The Ultimate Guide to Baldur's Gate 3 Monk Subclasses: Unveiling the Top-Ranked Monastic Paths
The Monk, a formidable class in Baldur's Gate 3, excels in close-quarters combat and harnesses Ki to unleash awe-inspiring abilities Explore the powerful paths of the Way of the Open Hand, Way of Shadow, and Way of the Four Elements
In Baldur's Gate 3, each class grants players access to unique abilities that will aid them throughout their adventure. The Monk is a melee combat class that harnesses the power of Ki, the Life Energy present in all things. Each subclass of the Monk utilizes Ki in different ways, granting unique special abilities for both combat and exploration.
Baldur's Gate 3 offers three distinct subclasses for the Monk. The Way of the Open Hand concentrates Ki to disrupt enemies and empower the Monk, enabling them to modify their "Flurry of Blows" technique and utilize the Ki within other beings to vanquish them from within. The Way of Shadow Monk utilizes Ki to master the art of stealth, manipulating shadows to blind adversaries and silence spellcasters, or even traversing through shadows to deliver a powerful strike that affects a creature's mind. Lastly, The Way of the Four Elements enables the Monk to channel their Ki into elemental magic, engulfing their enemies in flames or bolts of lightning, or hindering their foes with freezing barriers of ice.
The Way of the Open Hand
Choosing The Way of the Open Hand at level 3 grants the Monk three new Flurry of Blows variations. These variations allow the Monk to hinder their opponent's reactions, push them away, or knock them down during their Flurry of Blows. At level 6, the Monk gains three "Manifestation" abilities: Body, Mind, and Spirit. These abilities empower the Monk to add Necrotic, Psychic, or Radiant Damage to their attacks, enabling them to inflict extra damage and exploit the vulnerabilities of specific enemies. Additionally, at this level, they acquire "Wholeness of Body," which allows them to expend an action to heal and restore half of their Ki Points.
Upon reaching level 9, the Way of the Open Hand Monk attains Ki Resonation. This ability allows them to strike an enemy with an attack that resonates their Ki with that of the Monk, either as an Action or Bonus Action. Afterwards, they can utilize Ki Resonation: Blast to detonate the resonating foe, causing 3d6 Force damage and affecting all enemies within a 5-meter radius of the target. Finally, at level 11, the Monk gains Tranquility. This grants them the protective benefits of the Sanctuary spell following a long rest, preventing foes from targeting them until the Monk initiates an attack or directly harms any creature.
The Way of Shadow
The Way of the Shadow Monk unlocks four "Shadow Arts" at level 3. These abilities enable the Monk to Hide as a Bonus action and cast the spells Pass Without Trace, Darkness, Darkvision, and Silence. With these tools, they possess exceptional versatility for manipulating and eluding their adversaries. Additionally, they automatically learn the cantrip "Minor Illusion."
Upon reaching level 5, they acquire the ability Cloak of Shadows, which allows them to become invisible as long as they are concealed or outside an opponent's line of sight. The Darkness spell can provide ideal cover for utilizing this feature.
Advancing to level 6 grants them Shadowstep, enabling them to teleport between shadows while remaining hidden, as a bonus action. They also gain advantage on their next attack roll after using this ability.
Lastly, at level 11, they attain Shadow Strike. This permits them to instantly teleport to an enemy from a concealed position and immediately launch an attack, inflicting both their regular attack damage and an additional 3d8 psychic damage.
The Way of the Four Elements
The Four Elements Monk utilizes their Ki to cast spells from a limited selection of elemental spells. At level 3, they select three spells to learn and acquire the ability "Harmony of Fire and Water." This allows them to recover half of their Ki Points (rounding down) when not in combat, ensuring continued access to spells even after extended dungeon expeditions. At levels 6 and 9, they gain access to additional spells from their list. Furthermore, at level 9, they obtain "Improved Elemental Casting," enhancing the damage of all their offensive spells by an additional dice, enabling Clench of the North Wind to target an extra foe, and granting Embrace of the Inferno an extra ray.
Baldur's Gate 3 is currently available for PC and Mac, with its release for PS5 slated for September 6, 2023.
