Questions tagged [monk]
In RPGs, a monk is often a fantasy martial artist that specializes in unarmed combat. The monk is often a playable character class.
637
questions
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How does the Way of Mercy monk's ability Physician's Touch work exactly?
On the 3rd level Way of Mercy monks receive the Hand of Healing ability:
Your mystical touch can mend wounds. As an action, you can spend 1 ki
point to touch a creature and restore a number of hit ...
- 2,130
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Epic Holy Strike and its applicability to Unarmed Strikes
Under the Unarmed Strike subsection of the Monk class it states:
A monk’s unarmed strike is treated both as a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that ...
- 1,524
7
votes
1
answer
958
views
Is Fighter a better option for unarmed fighting compare with Monk?
This is under the case of single classing only.
I see in a optimising site saying that Fighter is a better option than Monk even if you are building a dedicated bare hand warrior. I wonder how does ...
- 3,770
14
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can you take the dodge action multiple times on the same turn?
The reason I ask this is that I'm doing a build focused on the Dwarven Fortitude feat.
Whenever you take the Dodge action in combat, you can spend one Hit Die to heal yourself. Roll the die, add your ...
- 678
8
votes
1
answer
512
views
How to create a Homebrew Monk Ki feature using DnD Beyond?
I am trying to create a Homebrew, Ki fueled feature for a Monk. I would like to use DnD Beyond to create the feature and store it for my campaign. However, I can only see templates which lead me ...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can I do a Performance during combat? Does it cost an action?
I am playing a Drunken Master monk and trying to come up with creative and fun ways to use their abilities.
One of the features every guide says is useless is the proficiency in Performance, so I have ...
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
If a monk increases their dexterity or wisdom modifier, does their AC increase as well?
I'm DM-ing an adventure, and my players are about to hit level 4, where the first ability score increase happens. If my monk chooses to increase their dexterity or wisdom, will their AC increase as ...
user81725
16
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Can I knock myself prone? Do I have to spend any movement to do so?
I am building a Drunken Master monk, and came across this subclass feature:
Leap to Your Feet. When you're prone, you can stand up by spending 5 feet of movement, rather than half your speed.
Since ...
10
votes
2
answers
493
views
Can a monk disarm the target with a Flurry of Blows?
A monk uses his Flurry of Blows feature and tries to snatch a wand from an enemy caster.
We model this using the Disarm rules (DMG, p. 271):
A creature can use a weapon attack to knock a weapon or ...
- 86.9k
2
votes
1
answer
561
views
Would absorb elements once per short rest be balanced vs psychic damage vulnerability for a monk?
I plan to make my character an astral self monk and plan to later on take rogue and possibly fighter for the psionic subclasses. For roleplay/backstory purposes I asked the DM if I could have ...
- 29
8
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Homebrew Monk "Way of the Dog" Review request
Way of the Dog
(Monk Sublcass)
Certain monastaries in the forgotten parts of the world train in an obscure form of martial arts. Each monk is gifted a puppy of a highly specialized dog breed and the ...
- 107
6
votes
4
answers
775
views
Would the Disarm optional rule let you use Stunning Strike with it?
Exactly what the title says.
I'm playing a monk in a Tomb of Annihilation campaign. My game plan has been to keep our party alive as much as possible through debuffs, body blocking opponents, and the ...
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Can a rogue/Kensei monk use Sneak Attack with a Kensei weapon?
The 3rd-level feature of the UA Kensei Monk subclass, Path of the Kensei, reads as follows:
You gain proficiency with three martial weapons of your choice. A martial weapon is considered a kensei ...
- 519
6
votes
2
answers
476
views
Monk Way of the Iron Body, Homebrewed Subclass Reworked version, please give me some feedback!
This is the follow up from the Homebrew I posted last month, after reading the feedback I received not only here, but also on D&D Beyond, I made some changes to the subclass. Once Again I hope to ...
- 285
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why are all monasteries human?
In "Hero builders guidebook" a recurring theme is that all monasteries are in human lands only, with the book not even mentioning the idea of other races founding them. This makes it ...
- 3,461
11
votes
2
answers
456
views
Monk Way of The Iron Body, feedback on the balance of this subclass I made
Preamble: Monks have a contradictory design (in my opinion). Their features and flavor make you want to jump into the frontline of combat and masterfully face off against foes like in Kung Fu movies ...
- 285
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
When targeted by a Nightwalker, can a Monk get rid of Finger of Doom effect by using Stillness of Mind?
The effect of Nightwalker's Finger of Doom skill is:
The nightwalker points at one creature it can see within 300 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 21 Wisdom saving throw or take 6d12 ...
