Skip to content
← All Classes
Melee 1D8

Monk

Monks use rigorous combat training and mental discipline to align themselves with the multiverse and focus their internal reservoirs of power. Different Monks conceptualize this power in various ways: as breath, energy, life force, essence, or self, for example. Whether channeled as a striking display of martial prowess or as a subtler manifestation of defense and speed, this power infuses all that a Monk does.

Monks focus their internal power to create extraordinary, even supernatural, effects. They channel uncanny speed and strength into their attacks, with or without the use of weapons. Many Monks find that a structured life of ascetic withdrawal helps them cultivate the physical and mental focus they need to harness their power. Other Monks believe that immersing themselves in the vibrant confusion of life helps to fuel their determination and discipline.

Monks generally view adventures as tests of their physical and mental development. They are driven by a desire to accomplish a greater mission than merely slaying monsters and plundering treasure; they strive to turn themselves into living weapons.

Quick Build

You can make a Monk quickly by following these suggestions. First, put your highest ability score in DEX, followed by WIS. Second, choose the Hermit Background.

Class Features

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1D8 per Monk level

At 1st level: 8 + Your CON Modifier

At higher levels: 1D8 or 5 if lower than 5, + CON Modifier

Proficiencies

Armor
None
Weapons
Simple Weapons, Shortswords
Tools
Choose One Artisan Tool or Musical Instrument
Saving Throws
STR, DEX
Skills
Choose two from: Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, Stealth

Starting Equipment

  • 1. (a) a shortsword or (b) any simple weapon
  • 2. (a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
  • 3. 10 darts

Class Features

Lv 1

Unarmored Defense

You incorporate great spacial awareness and your reflexes into defending yourself. While you are wearing no armor and not wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your DEX modifier (Minimum 1) + your WIS modifier (Minimum 1).

Martial Arts

You have trained to turn your fists into weapons and incorporate them into the martial arts. You can make an unarmed strike as a bonus action.

You roll 1D6 for your unarmed strike damage.

You can use your DEX score for: attack and damage rolls for unarmed strike and Monk weapons and Grapple and Shove actions.

Lv 2

Ki

Your training allows you to harness the mystic energy of Ki. Your access to this energy is represented by a number of Ki points. You have Ki points equal to your Monk level.

You can spend these points to fuel various Ki features. When you spend a Ki point, it is unavailable until you finish a short or long rest, at the end of which you draw all of your expended Ki back into yourself. You must spend at least 30 minutes of the rest meditating to regain your Ki points.

Some of your Ki features require your target to make a saving throw to resist the feature's effects. The saving throw DC is calculated as follows

Ki save DC = 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your WIS modifier (Minimum 1)

Flurry of Blows: You can spend 1 Ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action.

Patient Defense: You can spend 1 Ki point to take the Dodge and Disengage actions as a bonus action on your turn.

Step of the Wind: You can spend 1 Ki point to take the Disengage or Dash action as a bonus action on your turn, and your jump distance is doubled for the turn.

Unarmored Movement

Your legs are trained to carry you swiftly during battle. Your speed increases by 10 ft while you are not wearing armor or wielding a shield.

Uncanny Metabolism

You can take in the energy of the universe to heal you and fortify your Ki reserves. When you roll Initiative, you regain all expended uses of Ki. You also regain hit points equal to one Monk hit die + you Monk level.

You can use this feature once per long rest.

Lv 3

Deflect Attacks

You are skilled at using your fists to deflect blows. When an attack that would deal you Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing damage hits you, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage by 1D10 + your DEX modifier (Minimum 1) + your Monk level.

If you reduce the damage to zero, you can redirect the force of the attack to a target within 60 ft of you that is in sight if it was a ranged attack or to a target within 5 ft of you if it was a melee attack. The target must make a DEX saving throw DC equal to the attack roll and on a fail take damage equal to two rolls of your unarmed strike die.

Monastic Tradition

You take up a traditional style of fighting as taught by the monastery you follow. Your training grants you features at levels 3, 6, 11, and 17.

Ascendant Dragon

Astral Self

Cardinal Forms

Drunken Master

Elemental Warrior

→ Choose your subclass below
Lv 4

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Slow Fall

You have trained to become virtually immune to the effects of falling. You can use a reaction when you fall to reduce your damage equal to five times your Monk level.

Lv 5

Martial Damage Increase

Your technique and strength aid your fighting. Your unarmed strike hit die is 1D8.

Extra Attack

You train to attack swiftly and concisely. You can attack twice when you take the attack action.

Stunning Strike

You can interfere with the flow of Ki in an opponent's body. When you hit another creature with a melee weapon attack, you can spend 1 Ki point to attempt a Stunning Strike. The target must succeed on a CON saving throw or be Stunned until the end of your next turn. On a successful save the target’s movement is halved and the next attack roll on them has advantage.

Lv 6

Unarmored Movement

You train to move ever swifter. Your unarmored speed bonus increases to 15 ft.

Empowered Strikes

You can leave a lasting blow with the spiritual or physical force of your fists. You can choose to deal unarmed strike damage as Force or normal damage.

Lv 7

Evasion

Your instinctive agility lets you dodge out of the way of certain area effects. When you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a DEX saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if you fail.

Lv 8

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Lv 9

Advanced Unarmored Movement

You are trained in advanced arts that aid you in infiltration. You gain the ability to move along vertical surfaces and across liquids on your turn without falling during the move.

Lv 10

Unarmored Movement

Your muscles and techniques are sharpened to increase your speed. Your unarmored speed bonus increases to 20 ft.

