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. In a Monk's hands, even the most basic weapons can become sophisticated implements of combat mastery.

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, make Dexterity your highest ability score, followed by Wisdom. Second, choose the hermit background.

Proficiencies

Armor: None
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons that have the Light property.
Tools: Any two types of tools and/or musical instruments of your choice
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Wisdom
Skills: Any four of your choice.

Equipment

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

• (a) A Spear, 5 Daggers, A set of Artisan's Tools or a Musical Instrument chosen for one of the tool proficiencies above, an Explorer's Pack, and 11 GP.
• (b) 50 GP.

Maneuver Options

The Battle Maneuvers are presented here in Alphabetical order.

Ambush. When you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check or an Initiative roll, you can expend one Superiority Die and add the die to the roll, unless you have the Incapacitated condition.

Bait and Switch. When you're within 5 feet of a creature on your turn, you can expend one Superiority Die and switch places with that creature, provided you spend at least 5 feet of movement and the creature is willing and doesn't have the Incapacitated condition. This movement doesn't provoke Opportunity Attacks. Roll the Superiority Die. Until the start of your next turn, you or the other creature (your choice) gains a bonus to AC equal to the number rolled.

Commander's Strike. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one of your attacks to direct one of your companions to strike. When you do so, choose a willing creature who can see or hear you and expend one Superiority Die. That creature can immediately use its Reaction to make one attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike, adding the Superiority Die to the attack's damage roll on a hit.

Commanding Presence. When you make a Charisma (Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion) check, you can expend one Superiority Die and add that die to the roll.

Disarming Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Superiority Die to attempt to disarm the target. Add the Superiority Die roll to the attack's damage roll. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or drop one object of your choice that it's holding, with the object landing in its space.

Distracting Strike. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Superiority Die to distract the target. Add the Superiority Die roll to the attack's damage roll. The next attack roll against the target by an attacker other than you has Advantage if the attack is made before the start of your next turn.

Evasive Footwork. As a Bonus Action, you can expend one Superiority Die and take the Disengage action. You also roll the die and add the number rolled to your AC until the start of your next turn.

Feinting Attack. As a Bonus Action, you can expend one Superiority Die to feint, choosing one creature within 5 feet of yourself as your target. You have Advantage on your next attack roll against that target this turn. If that attack hits, add the Superiority Die to the attack's damage roll.

Goading Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Superiority Die to attempt to goad the target into attacking you. Add the Superiority Die to the attack's damage roll. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have Disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn.

Lunging Attack. As a Bonus Action, you can expend one Superiority Die and take the Dash action. If you move at least 5 feet in a straight line immediately before hitting with a melee attack as part of the Attack action on this turn, you can add the Superiority Die to the attack's damage roll.

Maneuvering Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Superiority Die to maneuver one of your comrades into another position. Add the Superiority Die roll to the attack's damage roll, and choose a willing creature who can see or hear you. That creature can use its Reaction to move up to half its Speed without provoking an Opportunity Attack from the target of your attack.

Menacing Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Superiority Die to attempt to frighten the target. Add the Superiority Die to the attack's damage roll. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Frightened condition until the end of your next turn.

Parry. When another creature damages you with a melee attack roll, you can take a Reaction and expend one Superiority Die to reduce the damage by the number you roll on your Superiority Die plus your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice).

Precision Attack. When you miss with an attack roll, you can expend one Superiority Die, roll that die, and add it to the attack roll, potentially causing the attack to hit.

You gain the following benefits while you are unarmed or wielding only Monk weapons and you aren't wearing armor or wielding a Shield.

Bonus Unarmed Strike. You can make an Unarmed Strike as a Bonus Action.

Martial Arts Die. You can roll 1d6 in place of the normal damage of your Unarmed Strike or Monk weapons. This die changes as you gain Monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk Features table.

Dexterous Attacks. You can use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier for the attack and damage rolls of your Unarmed Strikes and Monk weapons. In addition, when you use the Grapple or Shove option of your Unarmed Strike, you can use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to determine the save DC.

Monastic Might. You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for any Athletics Skill Check you make provided you are proficient in or have expertise in the Athletics Skill, as well as for calculating your carry capacity and for determining how much you can drag, lift, or push.

Elemental Attunement

At 3rd level, At the start of your turn, you can expend 1 Focus Point to imbue yourself with elemental energy. The energy lasts for 10 minutes or until you have the Incapacitated condition. You gain the following benefits while this feature is active.

