Summary
Although the Monk feels like a new class in theDungeons & Dragonsuniverse, they’ve been in the game since theBlackmooradventure supplement that dates from 1975. This class describes a martial artist who specializes in combat without weapons (for the most part), and they’ve been mostly a DPS and support class.
Unlike some other classes in theD&Dfantasy universe, the legend of the martial arts also exists in real life. Plentyof overpowered Monksare based on famous people who mastered the same fighting style. Players who also want to build an overpowered Monk can make a few different choices for spellcasters, melee fighters, and healers.
This Monk combines deadly unarmed attacks with powerful spellcasting abilities.
Races
Monks valueDexterityoverall, but Wisdom is also important for most skills. These are handy for spellcasting, especially when combined with certain Feats.
Monastic Tradition
Way of the Sun Soulgives the Monk several spellssimilar to those of a Light Domain Cleric. These Monks learn Radiant Sun Bolt at level 3 and Searing Strike at level 4, and can cast Searing Hands as a bonus action. For those who prefer a more sinister but equally deadly approach,Way of the Long Deathhas a similar spell list that includes powers like Touch of Death and Hour of Reaping.
4The Monk With A Weapon
Simple But Deadly
Not all Monks go completely unarmed. Even simple martial weapons can be lethal in skilled hands, and this build proves it.
Monks have limited weapon proficiencies, and some lineages have more options for weapons.Dexterityis the most important stat, and this build also includes improvements to Constitution and Strength for better weapon damage.
Way of the Ascendant Dragonis just as impressive as it sounds when it comes to improved damage and extra movement. Draconic Disciple can be used to improve Charisma rolls, making it ideal for the party face as well, and Draconic Strike is about giving elemental damage to a melee attack. For those who prefer to keep this based on physical weapon damage, theWay of the Kenseispecializes in weapon training. Players choose one melee weapon and one ranged weapon.
3Hand Of Healing
The Party Savior
Previously a support class, Monks can take on the main healer role in the partyand deal damage asthey aid their companions.
Some races have natural healing abilities, while others improve the Monk’s Constitution and Dexterity.
The Way of Mercyis the obvious choice for this build, which grants the Monk a variety of healing abilities. Hands of Healing and its offensive counterpart, Hands of Harm, are measured using the Monk’s Ki die and their Wisdom modifier. This subclass also gives them proficiency in Medicine and Insight.
2The Quick And The Dead
A Rogue Monk With A Mission
Multiclass with the Rogue class and experiment with the power offered by Dexterity and powerful Stealth abilities. Players are advised to take three levels in Rogue and choose the Assassin Archetype to make the most of this multiclass build.
Dexterity and Constitution are most important for this build, which also gives the Monk some extra weapon proficiencies.
Monks who follow theWay of Shadowcould be compared to ninjas, using stealth and subterfuge to track and kill their targets,but equally deadly inopen warfare. They use their Ki points to cast spells like Silence and Darkness, and gain Shadow Step at 6th level, a teleportation spell.
1Drunken Master
Built On The Infamous Subclass
Inspired by an ancient legend and a popular movie, this is a powerful build based on real-life adventure that relies ondevastating unarmed meleedamage.
This build spends a lot of time in melee range of enemies, so they need extra Constitution and the usual improvements to Dexterity and Wisdom.
There actually is aDrunken Mastersubclass. It has the kind of skills the player can expect, like Drunken Technique, Drunkard’s Luck, and Tipsy Sway. It’s a tradition focused on quick, unpredictable movement.
