D&D 5e Monk Class Guide ~ You Are Already Dead

Monks are fast and deadly fighters that dominate the battlefield with their many class features. It takes a while to learn all of them, but once you have mastered them, they are near invincible while they have ki points to spend. In my opinion, the monk is also the best mage-killer class.
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[@Momidd01]

Way of the Open Hand: ORA ORA ORA ORA Way of Shadow: Nani! Way of Four Elements: But everything changed when the fire nation attacked...

[@lookpuke3522]

this comment is under appreciated

[@WartortlesBongWater]

Monroe0110 IS THAT A JOJOKE?!?!?!?

[@mangotango2481]

He looks like a mix of joske and jotaro

[@mladen7641]

yare yare daze

[@alockwood9472]

More like: Way of Open Hand: Hamon/Nen Way of Shadow: Naruto Ninjutsu Way of Four Elements: Avatar/Stand Powers

[@kainepeterson6638]

FIVE POINT PALM EXPLODING HEART TECHNIQUE I LOVE YOU

[@adzipl5308]

is this a Kill Bill reference

[@alexskywalker5478]

@@adzipl5308 I sure hope it is

[@SteveAkaDarktimes]

a monk can also be a brawler, a wrestler, a sailor, a feral hobo, a ruthless hitman, an snooty aristocrat. Don't limit yourself to the monastic stuff. as long as they work hard on their skill, pride themselves on it, you're good

[@waynethegreat23]

Mine is a gladiator

[@hermanpsnelling5264]

Mine is a canibal pirate

[@OneColdRepublican]

"Monk at level 4 can reduce fall damage..." Me: well this is gonna stack nicely with that wrestler build.

[@niclasunger6912]

Omeawa mou shindeiru!

[@thebastard890]

*_NANI_*

[@MasterZebulin]

**botches roll** *NANI!?*

[@aubreybrown3369]

AATATATTATATATATATAT

[@Suralin0]

HIDEBU

[@bobbyadityaekapratama7743]

NANI!!!!

[@PokeBattlerJaze]

1:09 I just noticed the little parry block string animation you have the monk do pays homage to Evo moment 37, nice.

[@mrbunnyban]

1:08 EVO moment 37

[@DontStopThinking]

Finally, someone gets it.

[@cowardboy5143]

Yeess

[@letmepreachhisname2184]

I actually thought this was a reference to this year's evo in Tekken 7, JDCR vs Jeondding very last round.

[@cowardboy5143]

Don't Stop Thinking thanks for doing a monk build im new and didnt know how 2 play my class

[@GibusWearingMann]

I was about to say!

[@isazainal778]

I'm playing the monk and this helps me a a lot! I like to imagine my character as a street fighter character using the unarmed strike and hyukken if I choose sun soul

[@mistraven8234]

I based my character off of boraicho from mortal kombat including the drinking habit

[@paulcoy9060]

The animation is a little weird at first, but I've grown to love it. It reminds me of a toy figure I had in the 70's, Matchbox's M.A.C. adventures, Mobile Action Command. I had the helicopter and the boat sets. The guys could only move their shoulder, knee, and hip joints. The barest minimum of "action", but a great toy. You've brought back memories.

[@kingbyrd.1512]

Toys back in the day were so cool

[@jojothehamster]

Elvis got ripped

[@InquisitorThomas]

Simon actually the design is based off Japanese punk culture from around the 70’s to the 90’s.

[@scullystie4389]

He resembles Maxi from the fighting game Soul Calibur, who is basically one third Japanese piratepunk, one third Bruce Lee, and one third Elvis

[@somethingstuffguy4159]

I would say jotaro in josuke's body

[@kingbyrd.1512]

Come on guys. He is obviously based on Kenshiro from HnK

[@DanateDMC]

WAS THAT A MOTHERFUCKING JOJO REFERENCE?!

