Baldur’s Gate 3 – Monk Class Guide

Discover the Monk’s exceptional combat capabilities in Baldur’s Gate 3, where martial arts mastery meets supernatural power. This versatile class combines lightning-fast strikes with mystical abilities that can turn the tide of any battle.

The Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk delivers remarkable battlefield flexibility through a unique blend of physical prowess and spiritual energy. You’ll master devastating unarmed attacks, wield specialized Monk weapons with precision, and channel elemental forces through Ki manipulation. Our comprehensive Monk class guide examines the strategic advantages and tactical options available when selecting this martial arts specialist for your campaign.

The Githyanki race offers exceptional mobility options for Monk characters.

Many players underestimate the Monk’s early-game potential, but strategic ability distribution and weapon selection can create a formidable combatant from level 1. The class truly blossoms at level 3 when subclasses become available, allowing you to specialize in elemental magic, battlefield control, or stealth operations.

Monk Class Summary

Class Features

• Flurry of Blows Action – Execute two rapid consecutive punches dealing 1d4+3 bludgeoning damage each strike.
• Ki Energy System – This vital force permeates all living creatures. Monk special techniques consume Ki Points as their resource cost.
• Unarmored Defense Mechanism – When wearing no armor, your Wisdom modifier adds to your armor class calculation.
• Martial Arts: Dexterous Attacks – Unarmed strikes and Monk weapon attacks (those you’re proficient with that aren’t two-handed or great weapons) scale damage based on Dexterity rather than Strength when your DEX score is higher.
• Martial Arts: Deft Strikes – Unarmed attacks and Monk weapon strikes inflict 1-4 bludgeoning damage unless their base damage exceeds this value.
• Martial Arts: Bonus Unarmed Strike – Following any unarmed or Monk weapon attack, you may use a bonus action to perform an additional unarmed strike.
• Patient Defense – Spend 1 Ki point to take the Dodge action as a bonus action, significantly improving your defensive capabilities.
• Step of the Wind – Expend 1 Ki point to Disengage or Dash as a bonus action, and jump distance doubles.

Proficiencies

Your racial selection primarily determines weapon and armor proficiencies. We strongly recommend the Wood Half-Elf option (detailed analysis forthcoming), which provides proficiency with simple weapons, shortswords, spears, pikes, halberds, glaives, light armor, and shields.

Understanding Ki point management represents one of the most challenging aspects for new Monk players. These points replenish after short rests, but conservative usage during early levels prevents resource exhaustion during extended combat sequences.

Monk Subclasses

Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk specializations remain locked initially. Your character must achieve level 3 before accessing these advanced paths. Fortunately, the game provides flexibility through the respec and change classes mechanic if your initial choice doesn’t match your playstyle.

Way of the Four Elements

The Way of the Four Elements discipline enables selection from elemental spells that augment your physical assaults. These abilities typically mirror existing spellcaster magic variants, with crucial distinctions being their Ki Point consumption and reliance on DEX, STR, or CON saving throws. Notable examples include Fist of Four Thunders (functionally similar to Thunderwave), Sphere of Elemental Balance (comparable to Chromatic Orb), and Chill of the Mountain (equivalent to Ray of Frost).

This subclass excels in providing ranged options and area control, but demands careful Ki conservation since elemental abilities cost significantly more than basic techniques.

Way of the Open Hand

The Way of the Open Hand specialization shares similarities with the Battle Master Fighter regarding crowd control functionality. It enhances your Flurry of Blows with supplementary effects, such as forcibly repelling targets or knocking them prone to create tactical advantages.

Way of Shadow

Consider the Way of Shadow tradition as a Monk-Rogue fusion archetype. Through this path, you acquire actions that improve stealth check success rates, debilitating effects capable of blinding and silencing opponents, or illusory techniques to distract enemies.

Monk specializations become accessible upon reaching character level 3.

New players often struggle with subclass selection timing. We recommend experimenting with each specialization through temporary respec options before committing to your preferred combat style for the remainder of your campaign.

Character Creation Picks

Best Race and Sub-race

As previously indicated, our primary recommendation in this Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk class guide is the Wood Half-Elf, offering these distinct advantages:

• Base Racial Movement – Nine meters per turn.
• Civil Militia Training – Weapon proficiency covering spears, pikes, halberds, and glaives; armor proficiency including light armor and shields.
• Darkvision Capability – Visual perception in darkness extends to 12 meters.
• Fey Ancestry Benefits – Advantage on saving throws against charm effects; magical sleep induction cannot affect you.
• Fleet of Foot Enhancement – Increases movement range by 1.5 meters.

The Wood Half-Elf possesses exceptional mobility, critically important for Monk positioning. It also maintains proficiency in diverse weapon types that remain effective throughout your adventure. Additionally, Darkvision proves essential for melee combatants who frequently engage enemies in poorly illuminated environments.

The Githyanki race serves as a powerful alternative, providing these significant benefits:

• Astral Knowledge – Acquire proficiency in all skills associated with a selected ability; duration lasts until completing a long rest.
• Githyanki Psionics: Mage Hand – Summon an ethereal hand capable of manipulating and interacting with objects.
• Base Racial Speed – Maintains nine meters movement.
• Martial Prodigy – Armor proficiency covering light and medium armor; weapon proficiency including shortswords, longswords, and greatswords.
• Githyanki Psionics: Jump – Triples your jumping distance; unlocked at character level 3.
• Misty Step Teleportation – Enables teleportation to any visible location (usable once per long rest); available at level 5.

Githyanki characters demonstrate substantially enhanced mobility through perks acquired during level progression. The primary disadvantages include lacking Darkvision and reduced likelihood of utilizing swords within your arsenal, particularly two-handed greatswords.

Best Background

Background selection generally reflects personal preference, contributing to role-playing depth and narrative themes. However, since you prioritize Dexterity and Wisdom attributes, the Urchin background (enhancing Sleight of Hand and Stealth skills) represents a solid choice, though potentially redundant if Astarion frequently accompanies your party.

Additional viable options include Acolyte (improving Insight and Religion), along with Outlander (boosting Athletics and Survival). Finally, exercise caution when selecting the Dark Urge origin, which automatically assigns the Haunted One background featuring Medicine and Intimidation as preferred skills.

Best Abilities

The Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk depends heavily on Dexterity as its primary damage scaling attribute through the Dexterous Attacks feature. Wisdom remains equally crucial due to Unarmored Defense mechanics. Naturally, moderate Constitution investment provides additional hit points for survivability. The optimal attribute allocation typically follows this pattern:

• Strength: 10 or 12 points
• Dexterity: 17 points – You can acquire +2 points from your initial feat selection at level 4. You might also gain an extra point by defeating Auntie Ethel. These enhancements will elevate your DEX to 20 during the campaign’s early stages.
• Constitution: 14 points
• Intelligence: 8 or 10 points
• Wisdom: 14 points
• Charisma: 10 points

This concludes our comprehensive Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk class guide. Next, we explore the best build strategy we’ve implemented throughout our gameplay experience.

Baldur’s Gate 3 overflows with activities and hidden content. You’ll undoubtedly embark on an adventure requiring countless hours to fully experience. For additional guidance, visit our BG3 guides hub featuring our Class Guide for additional character optimization insights.

No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Baldur’s Gate 3 – Monk Class Guide Master the Monk's martial arts, Ki abilities, and optimal character builds in Baldur's Gate 3