BG3's Best Monk Build: Master the Way of the Fist

The monk is a versatile class in Baldur's Gate 3 that combines martial prowess with spiritual enlightenment. Utilizing a variety of unarmed strikes, they excel at both close-quarters combat and support. To optimize your monk's capabilities, follow this comprehensive guide and harness their true potential.

Key Features of the Monk Class

• Unarmed Strikes: Monks excel in hand-to-hand combat, dealing formidable damage with their fists and elbows.
• Martial Arts: This class feature grants monks a range of combat techniques, from dodging to stunning opponents.
• Ki Abilities: Monks can tap into their inner energy, known as Ki, to perform special abilities such as healing and enchanting their unarmed strikes.
• Unarmored Defense: Monks can rely on their physical prowess rather than armor, granting them higher Dexterity and Wisdom modifiers to their AC.

Choosing the Best Race for Your Monk

• Variant Human (feat: Mobile): This combination offers +1 to all abilities and the Mobile feat, enhancing your movement and positioning in combat.
• Wood Elf (feat: Elven Accuracy): Wood elves gain +2 Dexterity and +1 Wisdom, and the Elven Accuracy feat increases your odds of landing critical hits with your unarmed strikes.
• Tiefling (variant: Winged): Tieflings have +2 Charisma and +1 Intelligence, and the Winged variant grants them flight, providing vertical mobility.

Stats and Skills

Stats:
- Dexterity: Your primary stat, crucial for AC, initiative, and unarmed strike damage.
- Wisdom: Your secondary stat, important for Ki abilities, AC, and saving throws.
- Constitution: For hit points and Concentration saves.

Skills:
- Athletics: Grappling and climbing.
- Insight: Understanding others' motives and intentions.
- Perception: Spotting hidden objects and creatures.

Monk Subclasses

BG3 currently has two monk subclasses:

• Way of the Open Hand: Focuses on disabling opponents, grappling, and stunning.
• Way of Shadow: Emphasizes stealth, movement, and deception, making it ideal for scouting and infiltration.

Ki Abilities

Flurry of Blows: Unleash a flurry of unarmed strikes, dealing multiple attacks at a slight cost of Ki.
Patient Defense: Enter a defensive stance, gaining temporary hit points and improving your AC.
Step of the Wind: Dash as a bonus action without provoking opportunity attacks.
Stunning Strike: Enhance an unarmed strike with Ki to stun your target if it fails a saving throw.

Gameplay Tips

• Positioning: Use your mobility to flank enemies, avoid attacks, and set up advantageous attacks.
• Ki Management: Balance your Ki consumption between using abilities and recovering it through short rests.
• Combined Attacks: Combine martial arts techniques with Ki abilities to maximize your effectiveness in combat.
• Roleplay Integration: Embody the monastic philosophy in your interactions with others, seeking wisdom and understanding.

Advanced Build Options

• Multiclassing: Consider multiclassing into Rogue for increased damage and stealth, or Cleric for access to healing spells.
• Feats: Enhance your build with feats such as Mobile, Martial Adept, or Sentinel, depending on your playstyle and desired abilities.
• Equipment: Optimize your unarmed strikes with the Wand of Web for entangling enemies or the Staff of Striking for magical bonus damage.

Table 1: Monk Abilities and Effects

Table 2: Monk Feats

Table 3: Monk Multiclassing Options

Table 4: Recommended Gear for Monks

In conclusion, BG3's monk is a versatile and powerful class capable of dominating opponents in close quarters. By carefully choosing your race, stats, and abilities, you can optimize your monk's potential and become a formidable force on the battlefield. Remember to engage with the monastic philosophy both in combat and in roleplay, and strive for a harmonious balance between physical prowess and spiritual enlightenment.