To maximize the benefits of being a monk, put your highest ability roll into Dexterity. Most of the weapons you employ as a monk will believe Dex for attack rolls. So Dex is going to be your most vital ability.
Monk’s use ki, the magical energy that flows through living bodies, to reinforce their physical power. But the utilization of ki often requires Wisdom. So put your second-highest roll into Wis.
Monk 5e Class
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d8 per monk level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per monk level after 1st
Starting Proficiencies
You are proficient with the following items, in addition to any Proficiencies provided by your race or Background.
Armor: none
Weapons: Simple Weapons, shortswords
Tools: any one type of artisan’s tools or anyone Musical Instrument of your choice
Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Skills: Choose two from Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, and Stealth
Starting Equipment
You start with the following items, plus anything provided by your Background.
• (a) a Shortsword or (b) any simple weapon
• (a) a Dungeoneer’s Pack or (b) an Explorer’s Pack
• 10 darts
Table: The Monk
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Martial Arts | Ki Points | Unarmored Movement | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | 1d4 | — | — | Unarmored Defense, Martial Arts |
| 2nd | 2 | 1d4 | 2 | +10 ft. | Ki, Unarmored Movement |
| 3rd | 2 | 1d4 | 3 | +10 ft. | Monastic Tradition, Deflect Missiles |
| 4th | 2 | 1d4 | 4 | +10 ft. | Ability Score Improvement, Slow Fall |
| 5th | 3 | 1d6 | 5 | +10 ft. | Extra Attack, Stunning Strike |
| 6th | 3 | 1d6 | 6 | +15 ft. | Ki-Empowered Strikes, Monastic Tradition feature |
| 7th | 3 | 1d6 | 7 | +15 ft. | Evasion, Stillness of Mind |
| 8th | 3 | 1d6 | 8 | +15 ft. | Ability Score Improvement |
| 9th | 4 | 1d6 | 9 | +15 ft. | Unarmored Movement improvement |
| 10th | 4 | 1d6 | 10 | +20 ft. | Purity of Body |
| 11th | 4 | 1d8 | 11 | +20 ft. | Monastic Tradition feature |
| 12th | 4 | 1d8 | 12 | +20 ft. | Ability Score Improvement |
| 13th | 5 | 1d8 | 13 | +20 ft. | Tongue of the Sun and Moon |
| 14th | 5 | 1d8 | 14 | +25 ft. | Diamond Soul |
| 15th | 5 | 1d8 | 15 | +25 ft. | Timeless Body |
| 16th | 5 | 1d8 | 16 | +25 ft. | Ability Score Improvement |
| 17th | 6 | 1d10 | 17 | +25 ft. | Monastic Tradition feature |
| 18th | 6 | 1d10 | 18 | +30 ft. | Empty Body |
| 19th | 6 | 1d10 | 19 | +30 ft. | Ability Score Improvement |
| 20th | 6 | 1d10 | 20 | +30 ft. | Perfect Self |
The con is additionally a crucial stat for any D&D 5E character. it’ll allow you to realize more hit points as you level, providing you with more survivability in combat. And it’ll help in many situations that need saving throws. Put your third-highest roll into Con.
Charisma, intelligence, and strength are generally not useful to monks. So put your low rolls into these.
Best Races For A Monk
Some races possess natural tendencies that make them better at being monks, while others are at an obstacle. Here are the simplest races to settle on for a monk character.
Elf
Elves get +2 Dex, making them ideally suited to be monks. They also get Darkvision, Keen Senses, and Fey Ancestry, all of which are handy features for any character to possess. Wood Elves make especially good monks because of their +1 Wis and automatic proficiency with shortswords, shortbows, and longbows.
Halfling
Like elves, halflings get +2 Dex. As long as they need proficiency, they’re great at fighting with Sai swords, nunchaku, and other monk weapons. Halflings also are Lucky and Brave, which are useful traits for any class. Stout halflings make especially good monks since they need +1 Con and resistance to poison.
Dwarf
Dwarves get +2 Con. this is often not nearly as good for a monk as +2 Dex. But if you already rolled a high Dex, the additional Con could also be just what you would like. Hill dwarves get a further + 1 Wis, making them especially suited to be monks.
Human
Humans get +1 to all or any ability scores. This might allow you to balance your monk’s stats between Dex, Con, and Wis, producing a stronger character overall.
Best Monk Class Features
Monks have many class features that distinguish them from others. But not all of them are really useful. Here are eight monk features that you’ll want to use often.
- Martial arts – this provides you a spread of advantages when using monk weapons or your bare hands, including better damage and bonus unarmed strikes
- Unarmored Defense – Makes your AC 10 + Dex modifier + Wis modifier if you’re not wearing armor. This often completely eliminates the necessity for armor
- Unarmored Movement – Increases your speed by 10 ft. at level 2, and continues to extend it as you gain levels. This is often useful during a sort of combat and non-combat situations.
We’ve gone over the simplest ability score builds for a monk, best races, class features, traditions, and feats. Monks aren’t as popular as many other classes. But with their unique background and unarmed combat prowess, they will be tons of fun to play. and that they are definitely useful members of any adventuring party.