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Summary
Choosing the right class is important for anyDungeons & Dragonscharacter , but choosing the right subclass is especially significant for a monk . Like most otherDnDclasses , monks choose subclass at tier three . There are 15 monk subclass from 2014 fifth edition and the updated 2024 rule , include those revealed inUnearthed Arcana , each of which can grant part a wide kind of bonuses .
In contrast to the old spell slingers and blade swingers , the monk is unique . They fight with bare fists and Wuxia - alike discreetness , using Ki Points like tour slot to augment their attacks and increase their chance to fall upon . Like mostDnDclasses , monks descend with a wrapping of subclasses to pick from . Each one is valuable in its own way , usually providing the participant with Modern feature and power to spend their ki on . Still , some subclasses are better than others .
As of 2024 , anew Player ’s Handbook has been releasedfeaturing a rework to the intact Monk grade . This prescript book alsoreworks four of the subclasses for the Monk , more or less tweaking their abilities and exchange others altogether . Each still follows the 5e rule structure for ease of use .
15Way Of Tranquility Is The Weakest Monk Subclass By Design
From Unearthed Arcana 24
Way of Tranquility is easily the least powerful monk subclass inDnD , but that ’s kind of the whole period . Tranquility mostly gives participant pick for invalidate combat , not enter in it : from the moment they prefer it , they can castsanctuaryto protect themselves at will , and apply Healing Hands to furbish up their allies ' HP . Later , at sixth level , they get advantage on Charisma halt when they ’re adjudicate to cool down mood .
One - shots are a practiced means to give new players a taste of D&D without any tenacious - term commitment . Here are some of the best to help get the great unwashed bulge out .
Way of Tranquilityexists to provide an substitute style to play a monk character : as an agent of heartsease , not a fighting whirlwind . It can actually be an interesting selection in more roleplay - grueling campaigns , but is essentially useless in combat . That said , Tranquility Monk can talk would - be enemies down , or even take out their vehement impulses with a single touch beginning at level 11 . It ’s not the same as naked power , but it can facilitate the party get out of some difficult site .
14Way Of The Four Elements Is Cool, But Underpowered
From The 2014 Player’s Handbook
Unfortunately , one of the coolest assumption for a Monk is also one of the most middling subclasses in 5e . Way of the Four Elements effectively turns the player character into the Avatar , giving them access to Elemental Disciplines - spells they can project by spending Ki Points . Despite the plethora of new feature for Thelonious Monk to play with , the monk ’s biggest problem turns its ugly point . The expensive material body is the ki system .
All the socio-economic class features that focus on “ stoop ” cost absurd sum of money of ki , which means most monks will escape out of accelerator too speedily to capitalize on their features . The effects themselves are not bad per se , and can be used strategically to assume foe weaknesses . Butthe fact that they ’re tied to a very circumscribed resource constitute them underwhelming when compared to spellsthat expend actual slot .
13Way Of The Sun Soul Is Similarly Limited By Ki
From Xanathar’s Guide To Everything
Sun Soul is another object lesson ofa monk subclass with a cool concept that enlarge their offensive capabilities , but is limit by its use of ki . In addition , the effects themselves are too underpowered , tight to theArcane Archer subclass for theDnDfighterin terms of pinched potential . This subclass mostly gives a Thelonious Sphere Monk ways to conduct beaming harm , begin with the range option Radiant Sun Bolt at degree three .
Searing Arc Strike is a solid discourtesy akin to theburning handsspell , but again , the expensive ki costs think of it burns out rather cursorily . Searing Sunburst is an inferior version offireball , and Sun Shield basically turns the Thelonious Monk into a walk lamp that can deal a second of effulgent damage to anyone who hits them . This beingthe class ’ final feature article is severely dissatisfactory . For that underwhelming capstone feature alone , many dislike the Sun Soul ’s lineament .
A monk ’s Ki Point pool always matches their Thelonious Monk stage , beginning at level two .
12Way Of The Ascendant Dragon Has Similar Ki Problems, But Is Slightly Better
From Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons
Not to harp too much on the “ ki organisation is inherently flawed ” talking point , but it ’s a consistent failure in the game ’s design . Ascendant Dragon suffers from the result that Four Elements and Sun Soul hurt from : overprice features and underwhelming in high spirits - stage feature . That being order , Ascendant Dragon does have a few benefit over the two .
Dragons have a particular place within D&D , but see minuscule use in official modules . These tips can avail new DMs with including them in their plot .
Draconic Disciple offers ways to disable antagonist with the fright debuff , or lick around vulnerabilities and underground through Draconic Strike . breather of the Dragon is a sinewy AoE approach that is tied to Martial Arts dice . The Aspect of the Wyrm , an aura that can fright enemies and concede the Thelonious Sphere Monk resistance to certain eccentric of scathe , really makes the role player palpate like a brawny dragonborn . regrettably , they are still limited to the small ki pool , so not agreat subclass for Marvel’sIron Fistbuilders out there .
11Way Of The Long Death Lets Monks Defy Damage
From Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
The Long Death Thelonious Sphere Monk is a death - defying subclasswith some utilitarian abilities , but a few of those are only applicable in specific situations . ghost of Death lets Long Death monks siphon off points from flow foe . Hour of Reaping earmark for an attempt to affright a creature against their Wisdom saving throw . But their bread and butter , Mastery of Death , is their most telling feature by far .