Reach. When you make an Unarmed Strike, your reach is 10 feet greater than normal, as elemental energy extends from you.

Elemental Strikes. Whenever you hit with your Unarmed Strike, you can cause it to deal your choice of Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder damage rather than its normal damage type. When you deal one of these types with it, you can also force the target to make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you can move the target up to 10 feet toward or away from you, as elemental energy swirls around it.

Elemental Wave. Once per Turn, you can spend 2 Focus Points to replace an Attack you make with the Attack Action with this feature. You choose one damage type: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder. Each creature in a 15-foot cone makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking two rolls of your Martial Arts die in the damage type you chose on a failed save or half as much on a successful one.

Manipulate Elements

At 3rd level, you know the Elementalism spell. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.

Elemental Burst

At 6th level, as a Magic action, you can expend 4 Focus Points to cause elemental energy to burst in a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on a point within 120 feet of yourself. Choose a damage type: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder.

Each creature in the Sphere must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes damage of the chosen type equal to three rolls of your Martial Arts die. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage.

Elemental Cascade

At 11th level, as a Magic action, you can expend 6 Focus Points to cause elemental energy to roar forward in a 40-foot-long, 15-foot-wide Line away from you. Choose a damage type: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder.

Each creature in the Line must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes damage of the chosen type equal to four rolls of your Martial Arts die. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage.

Stride of the Elements

At 11th level, While your Elemental Attunement is active, you also have a Fly Speed and a Swim Speed equal to your Speed.

Elemental Epitome

At 17th level, while your Elemental Attunement is active, you also gain the following benefits.

Damage Resistance. You gain Resistance to one of the following damage types of your choice: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder. At the start of each of your turns, you can change this choice.

Destructive Stride. When you use your Step of the Wind, your Speed increases by 20 feet until the end of the turn. For that duration, any creature of your choice takes damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die when you enter a space within 5 feet of it. The damage type is your choice of Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder. A creature can take this damage only once per turn.

Empowered Strikes. Once on each of your turns, you can deal extra damage to a target equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die when you hit it with an Unarmed Strike. The extra damage is the same type dealt by that strike.

Hand of Harm

At 3rd level, once per turn when you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike and deal damage, you can expend 2 Focus Points to deal extra Necrotic damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die plus your Wisdom modifier.

Hand of Healing

At 3rd level, as a Magic action, you can expend 1 Focus Point to touch a creature and restore a number of Hit Points equal to a roll of your Martial Arts die plus your Wisdom modifier. When you use your Flurry of Blows, you can replace one of the Unarmed Strikes with a use of this feature without expending a Focus Point for the healing.

Implements of Mercy

At 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Insight and Medicine skills, and you gain proficiency with the herbalism kit. If you are already proficient with either skill, replace it with proficiency in another skill. If you are already proficient with herbalism kits, replace that proficiency with proficiency in another type of Artisan's Tools.

Physician's Touch

At Level 6, Your Hand of Harm and Hand of Healing improve, as detailed below.

Hand of Harm. When you use Hand of Harm on a creature, you can also give that creature the Poisoned condition until the end of your next turn.

Hand of Healing. When you use Hand of Healing, you can also end one of the following conditions on the creature you heal: Blinded, Deafened, Paralyzed, Poisoned, or Stunned.

Flurry of Healing and Harm

At 11th level, when you use Flurry of Blows, you can replace each of the Unarmed Strikes with a use of Hand of Healing without expending Focus Points for the healing.

In addition, when you make an Unarmed Strike with Flurry of Blows and deal damage, you can use Hand of Harm with that strike without expending a Focus Point for Hand of Harm. You can still use Hand of Harm only once per turn.

You can use these benefits a total number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Hand of Ultimate Mercy

At 17th level, your mastery of life energy opens the door to the ultimate mercy. As a Magic action, you can touch the corpse of a creature that died within the past 24 hours and expend 10 Focus Points. The creature then returns to life with a number of Hit Points equal to 4d10 plus your Wisdom modifier. If the creature died with any of the following conditions, the creature revives with the conditions removed: Blinded, Deafened, Paralyzed, Poisoned, and Stunned.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest.

Open Hand Technique

At 3rd level, Whenever you hit a creature with an attack granted by your Flurry of Blows, you can impose one of the following effects on that target.

Addle. The target can't make Opportunity Attacks until the start of its next turn.

