Monk

Alchemist	Artificer	Barbarian	Fighter Dragon Lord	Monk	Rogue	Sorcerer	Wizard
Favored Soul		Bard Stormsinger	Cleric Dark Apostate	Druid Blightcaster	Paladin Sacred Fist	Ranger Dark Hunter	Warlock Acolyte of the Skin

Monk
Starting a... Enhancements Tactics Equipment

Originally a premium class, the monk was made free with Update 53.

Class Summary

Alignment: Lawful good, Lawful neutral Hit die: d8

Class Skills

Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Intelligence modifier) x4

Skill points at each additional level: 4 + Intelligence modifier

Balance (Dexterity)
Concentration (Constitution)
Diplomacy (Charisma)
Hide (Dexterity)
Jump (Strength)
Listen (Wisdom)
Move Silently (Dexterity)
Swim (Strength)
Tumble (Dexterity)
Spot (Wisdom)

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies

	Simple weapons (Club, Dagger, Heavy Crossbow, Light Crossbow, Quarterstaff, Unarmed)
	Martial weapons (Handaxe)
	Exotic weapons (Handwraps, Kama, Shuriken)

Note: Monks become uncentered if they use any armor other than cloth (or any plating other than Composite, if Warforged), or if they equip any weapons other than handwraps, kamas, a quarterstaff, or shurikens, or are at Medium encumbrance or higher. With the right feats or enhancements, monks can remain centered using longswords (Feat: Whirling Steel Strike), shortswords (Ninja Spy: Basic Ninja Training), longbows and shortbows (Feat: Zen Archery), daggers {except throwing daggers} (Vistani Knife Fighter: Deadly Blades) or any Kensei Focus melee weapon (Kensei: One With The Blade.)

Past Lives

	Past Life: Monk	You were a Monk in a past life. You occasionally find yourself contemplating the mysteries of life. Each time you acquire this feat you gain +1 to damage rolls. This feat can be stacked up to three times. Past Life: Monk is a Free Feat, which means it is permanently added to the character that unlocks it and you won't need to choose it, neither at new life nor at level up.
	Past Life: Disciple of the Fist	You recall more about your past life as a monk. You have +2 to your Concentration skill, deal increased unarmed damage (one step higher than normal on the unarmed combat chart), and can enter an evasive trance once per rest, granting the evasion feat for a short period of time(20sec). (When you make a successful Reflex save to avoid damage, you suffer no damage instead of half damage.) Note: You must meet normal evasion requirements for this one. No medium or heavy armor, no heavy encumbrance.

Paths

• None

Prestige Enhancements

• Henshin Mystic
• Ninja Spy
• Shintao Monk

Advancement table

Monk Advancement
Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Unarmed Attack bonus	AC bonus	Dodge bonus	Unarmored speed bonus
1st	+0/+0	+2	+2	+2	Armor Class Bonus, Flurry of Blows, Unarmed Strike, Martial Arts Feat, Monk Stances, Finishing Moves	+1	+0	2%	+0%
2nd	+1/+1/+6	+3	+3	+3	Armor Class Bonus, Evasion, Meditation, Martial Arts Feat	+1	+3	4%	+0%
3rd	+2/+2/+7	+3	+3	+3	Still Mind, Fast Movement*, Philosophy	+1	+3	6%	+5%*
4th	+3/+3/+8/+13	+4	+4	+4	Ki Strike: Magic, Slow Fall, Unarmed Strike	+2	+3	6%	+5%
5th	+3/+3/+8/+13	+4	+4	+4	Armor Class Bonus, Purity of Body	+2	+6	6%	+5%
6th	+4/+4/+9/+14	+5	+5	+5	Adept of Forms, Martial Arts Feat, Fast Movement, Slow Fall	+2	+6	6%	+10%
7th	+5/+5/+10/+15	+5	+5	+5	Wholeness of Body	+2	+6	6%	+10%
8th	+6/+6/+11/+16	+6	+6	+6	Slow Fall, Unarmed Strike	+3	+6	6%	+10%
9th	+6/+6/+11/+16	+6	+6	+6	Improved Evasion, Fast Movement	+3	+6	6%	+15%
10th	+7/+7/+12/+17	+7	+7	+7	Armor Class Bonus, Ki Strike: Lawful, Slow Fall	+3	+9	6%	+15%
11th	+8/+8/+13/+18	+7	+7	+7	Diamond Body	+3	+9	6%	+15%
12th	+9/+9/+14/+19	+8	+8	+8	Abundant Step, Fast Movement, Master of Forms, Slow Fall, Unarmed Strike	+4	+9	6%	+20%
13th	+9/+9/+14/+19	+8	+8	+8	Diamond Soul	+4	+9	6%	+20%
14th	+10/+10/+15/+20	+9	+9	+9	Slow Fall	+4	+9	6%	+20%
15th	+11/+11/+16/+21	+9	+9	+9	Armor Class Bonus, Fast Movement, Quivering Palm	+4	+12	6%	+25%
16th	+12/+12/+17/+22	+10	+10	+10	Ki Strike: Adamantine, Slow Fall, Unarmed Strike	+5	+12	6%	+25%
17th	+12/+12/+17/+22	+10	+10	+10	Timeless Body	+5	+12	6%	+25%
18th	+13/+13/+18/+23	+11	+11	+11	Fast Movement, Grandmaster of Forms, Slow Fall	+5	+12	6%	+30%
19th	+14/+14/+19/+24	+11	+11	+11	Empty Body	+5	+12	6%	+30%
20th	+15/+15/+20/+25	+12	+12	+12	Armor Class Bonus, Perfect Self, Perfect Slow Fall, Shining Star, Unarmed Strike	+6	+15	6%	+30%

