Diablo III is about more than just hacking and slashing. It's a cooperative game that not only recommends that players work together, but requires cooperation on the higher difficulties.
To that end, every character class in the game—from front-line fighters like the Barbarian to the more utility-based Demon Hunter have abilities that allow them to perform supportive roles to any adventuring party in varying ways.
Every character class is provisioned with an array of support skills that revolve around their defining characteristics. For instance, Demon Hunters trap, snare and immobilize; Witch Doctors perform hexes and curses to weaken groups of foes. No class is fully capable of performing each others' duties; as such, good parties rely on a proper assortment of support abilities with contributions from each class.
In this article, we'll be focusing mainly on active and passive buffs, most of which come from the Monk.
Besides being a melee-oriented badass that dishes out loads of pain through his fists, the Monk supports his party with a variety of skills that allow him to perform direct and indirect heals, boost the damage output of his allies, and increase their chances to dodge, evade, and absorb attacks.
Here's everything you need to know about your support skills and the additional skills that affect those skills. Other details are omitted.
Note: All base statistics (unmodded by Skill Runes) are listed as per Beta v0.11.0.9327. All skills are active unless listed otherwise.
Breath of Heaven
A blast of divine energy heals you and all allies within 12 yards for 6201.94 - 7442.33 Life.
Unlocks at Level: 8
Serenity
You are enveloped in a protective shield that absorbs all incoming damage for 3 seconds and grants immunity to all control impairing effects.
Unlocks at Level: 16
Mantra of Evasion
Recite a Mantra that grants you and your allies within 40 yards a 15% chance to dodge attacks for 3 minutes. For 3 seconds after activation, a second effect grants an additional 15% chance to dodge attacks.
Unlocks at Level: 19
Mantra of Retribution
Recite a Mantra that causes you and your allies within 40 yards to reflect melee damage back at enemies, dealing Holy damage equal to 40% of the damage sustained. The effect lasts for 3 minutes. For 3 seconds after activation, the effect on you increases to 80% of the damage sustained.
Unlocks at Level: 21
Inner Sanctuary
Create a runic circle of protection on the ground for 5 seconds that cannot be passed by enemies.
Unlocks at Level: 22
Mantra of Healing
Recite a Mantra that causes you and your allies within 40 yards to gain increased Life regeneration by 310.1 Life per second. The Mantra lasts 3 minutes. For 3 seconds after activation, the effect is increased to 1240.39 Life per second.Unlocks at Level: 26
Guiding Light (Passive)
Whenever you use a direct heal skill on another player you and the other player deal 16% more damage for 15 seconds.
Unlocks at Level: 40
Mantra of Conviction
Recite a Mantra that causes all enemies within 20 yards of you to take 12% additional damage. The Mantra lasts 3 minutes. For 3 seconds after activation, the effect is increased to 24% additional damage.