2024 Monk Class Guide For D&D 5e

[@alexnyman8011]

I'm so excited to FINALLY be excited about playing a Monk!!

[@voodoophil]

People in my gaming groups are queueing up to play monk, it is wild. 😊

[@alexnyman8011]

@voodoophil right!? Same here. It's so refreshing to see my friends Saitama dreams start flowing

[@alek8516]

Thank you both for this video. I so desperately needed a break today from the news

[@thesaiyanlegacy]

i played a level 6 elemental grappler monk for a one-shot, and it was the singular most fun i’ve ever had with DND combat. i was a full on battlefield controller who was moving in and around the battlefield and carrying foes into flanked situations or throwing off of cliffs. i didn’t feel OP and did way less damage than our party barbarian, but I felt like i had so many good play options

[@kingrix]

This is the one I've been waiting for. I was one of the oddballs who liked the 2014 Monk, but I'm so excited about the 2024 changes.

[@carloschinea8937]

Let’s Go! Class Guide I was looking forward to the most.

[@gengar618]

Now THIS is a class glow up “But you can only use Stunning Strike once per turn now” shut up nerd, the adults are talking.

[@Wanderingsage7]

"and? Oh no, you can only mess up the DM 'S encounter once a turn." Honestly as a monk fan, I don't mind the once a turn. In 2014 it was a ki dump just to maybe get a round or two benefit. "It ends at the start of your turn". Yeah but your party gets advantages in that time so I see no downside here.

[@karatekoala4270]

Exactly, monk is more than a stunning strike machine

[@TheePIB]

I really like the way the monk has been improved in the 2024 rules. Haven't been this excited to play a monk since 1981.

[@C-mz1bl]

The Spike Growth "cheese grater" technique kinda reminds me of that short clip in Sin City where Marv has this guy by the neck, and he's driving in his car full speed with this guy's face grinding against the pavement. "i don't know about you, but I'm havin a ball"

[@chrisg8989]

Coolest additon with the new monk Weapons is the Great Club. I'd flavor it as a Kanabō

[@logancuster8035]

Great Weapon Master Moooooonk! Let’s gooooooooo!😊

[@rekcroom]

I really hope we get a remastered Kensei Monk to take more advantage of that dual wielding build Monty mentioned. I bet you that one could give weapon masteries with it so it could be interesting for this build.

[@radiantphoenix_5147]

So many classes to play but monks always pull me back in.

[@armphidiic2609]

I was typing about monks being The Flash just as Monty said it, lol. Monk is really looking good. They seem really strong and I like that a lot.

[@LargyLarge]

The glow up of 2024 that was well deserved. Playing a dhampir warrior if mercy monk in a campaign atm and it absolutley fucking slaps, figuritvly and literally.

[@Hedron-Design]

Love the phrasing, "Flurry of blows-ing." Also yes, monks being able to monk around in games instead of feeling like a strange nerfed fighter, especially at low levels.

[@ericgonzales419]

I ran a unearthed arcana run for Tomb of Horrors. Acererak is immune or resistant to most damage types - except force. The monk absolutely shredded him to bits

[@RoninXDarknight]

I've had this idea about a Fairy Dhampir Shadow Monk kicking around for a while just because I love the idea of this bat winged shadow-fey creature that takes the crazy movement of the monk to the extreme. They can fly, they can climb, they can run....find a magic item that gives you a swim speed and there's almost no getting away from them.

[@StriderZessei]

Slayer from Guilty Gear vibes.

[@RoninXDarknight]

@@StriderZessei Never played but based on what I just read, yes exactly.