*Gives 10% the first time and then 5% each time afterwards

Ki

Ki is the mystical energy that powers a Monk's attacks or abilities.

Ki (pronounced "kee") works similarly to spell points but with notable exceptions.

• Ki is a renewable but temporary resource, generated as a monk attacks enemies (or, in some cases, if the monk is struck).
• Accumulated ki drains away from the monk. The more ki, the more rapid the drain.
• Unlike spell points, where Elixirs can be found to recharge spell points, ki can be generated only through fighting or meditation.
• Available ki is influenced by Wisdom, but, unlike casters whose spellpoints are based on a stat, Ki is based on the Concentration skill.

For more information, see the Ki article.

Being Centered

A Centered state of being is a critical component of the Monk class. The most obvious sign of being uncentered appears when a Monk fights awkwardly and slowly when unarmed. Uncentered monks lose their ability to use many of their special abilities, such as ki attacks, and cannot generate ki.

To be Centered, a Monk must:

• wear only a robe, outfit, docent (Warforged only), or nothing in their armor slot
  • Warforged Monks must also have a body type no heavier than Composite Plating
• not wear a shield
• wield only kamas, shurikens, a quarterstaff, handwraps or special weapons such as Filthy Kukris (with exceptions, noted below)
• not be encumbered (The Ray of Enfeeblement spell can weaken STR, leaving a monk uncentered)

For Centered weapons, there are exceptions. With the right feats or enhancements, longswords (with Feat: Whirling Steel Strike); shortswords (with Ninja Spy: Basic Ninja Training); daggers (with Vistani Knife Fighter: Deadly Blades) and longbows/shortbows (with Feat: Zen Archery) can be used. With at least 5 levels of Fighter, and 12 character levels, Monks can take the enhancement One with the Blade and use any melee weapon in their Kensei Focus group as a Ki weapon.

For more, see the Centered article.

Philosophy

At level 3, a Monk must choose a martial arts philosophy path (not to be confused with character build Paths) that determines specific attacks or abilities: These philosophies are represented as unique feats, similar to Ranger favored enemies, or Cleric Domain abilities.

These Philosophies are the Path of Inevitable Dominion or the Path of Harmonious Balance. Each philosophy gives you an optional subset of enhancements in the Ninja Spy enhancement tree or Shintao Enhancement tree respectively that augment the effectiveness of their respective philosophy. (This is noted by a prerequisite in the enhancement tree)

Monk Martial Arts Feats

At levels 1, 2, and 6 a monk gets to select a bonus martial arts feat. All prerequisites of the selected feat must be met.

Level 1

• Hidden feat (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored and not wielding a shield: +3 Wisdom bonus to AC.
• Flurry of Blows (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored, and either unarmed or wielding only monk weapons: The monk is treated as if they had a full Base Attack Bonus for all monk levels, additional gets a 2% dodge bonus at monk levels 1, 2, and 4 for a total of 6%.
• Unarmed Strike (passive): Flavor feat; does nothing.
• Martial arts feat: A monk may select a martial arts feat for free. They must meet all prerequisites of the selected feat.
• Monks get access to Monk stances. Must be centered to be active.
• Finishing moves (active): Finishing moves are unlocked by performing certain sequences of Ki attacks.

Level 2

• Hidden feat (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored and not wielding a shield: +3 stacking Centered bonus to AC.
• Evasion (passive): Successful Reflex save to avoid damage: suffer no damage instead of half damage.
• Meditation (active): Twice per rest, monks can meditate to slowly regain Ki.
• Martial arts feat: A monk may select a martial arts feat for free. They must meet all prerequisites of the selected feat.

