"Channel your cosmic enlightenment by deftly dodging and efficiently disassembling your foes through stunning strikes and a whirlwind of martial art attacks."

Need to know more about the Monk class? Then you've come to the right place!

*Not all information was available in Early Access - we will update as soon as we can!*

Table of Contents

    Roleplaying as a Monk

    "We're here for your gold!" the man snarls. "I have no gold," you reply calmly. "Valuables, then. You must have somethin'!" the other bandit exclaims. "I have no valuables, either." "Well," the first man starts to say, "perhaps we'll take your hea-" He never finishes his statement. With an almost imperceptible motion, your arm extends, your palm making contact with his chest before returning to your side. A look of confusion crosses his face before he collapses. The second brigand moves to draw his dagger...but you're faster. The fight is over before it begins.

    If this sounds interesting to you, consider a Monk. Graceful as they are deadly, this class shows that to master your enemies, you must first master yourself.

    Class Features at 1st Level

    • Starting Hit Points: 8 + your Constitution modifier
    • Proficiencies:
      • Simple weapons and Shortswords. No armors
      • Strength and Dexterity Saving Throws
      • Two skills from the following list: Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, and/or Stealth
    • Martial Arts allows the Monk to use Dexterity instead of Strength for Attack rolls and damage rolls in combat when using Monk weapons or unarmed. They also may perform an unarmed attack as a bonus action after a regular attack.
    • Access to Ki Points, which are spent to activate many different Monk abilities.
      • Flurry of Blows lets them spend 1 Ki Point to make two unarmed attacks after a regular attack.
    • While wearing no armor or shield, Monks can add their Wisdom modifier to their Armor Class.

    Class Features at Higher Levels

    • Hit Points at Later Levels: 5 + your Constitution modifier
    • At level 2, their movement rate increases by 3 meters when not wearing armor or a shield.
    • At level 3, a Monk can Deflect Missiles, allowing them to potentially catch arrows, thrown items, etc. to prevent damage and throw it back at the enemy.
    • Also at level 3, the Monk train themselves in a particular monastic technique, determining their subclass.
    • At levels 4, 8 and 12, you can increase one of your Ability scores by 2, two Ability scores by 1, or choose a Feat, which can provide you bonuses to Ability scores and skills simultaneously.
    • At level 5, a Monk gains an Extra Attack in combat.
    • *Not revealed yet.*

    Subclasses

    Monks follow the Ways of their monastery, training with the elders in different disciplines. Most monasteries dedicate themselves to a singular tradition, but some are more open in their teachings; this allows you to choose between three techniques. They are Way of the Open Hand, Way of Shadow, and Way of the Four Elements.

    • Open Hand Monks are dedicated to perfecting their body and mind, and their martial arts fighting.
      • *Not revealed yet.*
    • Shadow Monks are your ninjas or shadowdancers, masters of stealth, infiltration, and assassination. 
      • *Not revealed yet.*
    • Four Elements Monks use Ki to become...avatars of earth, fire, water, and/or air, bending them to their will. 
      • *Not revealed yet.*

    Preferred Ability Scores

    Monks demand a high Dexterity: they have no armor, and their weapon strikes (including unarmed combat) rely on Dex for attacking. Wisdom is very important for various Monk features, while Constitution might be next to absorb damage. The rest aren't as required: most characters use Strength for rolling melee damage whereas Monks do not, and they don't need a high Intelligence or Charisma for their abilities.

    Multiclassing Suggestions

    Monks generally do not Multiclass, for the simple reason that their unique features require them to follow a straight path without much deviation. Only Monk weapons can be used with their martial arts, and armor can get in the way of some abilities. While it is certainly possible to have another class dip into Monk, it is not recommended. Thankfully, Monks don't really need to Multiclass to be effective, and their subclasses can replicate features of other classes to get that hybrid feel.

    If you absolutely want to Multiclass, Monk & Barbarian can grant you access to Rage with just one level. In Baldur's Gate III you can Rage while using Dexterity for Monk attacks. Something to keep in mind, though, is that you cannot stack both Unarmored Defense passives together.

    Alternatively, you could go heavier into a class that also uses its Wisdom, such as Monk & Cleric. Not all Clerics wear armor, so this could give Sacred Fist-vibes with a mix of spells and martial arts.

    More Baldur's Gate 3 Class Guides

    Considering a different class? Choose one of the options below!

       

       

       

       

    Baldur's Gate 3 Character Creation Guides

    When you're ready to continue, head to one of the other sections of this guide; Background would be next!