frost Bomb: Magnified Area

·Excellent for boss fights, as it lowers enemy resistances.

5. Charged Staff: Shock - Innervate

·Synergizes with your crit scaling and enhances lightning damage uptime.

Alternative options:

·Ice Strike if you prefer a cold-based theme.

·Hybrid setups (converting attack damage into Cold + Lightning) for more flexible scaling.

Passive Tree Setup

Before grabbing Hollow Palm, focus on attack speed and flat damage nodes to help your leveling process. Once you've swapped to bare-handed Quarterstaff combat (around level 25), shift toward scaling crit and Dexterity.

Key Passives to Prioritize:

·Jugular and Deadly Force (close to starting area): For early damage scaling.

·Careful Assassin and Throat Seeker: Strong mid-game nodes for critical chance and multiplier.

·Dexterity clusters: To boost Evasion and support gem requirements.

Attribute Focus:

·Dexterity: Primary focus for faster attacks, scaling Evasion, and Deflect status.

·Intelligence: Secondary for crit chance scaling if you choose Energy Shield-based gear.

Recommended Ascendancy Notables (around level 40):

·Walking Dream: Enhances survivability and damage consistency.

·Inner Turmoil: Boosts offensive output by scaling with multiple damage types.

Gear Setup for Hollow Palm Acolyte

The Hollow Palm Technique makes this build unique and cost-efficient, since you don't use weapons. However, this means you lose out on weapon affixes, so your armor and jewelry choices are critical.

Hollow Palm Benefits:

·1% more Attack Speed per 25 Evasion Rating on equipped armor

·+0.1% Crit Chance per 10 Energy Shield on equipped armor

This means you can choose between:

·Dexterity-based Evasion gear for attack speed

·Intelligence-based Energy Shield gear for crit chance

·A hybrid mix if you want balance

Recommended Gear Stats:

·Increased Attack Speed

·Flat Dexterity

·Energy Shield or Evasion scaling (depending on your armor choice)

·Critical Strike Multiplier

·Resistances (to cap early)

·Life (to prevent being too fragile)

Jewelry Priorities:

·Rings: Resistances + Dexterity/Intelligence

·Amulet: Flat Dexterity and crit chance are ideal

·Belt: Defensive rolls, ideally with life

Early Gear Tip:

Since early crafting can be resource-intensive, many players choose to buy POE2 Currency to speed up gear progression, especially for rolling Dexterity-heavy armor or high-crit accessories.

Playstyle Tips for Hollow Palm Acolyte

·Bossing: Use Frost Bomb before unleashing Tempest Flurry for maximum DPS.

·Clearing: Herald of Thunder and Storm Wave will help smooth out pack clearing.

·Positioning: Stay mobile; you're melee without weapon range, so movement speed is key.

·Scaling: Prioritize Dex for smoother leveling, then layer in crit scaling once you transition into mid-game mapping.

Final Thoughts

The Hollow Palm Acolyte of Chayula build in Path of Exile 2 (Patch 0.3.0) is one of the most unique and enjoyable playstyles available right now. While it's not the fastest leveling build due to the Monk's slow early progression, it quickly ramps up into a bare-handed powerhouse once you unlock the Keystone.

For players seeking a fun, thematic, and surprisingly budget-friendly build, Hollow Palm delivers. It may not yet be proven as an endgame meta powerhouse, but as a league starter and campaign destroyer, it absolutely holds its own.