[@icantthinkofagoodname.3983]

Danat Zeppeli dang it I was going to say that

[@ragoth6207]

Time to start playing roundabout by yes

[@ironboy3245]

actually the reference is Hokuto no Ken

[@lazysylph3312]

tetsuya no yoroi well technically it's both

[@adzipl5308]

the Sanctuary referenced JoJo (the *MENACING* onomatopeia), the Quivering Palm referenced Hokuto no Ken (Omae wa mo oh you know the drill)

[@hm5y]

I got a tiefling monk that plays a bagpipe in combat... the Dm was shocked when i said my monk starts to play his bagpipe at the start of combat and then i rolled a 19 on a perfomance check.

[@FireCalvinMaster]

I thought I couldn't love this channel more than I already did... This video proved me wrong.

[@officialwalterwhitetwitter4651]

NANI?!?

[@crawlingboy]

DIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@thegreatkingdedede7391]

@@crawlingboy Ore wa...NINGEN O YAMERUZO, JOJO!

[@SubjectZero05YT]

The "you are already dead meme" from Fist Of The North Star: Omea Wa Mou-Shinderiu JoJo fans: is that a JoJo's reference?!?!

[@Troommate]

Wait a Second Ki can be used for things other than "Flurry of Blows"???

[@elvinestrella5895]

Troommate depends on your path Shadow monks can use it to cast disruption/stealth spells Elemental monks use it to cast spells Open hand can use it to amplify their flurry of blows

[@waffielz3106]

shot ki blasts

[@NRaah]

*In hushed whisper* Yo, Purple Insect, I think he was making a joke about how monks are punchy people.

[@billcutting1299]

Troommate dodge, dash, disengage, read up theyre the shit

[@nooneimportant9623]

I use dodge alot

[@catfoodbob1]

You forgot to mention that diamond soul gives you proficiency in death saves.

[@sullyb23511]

Love the "Fist of the North Star" reference.

[@modest_neko]

If you wanna be Jackie Chan in your D&D game now you can with Way of the drunken fist!

[@davegreenlaw5654]

But to really pull it off, add in 3 levels of rogue, and then take Scout (also in XGE). Skirmisher will allow you to use your reaction to move up to half your movement when an enemy gets within 5 feet of you...and it dose *not* provoke an op attack. (Plus, if you use a shortsword, it has the 'versatile' tag, so you get your sneak dice if the conditions are met.)

[@crodd92]

This video influenced on my decision of playing a monk, I went hill dwarf way of the 4 elements monk, who took the magic initiate feat. I have had fun playing for my first time in D&D. Thanks Son Wu Presley!

[@shenkuulover]

And the videos get better everytime. Great job CJ!

[@sirmaffew]

Great work here, the visuals really help out when trying to wrap one's head around the concepts. Wish something like this existed when I started playing years ago. Any prospect of adding a supplement for Way of the Drunken Master, Four Elements, Kensei, Long Death, Sun Soul, and maybe even Tranquility from UA: Monastic Traditions?

[@snakeorbreak6258]

Often-overlooked fact: The Diamond Soul feature (the one that gives you proficiency in all saving throws) gives you proficiency in death saving throws as well.

[@atmorton0440]

Me gaining the effect of the Sanctuary spell: "Oh, you're approaching me?"

[@Dezbood]

My open hand monk just hit level 10, so I’m a level away from Sanctuary. I’m so excited to be ambush proof at the start of each adventuring day.

[@WladcaPodziemia]

This is the best series I found to give to new players to let them learn new classes or about dnd in generall

[@willb9431]

Oh my gosh imagine a tiefling monk waifu

[@JohanStarDragon]

Hmmm. That gives me a few art ideas.

[@durantia1797]

I'm a Tiefling monk omg HAHAHAHAHA

[@azmonbored3837]

I’m a tiefling monk who can fly it’s awesome.

[@Holtwizer]

I really love the story it tells without using words in your videos DST, keep it up man!

[@new2pitt26]

"Fear me monsters and demons, For I am the... GRAND MASTER OF FLOWERS!" (pretty good at gardening too)

[@vinnregi4882]

11:45 Best moment in the whole series xD

[@MasterZebulin]

Vinn Regi Lol, dat botch. 😂

[@RmaxTwice]

Dude! great work, this was very entertaining and informative :D

[@adzipl5308]

10:00 *menacing* 11:25 Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken!