Level 3

• Fast Movement (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored, and either unarmed or wielding only monk weapons: 5% base plus an additional 5% bonus to run speed.
• Still Mind (passive): +2 bonus on saving throws against enchantments.
• Choice of Philosophy: Path of Harmonious Balance (light) or Path of Inevitable Dominion (darkness). This choice will affect available Monk enhancements and which of the new Finishing Moves can be activated.
• Finishing moves (dark/light related) (active): Finishing moves are unlocked by performing certain sequences of Ki attacks.

Level 4

• Ki Strike: Magic (passive): Unarmed and handwrap melee attacks are considered magical for damage reduction purposes.
• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce gravity's effect on fall speed. This feat can be turned off.
• Unarmed Strike (passive): Flavor feat; does nothing.

Level 5

• AC Bonus (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored and not wielding a shield: +3 stacking Centered bonus to AC.
• Purity of Body (passive): Unaffected by all natural diseases.

Level 6

• Adept of Forms: First upgrade to the level 1 Monk stances and elemental strikes.
• Fast Movement (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored, and either unarmed or wielding only monk weapons: An additional 5% bonus to run speed.
• Martial arts feat: A monk may select a martial arts feat for free. They must meet all prerequisites of the selected feat.
• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce the influence of gravity on falling speed even further. This talent can be turned off.

Level 7

• Wholeness of Body (active): Heal HP (Monk level)/2 + Wisdom modifier every 2 seconds for 30 seconds).

Level 8

• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce the influence of gravity on falling speed even further. This talent can be turned off.
• Unarmed Strike (passive): Flavor feat; does nothing.

Level 9

• Improved Evasion (passive): Failed Reflex save to avoid damage: suffer only half damage.
• Fast Movement (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored, and either unarmed or wielding only monk weapons: An additional 5% bonus to run speed.

Level 10

• AC Bonus (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored and not wielding a shield: +3 stacking Centered bonus to AC.
• Ki Strike: Lawful (passive): Unarmed and handwrap melee attacks are considered Lawful for damage reduction purposes.
• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce the influence of gravity on falling speed even further. This talent can be turned off.
• Finishing moves (void related) (active): Finishing moves are unlocked by performing certain sequences of Ki attacks.

Level 11

• Diamond Body (passive): Grants immunity to poison.

Level 12

• Abundant Step (active): Use this ability to make horizontal leaps, closing to targets, traversing chasms, or zipping past enemies.
• Fast Movement (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored, and either unarmed or wielding only monk weapons: An additional 5% bonus to run speed.
• Master of Forms: Second upgrade to the level 1 Monk stances and elemental strikes.
• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce the influence of gravity on falling speed even further. This talent can be turned off.
• Unarmed Strike (passive): Flavor feat; does nothing.

Level 13

• Diamond Soul (passive): Gain Spell Resistance equal to Monk Level + 10.

Level 14

• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce the influence of gravity on falling speed even further. This talent can be turned off.

Level 15

• AC Bonus (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored and not wielding a shield: +3 stacking Centered bonus to AC
• Fast Movement (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored, and either unarmed or wielding only monk weapons: An additional 5% bonus to run speed.
• Quivering Palm (active): Ki attack: Targets must make a Fortitude Save (DC: 10 + monk level + highest of dexterity/wisdom modifier + assassinate bonuses) after being struck or die instantly.

Level 16

• Ki Strike: Adamantine (passive): Unarmed and handwrap melee attacks are considered Adamantine for damage reduction purposes.
• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce the influence of gravity on falling speed even further. This talent can be turned off.
• Unarmed Strike (passive): Flavor feat; does nothing.

Level 17

• Timeless Body (passive): Immune to the spawn effect of most undead.

Level 18

• Fast Movement (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored, and either unarmed or wielding only monk weapons: An additional 5% bonus to run speed.
• Grandmaster of Forms: Third upgrade to the level 1 Monk stances and elemental strikes.
• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce the influence of gravity on falling speed even further. This talent can be turned off.

Level 19

• Empty Body (active): Shadow Walk SLA. You move much faster than normal and you are harder to hit. Attacking or otherwise interacting with objects ends the effect.

Level 20

• AC Bonus (passive): While unencumbered, unarmored and not wielding a shield: +3 stacking Centered bonus to AC
• Perfect Self (passive): Now considered a Lawful Outsider. Gains damage reduction 10 / epic.
• Perfect Slow Fall (active): Never take damage from falling.
• Shining Star (active): Another Finishing move. Finishing moves are unlocked by performing certain sequences of Ki attacks.
• Slow Fall (active): While centered: Reduce the influence of gravity on falling speed even further. This talent can be turned off.
• Unarmed Strike (passive): Flavor feat; does nothing.

External links

• Dev Diary: The Way of the Monk archival of http://www.ddo.com/article/973