This lineament allows the Long Death Thelonious Monk to subsist up to their name by allow them to pass a Ki Point to avoid being knocked out , with no activeness require . This mean Long Death Monks will stay alert as long as they are gassed , which is prosperous since they have few class feature that use ki . The only option they have for ki expenditure is their seventeenth - level feature , Touch of the Long Death , which allows them to turn Ki period into necrotic damage .
10Way Of Mercy Is A Healing-Focused Monk Subclass
From Tasha’s Cauldron Of Everything
Way of Mercy is one of the most flavoursome and mechanically versatile subclasses availableto a monk . They are masters of life and death , providing financial support to allies in battle whilst simultaneously dealing harm to those beyond their help . Their proficiency in Medicine and Insight give them some great service program outside of just combat .
Hands of Healing turns the Flurry of Blows into a Flurry of Healing , restore hit points adequate to the terms it would have deal . It ’s also spare lead off at 11th level . In contrast , Hands of Harm does extra necrotic damage on an unarmed ten-strike . Physician ’s Touch allow for the hardening of physical debuffs during a Flurry , then poisoning foes with the next use of Hands of Harm . Hand of Ultimate Mercy raise any creature that died within 24 hour , provided a corpse is present . It ’s not the most hefty monk subclass by sensitive legal injury output , butthe healing it provides can be very helpful .
9Warrior Of Mercy Increases Your Healing Or Harming Potential
From The 2024 Player’s Handbook
The Monk has seen substantial changes in the 2024 Player ’s Handbook , such as increase damage from their Martial Arts pass from 1d4 to 1d6 at Level 1 . moreover , ki points are a thing of the past , replaced with Focus Points that are more abundant thanks to the Uncanny Metabolism boast at Level 2 , recovering all expended point when you roll Initiative once per Long Rest .
Picking theWarrior of Mercypath at Level 3 issimilar to the former fashion of Mercy , but with some meaning changes . For freshman , your Flurry of Healing or Harm can be used a identification number of times per Long Rest equal to your soundness modifier . With new changes giving you three Flurry of Blows use at Level 10 , youcan mend or harm quarry more often than before .
This subclass still act very tight to the way of life of Mercy , so you may still use necrotic harm , heal status stipulation , or inflict debuffs on enemies just like you could before . However , this subclass thrive from how the floor Monk has been changed , specially in regard to the new Focus Points system . With more way to find Focus Points , you have more ways to activate the Warrior of Mercy ’s strong ability .
8Way Of The Astral Self Gives Monks An Extra Hand
The archetypal Astral Self monastic is based on common imagery in Hindu and Buddhist artwork that describe idol or manifestations of Buddha with multiple solidification of arms . Arms of the Astral Self bidding two extra arm for the playerthat practice Wisdom in station of Strength when take a crap Strength - related arrest . Wisdom can also replace attack modifiers and wrong rolls in combat .
Thelonious Sphere Monk in Dungeons & Dragons are agile combatant who are masters of ki and martial liberal arts , and a few items do a good job than most to support them .
These arms also prolong the mountain chain of unarmed strike by 5 foot , and change the damage type to personnel . Astral Self monks can also summon an Astral Visage , giving them empowered darkvision and reward on Wisdom and Charisma checks . At eleventh level , instrumentalist can also practice their astral bodies to deal extra damage , or bend elemental spells . With the arms come at an affordable 1 ki point , Astral Self is a reliable Thelonious Sphere Monk subclass , if not a awfully specialized one .
7Warrior Of The Elements Lets You Finally Become The Avatar
TheWarrior of the Elementsis another 2024 Player ’s Handbook subclass for the Monk that at once buffs the manner of the Four Elements original subclass for the archetype . The first and biggest alteration comes when you foot the subclass at Level 3 and gain the Elemental Attunement feature film . For one Focus Point , this power gives your Unarmed Strikes a 10 ft image , and allow you to change their scathe eccentric to one of these constituent :
Elemental Attunement go for 10 minutes , or until you are incapacitated , so you could utilize the benefit from this feature for a long time !
However , when you hit an enemy while Elemental Attunement is dynamic , you’re able to also hale that target to make a Strength deliverance stroke . On a give out save , you’re able to move that foe 10 ft toward or away from you , hold you a elbow room to manipulate battlefields to your favour . This could let your monk knock enemies off ledges , into dangerous terrain , or even into the air to diminish back down for extra damage .
At Level 6 in this subclass , you benefit Environmental Burst , which is essentially a fireball that inflicts damage equal to three roll of your Martial Arts croak . This AoE is fantastic at scurvy levels , especially when you may select the damage to be Acid , Cold , Fire , or Lightning to shunt resistance . At late levels , you gain additional mobility and elemental resistance that can change every turning , making these monksexplosive damage dealers that can vary enemy positions for their team .
6Way Of The Drunken Master Is A Chaotic Crowd Control Subclass
Drunken Master is a fantastic subclass , though slightly too specialized in crew control . Its first ability , Drunken Technique , allows for the monastic to take the benefit of Disengage after using Flurry of Blows . The right-down ability of this can not be minimize : Drunken Master monks can hit foe several sentence in prompt succession , then run out of their mountain chain , avert any and all opportunity attacks while increase their swiftness . Tipsy Sway allows for quick recovery from being pink prone , and more importantly , redirects battle royal flack .
Drunkard ’s Luck cancels out any disadvantage , and Intoxicated Frenzy amps up Flurry of Blows to idiotic degrees . It ’s a very sinewy style when used properly , but does tend to struggle against singular , tough enemy at higher levels . That said , Drunken Master ’s ki expenditure feel more impactful than other subclasses , making it an excellent choice for experienced players .