[@Greyshadow_17]

I've killed a couple of dragons with my bare hands lol.. Call me the Iron Fist ✊👊🐲🐉

[@snakeorbreak6258]

no i

[@AngryRoomba692]

More like dragon fister (no pun intended). I play a tabaxi monk lvl. 2 at the moment and i love that caracter.

[@Dagsschiller]

Man! this is a great series, I really appreciate your work, you have really sold me 5e, I will try to get into a party and then get some books, but I'm still really invested into Pathfinder, great job!

[@gregbannana5366]

that moment 37 ref in the fighting game part lmao

[@Dracobyte]

EVO and Daigo FTW!

[@AustArrowsplitter]

I'm fond of the Kensei Monk from Unearthed arcana myself. A bit more focused on using weapons, if you want to play an awesome swordsman who doesn't use heavy armor, Rurouni Kenshin style.

[@DontStopThinking]

The kensei is definitely a great addition. I'll be playing with it pretty soon.

[@tharrock337]

Way of the four elements archetype didn't have the symbols of the four nations on his back 0/10, disliked, unsubbed, reported for terrorism, redditthreat opened, assassination contract filed.

[@baker90338]

Was the contract crowdfunded with bitcoin?

[@SirScarfalot]

@@baker90338 I want my money back if it wasn't :P

[@j.d.clayborne5556]

Bruh...too much

[@retroace6717]

1:08 First time I watched this I wasn't enough of a nerd to get the Moment 37 reference. Finally 2 years later I understand

[@LostAxisARA]

i know what class am gonna play next

[@johnharrison2086]

Yep me too. A Warlock!

[@jacobholt2527]

i am so invested in the backstory happening within each episode and ive been using these videos to send to my current players (noobs) to help them better learn. good job my dude :D

[@TheCakeOfTruth]

I really enjoy how the monk actually gives zero fucks as he falls down the trapdoor.

[@sharkdentures3247]

Ever since I started playing D&D (Basic & 1st Edition - yes, I'm old), I have always been something of a Mages & Monks player. Great video.

[@TheMadPlayer.]

This was such a helpful video. Thank you so much, now I can make my monk as strong as possible so I can help the team

[@magicraftmods1945]

Your monk looks like a Kung Fury version of Elvis

[@mikesands4681]

Monks can be confusing to move about in combat, but your video has been helpful

[@Jerry7Msa]

Monks are by far my favorite class. Even tho I knew the features already i really enjoyed your take on it and I loved your humorous skits. Thank you ^^

[@markokoisti5757]

10:57 How one dies in old age when theyr body doesn't age ? You die in old age when your body ages too much and can't recover fast enough

[@kaiceecrane3884]

Technically, old age has never killed anyone, old age only makes you more susceptible to ways to die

[@shenkuulover]

Now all that's left is a sorceror and paladin :))

[@HowtoRPG]

Yet another very informative video, well done.

[@LordBartholomeus]

Great guide! I'm playing with a monk class (way of four elements) right now, and it is my first D&D campaign ever, so this is very useful!

[@Cratcher1]

Solid video; I wanted to know the flavor of the Monk class, this was perfect, thank you!

[@Dezbood]

This channel is amazing. You really put 110% effort into the visuals

[@garfield8811]

I keep watching this video everytime I level up my monk. It's my favorite class and this video is so enjoyable and informative

[@marygebbie6611]

I made a monk character I was really proud of and was excited to play, and according to our DM, had a big narrative impact on the story. I had just gotten to level three and picked up my monastic tradition when our DM decided he was bored of the story and made the executive decision for it to end. :(

[@benjaminroe311ify]

Sorry this happened. I have been DMing recently for my teenage kids after a long time not playing. One goal I have is to make sure I give my players an opportunity through my adventure to at least reach level 12+ before we switch to a new adventure/campaign as long as they are having fun I'll try to keep it going...even if I'm semi bored haha.

