Group

Enhanced Unarmed Damage: Scaling bonuses for punches, kicks, and combo attacks, likely tied to Dexterity or Path of Exile 2 Currency Strength stats

Combo Chains: Skills such as Shattering Palm may trigger additional effects when hitting multiple enemies or landing critical strikes

AoE Hand-to-Hand Attacks: Like Killing Palm, these skills could deal area damage, making unarmed builds competitive with weapon-based classes

Buffs for Movement and Mobility: Martial Artists are traditionally fast and agile, so movement speed or evasion bonuses could be added

Additionally, the Ascendancy may include passive nodes that reduce energy cost, increase attack speed, or grant defensive bonuses, making it easier for players to maintain pressure in melee combat without relying on weapons.

Patch 0.3.0: The Broader Update

The Martial Artist Ascendancy is expected to arrive alongside the 0.3.0 patch, one of the largest updates Path of Exile 2 has received since early access began. Scheduled for August 29, 2025, this patch will include:

Buffs to underused POE 2 Orbs: Making previously underpowered abilities viable for endgame content

Quality-of-life improvements: Enhancements to the user interface and gameplay mechanics

Chinese server launch: PoE 2 will officially release in China with separate servers, though gameplay and mechanics will remain identical to the global client

New Ascendancy additions: Beyond the Monk, other classes may receive new paths, expanding customization options

Patch 0.3.0 is poised to be the most content-heavy update yet, providing opportunities for players to cheap POE 2 Currency explore new mechanics and experiment with innovative builds.