How to Free Monke: Step-by-Step 🍌🔑🐒
Grab the banana, snag the key, open the cage.
Enter the Forest biome.
Stick to the edges, then cut across. The good stuff hides off-path.
Find the Bananarang.
Check tree hollows, rock backsides, and foliage thickets. Glows give it away. I also listen for a soft “whirr” cue near it.
Hunt the Gold Key.
Poke around ancient structures, toppled logs, caves, and raised branches. Clearings with odd enemy density often mean “something’s here.”
Locate the cage.
Usually deeper in, sometimes near water or a landmark. Expect barriers or extra mobs nearby.
Open the cage with the Gold Key.
Interact once you’re carrying it. Monke’s now yours permanently.
Try this:
- Items missing? Leave the Forest and re-enter to refresh.
- Wrong key? You need the Gold Key, not the regular one.
- Can’t find the cage? Sweep every hidden fork and vertical pocket.
Why Monke Feels So Good 🧗♂️🍌
- Wall-Climbing = vertical freedom. Duck threats, pick angles, reach loot others can’t.
- Bananarang = safe poke. It circles back, letting you reposition while dealing damage.
- Scaling tankiness. Each level adds +2 Max HP; by 50, you’re sitting on +100.
Want a fun rabbit hole about returning projectiles? See Boomerang on Wikipedia. Curious why spawns feel inconsistent sometimes? That’s good old Random number generation.
My Forest Route (Reliable Finds) 🌲
Goal: snag Bananarang → scout for Key → push deeper to cage.
- Start along the left wall, then cut to the inner ring.
- Peek behind oversized trees and rock shelves for the Bananarang.
- Circle the ruins and fallen logs for the Key; don’t skip caves.
- Push to the water-adjacent zone or any spot buzzing with enemies for the cage.
- If you come up dry, hop out and back in. Saves time, saves sanity.
Movement Tech That Wins Fights
Wall Basics
- Stick & Slide: Tap into a wall, hold briefly, drop to reset aggro cones.
- Pop-Up Burst: Climb, peek, toss Bananarang, drop before return; catch it mid-fall.
- Triangle Steps: Bounce between two nearby walls to gain height fast.
Positioning Habits
- Take rooflines and ledges. It neuters melee packs.
- If swarmed, zip vertically first, then lateral dash to break line-of-sight.
- Use corners to curve Bananarang paths into clustered foes.
Bananarang Tactics That Just Click 🎯
- Pre-Aim Returns: Toss while drifting sideways so the return pass slices a second pack.
- Wall Ricochets: Throw toward a wall so the rebound path skims new targets.
- Range Control: Don’t sit on top of enemies; set medium spacing for multiple hits.
- Catch Timing: Step into the return arc to instantly re-throw, keeping a damage loop alive.
Builds That Carry
Here’s what’s worked consistently for me. Pick one, then tweak.
| Build Archetype | Core Perks & Gear | Pros | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobility Monke 🏃 | Move speed, quicker climbs, lightweight armor, occasional dash/teleport | Safe farming, easy kiting, best map control | Lower raw defense; don’t get greedy |
| Tank Monke 🛡️ | HP stacking (level bonus shines), damage reduction, regen, wall cover | Soaks hits, great for learning boss patterns | Slower clears if damage perks lag |
| Ranged Specialist 🎯 | Bananarang speed/damage, projectile pierce, elevation abuse | Melts crowds from safety, stylish ricochets | Needs space; cramped maps feel worse |
Perk Priorities by Style
- Mobility: move speed → climb speed → stamina/dash recovery → light armor.
- Tank: HP → damage reduction → regen → block/guard.
- Ranged: projectile speed → base damage → pierce/bounce → crit if available.
Forest Hotspots You Shouldn’t Skip
- Big trunks and rock backsides: common Bananarang hideouts.
- Ruined arches and pillars: Key spawns love vertical edges.
- Cave mouths: short side tunnels often hold either Key or a hint.
- Weirdly busy clearings: if enemy density feels off, check for interactables.
Boss & Elite Tips With Monke
- Ground Smashers: Ride the wall. Wait for the slam, drop a return pass, climb again.
- Shielded Ranged: Ricochet the Bananarang off side walls to sneak behind shields.
- Summoners: Climb above their spawn circle; throw early so the return wipes adds.
Sample 10-Minute Power Path ⏱️
- 0:00–2:00 — Sprint perimeter, grab Bananarang.
- 2:00–5:00 — Ruins sweep for Gold Key; check branches and ledges.
- 5:00–7:00 — Push deeper; trace water edges and dense patrols.
- 7:00–8:00 — Free Monke.
- 8:00–10:00 — Farm vertical pockets; lock your early build.
If step 2 stalls, bail and re-enter. No shame, only time saved.
Common Snags & Easy Fixes 🛠️
“I can’t see the Bananarang.”
Look for faint glows, then listen for a soft hum. Behind trees is prime.
“The Key won’t trigger.”
It has to be the Gold Key. If you grabbed another key type, it won’t work.
“Cage won’t show up.”
Re-sweep deepest zones, especially near water or landmarks. Barrier rings often guard it.
“Spawns feel off.”
That’s RNG at play. Reload the Forest to shuffle placements.
Skill Progression & Leveling Notes
- Each level grants +2 Max HP. By level 50, you’ve stacked +100.
- That scaling pairs perfectly with wall cover; you can tank mid game while still poking.
- If your damage lags, push projectile speed first. Faster passes = more total hits.
Do’s & Don’ts Checklist ✅❌
Do
- Stay high, pick fights on your terms.
- Throw into corners and walls for clever returns.
- Reset the area if you sense a dud seed.
Don’t
- Face-tank packs on flat ground.
- Sit under ranged elites without a climb escape planned.
- Forget to step into the return arc for instant re-throws.
FAQ 🙋
Where exactly is the cage?
Usually deep Forest, sometimes near water or a distinctive landmark. Expect a barrier ring and extra mobs.
Can I free Monke without the Bananarang?
You can find the cage first, sure, but the process feels way smoother once you’ve got the Bananarang and Key squared away.
Is pierce better than raw damage?
For crowd control, yes. On single targets, stack base damage and speed so the return hits faster.
Final Words
Monke shines because height changes fights. With a returning projectile in hand and walls under your fingertips, you’re playing chess while others play checkers.
Grab the banana, snag the key, free the fuzzball, and start styling on everything that moves.