[@snakeorbreak6258]

Don't forget, they're sometimes I M M U N E T O D Y I N G F R O M D E A T H

[@dudeistpreist5721]

An Asian using the "hyah" sound, calling us grasshoppers, and talking about the invincible monk is so great.

[@R3GARnator]

Fun Fact: Hi-yaa! Is actually "That was close!" in Japanese.

[@355scaper]

Me and my friends tried dungeons and dragons together yesterday, all of us including the DM had never played before and these videos where super helpful! (I chose monk)

[@NWLR-tv]

i love your videos and the titles you put with them 11:43 i know that reference wish it was louder though

[@EasyPhil]

Currently playing as a Way of the Drunken Master Hill Dwarf Monk called Torbera Staggerpaw and thoroughly enjoying it. Little tough as doesn't start with great Dexterity but planning on giving the feats "Dwarven Fortitude" and "Durable" to her. Dwarven fortitude allows her to heal up using a hit die + constitution modifier as part of a dodge action (which she can take as a bonus action thanks to patient defense by spending 1 ki point) and using Durable so the minimum roll she can get on her hit die is twice her constitution modifier (which, after getting these 2 feats would be +4 so a minimum roll of an 8 on a D8) allowing her to automatically heal 12hp as a bonus action while dodging and still being able to attack twice. If I could get a periapt of wound closure that "roll" would be doubled (from 8 to 16) so after adding the con mod it would heal 20HP as a bonus action. So I basically created a short, unarmored, agile fighter with quite a meaty healing factor. That's right, I created Wolverine in D&D. My group had a battle royal were we leveled our characters up to level 10 my character started with 105 HP and she was eventually taken out being the second to last character to be defeated after tanking 3 high level spells, 1 of which was a critical hit. I calculated that she probably ended up taking at least 170hp damage. The only frustrating thing was she was too easy to hit with a AC of 15 (as I sacrificed levelling up Dex in favor of getting those feats) and found it pretty difficult to hit (again because of the lack of dex), but it was still a pretty fun experiment.

[@celticcursegaming4277]

This is an incredible guide, especially for a first time Dnd'er like myself. Thanks mate! I appreciate it.

[@jakobstephens5025]

i wish you were more known!! your videos are so good and informative! I love your videos so much, I love your animations and the topics that you cover with them

[@DontStopThinking]

Your words are truly seductive, Fishman.

[@araccoonstolemyradiator]

easily the best monk guide I've seen.

[@snakeorbreak6258]

Tip: Choose Quarterstaff for your simple weapon. It's a loophole to the "not two-handed" requirement of monk weapons with Versatile. It's the only simple weapon that can deal 1d8 and is not a greatsword (or whatever that great-something simple weapon is).

[@BookofConke]

Spears also deal 1d8 through the versatile property and have the added benefit of having the thrown option. Technically this makes Spears the best Monk weapons.

[@snakeorbreak6258]

But Quarterstaffs have better flavor.

[@hammond1994]

An excellent, organized and focused video. Well done! SUBSCRIBED :)

[@xpl0si0nman20]

I've learned something out of monks through DMing a monk only adventure. If you want to kill a (at my known moment) level 6 monk, I recommend avoiding larger and tankier creatures, and instead, separate the monk from major AOE characters, and roll with large groups of small (preferably flying) smaller creatures. I learned this when I managed to have a level 6 monk fall in a cave, and go up against (get this) 8 bats. The monk managed to only kill 3, as though the bats were only nipping at the monk, due to his inability to escape reliably and the fact he couldnt hit any bats, he went from roughly 40 HP to the afterlife after around 11 rounds.

[@icantthinkofagoodname.3983]

[@jasontong6661]

Good grief

[@bluereptileproductions]

omae wa moe shindeiru

[@avidarois5505]

Muda muda

[@baker90338]

Avid Arois ORAORAORAORAORA!

[@allelon8284]

Words are too much, we use our collective *shadow creeps* *close up on eyes* fandom stands....

