DnD Monk 2024
The 2024 DnD Monk channels its inner power, whether understood as energy, breath, or life force, through disciplined training that blends body and mind. Using this focused strength, Monks unleash extraordinary speed, precision, and martial prowess, transforming even simple movements or basic weapons into potent expressions of combat mastery. Below in our guide you’ll find everything you need to know. Including a brief introduction, the Monk Traits table, the Class Features table, followed by a level-by-level breakdown of all features and finally the subclasses.
2024 DnD Monk
Monks train both body and mind until they move with absolute focus and precision. Their discipline allows them to align themselves with the multiverse and tap into an inner reservoir of power. Each Monk understands this power in a personal way. Some see it as breath or energy, while others view it as life force, essence, or a reflection of the self. This inner power shapes every action they take, from swift attacks to subtle defensive techniques.
A Monk can strike with remarkable speed and channel impressive strength even without relying on complex weapons. Simple tools in their hands become refined instruments of martial skill. Their movements often appear effortless, yet every step and every strike comes from rigorous practice and intense concentration.
Many Monks choose a strict and quiet life that helps them refine their physical and mental focus. Others believe that living within the noise of the world strengthens their determination and sharpens their discipline. Despite these differences, all Monks share a common drive. They seek challenges that push their limits and view each adventure as a chance to grow. Their goal is not just to defeat enemies or gather treasure. They strive to shape themselves into living weapons with mastery over mind and body.
| Primary Ability | Hit Point Die | Saving Throw Proficiencies | Skill Proficiencies | Weapon Proficiencies | Tool Proficiencies | Armor Training | Starting Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dexterity and Wisdom | D8 per Monk level | Strength and Dexterity | Choose 2: Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, or Stealth | Simple weapons and Martial weapons that have the Light property | Choose one type of Artisan’s Tool or Musical Instrument | None | Choose A or B: (A) Spear, 5 Daggers, Artisan’s Tools or Musical Instrument (same as above), Explorer’s Pack, and 11 GP; or (B) 50 GP |
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Class Features | Martial Arts | Focus Points | Unarmored Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +2 | Martial Arts, Unarmored Defense | 1d6 | - | - |
| 2 | +2 | Monk’s Focus, Unarmored Movement, Uncanny Metabolism | 1d6 | 2 | +10 ft. |
| 3 | +2 | Deflect Attacks, Monk Subclass | 1d6 | 3 | +10 ft. |
| 4 | +2 | Ability Score Improvement, Slow Fall | 1d6 | 4 | +10 ft. |
| 5 | +3 | Extra Attack, Stunning Strike | 1d8 | 5 | +10 ft. |
| 6 | +3 | Empowered Strikes, Subclass Feature | 1d8 | 6 | +15 ft. |
| 7 | +3 | Evasion | 1d8 | 7 | +15 ft. |
| 8 | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d8 | 8 | +15 ft. |
| 9 | +4 | Acrobatic Movement | 1d8 | 9 | +15 ft. |
| 10 | +4 | Heightened Focus, Self-Restoration | 1d8 | 10 | +20 ft. |
| 11 | +4 | Subclass Feature | 1d10 | 11 | +20 ft. |
| 12 | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d10 | 12 | +20 ft. |
| 13 | +5 | Deflect Energy | 1d10 | 13 | +20 ft. |
| 14 | +5 | Disciplined Survivor | 1d10 | 14 | +25 ft. |
| 15 | +5 | Perfect Focus | 1d10 | 15 | +25 ft. |
| 16 | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d10 | 16 | +25 ft. |
| 17 | +6 | Subclass Feature | 1d12 | 17 | +25 ft. |
| 18 | +6 | Superior Defense | 1d12 | 18 | +30 ft. |
| 19 | +6 | Epic Boon | 1d12 | 19 | +30 ft. |
| 20 | +6 | Body and Mind | 1d12 | 20 | +30 ft. |
Monk Class Features 2024
Level 1 Character
A Monk’s path begins with intense physical training and strict mental focus that unlock an inner source of power. As they refine their discipline, they learn to move with remarkable speed, strike with precision, and channel their internal energy into techniques that set them apart from ordinary fighters.