[@K3wlLevi]

I've been playing a 2014 elements monk in our campaign (it's going about as well as you can imagine) and our DM told us in the next couple sessions there will be an in game event, that allows us to completely rebuild our sheet with the new rules. I'm so excited to ACTUALLY be a decent elements monk that attacks with a variety of elemental damage! I will also be carrying around throwing axes, to compliment the extra range on unarmed strikes and I'm SERIOUSLY SO EXCITED. I imagine my bronze dragon born monk, strapped with a dozen throwing axes all over his body, throwing axes and following up with hadukens and flame whips and water blasts. So awesome

[@douglaspope-gz1eq]

God damnit dungeon dudes you released another banger video while I was watching the Drakkenhiem series currently on episode 33 session 3 and I'm still having a blast and I personally really want to get to the warlock video already because of the new Sphinx of wonder option for pact of the chain

[@chrisg8989]

Oh man, I can't wait to play a Shadow monk with a Fighter Dip to get up to 5 attacks with advantage in a round at level 5 (6 attacks at 11) with Nick and flurry of blows. Ninja fantasy, here I come!

[@Wanderingsage7]

I mean, I think there's a feat to gain WM...

[@chrisg8989]

@Wanderingsage7 why would I waste a feat when I get so much more with a 1 level fighter dip? I want Strength and Constitution Proficency, the Two Weapon Fighting Style, and Weapon Masteries, please!

[@bedwyr84]

Go ranger for hunters mark as well for a d6 for each of those. It's a hoot!

[@chrisg8989]

@bedwyr84 it's definitely an option. But you'd need 2 levels to get Fighting Style. 2 levels on Fighter gives you Action Surge. Both are great options.

[@ottoban861]

@I think both are valid. The fighter has a better turn 1 with action surge, / and defensively the Con proficiency will be better than Dex due to Evasion. But I think you get more mileage out of Ranger on turns 2 and onward, since turn 1 and turn 2 equate to an additional 8d6 on a single target. Edit: 8d6 from 3 attacks as turn 1’s action, and 5 attacks on turn 2. That’s an additional 28 damage, which far outpaces the fighter’s action surge.

[@tothra]

Great video, guys! I want to argue a difference in recommendation: Any subclass of monk, I agree your starting stat for Dex needs to be at least a 16, but get your WIS up to at least 18 ASAP. Monty mentioned this, but didn't give it the credit it deserves. You'll still pump up your AC, but your Con save DC has to be high asap. Under the 2014 rules, a monk could try a stunning strike each attack. Now it's once a turn. Getting that stun to stick is huge. I've been playing monks since the Dragon Magazine version came out. I was playing a 2014 rules monk when the 2024 rules came out. Our DM was super cool and let us convert our 2014 PCs to the 2024 rules. I am at level 15. If my stun hits that first attack, I spend another FP and get 3 bonus attacks. That's FOUR more attacks at advantage in round 1. Add in taking the Grappler feat. If your stun hits that first attack, if they're still alive after round 1, they can't run away due to the weird new stun affect of being able to still move. If the stun misses as part of your first attack, you get a free grapple, and they can't move away at half-speed and you still have advantage on your next 4 attacks. Also, the species Wood Elf is awesome for a monk. In addition to all the Elf abilities, your speed starts at 35 feet/round, and at 3rd and 5th levels respectively, you get the spells Longstrider and Pass w/o Trace. Now you're cooking!!! And in the right campaign, add in being a Shadow Monk, and you will be almost unstoppable at upper levels

[@King_Cong27]

Currently playing a tabaxi, warrior of the elements monk. Its amazing. Tabaxi gets you the climb speed that the athlete feat would get you, doubles your movement speed for the skirmisher playstyle, gets you darkvision & boosts your unarmed damage with the claws. Its great!

[@parthivmahadevia7316]

I like the charger feat! The mobility and disengage ability means you can position yourself for a 10 foot run to deal extra damage each turn

[@BMKoolaid]

So pumped for the MONK!!!

[@ryanparker4006]

Thanks so much for the video. Starting a new campaign and considering a Monk. This helps a TON!

