The biggest challenge in using Sweeping Wind is keeping it active by landing melee atacks. For this, mobility is going to be your best friend. Anything with +% Movement Speed is going to help you get to your next target quicker, but I prefer to simply use:
Dashing Strike
It's just a really awesome way to get to your next target, and it can
be used in a pinch to avoid some power attacks.
Another solution is to bring the enemies to you. For this, look no further than:
Cyclone Strike
The benefits of this skill are numerous with Sweeping Wind. It pulls
enemies within melee range (sometimes), keeps them in range of
Sweeping Wind itself, and can be used to interrupt some nasty power
attacks.
Choosing your other skills really just depends on how you want your overall build to look. Based on the fact that I was going to have a lot of angry demons around me at any given time, it seemed obvious to me to build a:
Mouse Sills
Primary Skill: Fists of Thunder
Rune: Lightning Flash
Don't get me wrong, Way of the Hundred Fists is awesome with
Sweeping Wind, but the Dodge bonus Lightning Flash gives while attacking
makes this skill a no-brainer for this build. The increased attack
speed doesn't hurt either.
Secondary Skill: Dashing Strike
Rune: Blinding Speed
The reasoning for this was made clear in the beginning. This is your
gap closer and the short dodge buff helps too. When all is said and
done, this rune can easily be switched to something else if you want.
Diminishing returns on Dodge means you aren't going to be getting that
full 20% bonus anyway and you should have plenty with this build
anyway. Nevertheless, it is what I prefer.
I know this isn't technically a Secondary Skill, but since I recommend placing it in the default Secondary Skill slot, that's what I'm calling it.
Skill Bar
Skill 1: Cyclone Strike
Rune: Wall of Wind
Again, the skill itself was explained earlier and what better rune
could there be when you just surrounded yourself with a large group of
enemies? Use this skill often.
Skill 2: Heaven's Breath
Rune: Infused With Light
Since you wont be dodging every attack, you'll need a healing spell.
I am torn between this skill and Serenity(Peaceful Repose). I
ultimately decided on Heaven's Breath because of the spirit generation
rune. It helps me spam Cyclone Strike and Dashing Strike when I
really need them most. Feel free to experiment with this one.
Skill 3: Sweeping Wind
Rune: Your Choice
This is why you are here. There are so many awesome rune choices, I
can't choose one.
- Master of Wind will help you if you have trouble keeping Sweeping Wind active. The extra 4 seconds really makes a huge
difference
- Blade Storm flat out increases your damage output by 5% per stack
- Fire Storm will extend your area of influence and keep those fleeing demons in your gale longer.
- Inner Storm could replace the Spirit recovery purpose of Heaven's Breath and allow you to use Serenity
- Cyclone can be awesome if you have a high Critical Hit chance. With enough Tornadoes, this might outperform Blade Storm in terms of
damage output.
This is really your choice. At 19.5% Crit Chance, I prefer Cyclone.
Skill 4: Mantra of Evasion
Rune: Backlash
This is your other core skill and it's a pretty obvious choice for
this build. As long as you're dodging all these attacks, you might as
well be making them pay.
Passive Skills
- One With Everything - Pretty standard for any Monk in my opinion. Stacking one resist with this skill is essentially just an
armor bonus.
- Seize the Initiative - With this, Dexterity gives you damage, dodge chance, and armor. Pretty much a requirement for when your
dodge fails.
The third slot is up to you and what you feel is necessary. I like
Guardian's Path since I dual wield, but I would use Transcendence
otherwise.
Equipment
It should be pretty obvious that you want to prioritize:
- Dexterity
- Attack Speed
- Critical Hit Chance
- One Resistance Type
- Vitality
Critical Hit Damage is also a good affix to look for and you should socket your weapon(s) with emeralds to this end. Life on Hit is another amazing affix and can really get you out of trouble.
Conclusion
Using this build, I can sweep through a large area at max stacks with little problem. Inferno Elites are still tough, but not impossible. Dashing Strike can get you out of the AoE effects and Cyclone Strike can keep them within reach. Space out your healing skill and your potion use so that you can keep your health up. If you do need to retreat, remember that red outlined objects can be dashed to and can refresh Sweeping Wind (if Sweeping Wind itself doesn't destroy them first). It can also be worth it to stop and get one hit in just to refresh if you can afford it.