PvE Windwalker Monk DPS Talents, Builds, & Glyphs

Windwalker Monks in Mists of Pandaria have access to multiple talents for any type of PvE environment, offering them plenty of versatility. Like in the case of the other two specializations, their talents are often split between single-target and AoE, offering players multiple viable choices.

Talent Build

Like the other Monk specializations, Windwalker can use multiple different talents based on the encounter. Their talents are versatile enough to provide valuable tools for almost any situation, meaning that you might end up crafting a totally custom build, depending on which boss you are attempting. However, some talents are considerably stronger than the others, so keep that in mind when experimenting with what works best for your playstyle.

Level 15 – Tier I

• Celerity ❌ This talent is not viable compared to the other two options since it doesn’t grant any movement speed bonus, even if it allows you to use Roll more often. 
• Tiger’s Lust ✅ This talent is considered the default option from the first tier for most builds, providing a powerful defensive cooldown against movement-impairing effects and a huge movement speed boost. 
• Momentum ❌ As a Windwalker Monk, this talent is generally bad for PvE, having a way better use in PvP for chasing down targets. 

Level 30 – Tier II

• Chi Wave ✅ This talent is considerably better for raiding environments, providing a great instant-cast AoE spell and a potent Utility/Healing tool! While its damage is considerably lower than Chi Burst, the fact that it’s an instant cast that also helps your allies will make it a great option for any progression run. This talent also deals a considerable amount of damage in Single-Target fights.
• Zen Sphere ❌ Sadly, this talent doesn’t compare to the other options from this tier, barely dealing any damage to the affected targets while only functioning as a Single-Target spell.
• Chi Burst ✅ Considered the default option for any massive AoE environment, Chi Burst is a great choice, even if it has a cast time. Thankfully, Haste reduces its cast time, but you will never have enough to make it instant. 

Level 45 – Tier III

• Power Strikes ❌ This talent is underwhelming compared to the other two choices. Ascension is way better for overall Energy Regeneration, while Chi Brew is the best for fights that require as much burst as possible. 
• Ascension ✅ This talent is considered the default choice from the third tier and the easier option since its effect is always active, effectively increasing your Chi pool by one additional Chi. Besides the Chi generation aspect, the 15% increase in Energy Regeneration at all times makes it extremely powerful, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced tanks.
• Chi Brew ✅ This talent is great for short fights that require you to maintain the Tigereye Brew consistently! While this talent may slightly complicate your rotation, it is entirely worth it for fast clear runs. 

Level 60 – Tier IV

• Ring of Peace ✅ One of the options from the fourth tier, Ring of Peace, is a potent AoE Silence and Disarm, having an incredible effect against groups of caster mobs. This is generally considered a niche talent for specific encounters, meaning you will use it occasionally, depending on the encounter, no matter what build you choose to follow.
• Charging Ox Wave ❌ This talent is far better for PvP, as it requires a very specific positioning in PvE encounters. It is far worse than Leg Sweep, which has a considerably better range and works in a full circular AoE radius. 
• Leg Sweep ✅ By far, considered the best talent for the fourth tier, Leg Sweep is an instant cast ability that stuns all targets in a short circular radius. It is generally used for most raid and dungeon encounters, with only a few exceptions in which Ring of Peace is overall better. 

Level 75 – Tier V

• Healing Elixirs ❌ This talent should be avoided in most PvE environments as the available counterparts are too strong regarding the active mitigation they provide. In contrast, the healing provided by this effect is clunky and generally dependent on either reaching the HP threshold or using your brews, leaving you with one less powerful active mitigation effect.
• Dampen Harm ✅ The default raiding and dungeon option for all heavy Physical Damage encounters, Dampen Harm, is simply too good to pass on. The talent can mitigate even the most powerful blows if they deal more than 20% of your maximum HP.
• Diffuse Magic ✅ In contrast, Diffuse Magic is the default option for any encounter featuring high Magical Damage, providing you with a 90% damage reduction buff and even a reflection effect. You will generally alternate between Dampen Harm and Diffuse Magic, depending on the fight.

Level 90 – Tier VI

• Rushing Jade Wind ✅ This is the default talent option from the sixth tier for any AoE encounter! It transforms your Spinning Crane Kick into a far better instant-cast version that deals DoT and allows you to cast other abilities while it is active. You will consistently swap between this ability and Invoke Xuen, the White Tiger, between boss fights, for both dungeons & raids. 
• Invoke Xuen, the White Tiger ✅ This is the default talent option for any Single-Target encounter, providing you with a deadly guardian that deals cleave damage. Xuen will snapshot your Attack Power, among other stats, which means you should use it while simultaneously having as many offensive effects active. In the same sense, you will continuously swap between this ability and Rushing Jade Wind, for both dungeons & raids. 
• Chi Torpedo ❌ This talent is not viable for PvE, and should only be considered in PvP environments! Considering the alternatives, picking the Chi Torpedo talent can only be viable as an improved mobility tool, which is unnecessary and leaves you without a potent spammable AoE tool or a powerful single-target cooldown. 

Glyphs

Major Glyphs

• Glyph of Touch of Karma This glyph is essential for Windwalker Monks in most dungeon/raid encounters where they must mitigate damage from afar!
• Glyph of Spinning Crane Kick This glyph is great for dungeons or encounters with many adds, as it allows you to move at full speed while channeling the ability, meaning no downtime for repositioning!
• Glyph of Fists of Fury A great glyph for solo play or dungeons where you expect to take damage from melee mobs!
• Glyph of Zen Meditation A glyph that is considered mandatory for encounters where you must soak damage at all costs whilst moving!

Minor Glyphs

• Glyph of Blackout Kick This minor glyph actually has major implications for Windwalker Monks, ensuring that they will always deal 20% additional damage, no matter their positioning. This glyph is considered mandatory.
• Glyph of Water Roll Besides acting as a cool roleplay tool, this is one of the few Minor Glyphs that can improve your performance, depending on the environment.
• Glyph of Spirit Roll This is the second Minor Glyph that has somewhat of a use for Monks besides cosmetic improvements, allowing them to respawn faster by using their mobility tools even while dead.