[@adamrandaustin]

I was always anti-monk as the second worst class especially in 5.14. In revised 5.24 I saw after research and actually making one, the Monk is perhaps the second most powerful class and has become my favorite. Tiefling Elementalist Monk with Magic initiate is essentially Akuma meets the Avatar. I found the Monk most powerful features are Dodge as a bonus action and Deflect. At this point it doesn't really matter what your AC is. Because AC matters very little after level 3, I found dex or wisdom can be dropped for a higher Strength or Con for better hit points but more importantly a bonus to damage on attacks, grappling and throwing opponents. Best feats I found for Monk are Magic Initiate, Grappler and skill focus

[@rcschmidt668]

Thanks for the focus on the monk. I played a tiefling monk who died at level 1, and I will not the chance to try that class again for another 2 characters. The story was interesting… stolen from home as a child and forced into labor on a Gith pirate ship, and another ship defeated them, and was taken and trained as a personal bodyguard, especially effective in encounters where they had to leave their weapons outside. IDK if this story will be recycled or something new, but I liked the idea and thought someone else might as well.

[@spartan9725]

Would love to see a vid sharing some insight/guidance into how you would change/update subclasses from previous books that didnt make it into the 2024PHB!

[@rekcroom]

I’m so happy about the improvements to the Monk. The Monk I’m currently playing (which is still the 2014 iteration) is my favorite character I’ve played due to role play, and I’m glad to see that the class has gotten improved mechanically too! Though my monk Saru is very much not optimal lol. He’s a fire Genasi that I pulled from Sun Wukong for inspiration so they are a noble. Then it ended up that he wanted to be diplomatic, meaning I needed to prioritize Charisma. I also made weird choices like taking Warcaster for his Fire Genasi spells. I built him very poorly but it worked out because I play him as pathetic a lot so it works as well 😂

[@Marb315]

Notable aspect about deflect attacks and energy: you do not have to deflect melee attacks into a different creature than the attacker, using average damage rolls, so with a level 20 monk with 25 dex they have a 20% chance (need to roll an 9, or 10 on the d10) to totally negate the tarrasque (2014 stat block)'s bite attack, and then that tarrasque literally cannot pass the DC 21 (with no magic items boosting it) dex save to avoid the attack being deflected into itself without burning a legendary resistance. tl;dr if the dice will it a monk can make a person hit themselves, and at a high enough level they have basically a one in five chance of making one of the powerful beings in the multiverse take a chomp out of its own leg

[@Wanderingsage7]

0:57 getting this out of the way before watching the video. The fact that monks still don't have unique fighting styles or Weapon Masteries with their fists is a travesty. That is my only complaint of new monk so far. Can it be improved? Yes. But it's good, has the right amount of oomph and flavor that makes it feel in line with a Fighter or Rogue.

[@Camo1177]

57:43 I feel like Aang is the most lawful, that is his major arc in the last couple episodes. If we are using the definition of ‘Bound by a strong set of personal principles’ then Aang is very firmly lawful, he refuses to kill the Fire Lord even when everyone in his circle, including his friends and former Airbender Avatar says that he needs to kill him. His conflict is how to save the world and keep his principles.

[@theformation3781]

A tank monk is entirely possible as well, archetype wise. A bunch of high level features give you good extra defenses but their deflect attack is tremendously strong in conjunction with their dodge action and evasion. Here's an example: At level 15, deflect attacks gives monk an average of 25.5 damage reduction per attack (for reference, an ancient green dragon in 2024 hits for 17 damage per hit, three hits) so a monk can easily parry an ancient dragon's (one) attack, which is not only visually incredible but in conjunction with disciplined survivor, evasion, and improved patient defense (dodge+11 temp HP) just on ki points alone a monk can straight up parry an ancient dragon and then proceed to make said ancient dragon's attacks glance off their ki infused skin, so they barely take any damage if they decide to hold on and tank for 15 whole rounds.. To push the archetype into completion take the tough feat+dwarf for your background to compensate for a +2 con modifier (all a monk can afford really) for incredible frontline resilience against bosses.

[@agretlam5943]

I'm just starting to play a grappler based Goliath Elemental Monk. I ended up going Tough instead of Tavern Brawler because LVL 3 gives you a push already and the reroll on 1's just increase your average damage by 0.5; I'd personally rather have the increased health if I'm going to be grappling people. Keep in mind, with the new grappling rules a grappled target has disadvantage on all attacks except the target that's grappling it. This means your grappled target is incentivized to hit you.

