Diablo 3 Monk Combo Basics Guide

Diablo 3 Monk Combo Basics Guide by Lusus

I thought I’d make a post on Monk Combos in order to explain the basics to newcomers, and confirm that my own understanding is correct. If any of this information is incorrect please let me know (constructively) and I’ll fix it. If there is another post that already contains all of this (I looked but didn’t find one) link me to it.

What are Combos?
Combos are a unique Monk ability through which certain skills can have extra effects when done in the right combinations.

According to the Game Guide:

Monks’ melee attacks are more potent when they’re used in careful succession; they generate additional spiritual energy, deal increased damage and produce unique effects that can enable a monk to defeat nearly any enemy

How do I do Combos?
Combos aren’t difficult. If you’ve spammed any Spirit Generating Skill for awhile you’ve certainly done one even if you didn’t realize it.

The only skills that can currently cause combos are the ‘Spirit Generating’ Skills (the top section of your skill area). When Spirit Generating Skills are hit three times in a row the third time will both generate extra Spirit and produce an extra effect. It doesn’t seem to matter if you hit the SAME skill hit three times in a row, hit three DIFFERENT Spirit Generating Skills, or hit one Spirit Generating skill twice and another once; It only matters that you hit Spirit Generating Skills three times in a row.

For convenience sake for now let’s refer to the third hit in the sequence as the ‘Combo Attack‘

Two things will reset the generation of a Combo:
1. You hit any NON Spirit Generating Skill
2. There is a large pause between any of the three hits

Any information on how long the pause can be is appreciated.

What do the Combos Do
The extra effect from a combo depends on the ‘Combo Attack’ (third Spirit Generating Skill) in the sequence. Here are the effects by Skill (According to the Game Guide):

Fists of Thunder (Level 1)

Deals damage to all enemies in front of you and knocks them back a short distance’

Deadly Reach (Level 4)

Damage extends out 25 yards

Crippling Wave (Level 8)

Damages all enemies around you and dazes them, slowing movement speed by 50% and attack speed by 35% for 5 seconds.

Exploding Palm (Level 12)

Causes the target to bleed for 65% of weapon damage as Physical per second for 3 seconds. If the target dies while bleeding, it explodes and deals 30% of the target’s maximum Life as Physical damage to all other enemies nearby.

Sweeping Wind (Level 17)

Creates a vortex of air that surrounds you. The vortex of air lasts 5 seconds and deals 20% weapon damage per second to all enemies within 10 yards. This vortex effect can stack up to 3 times for a total of 60% weapon damage per second to nearby enemies.

Way of the Hundred Fists (Level 21)

??

In addition to the effects above, each combo also generates more spirit than the skill usually would. [Anyone know how much more?]

Combos also cause distinct visual representations when they’re completed such as a circle of lightning or an extended kick animation. Some are much more distinct than others.

Other Resources
Blizzard Game Guide : http://us.battle.net/d3/en/class/monk/
“I don’t get combos” thread : http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/3226842750
Diablo 3 Monk Spirit Generator Attack Speeds Guide
diablowiki : http://diablowiki.net/Combos

Using Combos Effectively
#1 Be willing to switch targets for the combo attack (3rd hit) to avoid overkill. For instance, the ‘Exploding Palm’ Combo is often best used against a completely new target to take full advantage of the DOT.

I’ll add to this section as ideas occur to me or as they’re posted by others below.

Thoughts on Balance
Without Combos Monks would be under-powered. Other than ‘Crippling Wave’ all of our spirit generating skills do the exact same amount of damage as we would with a basic weapon attack (100% of weapon damage). Of course they do add other affects (such as the ability to hit multiple targets and faster attack speeds), but are still weaker than, for instance, Barbarian Rage building skills UNLESS you’re using the combos effectively. Don’t take them lightly.

Things that need to be Tested (by me or a volunteer)
1. How long can you pause between attacks without breaking the chain?
2. Does weapon speed change the answer for question #1?
3. How much extra Spirit is generated by the Combo Attack?

I’ve been testing, and I can confirm that adding a non ‘Spirit Generating Skill’ anywhere in the 3 action chain WILL reset it.

Continued Basic Guide by Pwnius

The basics of Monk Combos:
Each spirit generator attack has three hits. You may change between generators without changing your place in the combo. You may use other skills between these skills without reseting the combo.
For example, you may use thunderclap to teleport to your target and strike them once, then use blazing fists to attempt to get the crit bonus as the second hit in your combo, and then finish with Scattered blows for a 170% aoe.
Each different hit will trigger combination strike (+8% damage) as well as any special attack already granted by the skill.

Effects for the first hit:
Teleport: Thunderclap, Fists of Fury
16% dodge: Lightning Flash

Effects for the second hit:
16% dodge: Lightning Flash
140% dmg: Hands of Lightning
crits increase attack/speed: Blazing fists
Bleed for 50% of weapon damage: Fists of Fury (also 1st hit teleport)

Effects for third hit:
AOE damage and debuffs: All Breaking Wave skills
250% damage aoe: Windforce Flurry
73% damage aoe: Bounding Light
+50% armor: Keen Eye
170% aoe: Scattered Blows
18% dmg buff for 3 seconds: Forsight

Spirit spenders with no cooldown:
Because you will only have 2 skill slots left for spirit spenders, you will need atleast one without a cooldown.
Lashing Tail Kick
Tempest Rush
Wave of Light
Dashing Strike
Exploding Palm
Sweeping Wind
Cyclone Strike
All mantras

Some tips:
Cyclone Strike is highly effective at grouping enemies up for Breaking Wave attacks.
Fists of Fury gives you a strong effect on both the first and second hit. The only drawback is hat you can no use windforce flurry as well.

Some of my combos:
Thunderclap, Blazing fists, Cyclone Strike, Concussion
Fists of Fury, Fists of Fury , Cyclone Strike, Concussion
Fists of Fury, Fists of Fury, Scattered Blows