Rating
+31

Shenlong (in-depth guide+video)

Regular
Hybrid
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Types: Fire

Skills

  • Way of the Hundred Fists Blazing Fists
  • Crippling Wave Mangle
  • Cyclone Strike Sunburst
  • Serenity Ascension
  • Sweeping Wind Fire Storm
  • Mantra of Salvation Agility
  • Combination Strike
  • Alacrity
  • Seize the Initiative
  • Sixth Sense

Items

More Details

Build Guide

Hello everyone! I am Daidelos, and welcome to my Shenlong Fire Monk build guide.


This is extremely versatile build. I feel like I am finally able to play something without a full 6 piece set or RROG.

As of 15th of August, attack speed has finally something to do with energy ball from Shenlong’s Spirit. The formula is 3/your attack speed, so internal cooldown can be reduced a lot. For example, if your attack speed is 2, then 3/2=1.5, so you will launch that energy ball every 1.5 seconds. Note that energy ball is 1200% weapon dmg ATM, so attack speed is almost mandatory on this build.

---The Build---

I’ve decided to use 2 spirit generators with Combination Strike, not only because of it's usefulness, but it just feel like being a true monk. The first one is Way of the Hundred Fists, Blazing Fists for some free attack speed boost. The second generator is Crippling Wave, Mangle, for some nice fire dmg and good mitigation, because attack speed reduction on enemies is really strong and often overlooked.

Use Cyclone Strike to gather enemies, Serenity for those pesky knockbacks and dangerous situations in general, Sweeping Wind for nice complementary dmg and Mantra of Salvation for all resistances and dodge chance. This mantra alone almost doubles my toughness. This playstyle is not spirit hungry, so you can have double effect almost 100% of the time (if you dont use Gyana Na Kashu).

For passives, I choose Combination Strike for pure dps, Alacrity and Sieze the Initiative for attack speed boost that will help you spam energy ball like mad, and Sixth Sense for elemental dmg mitigation.

---Gearing---

Helm: If you want to spam some line nukes all the time, grab that Gyana Na Kashu helm and use Lashing Tail Kick with Spinning Flame Kick rune. Othervise, Leroc's Crown can be really useful if you lack life% or cooldown reduction if you want to toy with Epiphany, or Inna's Radiance if paired with some other pieces.

Shoulders: This is a free slot, so you can choose whatever you want. Pauldrons of the Skeleton King are a good choice. Maybe even Aughild or Ashara if you can combine necessary pieces, or Thousand Storms 2 piece set for 500 dex bonus.

Amulet: The Hellfire Amulet is going to be BIS, because of the number of great Monk passives ATM (finally). But you can also use some dmg prevention amulet or The Ess of Johan for "none can escape" feeling.

Torso: Cindercoat for %fire dmg is unbeatable IMO, but Inna's Vast Expanse can do the job if you want to combine it. Also, Tal Rasha's Relentless Pursuit is also really viable, just roll Int to Dex.

Wrists: Krelm's Buff Bracers are mandatory if you ask me. Can't wait to get one, because knockbacks and stuns are basically the only things that can kill you with this build. If you don't break your attack patterns, and stack some Gogok of Swiftness stacks, you become unstoppable force. Strongarm Bracers are nice for increased dmg from knockups because of Cyclone Strike.

Hands: Magefist for % fire dmg, nothing comes close.

Weist: The witching Hour has amazing stats for this build, Attack Speed, Crit Dmg and main stats, you can't go wrong with this one. If you want to pair some sets, Inna's Favour and Krelm's Buff Belt can do the job.

Legs: Depth Diggers, no questions asked. Will make those spirit generators crit for +10 millions with ease.

Feet: Ice Climbers are BIS, because the only thing that gets into Shenlong's Monk's way is crowd control. Fire Walkers could be useful, and The Crudest Boots if you want to have double 2 Mystic Allies and play around that skill.

Rings: classic cookiecutter combination, Unity and SOJ, Bul-Kathos's Wedding Band can be useful, or some other 5 stat ring with Attack Speed, Crit Chance and Dmg.

Weapons: Shenlong's Spirit set

Legendary gems: Gogok of Swiftness and Simplicity's Strenght.

---Paragon points---

Dex and Move Speed, Attack Speed and Crit chance, All Res And %Life, Life on Hit and Area Dmg.

---Gameplay---

The gameplay is simple, stack Way of the Hundred fists 3 times, and combine it with Crippling Wave at least every third second. Activate Sweeping Wind in the meantime, and just pull everything to you with Cyclone Strike. Try to position yourself behind enemies, so that energy ball from Shenlong set can hit as many of them as possible. If using Gyana Na Kashy helm and Lashing Tale Kick, it is better to use Deadly Reach than Crippling Way, because you will pay more attention on good positioning for all those fireballs to hit.

That's it, try it out, and don't forget to vote if you have liked or disliked the build. Thanks!