Two confirmed dialogues correspond to Path of Exile 2 Currency the Monk's current Ascendancies
The third is unassigned, and community speculation suggests this may belong to the Martial Artist Ascendancy

Although none of this confirms the skill tree layout or specific abilities, it strongly hints that a new combat-oriented path is coming for the Monk.

Potential Skill and Mechanic Implications

While official skill names and mechanics have not been revealed, the Martial Artist Ascendancy could potentially interact with existing Monk abilities and introduce new ones. Here are some possibilities based on current skills and hand-to-hand combat themes:

Enhanced Unarmed Damage: Scaling bonuses for punches, kicks, and combo attacks, likely tied to Dexterity or 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 buy POE 2 Orbs be the most content-heavy update yet, providing opportunities for players to explore new mechanics and experiment with innovative builds.