[@flyingfujigi8560]

Well there is Way of the Kensei, and Way of theSun Soul now. Kensei is a weapons master, that does dps through shurikens and katanas. Sun Soul is a spellcasting type that does fire and radiant damage. Then there is the UA one, Way of Tranquility, which is a healer/social type, that has healing and charms.

[@theonlychickensama8353]

Way of tranquility and way of the drunken master

[@starprdfooduction3884]

Thank you for this guide. I'm play a drunken Master but this was still a very helpful guide. thank you

[@McBabe12329]

Woah! I had asked for this a while ago, so glad you posted this!!!

[@jackalgames0]

You're underrated man! Really love these videos!

[@JoiyGaming]

you need more views for this high quality stuff

[@cruye9633]

That Perfect Parry

[@Dracobyte]

EVO 37!

[@rzu1474]

So the monk is basicly an anime character.

[@DontStopThinking]

Close enough.

[@PaperiLiidokki]

I would have though you would go more of a wise, old master way rather than full on fist of the north star, but this was still very enjoyable and informative look on monks, i enjoyed this. You have my subscription. Keep at it.

[@lleer00na.79]

That daigo parry reference.

[@legendarydigitize2523]

You can simply get up to 5 levels of monk to get extra attack, unarmored defense and such Then even 1 level of druid is nice since you can pick up the Shillelagh cantrip, where as a bonus action, you can convert a club or quarterstaff into a magic weapon that also uses your wis instead of str or dex for attacks and damage, also turns the damage die to d8 It lasts for a minute without concentration too

[@mrslasher1064]

I like playing the sunsoul monks,our group plays really fast and loose when it comes to rules so if you pick the sunsoul archetype you can basically become a saiyan,passively charging your ki,increasing your attack strength when ki is at max,increasing your movement speed when ki is at max,firing energy blasts,even firing of a kamaehamaeha at the expense of all your ki points,we even made rules for transformations and power ups so much fun XD

[@sprattowen]

Rouge Monk is fantastic!!! Using Cunning Action instead of a Ki point. Only dip that much though.

[@whitecat-mm8zo]

Great video! It was really cool and helpful, thank you for making this!

[@pcali390]

This is a great video. Thank you for explaining all of this.

[@underhaykids6861]

An Elf Monks might as well as well just have their own class option because they are as close to ninja's as D&D will come, i mean seriously if you've ever played one you know that they will devastate anything and EVERYTHING that they come across. (Wood elves work best but Drow and high elves are still excellent (Elf Rogues are good for ninja's too but shadow-Monks are hard to beat plus if the monk has high dexterity then they will still have good Armor class)) Also I don't actually play elf monks that often because it no fun on account of them being to overpowered, I tend to differ to human monks because the +1 to everything is just amazing. However it is still not very much fun because if you have a flexible DM like i do then he lets me re-roll stat-dice if it's single digits number even with the appropriate race bonuses so my monk are general extremely OP anyways because of that and i'm generally just ridiculously lucky with the die for example; The other night when i was making one i rolled these; 18, 19, 17, 16,15, 11. I'm serious THAT is what I rolled (no re-rolls)and with the human +1 to everything my human monk was still extremely OP. My advice to you is that you give your monk a flaw like 'shy' or 'antisocial' because then if you play it right then it will compromise their OPness so it just makes for much better gameplay besides if you have a flexible DM (like me) then they will normally let you remove your one of characters flaw later on if you give them two at the beginning so the monk will still be extremely OP at later lvs (the way this works is when the DM says that where able to overcome their fear or shortcoming and they can they use an inspiration check and a wisdom throw to see if they are still scared of that thing or if they have that flaw for example; My shy Elf Monk has just fought off a huge hoard of enemy's BY TALKING TO THEM and making them drop their weapons, (they would have a disadvantage on this because their shy) the DM might say that they should roll to see if they have overcome their shy characteristic.(If they did extra well like 5-7 over the DC or if it was just a 20{however if they roll a 1 (or another extremely low number like 2 or 3) then that would be a critical miss and they probably would be even more reclusive then usual for a few days})

[@underhaykids6861]

Apologies for the unnecessary information but i needed an example but overall i will say that monk are my favorite class thus far.