Pro tip ☞ Before you begin your disciplined training and step into combat, make sure your character sheet is ready. It’s where you’ll track your abilities, hit points, and the features that guide your path.
As you’re becoming a Monk you:
- Gain all the traits in the Monk Traits table
- Gain all the Monk’s Level 1 Features, which are listed in the Monk Features table
Multiclass Character
When you take your first level in this class, you gain the following:
From the Monk Traits table you gain:
Hit Point Die
You also gain the 1st-level features shown in the Monk Features table.
Monk Progression
As a DnD 2024 Monk, you unlock a series of class features as you advance in level. Each time you reach a specific Monk level, you gain the abilities associated with that tier of training. All of these features are organized and detailed in the Monk Features table, which outlines your progression throughout the class.
Level 1: Martial Arts
Your martial training gives you mastery over combat techniques that use Unarmed Strikes and Monk Weapons. Monk Weapons include all simple melee weapons and any martial melee weapon that has the Light property.
You gain the benefits below while unarmed or wielding only Monk Weapons and while not wearing armor or holding a shield.
Bonus Unarmed Strike. You can make an Unarmed Strike as a Bonus Action.
Martial Arts Die. You can roll a 1d6 instead of the normal damage for your Unarmed Strikes or Monk Weapons. This die increases as you gain levels, as shown in the Monk Features table.
Dexterous Attacks. You can use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier for the attack and damage rolls of your Unarmed Strikes and Monk Weapons. When you use the Grapple or Shove options of your Unarmed Strike, you can also use your Dexterity modifier to determine the saving throw DC.
Level 1: Unarmored Defense
While you are not wearing armor and not wielding a shield, your base Armor Class equals 10 plus your Dexterity modifier plus your Wisdom modifier.
Level 2: Monk’s Focus
Your discipline allows you to draw on an inner well of energy called Focus Points. Your number of Focus Points equals the amount shown for your level in the Monk Features table.
You can expend these points to enhance specific Monk features. You begin with three such options: Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the Wind.
You regain all expended Focus Points at the end of a Short or Long Rest.
If a feature that uses Focus Points calls for a saving throw, the DC equals 8 plus your Wisdom modifier plus your Proficiency Bonus.
Flurry of Blows. You can spend 1 Focus Point to make two Unarmed Strikes as a Bonus Action.
Patient Defense. You can take the Disengage action as a Bonus Action. You can also spend 1 Focus Point to take both the Disengage and Dodge actions as a Bonus Action.
Step of the Wind. You can take the Dash action as a Bonus Action. You can also spend 1 Focus Point to take both the Disengage and Dash actions as a Bonus Action, and your jump distance doubles for the turn.
Level 2: Unarmored Movement
Your speed increases by 10 feet while not wearing armor or wielding a shield. This bonus increases as you advance in the class.
Level 2: Uncanny Metabolism
When you roll Initiative, you can regain all expended Focus Points. You then roll your Martial Arts die and regain Hit Points equal to your Monk level plus the number rolled.
You cannot use this feature again until after a Long Rest.
Level 3: Deflect Attacks
When a creature hits you with an attack that deals Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing damage, you can use a Reaction to reduce the total damage. The reduction equals 1d10 plus your Dexterity modifier plus your Monk level.
If you reduce the damage to 0, you can spend 1 Focus Point to redirect the attack’s force. Choose a creature you can see within 5 feet if the attack was melee, or within 60 feet and not behind total cover if it was ranged. The target must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, it takes damage equal to two rolls of your Martial Arts die plus your Dexterity modifier. The damage type matches the original attack.
