Monk (One)

Monk exists in other D&D editions see:

Monk (disambiguation).

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UA 2023 Player's Handbook Playtest 8

Unearthed Arcana

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Noncanon

Monk class
Class Group: Warrior
Primary Abiliy: Dexterity and Wisdom

Design Notes: Monk Updates

 ⁺ Here are the main updates in this class since the last playtest version:

• Martial Arts sees the return of Monk Weapons, and the Martial Arts die applies to both Unarmed Strikes and Monk Weapons.
• Bonus Unarmed Strike is no longer tied to the Attack action.
• Dexterous Attacks now allows you to use your Dexterity Modifier in place of your Strength modifier when setting the saving throw DC of the Grapple and Push options of your Unarmed Strikes.
• Weapon Mastery is cut.
• Monk's Discipline (formerly Martial Discipline) options have been redesigned to have options that don’t require spending Discipline Points.
• Uncanny Metabolism (formerly Heightened Metabolism) moves to level 2, and now regains Discipline Points when you roll Initiative as well as regaining a number of Hit Points.
• Deflect Attacks (formerly Deflect Missiles) now also works against melee attacks, and the damage of the Reaction now includes your Dexterity modifier.
• Stunning Strike now deals Force damage if the creature succeeds on the saving throw.
• Heightened Discipline is a new feature that increases the effects of Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the Wind.
• Self-Restoration now allows you to remove some conditions at the end of your turns.
• Deflect Energy now also works against melee attacks.
• Superior Defense can now be activated at the start of your turn instead of using an action or a Bonus Action.
• Perfect Discipline (formerly Perfect Self) now gives you expended Discipline Points if you have 3 or less.
• Body and Mind is a new level 20 feature.

Unofficial Description: This class utilizes discipline and training to become a living weapon.

The Monk

Level	Proficiency Bonus	Class Features	Martial Arts	Discipline Points	Unarmored Movement
1st	+2	Martial Arts, Unarmored Defense	1d6	—	—
2nd	+2	Monk's Discipline, Unarmored Movement, Uncanny Metabolism	1d6	2	+10 ft.
3rd	+2	Deflect Attacks, Monk Subclass	1d6	3	+10 ft.
4th	+2	Ability Score Improvement, Slow Fall	1d6	4	+10 ft.
5th	+3	Extra Attack, Stunning Strike	1d8	5	+10 ft.
6th	+3	Empowered Strikes, Subclass Feature	1d8	6	+15 ft.
7th	+3	Evasion	1d8	7	+15 ft.
8th	+3	Ability Score Improvement	1d8	8	+15 ft.
9th	+4	Acrobatic Movement	1d8	9	+15 ft.
10th	+4	Heightened Discipline, Self-Restoration	1d8	10	+20 ft.
11th	+4	Subclass Feature	1d10	11	+20 ft.
12th	+4	Ability Score Improvement	1d10	12	+20 ft.
13th	+5	Deflect Energy	1d10	13	+20 ft.
14th	+5	Disciplined Survivor	1d10	14	+25 ft.
15th	+5	Perfect Discipline	1d10	15	+25 ft.
16th	+5	Ability Score Improvement	1d10	16	+25 ft.
17th	+6	Subclass Feature	1d12	17	+25 ft.
18th	+6	Superior Defense	1d12	18	+30 ft.
19th	+6	Ability Score Improvement	1d12	19	+30 ft.
20th	+6	Body and Mind	1d12	20	+30 ft.

Creating a Monk

 Class Group: Warriors
Primary Ability: Dexterity, Wisdom
To create a Monk, consult the following lists, which provide Hit Points, Proficiencies, and Armor Training. If you’re making a 1st-level character, also consult the “Starting Equipment” section, and if you’re using the multiclassing rules, see the “Multiclassing and the Monk” section.

Then look at the Monk table to see the Class Features you get at each level in this Class. The descriptions of those features appear in the “Monk Class Features” section.

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1d8 per Monk level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points per Level after 1st: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier

Proficiencies

Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity.
Skills: Choose 2 from Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, and Stealth.
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons that have the Light property
Tools: Choose one type of Artisan's Tools or Musical Instrument

Armor Training

None

Starting Equipment

As a 1st-level character, you start with the following equipment, or you can forgo it and spend 65 GP on equipment of your choice. Artisan's Tools, Dagger (5), Explorer's Pack, Musical Instrument, Spear, 9 GP

Multiclassing and the Monk

If your group uses the multiclassing rules in the Player's Handbook, here’s what you need to know if you choose Monk as one of your Classes.
  Ability Score Minimum. 13+ Dexterity and Wisdom
  Proficiencies. -
  Armor Training. -

Monk Class Features

As a Monk, you gain the following class features when you reach the specified levels in this class. These features are listed on the Monk table.

