Monk

Her fists a blur as they deflect an incoming hail of arrows, a half-elf springs over a barricade and throws herself into the massed ranks of hobgoblins on the other side. She whirls among them, knocking their blows aside and sending them reeling, until at last she stands alone.

Taking a deep breath, a human covered in tattoos settles into a battle stance. As the first charging orcs reach him, he exhales and a blast of fire roars from his mouth, engulfing his foes.

Moving with the silence of the night, a black-clad halfling steps into a shadow beneath an arch and emerges from another inky shadow on a balcony a stone’s throw away. She peers through the open window at the tyrant prince and unsheathes her blade.

Whatever their discipline, monks are united in their ability to harness the energy that flows in their bodies. Whether channeled as a striking display of combat prowess or a subtler focus of defensive ability and speed, this energy infuses all that a monk does.

Creating a Monk

As you make your monk character, think about your connection to the monastery where you learned your skills and spent your formative years. Were you an orphan or a child left on the monastery’s threshold? Did your parents promise you to the monastery in gratitude for a service performed by the monks? Did you enter this secluded life to hide from a crime you committed? Or did you choose the monastic life for yourself?

Consider why you left. Did the head of your monastery choose you for a particularly important mission beyond the cloister? Perhaps you were cast out because of some violation of the community’s rules. Did you dread leaving, or were you happy to go? Is there something you hope to accomplish outside the monastery? Are you eager to return to your home?

As a result of the structured life of a monastic community and the discipline required to harness ki, monks are almost always lawful in alignment.

Quick Build

You can make a monk quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Dexterity your highest ability score, or Strength if you plan to adopt the way of the Pugilist, followed by Wisdom. Second, choose a "hermit" background.

CLASSES | MONK

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1d8 per monk level
HP at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
HP at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per monk level after 1st

Proficiencies

Armor: None
Weapons: Any three simple weapons, shortswords
Tools: Choose one type of artisan's tools or one musical instrument
Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Skills: Choose two from Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, and Stealth

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) a dungeoneer's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
• 10 darts
• A monk weapon — a shortsword or any simple melee weapon that doesn't have the two-handed or heavy property

Martial Arts

At 1st level, your practice of martial arts gives you the following benefits while you are unarmed or wielding only monk weapons and you aren't wearing armor or wielding a shield:

• You can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.
• You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons.
• You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon. This die changes as you gain monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk table.

Unarmored Defense

Beginning at 1st level, while you are wearing no armor and not wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Wisdom modifier.

   Don't bother asking a monk to leave their weapons at the door. They are the weapon.                   – Piar

CLASSES | MONK

Flowing Defense

Counter. As a reaction to being attacked, you can spend 1 ki to impose disadvantage on that attack and any other attacks that target you until the start of your next turn.

Follow Up Strike

Strike. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki to make another unarmed strike attack this turn.

Leaping Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 1 ki to enter this stance. While in this stance you double your jump distance and you can use a bonus action to take either the Disengage or Dash actions.

Needle Strike

Strike. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or monk weapon attack, you can spend 1 ki to impose disadvantage on all attacks that target makes against you until the start of your next turn.

Break Your Fall

Counter. As a reaction when you fall, you can spend 1 ki to reduce any falling damage you take by an amount equal to five times your monk level.

Brutal Strike

Strike. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or monk weapon attack, you can spend 1 ki to deal additional damage equal to a roll of your Martial Arts die + your Wisdom modifier.

Deflect Missiles

Counter. You can use your reaction to deflect or catch a missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack. When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 + your Dexterity modifier + your level.

If you reduce the damage to 0, you can catch the missile if it is small enough for you to hold in one hand and you have at least one hand free. If you catch a missile in this way, you can spend 1 ki point to make a ranged attack with a range of 20/60 using what you just caught. You make this attack with proficiency, regardless of your weapon proficiencies, and the missile counts as a monk weapon for the attack.

Pummeler Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can enter this stance. While in this stance, you can attack twice instead of once when you take the Attack action on your turn.

Restricting Grip

Counter. When a creature up to one size larger than you misses you with a melee attack, you can spend 1 ki to attempt to grapple it. You get a bonus to your grapple check equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum one).

Stunning Strike

Strike. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or monk weapon attack, you can spend 1 ki to attempt a stunning strike. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of your next turn.

Body Block

Counter. When a creature targets you with an attack while you have another creature grappled, you can spend 1 ki and your reaction to force the attack to be made at disadvantage. If it misses, the attack must be rerolled targeting the creature you have grappled.

Countering Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 1 ki to enter this stance. While in this stance you have an additional number of reactions each round equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1). You must spend 1 ki to use each additional reaction.