Push. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 15 feet away from you.

Topple. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or have the Prone condition.

Wholeness of Body

At 6th level, You gain the ability to heal yourself. As a Bonus Action, you can roll your Martial Arts die. You regain a number of Hit Points equal to the number rolled plus your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1 Hit Point regained).

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Fleet Step

At 11th level, when you take a Bonus Action other than Step of the Wind, you can also use Step of the Wind immediately after that Bonus Action.

Improved Open Hand Technique

At 3rd level, the abilities granted by your Open Hand Technique Feature improve.

Addle. The target makes its next attack before the start of its next turn with Disadvantage.

Push. The distance a target that fails its saving throw is pushed is increased to 30 feet.

Topple. A target that falls prone due to failing its Dexterity Save against this ability takes Force Damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts Die.

Quivering Palm

At 17th level, you gain the ability to set up lethal vibrations in someone's body. When you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike, you can expend 4 Focus Points to start these imperceptible vibrations, which last for a number of days equal to your Monk level. The vibrations are harmless unless you take an action to end them. Alternatively, when you take the Attack action on your turn, you can forgo one of the attacks to end the vibrations. To end them, you and the target must be on the same plane of existence. When you end them, the target must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 10d12 Force damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

You can have only one creature under the effect of this feature at a time. You can end the vibrations harmlessly (no action required).

Genin Shadow Arts

At 3rd level, you can use your Focus Points to Gain powerful abilities to enhance your stealthiness. Any Spell you cast with this feature or any other feature from this Archetype uses Wisdom as its spellcasting modifier.

Shadow Curtain. As an action, you can spend 4 Focus Points to cast the Darkness spell without providing material components.You can see within the spell's area when you cast it with this feature. While the spell persists, you can move its area of Darkness to a space within 60 feet of yourself at the start of each of your turns.

Shadow Sight. You gain 60 feet of darkvision, and can see in both magical and non-magical darkness. If you already have Darkvision from another source, you increase the range of it by 60 feet instead and also gain the benefits of seeing in magical darkness.

Shadowy Figments. You know the Minor Illusion spell. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.

Shadow Step

At 6th level, While entirely within 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 next melee attack you make before the end of the current turn.

Chunin Shadow Arts

Also at 6th level, you learn more Shadow Arts.

One With The Shadows. As an Action, you can spend 6 Focus Points to cast the Pass without Trace Spell without providing material components.

Silent Shadows. As an Action, you can spend 6 Focus Points to cast the Silence Spell.

Shadowy Form. As an Action, you can spend 6 Focus Points to cast the Alter Self Spell.

Improved Shadow Step

By 11th level, you can draw on your Shadowfell connection to empower your teleportation. When you use your Shadow Step, you can expend 2 Focus Point to remove the requirement that you must start and end in Dim Light or Darkness for that use of the feature. As part of this Bonus Action, you can make an Unarmed Strike immediately after you teleport.

Jonin Shadow Arts

Also at 11th level, you learn new ways to bend your Focus Points into powerful magical effects.

True Shadow. As an action, you can spend 8 Focus Points to cast the Greater Invisibility spell without providing material components. If you cast this spell in this way, you may only target yourself with it.
Shifting Shadows. As an action, you can spend 8 Focus Points to cast the Polymorph spell without providing material components. If you cast this spell in this way, you may only target yourself with it.

Cloak of Shadows

At 17th level, as a Magic action while entirely within Dim Light or Darkness, you can expend 6 Focus Points to shroud yourself with shadows for 1 minute, until you have the Incapacitated condition, or until you end your turn in Bright Light. While shrouded by these shadows, you gain the following benefits.

Invisibility. You have the Invisible condition.

Partially Incorporeal. You can move through occupied spaces as if they were Difficult Terrain. If you end your turn in such a space, you are shunted to the last unoccupied space you were in.

Shadow Flurry. You can use your Flurry of Blows without expending any Focus Points.

Kage Shadow Arts

Also at 17th level, you learn the most powerful of Shadow Arts.

Duplicitous Shadows. As an action, you can spend 10 Focus Points to cast the Mislead Spell.
Shadow Roulette. As an action, you can spend 10 Focus Points to cast the Seeming Spell.

Arcane Sight

Prerequisites(s): Proficient in the Arcana skill

You can cast detect magic at will, without expending a spell slot.

Blademaster

Prerequisites(s): 5th level, Proficiency with at least one Martial Weapon.