- 103
2
votes
1
answer
217
views
Is it a viable tactic to use a flurry of blows monk to mass grapple a single target?
Can anyone help illustrate or explain the statistical advantages or disadvantages in using flurry of blows to make multiple grapple attempts against a target in the hopes of overwhelming them and &...
- 4,860
4
votes
3
answers
603
views
Readying Empty Body as an action in response to an attack
Empty Body states that as an action you can spend 4 ki points to become invisible. I understand this puts the monk under the invisible condition which means the monk is heavily obscured, resistant to ...
- 143
2
votes
1
answer
241
views
Is there a way to get Dragon's Breath as a Qinggong Monk at level 8?
Qinggong Monk is notorious for having a "8th level" Ki power category but only have the opportunity to take a ki power at 7 or 11. I would like to know if there is a world where you can be a ...
- 257
6
votes
1
answer
782
views
Can I switch the monk's astral projection spell in the Empty Body feature with something more convenient, like plane shift?
The Monk's 18th level feature Empty Body allows the monk to cast Astral Projection on themselves only:
Additionally, you can spend 8 ki points to cast the astral projection spell, without needing ...
- 129
15
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Why would a Monk use a Knuckle Duster?
A Knuckle Duster seems to be strictly worse1 than Powerful Fist, still it is a Monk weapon.
Why would a Monk use it?
I am insterested only in mechanical answers, as you can explain any mechanically ...
- 60.8k
3
votes
1
answer
102
views
Monk + bear warrior armed or unarmed damage?
Can a monk + bear warrior do a flurry of blows?
If the unarmed damage of the monk was 2d10 (e.g. the monk was at level 20) would the damage be the same (unarmed) when becoming a bear and "...
- 2,215
4
votes
1
answer
198
views
Do Symbiotic Entity + Hand of Harm stack damage?
I am working on a multiclass starting with a few levels of way of mercy monk dipping into circle of spores druid to get that kind of cycle of life and death flair. Before I commit I wanted to make ...
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What would be the impact if I let Hand of Harm be used more than once, like Hand of Healing?
In Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, the Way of Mercy Monastic Tradition grants both Hand of Healing and Hand of Harm at 3rd level. Hand of Healing/Harm describe their effects as using 1 ki point to ...
- 437
6
votes
3
answers
958
views
Tavern Brawler + Arms of the Astral Self + Grappler = 10' Grapples/Pins?
Am I correct that specific beats general in this use-case, or is there an interaction/exclusion I'm overlooking that prevents this scene from playing as described? If I'm correct, what rules ...
- 3,304
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does the speed bonus from the monk feature Unarmored Movement stack with the bonus from the barbarian feature Fast Movement?
At level 5, barbarians get a bonus of +10 feet to their speed while not wearing heavy armor from Fast Movement.
At level 2 and increasing as they level, monks get a bonus to their speed when not ...
- 137
3
votes
0
answers
35
views
DND 3.5e: Does offhand unarmed attack have full STR Adj? [duplicate]
Unarmed Strike
At 1st level, a monk gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A monk’s attacks may be with either fist interchangeably or even from elbows, knees, and feet. This means that a monk ...
- 3,770
5
votes
1
answer
622
views
What abilities, spells, or items can inflict the Drained condition?
I’m looking for ways to debuff enemies Fortitude saves, to improve the effectiveness of my Monk’s Whirling Throw. The drained condition does this, but I can’t figure out how to search on AoN for ...
- 3,423
3
votes
2
answers
232
views
Can draconic Strike be used to damage objects?
Under Monk of the Way of the Ascendant Dragon, the Draconic Strike ability says:
When you damage a target with an unarmed strike, you can change the damage type to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or ...
- 7,621
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can a Dragonborn monk with Way of the Ascendant Dragon and extra attack use more than one breath weapon per turn?
The Dragonborn breath weapons for the variant Dragonborns from Fizban's Treasury of Dragons vary a little between the subraces, but they all begin with the same section:
When you take the Attack ...
- 7,621
6
votes
4
answers
4k
views
How to play as a dual-wielding monk?
I have read quite a few questions that have skirted around the idea I was considering, such as tri-wielding, unarmed dual-wielding, and dual wielding with single staff, but none that really spoke to ...
- 6,790
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
What are all the ways a monk can benefit from Ki-Fueled Attacks?
The Ki-Fueled Attack optional class feature for monks states (TCoE, p. 48):
If you spend 1 ki point or more as part of your action on your turn, you can make one attack with an unarmed strike or a ...
- 13.2k
-3
votes
3
answers
499
views
The GOD SLAP - Balancing for 5th edition
Question about balancing for 5th edition combat.