Heightened Focus

Your mastery of Ki has advanced. Your Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the Wind gain the following benefits

Flurry of Blows: You make three unarmed strikes when you use this feature.

Patient Defense: You gain temporary hit points equal to two rolls of your Monk hit die when you use this feature.

Step of the Wind: You choose a willing creature within 5 ft of you, you move that creature with you when you use this feature. Neither of you provoke attacks of opportunity.

Self Restoration

At the end of each of your turns you can use force of will to end one of the following effects on yourself: Charmed, Frightened, or Poisoned.

You do not gain levels of Exhaustion by forgoing food and drink but will still perish after the normal amount of time without food or water.

Lv 11

Martial Damage Increase

Your techniques have advanced and allowed for great force. Your unarmed strike hit die is 1D10.

Lv 12

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Lv 13

Deflect Energy

Your fists have toughened and become attuned with the flow of Ki. You can use your Deflect Attack feature against any damage type.

Lv 14

Unarmored Movement

Ki flows through your legs, further enhancing your speed. Your unarmored speed bonus increases to 25 ft.

Disciplined Survivor

Your mind and body have become fortified to defend your soul from death. You have advantage on all saving throws. When you fail a saving throw you can spend one Ki point and reroll the throw, you must take the new roll.

Lv 15

Perfect Focus

You have attained a state of focus that naturally draws Ki into you. When you roll Initiative and do not use Uncanny Metabolism, if you have less than 4 Ki points you go up to 4 Ki points.

Lv 16

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Lv 17

Martial Damage Increase

Ki fuels your muscles and guides your strikes further. Your unarmed strike hit die is 1D12.

Lv 18

Unarmored Movement

Ki forcefully circles through your legs.Your unarmored speed bonus increases to 30 ft.

Superior Defense

You channel Ki to form a barrier within your body and around your mind. At the start of your turn you can expend 3 Ki points and become Resistant to all damage but Force damage for one minute, unless you become Incapacitated.

Lv 19

Epic Boon

You gain an Epic Boon feat for which you qualify.

Lv 20

Perfected Body and Mind

Your training has allowed your reflexes and awareness to reach supernatural heights. Your DEX and WIS scores increase by 4 and have a maximum of 25.

Monastic Traditions

Monk Subclasses (17)

Choose your subclass at the level indicated in the class table above.

Ascendant Dragon A student of this Tradition seeks to emulate the ways of dragons. They master arts such as an approximation of a dragon’s breath and other attributes. Metallic or Gem dragons are the usual subjects of study as the ways… Astral Self Practitioners of this Tradition tap into the latent power of the Astral Plane and channel their power summoning essences of their Astra Self to aid them. As they progress they can call forth more and more of your Astral… Cardinal Forms Following the Celestial Figures of the Four Cardinal Directions, these Monks embody the aspects of the Celestial Figures. They channel the defense of the Black Tortoise, the movements of the Azure Dragon, the vitality… Drunken Warrior The Way of the Drunken Warrior moves in jerking, unpredictable movements that frustrate would be attackers. Even inebriated they carefully dodge and strike all the while appearing to be drunken. Unlike most Monks they… Elemental Channeler Those who follow the Way of the Elemental Channeler tame the forces of the Elemental Chaos to deal great damage and achieve superior mobility. They blast their targets at a distance to cinders as they mete out judgment.… Forbidden Seal Laboring under four Forbidden Seals, these Monks release them sparingly to harness terrible power. If they existed without the seals that limit and protect them they would surely perish after laying a swath of… Iron Fist The dullest training of the Monastic Traditions gives rise to the hardiest warriors whose strikes rend flesh and steel. They spend years punching sand, trees, stone, then steel as they become living weapons. They become… Kensei The masters of weapons being unparalleled even among other Monastic Orders. Their weapons are an extension of themselves, an artform for all intents and purposes. The Kensei are masters of warfare that seek to become… Long Death The black sheep of Monks. Each Tradition has a cause, the Long Death exists to end the causes of others. Through death and torture these Monks perfect the art of breaking wills and ending lives. They thrive on death and… Mercy The faceless bringers of life and death. These masked warriors bring life and deal death as they wander the land on an endless journey. The Way of Mercy is one of rational and instinctual judgement. Sometimes the unjust… Open Hand The Way of the Open Hand specializes in unarmed combat and manipulating the energy within themselves. They are the most adept of all Monks at launching attacks that disrupt the Ki of others. The Open Hand is a… Open Mind The Open Mind trains to be perfect reflections like a still lake. They take all in and give it all back, leaving themselves unchanged. That is the way of the Open Mind, to interact with staying tranquil. Monks of the… Pacifist These Monks see violence as a last resort. They use diplomacy, mercy, and understanding to resolve conflicts. If pushed, though, they are capable warriors who can bring an end to the unjust or cruel folk who refuse to… Painless Haggard and scarred, these Monk’s haunting visages unnerve even the most dispassionate foes. They forge a path of pain and sorrow to reach a state of painlessness where the trials of the world no longer have meaning and… Pressure Points Skilled in the art of acupressure these Monks have turned the healing art into an art of war. They find kinship with the Monks of Mercy but lack their mystical arts, favoring the Locus Points found through meticulous… Pugilist The strength based Pugilist Monk disregards the need to dodge and use acrobatics to tank hits and hit harder. They train their bodies to an extreme degree to overpower others through strength of body. Pugilist Monks… Shadow Harnessing the power of the Shadowfell these warriors excel in stealth and subterfuge. They are able to disappear into shadow and leap out. Assassins and spies, the Shadow Monk keeps the peace from the shadows. Some…