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Their AC, attack rolls, and a few of their most notable skill proficiency options all are Dex based. Monks typically are primarily Dexterity-based characters. The lack of armor proficiency isn’t a big deal, though, as they get Unarmored Defense at 1st level to give you an armor class built from your Wisdom modifier and Dexterity modifiers. Monks are given proficiencies and hit dice that put them near rogue in survivability with some similar weapon proficiencies, decent saving throws, and two skills. Those sections will offer my thoughts on options to consider beyond that, taking more short rests will empower your character. If you’re a more experienced player, truthfully there aren’t a ton of areas within core monk you can make decisions outside of your Monastic Tradition and feat selections. Newer players to Monk will want to focus on the first three or four levels and Monk’s starting proficiencies to lay a good starting point that will help you feel impactful as the game progresses. The majority of the time, your turns are going to be taking the attack action for two attacks, then using a ki point for two more attacks. Monk is centrally focused on managing Ki and making attacks. Within the first three or four levels, it can feel oppressively powerful at some newer groups, and it does contribute some backbreaking features that DMs have to consider fight to fight. At most tables, though, that aren’t looking to stretch their characters to their absolute limits and get every ounce of power out of their levels and features, monks will deliver a fun play pattern that embodies the martial artist fantasy it sells. No, this class isn’t by any stretch the most powerful martial option available. Monk gets a lot of crap, and I think it's a bit overblown. This complete fantasy basically happens within the first five levels of the game past that, monks are starved for features that give you a lot more to do, instead of leaning on the messy Ki resource to deliver improvements to your utility and raw power fight to fight. Monks dish out damage in blinding speed over multiple attacks, sometimes with enough precision to stun enemies where they stand. They’re the pugilist-style fighters mixing unarmed strikes with other weaponry in perfect harmony. This core concept is front and center of all the mechanics the class brings to the table.
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They are martial artists who have perfected their form over years of study and patience, masters of the self more so than any other class. Through raw willpower, they can withstand the most horrific conditions like they were nothing.
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Their bodies are lethal weapons, with a sharpened mind capable of shrugging off temptations. Megathread D&D 5e 1D&D D&D 4e D&D v3.Guide by Sam West, person with perfect complete control over every element of themself defines the identity of Monk. r/DnD /r/rpg /r/Pathfinder_RPG /r/tabletop /r/UnearthedArcana /r/DnDHomebrew /r/dndnext Related Non-TTRPG Subreddits r/characterdrawing /r/Imaginar圜haracters /r/alternativeart On-Topic Subreddits
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