ClassesDungeons & Dragons 5e

The Monk Class in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e)

Martial arts specialists, cunning rogue-like plotters, lightning fast acrobats. The monk class may be one of the strongest classes in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Let’s mix zen meditation and kung-fu and see where it takes us!

What is a Monk in Dungeons & Dragons?

The monk class is one of the main classes in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, and as such is featured in DnD’s Player’s Handbook (get your copy here), the essential book to play Dungeons & Dragons.

After spending a great amount of time learning a certain set of skills in a monastery, a monk is a martial arts specialist, particularly gifted for unarmed combat. Their feet and legs are so quick and tough that they can resemble weapons, and sometimes deal even more damage than them.

Each monastery in the multiverse of Dungeons and Dragons follows a certain monastic tradition, and thus, monks in DnD 5e have to be careful when picking the one that better adjust to what they plan on their character to do.

Even though monks are not spell casters, they do use magical energy in the shape of ki. An energy that flows in all of the bodies and that monks have learned to use through study and meditation.

The fact that a Monk in 5e DnD has lived all their lives in a closed environment, with either no contact with the exterior or very brief interactions with their local neighbours is a fact that definitely shapes their personalities.

Monastic Traditions for the Monk Class in D&D 5e

Just like every monastery in the multiverse is different, it may follow a different monastic tradition too.

A way of understanding D&D 5e monk’s monastic traditions is to see them as a course of studies and techniques that the monk character has perfected and that differentiate it from other monks.

Monastic traditions dramatically change the behaviour of a monk. They can help them be a tougher defender, a quicker attacker, even can grant a limited but useful use of arcane magic.

Properly choosing the monastic tradition your DND monk is using will help you even in the roleplaying side of things.

For instance, as I write this, I play a monk character that follows the Way of the Drunken Master monastic tradition, and it’s quite fun to get him tipsy right before fighting, so he can go and do random things.

All the Monastic Traditions in DnD 5e

Every monastic tradition is defined by a path or way that the monk follows. Those are chosen when your monk character reaches level three. That is when you commit to a monastic tradition that will grant you features at four different levels.

The next table shows you all the DnD 5e monk monastic traditions you can find in the official Dungeons and Dragons books.

Monastic TraditionFound In
Way of the Four ElementsPlayer’s Handbook


What Is the Best Race for a Monk in D&D?

Granted, one of the greatest things to do when role playing is to let your imagination run free and create the character you want, no matter what. But that being said, there are certain races in Dungeons & Dragons that have characteristics that just fit monks better than any other race when answering the question “what is the best race for a monk?”

  • Elves
  • Halflings
  • Kenku
  • Tabaxi
  • Human Variant
  • Aarakocra
  • Shifter

What are Monk weapons DND 5e?


Are Monk attacks magical?
How many unarmed strikes can a monk make?

What Can and Cannot be Done by Monks?


Do monks get Cantrips?
Can monks wear armor DND 5e?
Can monks heal DND?
Can a monk use a shield 5e?
Does Mage Armor stack with Monk?

Are Monks Good in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition?


Is Monk good DND 5e?

What Are the Strengths of Monks in D&D?


How many times can a monk attack 5e?
How many ki points can a monk use per turn?
Are monks immune to poison damage?

How to improve a Monk in D&D?


How do I increase my AC monk?
Does natural armor stack with unarmored defense?
dnd 5e monk magic items
dnd 5e monk spells

How do I make a Monk in D&D?


monk dnd 5e guide
dnd 5e monk builds
dnd 5e monk build
dnd 5e monk character sheet
dnd 5e best monk build
dnd 5e monk homebrew

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