[@ObsidianCr0ss]

Another thing that makes picking up Hex good for Grapplers outside of free damage. Hexing STR or DEX gives disadvantage on those Athletics & Acrobatics skills to avoid & escape you.

[@edwardcrow6385]

Super excited to finally play my nightcrawler build in dnd

[@w4iph]

While I don't know about the viability of it, I really like the idea of playing a Tetsubo-Monk using a great club doing Push. And if you're a Hill-Goliath, you can prone and push on one attack. Dunno if it'd be worth it to take GWM with it, but it's nice to get a 2hand monk weapon

[@kallebuchholz2156]

Man, I was waiting for this one.

[@jeffm9770]

I think this is right, someone correct me if I'm wrong. If a 5th level monk has picked up a way to get weapon mastery with daggers and is wielding two of them. You'd get two dagger attacks with the Attack action. Normally you can use a bonus action to get another dagger attack, but since it has Nick, you can attack as part of the Attack action. Then you can use your Bonus Action for Flurry of Blows, for a total of 5 attacks.

[@Wintermute909]

I love this explanation: "intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is knowing that you don't serve a tomato in a fruit salad."

[@gyarados6665]

And charisma is being able to sell a tomato based fruit salad. “It’s just mango habanero salsa…”

[@NartrachGaming]

Strength is crushing a tomato, dexterity is dodging a tomato thrown at you and con is eating the damn tomato salade

[@keithd26]

You've just given me inspiration. My next character is going to be "Ali Gee" a monk based on Ali G. "I is gonna f you up, boi" "Is ya dissin me?" 😂

[@edwardcrow6385]

Picking up sharpshooter might be worth it as a monk now. You still have proficiency with short bows, with sharp shooter you can expand that range 320. At level 5 you are dealing 1d8 which is the same as a long bow. Most maps won’t require you to aim past 200 feet. It’s a good option to let you have a ranged option though you wouldn’t need sharp shooter to make this work 320 feet is allot more than 80 feet

[@2keyblades]

OP build. Lvl 4 monk with the Weapon master feat pick up a nick weapon that’s 4 attacks on one turn dealing 4d6 +12 damage assuming a DEX of 18

[@coreypoindexter7017]

Would love to see you make 2024 rules for the OG series "Leverage".

[@gamepire5312]

i'm really looking forward to playing the new monk, i thought about playing a mercy monk because i like the ying and yang ideology behind it and a mask makes it only cooler^^ plus, i can't wait to just parry melee attacks rn^^

[@penabler]

I think the new monk meta will be getting the Nick property from somewhere so you can make 3 attacks with your action with an unarmed strike damage die. Ive been playing a barbarian/monk/fighter for a few years, currently at 3/11/3, and updating to the 2024 rules turned my janky build into a beast. Drawbacks on this build is my stun DC is junk and my saves arent amazing, but that new lvl 10 monk ability does a lot to mitigate that weakness.

[@karatekoala4270]

About damn time!

[@johndidato]

Happy to be 3rd. Thanks dudes!

[@MindGlitchLP]

Add 1 level of Ranger instead of Fighter. Get the weapon mastery for 2 weapons and get Hunter's Mark that can be used multiple times a day. Along with some fun level 1 spells like Longstrider for more apeed or Jump.

[@edwardcrow6385]

This suddenly makes hand crossbow expert so worth it. It is a light one handed martial weapon. With this update at level 5 you’re dealing long bow damage off a hand crossbow. Gun fu is so back

[@DeadmanwalkingXI]

Sadly, Martial Arts specifies melee weapons only for its die increase.

[@StephenTwardowski]

@@DeadmanwalkingXI If they ever get around to updating kensei then that will no longer be the case. Kensei can choose ranged weapons and make them monk weapons.

[@jeffm9770]

I really like what they did with Elements

[@Turtlpwr]

Actually makes me excited about playing a monk in 5.5

[@karatekoala4270]

Since the rules, my current monk is a Goliath, elements monk named Jamal. Took cloud ancestry and I'm all over the battlefield!

