Best Monk Builds In Dungeons & Dragon

Best Monk Builds In Dungeons & Dragon. Monks have come a long way as a class, especially in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, in terms of development and power. Whereas Monks were once considered an underpowered class in D&D, they’ve evolved into a distinctive and fascinating class to play—as long as players understand how to effectively develop their Monk.

Monks are effective in combat since they can manage support, defence, and damage dealing. It’s the only class that can move as quickly as the dangerous Rogue. The monk’s ability to attack hard and fast, stunning single opponents before fleeing the danger, makes them a dangerous battle opponent. Then, with the greatest Monk build in 5e, players should be ready to begin their new Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

Kristy Ambrose updated this page on March 10, 2022: In a game where accessories and customisation are everything, having a class that doesn’t use a lot of weapons or armour might not seem like a good idea, but the Monk is a popular class despite these constraints. It has been a playable class since the 1975 release of the Blackmoor Supplement, and has seen several alterations since then. Here is the most up-to-date information on the finest 5e Monk builds.

Table of Contents

Best Monk Races

Every new D&D character requires a firm foundation, and that foundation is the race they will be. Based on their perks and racial traits, Hill Dwarves, Stout Halflings, Wood Elves, and Variant humans are some of the greatest Monk races in 5th edition.

Elves of the woods. The ideal bonuses for a monk’s ability stats; they have a +2 Dexterity boost and a +1 Wisdom bonus, as well as increased movement speed. Furthermore, the basic characteristics of an Elf (including all elven subraces, not just Wood Elves) are useful for Monks, and the wood elf-specific Mask of the Wild is also fantastic.
Halflings have a lot of muscle. The racial feats Lucky and Brave, as well as good ability stat bonuses. Although their slower movement speed isn’t optimal, it can be improved later.
Dwarves of the Hill Gain a +2 Constitution bonus, which isn’t optimal. Constitution is still crucial to have if players can roll a high enough score to allocate to Dexterity anyhow (it should be at least a 16), and the Dwarves’ +1 to Wisdom is always beneficial.
Humans who are different. Players can choose which abilities to offer bonuses to, and they can choose an immensely beneficial level 1 feat, so there’s really no way to go wrong with this choice.
Aarakocra. Aarakocra, an avian-hybrid race with advantages to Dexterity, Wisdom, and flying speed, is another option for players searching for something different from the main D&D rulebook. With all of that, it’s nearly unbelievable how good a monk an Aarakocra could be in 5e, probably the best Monk race.
Kenku. The enigmatic Kenku, which can be found in Volo’s Guide To Monsters, has grown more popular as a result of the character Kiri in Critical Role. In 5e, they make excellent Rogues and Clerics, as well as the best Monks.

Ability Scores

After deciding on the character’s race and class, it’s time to give ability scores. In 5e, there’s a formula for constructing an ideal build with a specific order to Monk stat priorities. While the top three statistics have a clear hierarchy, the bottom three can be a little more muddled. Put those three stats at the bottom of the list, and the rest is up to the players’ role-playing preferences.

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Dexterity. For AC, damage rolls, and attack rolls, Dexterity should always be the monk’s primary and highest stat, as mentioned above. That’s fantastic if the dice rolls alone can accomplish it. If not, the racial suggestions above are there to help.
Wisdom. Wisdom is unquestionably the second most essential stat for both ACs and DCs, as Wisdom saving throws are quite prevalent. The Monk’s wisdom should start at a 16, but as the Monk progresses through the levels, players should strive for an 18 or even a 20.
Constitution. Constitution comes in third place in a monk’s score after Wisdom. It’s not as crucial as the other two statistics, but it shouldn’t be overlooked under any circumstances. Hill Dwarves are still an excellent choice for a Monk if the dice are high enough to support a good Dexterity score.
Charisma and Strength Both would be ranked at around the same importance level, above IQ but below everything else. Strength is useful for melee characters, although it isn’t necessarily required for Monks.
Charisma. It’s useful for ability tests, but if the party already has at least two characters with high Charisma, it might easily become the Monk’s dump stat.
Intelligence. Strength or Charisma could substitute the Monk’s dump stat (especially if the party already includes a high-intelligence character like a wizard), depending on the rest of the party’s composition and the type of character players want to build.