Level 3: Monk Subclass
You choose a Monk subclass such as Warrior of Mercy, Warrior of Shadow, Warrior of the Elements, or Warrior of the Open Hand. Your subclass grants features at specific Monk levels, and you gain each of them as you reach the required level. You retain all subclass features gained at earlier levels.
Level 4: Ability Score Improvement
You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat you qualify for. You gain this feature again at levels 8, 12, and 16.
Level 4: Slow Fall
You can use a Reaction while falling to reduce the fall damage by an amount equal to five times your Monk level.
Level 5: Extra Attack
When you take the Attack action, you can attack twice instead of once.
Level 5: Stunning Strike
Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an Unarmed Strike or a Monk Weapon, you can spend 1 Focus Point to attempt a Stunning Strike. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is Stunned until the start of your next turn. On a successful save, its Speed is halved until the start of your next turn, and the next attack roll against it before that time has Advantage.
Level 6: Empowered Strikes
Your Unarmed Strikes can deal Force damage instead of their normal damage type.
Level 7: Evasion
When an effect allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take half damage, you take no damage on a successful save and half damage on a failed save. You do not gain this benefit if you are Incapacitated.
Level 8: Ability Score Improvement
You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify.
Level 9: Acrobatic Movement
While you are not wearing armor or wielding a shield, you can move across vertical surfaces and liquids on your turn without falling during the movement.
Level 10: Heightened Focus
Your Focus features improve as follows:
Flurry of Blows. You can spend 1 Focus Point to make three Unarmed Strikes instead of two.
Patient Defense. When you spend 1 Focus Point on Patient Defense, you gain Temporary Hit Points equal to two rolls of your Martial Arts die.
Step of the Wind. When you spend 1 Focus Point on Step of the Wind, you can move a willing creature within 5 feet of you that is Large or smaller
. The creature moves with you until the end of your turn without provoking Opportunity Attacks.
Level 10: Self-Restoration
At the end of each of your turns, you can end one of the following conditions on yourself: Charmed, Frightened, or Poisoned.
In addition, lack of food and drink does not cause you to gain levels of Exhaustion.
Level 11: Subclass Feature
You gain a new Subclass Feature
Level 12: Ability Score Improvement
You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify.
Level 13: Deflect Energy
You can now use Deflect Attacks against attacks of any damage type, not only Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing.
Level 14: Disciplined Survivor
Your discipline grants you proficiency in all saving throws. When you fail a saving throw, you can spend 1 Focus Point to reroll it. You must use the new result.
Level 15: Perfect Focus
When you roll Initiative and do not use Uncanny Metabolism, you regain expended Focus Points until you have 4 Focus Points if you currently have 3 or fewer.
Level 16: Ability Score Improvement
You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify.
Level 17: Subclass Feature
You gain a new Subclass Feature
Level 18: Superior Defense
At the start of your turn, you can spend 3 Focus Points to gain resistance to all damage except Force damage for 1 minute or until you become Incapacitated.
Level 19: Epic Boon
You gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat you qualify for. The Boon of Irresistible Offense is recommended.
Level 20: Body and Mind
Your physical and mental abilities reach extraordinary levels. Your Dexterity and Wisdom scores each increase by 4, to a maximum of 25.
2024 D&D Monk Subclasses
In Dungeons and Dragons 2024 edition there are 4 Monk Subclasses to choose from:
Warrior of Mercy
A Warrior of Mercy channels healing techniques and precise strikes to protect allies and control foes with compassionate discipline.
Warrior of Shadow
A Warrior of Shadow blends stealth and supernatural darkness, moving unseen and striking with sudden, precise force.
Warrior of the Elements
A Warrior of the Elements shapes elemental energy through disciplined movement, unleashing powerful effects tied to air, earth, fire, and water.
Warrior of the Open Hand
A Warrior of the Open Hand masters refined martial techniques that disrupt an opponent’s balance, defenses, and focus with precise control.