Dizzying Strike

Strike. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or monk weapon attack, you can spend 1 ki to attempt a dizzying strike. The target makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, for the next minute the target falls prone at the end of each of its turns. The creature can use its action to attempt the save again to end the effect.

Grappling Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 1 ki to enter this stance. While in this stance you add your Wisdom modifier to checks you make to grapple and shove, and creatures you have grappled have disadvantage on saving throws.

Cluster Strike

Strike. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or monk weapon attack, you can spend 2 ki to apply the attack to a number of enemies within 5 feet of the target equal to your proficiency bonus. Use the same attack roll to determine which of those enemies are hit. Each enemy hit by the attack takes half the attack's damage.

Whirlwind of Blows

Strike. When you hit a creature with an attack, you can spend up to your proficiency bonus in ki to make an additional unarmed strike attack this turn per ki spent. Your Strike techniques used to enhance each of these attacks cost 1 less ki.

Empty Body Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 4 ki to enter this stance. While in this stance, you become invisible and have resistance to all damage except force damage.

Shroud of the Fleet Footed

Counter. As a reaction when a creature enters your reach, you can spend 2 ki to teleport a number of feet up to half your speed to an unoccupied space you can see. You can spend up to your Wisdom modifier in ki to travel an additional 10 feet per ki.

Two-Forms Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 1 ki to enter this stance. When you enter this stance, choose two other stances you know and spend any ki they require. While in this stance you gain the benefits of both stances.

Open Hand Technique

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn to manipulate your enemy's ki when you harness your own. You learn the following technique.

Sure Footed

Also at 3rd level, you've learned to mitigate attacks that would put you in harm's way. You can add your Wisdom modifier as a bonus to any Dexterity or Strength saving throws you make to resist falling prone or being moved against your will.

Wholeness of Body

At 6th level, you gain the ability to heal yourself. As an action, you can regain hit points equal to three times your monk level. You must finish a long rest before you can use this feature again.

Tranquility

Beginning at 11th level, you can enter a special meditation that surrounds you with an aura of peace. At the end of a long rest, you gain the effect of a Sanctuary spell that lasts until the start of your next long rest (the spell can end early as normal). The saving throw DC for the spell equals your Ki save DC.

Quivering Palm Technique

At 17th level, you gain the ability to set up lethal vibrations in someone's body. You learn the following technique.

Quivering Palm Strike

Strike. When you hit a creature with a melee attack, you can spend 3 ki to start imperceptible vibrations, which last for a number of days equal to your monk level. The vibrations are harmless unless you use your action to end them. To do so, you and the target must be on the same plane of existence. When you use this action, the creature must make a Constitution saving throw. If it fails, it is reduced to 0 hit points. If it succeeds, it takes 10d10 necrotic damage.

You can have only one creature under the effect of this feature at a time. You can choose to end the vibrations harmlessly without using an action.

CLASSES | MONK

Shadow Arts

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can embrace the darkness of your ki. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your Shadow Arts spells. You learn the Minor Illusion cantrip if you don't already know it. You also learn the following technique.

Skulker

Additionally at 3rd level, your training has provided you the knowledge of how to blend in or disappear. You gain proficiency with Stealth checks.

Shadow Step

At 6th level, your shadow arts allow you to step from one shadow into another. While in your Shadow Stance if you are in dim light or darkness, you can use a bonus action to teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space you can see that is also in dim light or darkness. You then have advantage on the first melee attack you make before the end of the turn.

Cloak of Shadows

By 11th level, you have learned to become one with the shadows. While in your Shadow Stance if you are in an area of dim light or darkness, you can use your action to become invisible. You remain invisible until you make an attack, cast a spell, or are in an area of bright light.

Opportunist

At 17th level, you can exploit a creature's momentary distraction when it is hit by an attack.

Successive Punishment

Counter. As a reaction when a creature within 5 feet of you is hit by an attack made by a creature other than you, you can make a melee attack against that creature.

CLASSES | MONK

Radiant Sun Bolts

Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can hurl searing bolts of magical radiance. You learn the following technique.

Positive Association

Also at 3rd level, creatures of the positive energy planes can see the light of your ki. You have advantage on ability checks you make to interact with Celestials.

Searing Arc Strike

At 6th level, you gain the ability to channel your ki into searing waves of energy. Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn while in your Radiant Sun Stance, you can spend 2 ki to cast the Burning Hands spell as a bonus action.

You can spend additional ki to cast Burning Hands as a higher level spell. Each point you spend, up to a maximum of 3, increases the spell's level by 1.

