This guide explores the power of the Acolyte of Chayula, a Monk Ascendancy, designed to dominate with Chaos damage and sustain through unique mechanics. Featuring the resource Darkness, this build balances offense and defense while harnessing the energy of the Breachlord Chayula.
Ascendancy: Acolyte of Chayula
The Acolyte of Chayula Ascendancy introduces Darkness, a special resource used for offensive power and survivability. Here’s an updated breakdown of key Ascendancy nodes, incorporating details about Embrace the Darkness:
- Chayula’s Gift
Grants increased maximum Chaos Resistance and doubles its value, providing unparalleled survivability against Chaos damage. - Ravenous Doubts
Makes Mana Leech effects instant and allows them to replenish Energy Shield. This unique sustain mechanic is essential for fast recovery of both Life and Energy Shield, enabling continuous combat. - Embrace the Darkness
- Removes all Spirit, replacing it with a Base Maximum Darkness of 100.
- For each Life or Energy Shield lost to damage, reserves 1 Darkness instead (if possible).
- Darkness Reservation lasts for 10 seconds.
- Gain +5 Maximum Darkness per level, increasing the resource cap as you level up.
- This node redefines resource management by offering a dynamic defense mechanism through Darkness Reservation while scaling offensively through synergy with Grasp of the Void.
- Grasp of the Void
Grants additional Chaos damage for each point of Darkness you possess, directly linking your offensive power to your resource pool.
Skill Gem Selection
The Acolyte of Chayula thrives on skills that synergize with Chaos damage and Darkness manipulation:
- Hand of Chayula
A Chaos-infused unarmed melee attack that dashes to enemies, applying Curses and Marks with increased effect.- Benefits from Ravenous Doubts for instant Mana Leech and synergy with Chaos damage.
- Applies Curses like Despair and Vulnerability effortlessly with Curse on Hit support.
- Tempest Bell
Successfully striking enemies builds Combo, allowing you to create a Bell that can be hit by your skills, creating a damaging shockwave.- Additionally, applying Elemental Ailments to the Bell boosts its shockwave damage.
- Siphoning Strike
A mobile Quarterstaff attack that generates Power Charges when consuming Shocks, boosting damage further. - Unearth
Raises bone spikes and summons temporary bone constructs, adding extra minion-based damage. - Despair
Reduces enemy Chaos resistance, dramatically boosting your Chaos damage output. - Vulnerability
Increases physical damage taken by enemies, enhancing the synergy with Boneshatter.
Support Gems
Pair your skills with these support gems for maximum efficiency:
- Added Chaos Damage: Amplifies Chaos damage from attacks.
- Faster Attacks: Increases attack speed, improving Mana Leech frequency.
- Life Leech: Adds Life recovery, complementing Ravenous Doubts.
- Area of Effect: Expands Unearth‘s impact zone for better area damage.
- Minion Damage: Boosts the damage of bone constructs from Unearth.
Unique Items (not verified)
- Bloodthorn Quarterstaff
Inflicts Bleed on hit, which synergizes with sustain mechanics and additional damage sources. - Abyss of Embers
Amplifies bleed damage, creating synergy with Bloodthorn Quarterstaff. - Black Song Crest
Boosts all primary attributes, ensuring you meet skill and gem requirements.
Playstyle
This build revolves around managing your Darkness resource for aggressive melee combat and strategic defense:
- Engage: Use Hand of Chayula to close gaps and apply Curses.
- Sustain: Recover Life and Energy Shield with Ravenous Doubts and Life Leech effects.
- Damage: Use Tempest Bell and Siphoning Strike for physical and Chaos damage output.
- Darkness Management: Strategically reserve Darkness through Embrace the Darkness while leveraging Grasp of the Void for bonus Chaos damage.
The Acolyte of Chayula offers a thrilling and adaptable playstyle, combining powerful melee combat with Chaos-infused mechanics and a unique resource system. Mastering the use of Darkness and optimizing your gear and gems will ensure you dominate your enemies in Path of Exile 2.
