Baldur’s Gate 3 Guide | Monk Build

One of the most versatile and strongest classes in Baldur's Gate 3, the Monk brings both agility and high damage output to the battlefield. While monks are philosophical about being tranquil and moderate in combat, they are far from either, striking fast and devastatingly. 

This guide will show you how to optimize your Monk build from Levels 1 to 6 so you can dominate the early game, even on the Tactician level. Early on, laying down good foundations will help your Monk survive the whole campaign.

Choosing the Right Race for Your Monk 

Although the Monk is a strong core ability by nature, your race choice can complement the strengths nonetheless. Wood Elf and Wood Half-Elf are some good alternatives for this build since both provide increased movement speed, a vital thing for Monks-more resistance. Wood Half-Elves also get skill in light armor and shields, giving them more gear options.

While any race can be a decent Monk, some are obviously superior to others because of their movement bonuses and other supplemental qualities, which improve both survivability and mobility.

Ability Scores Allocation

To maximize your Monk's potential, you must carefully consider ability score allocation. The focus will mainly be on Dexterity since it states your Attack Rolls, Armor Class, and Initiative. Dexterity should at least be 16 if you're thinking about consistent damage and durability. Constitution is also set at 16 as it increases your hit points to be able to resist long fights. Wisdom at 14 increases AC and contributes to more damage later on.

Strength can be safely lowered to 8, as this build depends on Dexterity for unarmed attacks, though Charisma at 12 offers a small bonus to dialogue. Intelligence is the least crucial stat in this build and can be left at 8. This will keep your Monk well-rounded and capable of handling combat and exploration well.

Early Levels: Building Momentum

You can combine a main attack with an opportunity bonus unarmed strike. Two hits per round at Level 1. If you invest in Ki, your attack count increases to three in order to dominate early fights. The best way to get the most experience is by completing the Nautiloid ship in the tutorial. Try killing the commander and, if you can, a couple of cambions for experience points. The good ways of getting the job done include disarming him with Shadowheart's "Command" spell and using explosive barrels to kill him and the guys next to him.

This way, you should ensure that you have Level 2 by the time you get off the ship. Level 2 sees Monks unlock defensive abilities that enhance survivability as they keep up the offense-based pressure. Although the abilities at this level do not make any swings of power balance in one match, they are great additions to avoid taking damage and staying aggressive.

Level 3: Unsealing the Way of the Open Hand

When you get to Level 3, you will be able to choose a subclass, and the Way of the Open Hand is your best bet for this build. This subclass enhances your Flurry of Blows with powerful effects for more versatility and utility.

The "Push" effect works very well for environmental kills, flinging enemies off ledges or into traps. "Stagger" does not allow the attacker to react and gives you time to withdraw and reposition. "Topple" knocks the opponent down and puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to follow-up hits. Because of its versatility, Way of the Open Hand is the best subclass for supremacy in the early game.  

Essential Gear and Item Locations

Proper gear for your Monk is necessary to get the most out of it. Early in the game, get these items:  

• Caerlin's Grace: This staff can be acquired from Auntie Ethel in the Druid's Grove. It increases unarmed damage and hit chance and provides a +2 saving throw bonus when unarmored.
• Bracers of Defense. Available in the cellar of the apothecary in Blighted Village. +2 AC while unarmored - this greatly increases survivability.
• Haste Helm: Located near the waypoint at the Blighted Village, it makes your speed higher and provides more chances to make assaults.
• Hunting Shortbow: Sold by a vendor in Blighted Village, it provides ranged combat and effects against monsters.

These items power up your damage, durability, and mobility, which can be very strong to take down on the battlefield.

Improvement of Strength through Elixers and Feats

Although this build prioritizes Dexterity, Auntie Ethel's Hill Giant Strength Elixirs can briefly increase your Strength. These elixirs increase your Strength to 21, resulting in much more damage output. They last until your next extended rest, making them an inexpensive method to improve your fighting effectiveness.

Take the Tavern Brawler feat at level four, which makes your Strength modifier square for unarmed strikes to attack or deal damage. It really just works so well with the elixirs, and with these changes, your Monk is going to be able to give fatal punches, ensuring a quick victory in battles.

Level 5-6: Unleashing Your Power

Level 5 is a major power-up for monks, as it provides them with an additional attack per action. Thus, along with the bonus unarmed strikes, you can make up to four attacks in turn; you can also get the Stunning Strike, the ability to stun all enemies in front of your allies to give you an open door for favorable counterattacks, too.

At Level 6, your Monk has Ki-Empowered Strikes, which can bypass resistances, as well as the ability to cause necrotic, radiant, or psychic damage with unarmed strikes. This versatility ensures your efficacy against a diverse range of opponents. Wholeness of Body, another Level 6 attribute, promotes self-healing, which improves endurance during long battles.

Late Game Optimization and Re-Spec

As you advance in the Underdark, getting the Gloves of Dexterity allows you to redistribute your ability scores. With the gloves setting the Dexterity to 18, you can now shift toward Strength to deal more damage. Auntie Ethel's hair can be used to raise Wisdom, which will improve your vital stats even further. You need to arm yourself with a Crusher Ring from the Goblin Camp for mobility and terrain-overcoming boots to move around the battlefield freely. 

The Ideal Party Composition 

A varied party enhances the melee DPS role of the Monk. There's the tank, such as Karlach or Lae'zel, who just soaks in damage and pins these foes down. There is the Lore Bard, who would do crowd control and provide those extra short breaks to recover Ki points. And lastly, the blaster, like Gale or Wyll, provides the much-needed ranged magical damage to cover the weaknesses of the Monk. This party would dominate any engagement with proper utilization of a Monk's mobility and raw power.

Finally…

The Baldur's Gate 3 Building a Monk makes for an excellent combination in terms of speed, damage, and strategic depth. After some early-game optimization and smart buying of items in conjunction with good leveling, the monk is really unstoppable.

The Way of the Open Hand means fluid adaptation and raw might; only in this way can you get through even the most ruinous patches. With due consideration and careful planning and execution, your Monk becomes the anchor of power amongst an adventuring company.

Also, check our Baldur's Gate 3 Review and other guides below:

• Baldur’s Gate 3 Beginner Guide | Tips & Tricks
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | How To Rescue Shadowheart
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | All 10 Companion Locations
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | How To Get The Best Ending
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | Paladin Build
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | How To Multiclass
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | Warlock Build