[@Pokemichael]

Ayy been waiting for this one. Pretty soon I’m gonna be playing a Dragonborn drunken master monk and I was wondering what you guys would say about new monk

[@nathanielwoodburn4487]

Monk and Barbarian got some serious Redemption in 2024. Honestly Most martials did. Even Ranger as I will be modifying it at my table that at level 10 you no longer need to concentrate on hunters mark. (I think its 10 they make it so you cant be damaged out of concentration on it)

[@JugglingAddict]

Lvl 13 is that feature. 😉

[@chachy3369]

Currently playing a warrior of the elements monk at level 4 and he absolutely tearing it up with just unarmed attacks.

[@shoulung6203]

Deflect damage is cool, but generally defensive duelist is going to be better unless you’re returning damage or you’re fighting creatures with an insanely high attack bonus, especially at higher levels.

[@jf_kein_k8590]

Shame Deflect Attack can't be used to hit the attacker with their own attack. Like I've seen in a manga someone try to hit a target with a taser, the target grabs the arm at two points, turning the arm and taser around, hitting the attacker in the throat with the taser. BTW, you only use Focus Points on Deflect Attack/Energy when you reduce it to 0 and then throw it back.

[@louisduf3200]

Deflect attack CAN target the attacker.

[@markpekel4517]

Monks got a major buff improvement in 2024

[@BioMetatader]

Dope

[@MrMuddyWheels]

Goliath is the best monk choice not only for improved grapple but for the 35ft speed as well

[@Jin_1814]

Light Hammer dual wielding with weapon master feat and nick! On a gnome! That’s my pitch

[@ImmortalDart]

A thought occurred to me... that the monk should be able to choose which mental stat he uses Or that at least different subclasses (or subtypes like warlock pact) would let you choose what you use But that would require a massive rework :/

[@newlife5896]

guys.. you GOTTAAAA break this apart into 2 videos...

[@Kev863]

where did u find the clarity that you can grapple at 15ft with the elemental monk? i have some discussion with my dm cause he says that in the feature it says "When you make an Unarmed Strike, your reach increases by 10 ft". he argues that u have only the reach for the attack and lose it right after.

[@jf_kein_k8590]

Easiest way for powerful Level 1 Monk would be a human, taking the Origin Feats Tavern Brawler (Reroll 1s on Unarmed Damage, and Damage+Push when Unarmed Strike) and Though (More Hitpoints). Like, a Sailor Monk who learned nimbleness and fighting while working on a ship, as well as in taverns/bars at ports. Potentially wielding a Scimitar if they are a pirate.

[@M_M_ODonnell]

IIRC there are some RL martial arts (the one I know of is savate/boxe française) with a history (real or otherwise) of being developed/used by sailors and/or onboard specifically in terms of nimbleness, ability to maneuver on unstable surfaces, etc. -- might lead to some fun character details.

[@JugglingAddict]

Kinda sounds like a drunken monk. 🤣Hmm drunken archer sounds interesting. (hard to make this work)

[@jeffm9770]

I thematically love a dragonborn warrior of the elements

[@majinsole8554]

Reject Fighter. Return to Monk, ‘kay? ~_~

[@K3wlLevi]

I just need to convince my DM that Monks should have more reactions than other characters. I sooo wish that at one of these levels I could start deflecting two attacks between my turns

[@nikolaslevesque6634]

ultimate combo for grappler is taking astral self monk subclass who makes attacks and strength checks with wisdom at a 10 ft reach, elf species sailor for tavern brawler take grappler at 4 and finally elven accuracy at 8 .....😈

[@dalestringer51]

Tebaxi monk. I love the speed.

[@Psuedo-Nim]

I think a Three stooges based monk would be great.

[@levimote]

Speaking of Wrestlers... Watch out for THE OWLBEAR!!! Hoo. Hoo. Who's gonna kick your ass?!? THE OWLBEAR!!