Searing Sunburst

At 11th level, you gain the ability to create an orb of light that erupts into a devastating explosion. As an action while in your Radiant Sun Stance, you magically create an orb and hurl it at a point you choose within 150 feet, where it erupts into a sphere of radiant light for a brief but deadly instant.

Each creature in that 20-foot-radius sphere must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 2d6 radiant damage. A creature doesn't need to make the save if the creature is behind total cover that is opaque.

You can increase the sphere's damage by spending ki. Each point you spend, up to a maximum of 3, increases the damage by 2d6.

Radiant Soul

At 17th level, you become wreathed in a luminous, magical aura. You shed bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet. You can extinguish or restore the light as a bonus action. You also learn the following technique.

Sun Shield

Counter. If a creature hits you with a melee attack while this light shines, you can use your reaction to deal radiant damage to the creature. The radiant damage equals 5 + your Wisdom modifier.

CLASSES | MONK

Implements of Mercy

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Insight and Medicine skills, and you gain proficiency with the herbalism kit.

You also gain a special mask, which you often wear when using the features of this subclass. It may have features of a raven, skull, or butterfly, or might be a stylized visage. You determine its appearance.

Hands of Harm and Healing

Also at 3rd level, you learn the twin skills of using your mystical touch to mend wounds or inflict them. You learn the following techniques.

Physician's Touch

Starting at 6th level, you can administer even greater cures with a touch, and if you feel it's necessary, you can use your knowledge to cause harm.

When you use Hands of Healing on a creature, you can also end one disease or one of the following conditions affecting the creature: blinded, deafened, paralyzed, poisoned, or stunned.

When you use Hands of Harm on a creature, you can subject that creature to the poisoned condition until the end of your next turn.

Flurry of Healing and Harm

Starting at 11th level, you can now mete out a flurry of comfort and hurt. You can spend 1 ki to replace any number of your unarmed strikes with Hands of Healing without spending the ki for Hands of Healing.

In addition, when you make an unarmed strike with Follow Up Strike, you can use Hand of Harm with that attack without spending the ki for Hands of Harm. You can still use Hands of Harm only once per turn.

Hand of Ultimate Mercy

By 17th level, Your mastery of life energy opens the door to the ultimate mercy. As an action, you can touch the corpse of a creature that died within the past 24 hours and expend 5 ki points. The creature then returns to life, regaining a number of hit points equal to 4d10 + your Wisdom modifier. If the creature died while subject to any of the following conditions, it revives with them removed: blinded, deafened, paralyzed, poisoned, and stunned.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

CLASSES | MONK

Bonus Proficiencies

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Performance skill. Your martial arts technique mixes combat training with the precision of a dancer and the antics of a jester. You also gain proficiency with brewer's supplies.

Drunken Technique

At 3rd level, you learn how to twist and turn quickly as part of your fighting style. You learn the following technique.

Tipsy Sway

Starting at 6th level, you can move in sudden, swaying ways. You learn the following techniques.

Drunkard's Luck

Starting at 11th level, you always seem to get a lucky bounce at the right moment. When you make an ability check, an attack roll, or a saving throw and have disadvantage, you can spend 2 ki points to cancel the disadvantage for that roll.

Intoxicated Frenzy

At 17th level, you can use a number of Counter techniques equal to your Dexterity modifier each turn, regardless of how many reactions you can normally take.

Additionally, each of your Counter techniques cost 1 less ki.

CLASSES | MONK

Arms of the Astral Self

At 3rd level, your mastery of your ki allows you to summon a portion of your astral self. You learn the following technique.

Astral Arms Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 1 ki to enter this stance. When you do so, each creature of your choice that you can see within 10 feet of you must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take force damage equal to two rolls of your Martial Arts die.

While in this stance, these spectral arms hover near your shoulders or surround your arms (your choice). You determine the arms' appearance. You gain the following benefits:

• You can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength modifier when making Strength checks and Strength saving throws.
• You can use the spectral arms to make unarmed strikes.
• When you make an unarmed strike with the arms on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal.
• The unarmed strikes you make with the arms can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack and damage rolls.

Visage of the Astral Self

When you reach 6th level, you can summon the visage of your astral self.

Astral Mind Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 3 ki to enter this stance, or 1 ki if you are currently in Astral Arms Stance. While in this stance, you gain the benefits of Astral Arms Stance along with the following benefits:

• You can see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet.
• You have advantage on Insight and Intimidation checks.
• When you speak, you can direct your words to a creature of your choice that you can see within 60 feet of you, making it so only that creature can hear you. Alternatively, you can amplify your voice so that all creatures within 600 feet can hear you.