Select one type of martial weapon with which you are proficient. While you are wielding this weapon, it counts as magical for the purpose of piercing resistance and immunity. You also gain one additional Weapon Mastery.

Carnie

Prerequisites(s): Thrown Weapon Fighting Feat.

The ranges of any weapon you use with the Thrown property are doubled when you throw that weapon.

Dual Spear Strike

Prerequisites(s): 7th level

When you would deal damage with an Unarmed Strike, you can forgo dealing damage to force the target to make a Dexterity saving throw against your Focus Save DC. On a failed save, the target is blinded until the end of its next turn.

Duel of Honor

Prerequisites(s): Proficient in the Deception or Intimidation Skill. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma 14 or higher.

You can cast compelled duel at 1st level once without using a spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your Spellcasting modifier for this spell (you choose which when you take this talent).

Enhanced Elements

Prerequisites(s): 3rd level, Way of The Four Elements

You learn the Sorcerous Burst Spell. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.

Expert

Prerequisites(s): N/A
You choose one Skill or Tool with which you are Proficient. You gain Expertise with that Skill or Tool. This talent can be taken up to two times, and you must choose a different skill or tool to benefit from this Talent for each.

Flowing River

Prerequisites(s): 3rd level
When you take the attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 Focus Point as part of that action to move 15 feet. You must end this movement within range of your opponent to use this Talent.

Giantslayer

Prerequisites(s): N/A

You gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed if you don't already have one. If you already have a climbing speed, your movement is increased by 30 feet while using it. You can use your climbing speed to scale creatures that are at least one size larger than you. At the start of each of your turns while you are climbing this creature, you must make a Strength (Athletics) skill check contested by a Strength (Athletics) skill check from the creature you are climbing.

While you are climbing a creature in this way, you have advantage on your melee attack rolls against it while that creature has disadvantage on attacks against you. The creature you are climbing has advantage on a Strength (Athletics) Skill Check made to grapple you while you are climbing it.

Hurricane Step

Prerequisites(s): Proficiency in Athletics

You gain an additional 5 feet of Speed. If you have another type of movement speed from a Monk Martial Talent or your Race, it matches your Walking Speed.

Kiai

Prerequisites(s): 5th level

When you take the attack action on your turn, you can spend 3 Focus Points to replace one attack you make as part of that action with a special Focus Points burst. All creatures within a 10-foot radius of you that you choose must succeed on a Strength saving throw against your Focus Save DC or be pushed back 10 feet in a straight line. At 17th level, the radius of this talent increases to 30 feet and the distance enemies are pushed back is increased to 20 feet.

Merciful Grace

Prerequisites(s): 3rd level, Way of Mercy

You know the Spare the Dying cantrip and may cast it as a bonus action or replace one of your Unarmed Strikes from your Flurry of Blows feature with a casting of this cantrip. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.

Mighty Blows

Prerequisites(s): 10th level, Strength or Dexterity 18

Once per turn, when you deal damage with a Melee Weapon Attack or Unarmed Strike, you can deal extra damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus.

Art (In Order)

• Raikoart
• kemachiku
• kemachiku
• rikizo
• ji no
• Kandoken

1.0

• All the base changes from my 2014 Revised Monk (d10 hit die, doubled Ki - now Focus Points, tweaked costs)
• Brought back Tongue of the Sun and Moon and Timeless Body since they're ribbons at best.
• Added Elemental Cascade to Way of the Elements at 11th Level to add more uses for Ki.
• Brought back Monastic Weapon Training since Kensei is dead technically.
• added upgrades to the Open Hand Technique feature for Open Hand Monk.
• Almost wholesale ported my version of Shadow Monk from 2014 Revised, with some of the cool new stuff from 2024's shadow monk adapted.

1.1

• With Rizer (Formerly Armoured Hero) being added to my list of 2024 Classes and having Focus Points of its own, added a clause to Monk's Focus to ensure they don't stack, but instead the higher value is used between the two (or more) sources.

1.2

• renamed the Subclasses from Ways to Warriors as per the 2024 wording.

1.3

• Martial Arts now gives a new ability that lets you swap STR for DEX with Athletics, Carry Capacity, and Drag/Lift/Push weight. Part of this is absolutely copied from Bone Wizard
• Focus Save DC is now 8 + Prof Bonus + DEX modifier (again yoinked from Bone Wizard)