[@ne0w01f3]

Hill giant Goliath monks so you (with no saving throw) knock targets prone when you hit them.

[@emulationemperor8924]

Elementalist Monk dual wielding scimitars. Blue Spirit Zuko build.

[@DeadmanwalkingXI]

Monks wanting to do grappling and actually taking people along with them need Strength for carrying capacity. That's the big limitation on dragging people.

[@dalestringer51]

Think one egregious error that D&D does with the monk in all versions is not giving them more reactions as they level up. As for the change to Stunning Strike, I dislike it somewhat. I think it should be once per turn per opponent. Let the monk run in and have a chance a bunch of opponents. Of course, I would like to attack a stun opponent on my next turn, but no longer.

[@Subject_Keter]

I kinda wish monk had the Fallout 2 unarmed attacks that rank up so you dragon kick a fool down to the Ground.

[@patrickwilkerson1728]

Kung Fu with David Carradine There is Kung Fu Panda also.

[@lancourt]

What a rework!

[@Belerin26]

Thor in the third movie is definitely element monk with lightning attunement

[@markj3169]

i hope they talk about Focus Points 🤔

[@oriattackwillperkins.1355]

Goliath is so so good

[@Mordalon]

I’m shocked no mention of Fighting games as inspiration. Street Fighter alone has tons of concepts for Monk backstory and fighting style.

[@leivaslt666]

Waiting WARLOCK video!! 😅

[@BlueCorvidae]

Warrior of the elements monk beware. Your DM might not allow the ranged grappled My dm at best compromised and said I could grapple them and pull them in if I succeed. So pumilling from a distance may not be possible

[@StriderZessei]

RAW, there's nothing saying they have to be close.

[@raymondthicklin644]

5e?

[@dalestringer51]

Think one mistake that D&D does with the monk is not giving them more reactions as they level up.

[@BeanzimusPrime]

I adore the new monk, but I WISH they could use whips!!!!! The whip doesn’t have the light property!!!!! I want to live the Prince of Persia Two Thrones Chain Whip fantasy in DnD please

[@BeanzimusPrime]

(Im aware of the optional Monk Feature Dedicated Weapon in Tasha’s, but I had hoped it would be a core class feature as of 2024)

[@gracereuben5187]

Immediate click!

[@jeffm9770]

I'd probably take Starry Wisp and Thorn Whip if I was playing a monk with Magic Initiate. Monks aren't great at ranged.

[@spencermatthewseams6736]

Wow Monk isn’t trash anymore. It’s great but took way too long to fix it

[@hotsauce65]

First

[@johnwolf2829]

What do you think if Hasbro's brutal campaign to eliminate table-top gaming and force everyone into electronic-everything? Too much control can never be enough, after all....

[@Subject_Keter]

Just make your own illegal boardgames, if you arent risking you will be digitzed. 😮

[@johnwolf2829]

@@Subject_Keter Can do. And in any case, sticking with 2014 games. 50$ for each book once was enough.

[@Subject_Keter]

​@@johnwolf2829like if you axe me: people covering dnd 2024 stuff told me enough to adapt the ideas and mainly, i am a rebel who always wants to do my own thing so it like "what can hasbro do if i dont use their copyrighted terms or sell on DnD beyond." Digital dnd is the same as digital financial advisors, nice but you loose too much soul and expertise for the thing to work

[@DungeonDudes]

We will let you know when we feel forced to play digitally. Until then, we will enjoy the amazing support D&D has for tabletop gaming :)

[@ĐoànXuânLoanan]

My boyfriend said our future will be just as funny if we keep watching videos like this😘

[@MrMuddyWheels]

Goliath is the best monk choice not only for improved grapple but for the 35ft speed as well

[@dalestringer51]

Think one egregious error that D&D does with the monk in all versions is not giving them more reactions as they level up. As for the change to Stunning Strike, I dislike it somewhat. I think it should be once per turn per opponent. Let the monk run in and have a chance a bunch of opponents. Of course, I would like to attack a stun opponent on my next turn, but no longer.

[@somebodyoncetoldme8317]

First