Monastic Traditions

It’s now time for the monk to choose his or her favourite monastic traditions, or subclass. In Unearthed Arcana, there are several official subclasses to pick from, as well as a few alternative options, and these are some of the best.

Master Drunk. It may appear to be a ridiculous alternative, but it is actually a brilliant subclass. These monks deceive their foes by putting on an unsteady exterior before charging in for the kill, and they have some of the best powers among the subclasses: Drunken Technique, which combines Flurry of Blows and Disengage for 2 ki points; Drunkard’s Luck, which is exactly what it sounds like for 2 ki points; and Intoxicated Frenzy, which takes the monk’s drunken technique to a new level at higher levels.
The Open-Handed Approach. This Monk does precisely what you’d expect, but it’s still a fantastic choice. There’s a reason why many players consider it to be the greatest of the monk subclasses. The Open Hand’s powers provide them more fighting options than any other subclass, and they make the most of the monk’s primary abilities. Its main ability is the Open Hand Technique, which is simply amazing in terms of abilities, and another outstanding one is Wholeness of Body, which is essentially free healing.
The Way of the Shadow is a series of short stories about a group of people who Unsurprisingly, multiclassing a Shadow Monk with a Rogue is a lethal combination for gamers who seek rogue-like abilities while still playing a monk. The biggest disadvantage is that, despite the fact that these Monks can hide like a rogue, they still lack the ability to match a Rogue’s lethal sneak attack.
The Kensei Way is a series of stories about the Kensei people that live in Japan. This monastic lineage is recommended for players who want to develop a combat Monk that can battle at close range with a variety of melee weapons. Players can become competent in two Kensei weapons, with melee and ranged options available. Bonuses for artwork and calligraphy are another pleasant perk.

Backgrounds

There are various excellent alternatives for a Monk, so players can consider which race, party role, and Monastic Tradition would best complement their current build.

Athlete. Gives skill proficiency in Athletics and Acrobatics, two of Monk Builds In Dungeons & Dragon a Monk’s most important abilities, as well as the ability to ride in waggons or carriages.
Outlander. Important for survival and athletics, as well as the ability to play a musical instrument.
Sailor. Great for athletics and perception, and much better for using Navigator’s tools.
Urchin. Your Monk may have come from poor beginnings, allowing them to move faster through the streets and use stealth and sleight of hand.

Skills

The majority of a monk’s must-have skills are class skills, which means that two of them can be chosen merely for being a Monk at character creation. Certain background Dungeons & Dragon selections will ensure that the Monk has some of these talents anyway, so choose carefully and your character will be able to simply select all they require for the ideal Monk build in 5e.

Acrobatics. This Skill, which is based on the Monk’s Dexterity score. Allows your character to accomplish things like jump over fences and climb ropes. As well as perform Dungeons & Dragon genuine acrobatics.
Stealth. This, too, is based on Dexterity, and it aids in keeping a player hidden from foes or sneaking past guards.
Insight. This ability, which is related to Wisdom. Allows a character to discern if someone is lying or forecast their next move.
Athletics. Only Monks with a high Strength score are eligible for this option. Which involves employing physical strength to escape a risky situation. Such as climbing a cliff or swimming across a deep, swift river.
Medicine. A skill that allows a player to provide first aid to a companion without having to be a healer; this makes sense from an RP perspective, as well as with particular backgrounds and monastic traditions.
Sleight of Hand is a term that refers to the art of deception. Sleight of Hand, another Dexterity-related skill, isn’t simply about performing in front of an audience or Monk Builds In Dungeons & Dragon picking someone’s pocket. This can also be used to shift items about or discreetly position objects in specific locations.

Feats

Meanwhile, for the greatest Monk build in 5e, there are a few feats that Monk players should prioritise.

Alert. There’s no disadvantage to picking it because it gives a +5. To initiative Best Monk Builds In Dungeons & Dragon (another dexterity-based skill check) and prevents the monk from being surprised.
Lucky. Because it’s three free redo rolls of the player’s choice each lengthy rest, it works on anyone.
Observant. Gives a +5 to passive perception—this is how players can improve one of their monk’s wisdom talents.
Resilient. Wisdom is the strongest option for a Monk because. It gives a +1 to the selected ability score and Advantage on saving throws for that ability.
Mobile. Allows for an extra 10 feet of movement speed and inhibits opportunity strikes in reaction to melee; this strengthens Monks, whose mobility is a major trait.