Monk is among the fastest classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. They can dash across the battlefield, strike the enemy, and disappear before taking damage. They are versatile in both battle and for exploring new areas.

Monk was the final class added to Baldur’s Gate 3 shortly before the full release. This resulted in the class receiving less feedback compared to Fighter and Cleric. There is a likelihood that Monk could change with future patches.

Frontline Utility and Ki

Monks have a unique role in the party: they move swiftly into the front, execute a few attacks, and then withdraw. This gives them some overlap with the stealthy Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3. Monks rarely want to remain up close, as they wear no armor and have only average hitpoints.

Larian Studios has made Monks more powerful compared to the pen-and-paper rules of Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition. For Baldur’s Gate 3, Monks now gain their class resource, Ki Points, at first level. The amount of Ki earned per level is also increased, allowing the Monk to perform more special actions before taking a long rest. Ki can be spent in the following ways:

• Step of the Wind - Dash (level 1): As a bonus action, double movement speed and jump for free.
• Step of the Wind - Disengage (level 1): As a bonus action, move without provoking attacks of opportunity and jump for free.
• Patent Defense (level 1): As a bonus action, enemies have a disadvantage on attacks, and the Monk has advantage on Dexterity saving throws.
• Flurry of Blows (level 1): As a bonus action, make two more attacks unarmed or with special Monk weapons.
• Stunning Strike (level 5): After hitting a target, spend one Ki to attempt a stun. The enemy can resist with a Constitution saving throw against the Monk’s Wisdom-based Difficulty Class.

Ability Scores and Backgrounds

Unarmed strikes with Martial Arts and “Monk” type weapons can use Dexterity instead of Strength for both attack and damage rolls. Though similar, this is not the “Finesse” mechanic and will not have 100% overlap with abilities used by other classes like Rogue and Ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Wisdom is very important to a Monk, as it increases their Armor Class and Ki Difficulty Class. Monks have a lower base hit dice than other melees, requiring higher investment in Constitution. Players will want to use the following level one Ability Scores after bonuses are allocated:

Players should pick Acrobatics, Stealth, and/or Insight as their Monk class skills, depending on if they favor more easily traversing or reading opponent motives. Sailor is the most fitting background as it yields both Athletics and Perception as background skills. Urchin is also a decent backup, as it provides Stealth for those who didn’t already choose it during character creation in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Shield Dwarf is the best racial counterbalance to Monk. This subrace grants an extra +1 hitpoint per level up, allowing the Monk more survival in combat. Best yet, the Monk’s increased movement speed negates the Dwarven natural speed penalty. These Monks can also wield axes and hammers, though these will use Strength instead of Dexterity.

Future Levels

Almost all Monk features are static, requiring no choices from players. The main selections are at levels 4, 8, and 12 when one can take an Ability Score Improvement or a new feat. As odd scores do not provide a bonus, players will want to get Dexterity and Wisdom to 18. This leaves them open to get a feat, like Tough for more hitpoints, or Mobile for even more absurd movement per turn.

Monastic Tradition and Multiclassing

Starting at third level, players will need to select a subclass known as a Monastic Tradition. As Monks tend to weave in and out of combat, players should highly consider the Way of the Shadow. This is a ninja-themed tradition, allowing players to use magic-like abilities with their Ki. They will gain the following powers at various levels:

• Shadow Arts (level 3): Spend two Ki points to cast Darkness, Dark Vision, Silence, or Pass without Trace. The Monk also learns the Minor Illusion cantrip.
• Shadow Step (level 6): When in dim light or shadow, teleport to another unoccupied dim light or shadow space. Upon teleporting, the Monk has advantage on their first melee attack of the round.
• Cloak of Shadows (level 11): When in dim light or shadow, as a standard action become invisible. This invisibility ends when entering sunlight or making an attack.

With a focus on both close combat and Wisdom, players should at least try giving a career Monk one or two levels in a similar class. Good candidates include Ranger, Druid, or Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3’s main story. Still, this should be near the middle of the journey, such as character levels 5 or 7.

Both Druid and Ranger will provide some limited Wisdom magic, like Cure Wounds and Longstrider. This will turn Monk into somewhat of a supportive party member. However, they are likely to lose Concentration and should avoid any Baldur’s Gate 3 spell with that feature. Taking two levels of Fighter provides self-healing via Second Wind, and the option of using Action Surge for even more attacks one time per short rest. Due to multiclassing delays in Way of the Shadow progression, one should try out different builds, respec, and not commit until later.