I have this idea for a new attack. I call it the God Slap. A technique unique to monks that must be learned from studying at the feet of a master. The ...
- 803
7
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Can a monk use Stunning Strike on a creature that has already failed a save against their Stunning Strike in the previous round?
If a monk hits a creature and stuns it with Stunning Strike—thus stunning it until the end of the monk's next turn—can the monk then use another Stunning Strike on the same creature the next turn, ...
- 7,621
1
vote
0
answers
67
views
When are the monk's Slow Fall feature and similar features applied if I use the optional rule for falling onto another creature? [duplicate]
The monk's Slow Fall feature description states:
Beginning at 4th level, you can use your reaction when you fall to
reduce any falling damage you take by an amount equal to five times
your monk level....
- 27
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Can Monks Use Dex to grapple and shove under the One D&D Character Origins UA?
The Character Origins UA makes Grapple and Shove an Unarmed Strike, which makes sense:
UNARMED STRIKE
An Unarmed Strike is a melee attack that involves you using your body to damage,...
- 40k
10
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How can I find magic items intended for a specific class on D&D Beyond?
I'm trying to use the Item list on D&D beyond to find appropriate magic items for an unarmed Monk. Note that I haven't played any tabletop D&D 5e before, so I'm unfamiliar whether such items ...
- 3,061
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How do on-hit pushback effects interact with multiattacks?
Do "on-hit" effects which allow you to push a creature backwards get decided immediately when you roll the hit? Or after all attack rolls are made for multiattacks? If you have to decide ...
- 91
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Can a Gloom Stalker ranger continuously use Dread Ambusher if they knock-out or eliminate enemy after enemy, as long as it happens in one turn?
In D&D 5e, if a gloom stalker (ranger) is infiltrating somewhere while in stealth. Would it be possible for them to attack one enemy, potentially eliminate them, re-enter stealth and proceed to do ...
- 49
4
votes
2
answers
131
views
Can monk archetypes that change bonus feat selection take feats that say they can be taken as monk bonus feats?
Certain Monk archetypes replace the selection of bonus feats a monk can choose from. These archetypes are Flowing Monk, Zen Archer, Brazen Disciple, Hellcat, and Master of Many Styles.
Certain feats, ...
- 1,598
4
votes
2
answers
568
views
Kensei Shot when the weapon has multiple damage types?
I was allowed the Storm Boomerang (Princes of the Apocalypse) on my Kensei Monk character and decided to make it my Kensei ranged weapon. But I am unsure if the Kensei Shot ability would add 1d4 for ...
- 4,067
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Does a Shove or a Grapple count as an "unarmed strike" for purposes of a Monk using a bonus action for a martial arts attack?
The Monk's Martial Arts ability says:
When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.
The Grapple and Shove ...
- 7,621
8
votes
3
answers
6k
views
If I use the monk's ability to use dexterity instead of strength for melee, can I choose not to use the monks martial art die?
I’m trying to make a a Kensei Monk / Samurai Fighter multi-class, making it DEX based and using the longsword as my kensei weapon. Can I use my DEX instead of STR without having to use the monk's ...
6
votes
1
answer
808
views
How does Arms of the Astral Self work with Strength ability checks and Saving Throws?
Way of the Astral Self Monk has a feature called Arms of the Astral Self. My question is about a specific section of it.
You can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength modifier when ...
- 678
4
votes
1
answer
524
views
Can a monk knock down an enemy with a bonus action (without Open Hand Technique)?
Can a monk knock down an enemy with a bonus action (without Open Hand Technique) instead of the 2nd unarmed strike?
Or it needs a special archetype, or a warrior class?
- 41
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can monks use a Sun Blade as monk weapon?
Rules as written, can monks use a Sun Blade as a monk weapon?
Sun Blade
Weapon (longsword), rare (requires attunement)
Properties: Versatile, Finesse
- 1,169
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can a monk push a banshee?
Can an Open Hand Monk push/shove a Banshee using Flurry of Blows, in spite of all of the banshee's condition immunities and features (i.e.: grappled, prone, hover, incorporeal, etc.)?
- 201
1
vote
2
answers
623
views
Is my 'Vigilante' Homebrew monk subclass balanced?
I built this subclass because I felt monks had no truly S tier subclass combat options or many options that did not require burning all the already limited ki resources available.
Is this subclass, ...
- 39
3
votes
1
answer
213
views
Can an Elven Monk use Shadow Step in dim light? [duplicate]
The monk's Shadow Step ability allows him to 'step' into "an unoccupied space you can see that is also in dim light" (PHB p.80). However, with Darkvision, an elf can see normally in dim ...
- 31