Martial Arts

1st level
Summary: Your training provides the following benefits to Unarmed Strike and Monk Weapon attacks while you aren’t wearing any Armor or wielding a Shield:

• Bonus Unarmed Strike. Use Bonus Action to make an Unarmed Strike.
• Dexterous Attacks. You can use your Dexterity modifier when making Unarmed Strikes or attacks with Monk Weapons. Also use your Dex mod instead of Str for Grapple and Shove options (including Save DC).
• Martial Arts Die. Your Unarmed Strikes do damage at least equal to your Martial Arts Die (see Monk overview table).

Monk Weapons:

• Simple Melee Weapons
• Martial Weapons that have the Light property.

Unarmored Defense

1st level
Summary: Your unarmored AC is buffed by your Wisdom and Dexterity modifiers.

Monk's Discipline

2nd Level
Summary: You gain Discipline Points (see Monk table). These Discipline Points can be used for the following features below. Discipline Points are restored after a Rest. If a feature requires a save, the DC is 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Wisdom modifier.

• Flurry of Blows. Use a Bonus Action and 1 Discipline Point to make two Unarmed Strikes. (Improved at 10th level, see Heightened Discipline)
• Patient Defense. Use Bonus Action to Disengage. Expend 1 Discipline Point to also Dodge. (Improved at 10th level, see Heightened Discipline)
• Step of the Wind. Use Bonus Action to Dash and improve your Jump distance. Expend 1 Discipline Point to also Disengage. (Improved at 10th level, see Heightened Discipline)

Unarmored Movement

2nd Level
Summary: Your speed is buffed while you are unarmored (including shields).

Deflect Attacks

3rd Level
Summary: Use Reaction to reduce bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing  damage from melee and ranged attacks. Also give a chance to redirect some of the damage against another creature at the cost of 1 Discipline Point. (improves at 13th level. see Deflect Energy)

Monk Subclass

3rd Level (features at 3rd, 6th, 11th, 17th)
Summary: You choose a Monk subclass.

List of Monk Subclasses

3 official and unofficial Monk subclasses.

Subclass	Summary	Canon	Source
Warrior of Shadow	This monk subclass focuses on shadow, stealth, and draws power from the Shadowfell.	false	UA 2023 Player's Handbook Playtest 6, "Varied"
Warrior of the Elements	This monk subclass draws power from the Elemental Planes.	false	UA 2023 Player's Handbook Playtest 6, "Varied"
Warrior of the Hand	This monk subclass shows mastery of unarmed combat.	false	UA 2023 Player's Handbook Playtest 8, "Varied"

Ability Score Improvement

4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th Level
Summary: You gain the Ability Score Improvement Feat or another Feat of your choice for which you qualify.

Slow Fall

4th Level
Summary: Use a Reaction to reduce fall damage.

Extra Attack

5th Level
Summary: Attack twice when you take the Attack action.

Stunning Strike

5th Level
Summary: One per turn, after hitting a creature with a Monk Weapon or an Unarmed Strike, you can make it a Stunning Strike causing damage and inflicting the Stunned condition on a failed Con save, or Force damage on a successful save.

Empowered Strikes

6th Level
Summary: Your Unarmed Strikes may deal Force damage.

Evasion

7th Level
Summary: When making a Dexterity save to take half damage, you take no damage if you succeed, and Half  damage if you fail.

Acrobatic Movement

9th Level
Summary: While unarmored (including shields), may move across vertical surfaces and liquids without falling.

Heightened Discipline

10th Level
Summary: Your Monk's Discipline features improve when spending Discipline Points:

• Flurry of Blows. Improves to 3 Unarmed Strikes instead of two.
• Patient Defense. Also gain Temporary Hit Points .
• Step of the Wind. May also take a willing creature with you (with some limitations).

Self-Restoration

10th Level
Summary: At the end of each of your turns you can remove the Charmed, Frightened, or Poisoned condition (one per turn). Also, you do not become Exhausted by skipping food and drink.

Deflect Energy

13th Level
Summary: Deflect Attacks works against ranged attacks that do any type of damage.

Disciplined Survivor

14th Level
Summary: You gain proficiency in all saving throws. Can spend 1 Discipline Point to reroll a save.

Perfect Discipline

15th Level
Summary: When you roll Initiative your Discipline Points are restored to a minimum of 4.

Superior Defense

18th Level
Summary: On your turn spend 3 Discipline Points to gain resistance to all damage types but Force damage for 1 minute (or become Incapacitated).

Body and Mind

20th Level
Summary: Boost Dex and Wis scores substantially (max. 26).

Sources and Notes

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—Notice on most 5e Unearthed Arcana PDFs