Body of the Astral Self

Starting at 11th level, you can also cause the body of your astral self to appear.

Astral Body Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 5 ki to enter this stance, or 1 ki if you are currently in Astral Mind Stance. While in this stance, you gain the benefits of Astral Mind Stance along with the following benefits:

• Deflect Energy. When you take acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, or thunder damage, you can use your reaction to deflect it. When you do so, the damage you take is reduced by 1d10 + your Wisdom modifier.
• Empowered Arms. Once on each of your turns when you hit a target with your spectral arms, you can deal extra damage to it equal to your Martial Arts die.

Awakened Astral Self

Starting at 17th level, your connection to your astral self is complete, allowing you to unleash its full potential.

Astral Soul Stance

Stance. At the start of your turn, you can spend 7 ki to enter this stance, or 1 ki if you are currently in Astral Body Stance. While in this stance, you gain the benefits of Astral Body Stance along with the following benefits.

• Armor of the Spirit. You gain a +2 bonus to AC.
• Astral Barrage. You can attack three times rather than once when you take the Attack action if all the attacks are made with your astral arms, and their damage type is force.

CLASSES | MONK

Elemental Stance

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you choose one element and learn its elemental technique from the following options. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for any spells they provide.

Elemental Conduit

At 6th level, you learn to use your chosen element in more powerful manners. While in your elemental stance, you can cast certain spells using your ki. At certain monk levels you gain access to additional spells. See the Way of Elements Spells table. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Elemental Affinity

Also at 6th level, you can deflect harm from your chosen element. If you know Air Stance, you have resistance to lightning damage. If you know Earth Stance, you have resistance to thunder damage. If you know Fire Stance, you have resistance to fire damage. If you know Water Stance, you have resistance to acid damage.

Combined Stance

When you reach 11th level, choose a second element and learn its elemental technique. While in either elemental stance, you gain the benefits of both.

Avatar of the Elements

At 17th level, your connection with the primordial transcends a specific element. You learn all four elemental stances. While in any elemental stance, you gain the benefits of all of them.

CLASSES | MONK

Kensei Weapons

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, your special martial arts training leads you to master the use of certain weapons. Choose one melee and one ranged weapon that each lack the heavy or special property. You gain proficiency with these weapons and they are monk weapons for you.

When you reach 6th, 11th, and 17th levels, you can choose another type of weapon – either melee or ranged – to be a kensei weapon for you, following the criteria above.

Kensei Techniques

At 3rd level, you learn the following techniques.

Way of the Brush

Also at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with your choice of calligrapher's supplies or painter's supplies.

One with the Blade

At 6th level, your attacks with your kensei weapons count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Additionally, you learn the following technique.

Sharpen the Blade

At 11th level, you gain the ability to augment your weapons further with your ki. When you enter a stance, you can spend up to 3 ki to grant one kensei weapon you touch a bonus to attack and damage rolls when you attack with it. The bonus equals the number of ki points you spent. This bonus lasts for the duration of your stance. This feature has no effect on a magic weapon that already has a bonus to attack and damage rolls.

Unerring Accuracy

At 17th level, your mastery of weapons grants you extraordinary accuracy. If you miss with an attack roll using a monk weapon on your turn, you can reroll it. You can use this feature only once on each of your turns.

CLASSES | MONK

Stability Over Agility

Starting at 3rd level, you can replace all mentions of your character's Dexterity score or modifier with your Strength score or modifier, respectively, in the Unarmored Defense description and all Technique descriptions.

Iron Resolve

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn to defend yourself with gritty determination. You learn the following techniques.

Physical Specimen

Also at 3rd level, your harsh physical training grants you proficiency with Athletics checks.

Grip of the Titan

At 6th level, your training has honed your formidable physical prowess. While in your Iron Stance, you gain the following benefits.

• Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
• Powerful Grip. You count as one size larger for the purposes of grappling and shoving.

Titanic Fling

Additionally at 6th level, you can throw creatures you grapple, learning the following technique.

Compression Grasp

At 11th level, you begin to master inescapable punishment for those in your grasp. While in your Iron Stance, you gain the following additional benefits.

• Crushing Grasp. As an action, you can squeeze a creature you are grappling, inflicting damage equal to your monk level + your Strength modifier.
• Hardy Endurance. As a bonus action, you can spend 1 ki point to regain hit points equal to a roll of your Martial Arts die + your proficiency bonus.

Immortal Titan

Starting at 17th level, your Iron Stance reaches its zenith, gaining the following additional benefits.

• Iron Skin. You have resistance to all damage.
• Iron Soul. You have advantage on saving throws against spells.

CLASSES | MONK