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There are several types of spells that say use the word "missile", most of then made of Force.

Can a monk dodge or deflect such missiles?

I could understand that it could be difficult to grab magical missiles and send them back to the sender (although it could be fun, something that a wizard probably does not generally expect...), but it seems to me that the idea of dodging such missiles seems plausible.

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It depends on the spell.

Starting at 3rd level, you can use your reaction to deflect or catch the missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack.

So if someone uses a spell that involves hitting you with a ranged weapon attack, you'll be able to deflect it. For example, the Ranger spell Lightning Arrow.

On the other hand, spells involving ranged spell attacks are far more common, and you won't be able to deflect these. Ditto for spells that require you to make a saving throw, and for spells like Magic Missile that just hit you, no attack roll or saving throw required.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Ok but....come on.... rule of cool? If only once.... I want to be that badass who throws a Magic Missile back at the big bad evil wizard with my HANDS. But yea.....RAW on this one is a big no :( \$\endgroup\$ – Airatome Nov 15 '16 at 5:45
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Airatome The question isn't asking if Rule of Cool says you can do it. (Presumably people can discover their own Rule of Cool preferred answers without needing to ask, anyway.) \$\endgroup\$ – SevenSidedDie Nov 15 '16 at 6:42
  • \$\begingroup\$ 3e had an epic feat that let you deflect any ranged attack that requires an attack roll, including spells (but not area effects or other things that don't use attack rolls, so it wouldn't actually work against magic missile). But you had to have DEX 21+ and WIS 19+ and be over Level 20 to take it, plus have a couple of other feats. All of this is out of scope for 5e, but perhaps it could be used as a jumping-off point for an adaptation of some kind? \$\endgroup\$ – The Spooniest Nov 15 '16 at 15:58
  • \$\begingroup\$ @TheSpooniest, I guess that would be possible with a Boon in 5e. The boons defined in the DM include similar feats. \$\endgroup\$ – Alexis Wilke Nov 15 '16 at 19:37
  • \$\begingroup\$ Definitely a "You can certainly try!" moment and the allowance of the Rule of Cool like Airatome said :) \$\endgroup\$ – Inhandable Nov 28 '16 at 21:18

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