[@royalred6076]

Just discovered you andd very glad I did! Great video!

[@Papatoole]

Your stuff is so good. Thanks for making these.

[@arturomoreracomas2322]

Great video! wondering if you would make an informative / gameplay kind of video for the shadoway monk. Keep up the good work!

[@skybladebloodheart4247]

back in my day any old attack would do 1d4.

[@danielsantarosa101]

I count pugilists as monks as well, cause even though they lack the movies kung fu, they still use mostly their agility and balance to punch rather than sheer strenght, they need discipline, attack unarmed and has many features that go all together with the monk features.

[@davegreenlaw5654]

I haven't played my Way of Shadow monk with the Charlatan background - Princes Countess Mei Mei - in a while, I should look at maybe using her at weekend games.

[@ginzomelo]

1:07 Daigo EVO Moment 37, my bros

[@MerlinCross13]

I keep coming back to watch these as background noise. And makes me want to maybe try it. Though the "Feat or Ability Score" seem pretty restrictive

[@Awoken_Remmuz]

MerlinCross to be fair most Feats throw in a increase to one of your ability scores, so tho ya don't increase as much as the dedicated attribute increase option, ya can still improve ya character. Plus Feats are meant to be few but powerful so it's quite a fair trade in my book. But of course ultimately a GM is free to houserule there game and change the rules.

[@Hothhorn]

I talked my DM into letting me use improvised weapons instead of simple weapons for my monk weapons, cuz I had to change my proficiency off of simple onto improvised. It's fun being able to one arm swing a large snake into another snake and still be able to unarmed attack as a bonus.

[@DontStopThinking]

😆

[@droman608]

@11:45 Fist of the North Star Reference: "You're already dead."

[@DeltaX15]

Awesome video, can’t wait for the paladin video to come out

[@kalonspecht4975]

A good way to soup up a 5e monk's is multiclass fighter... for the second wind feat and a few fighter levels worth of d10 hit die. I'm currently playing a mean 5/5 monk/fighter. With constitution as the highest with dextarity and wisdom tied for second.

[@crownlessking6436]

Naming my next dnd character Shiro and outfitting him with the Open Palm Archetype

[@kenway2333]

Made a monk based off of Goro Majima from the Yakuza games. For his monk weapon I basically just took the stats for the club and renamed it the "Baseball Bat." And there's the fact that he's flipping insane.

[@supersmily5SS5]

Aarakocra + Unarmored Defense and Unarmored Speed. 80 Feet a round without dashing, Ki points allow Bonus Action Dash, for 160 feet each round while still having an action. MuahahahHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@giantdad1661]

supersmily5SS5 MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!

[@blakebrockhaus347]

tabaxi ×2 2 levels moon druid 50 ft. 2 levels bladesinger wizard +10 2 levels fighter action surge 14 monk +25 transmuter wizard friend +10 Mobile +10 longstrider +10 boots of speed ×2 haste ×2 +1 action 115 move speed ×2 ×2 ×2 ×5 (move, action, bonus action, action surge, haste action) = 4,600 in one round there is a way to get to 11,000+ with mystic but I don't want to find that at the moment

[@supersanttu7951]

supersmily5SS5 The Joestar family secret technique...

[@supersmily5SS5]

Looking back, I have NO regrets about starting this comment chain. The build is INSANE.

[@giantdad1661]

Alan Brockhaus My dm is gonna hate me.

[@michaels.8309]

Love the monk class. I just DM'ed a game where a new player dwarven monk kept critical failing and punching himself in the face.

[@carlosbarreto4695]

There's no critical fail in d&d 5e.

[@daemonglasscock8768]

Carlos Barreto it's an extremely common house rule, same as crit success skill checks

[@PapiiPlaysGames]

Will you also review classes from Xanathars Guide to Everything?

[@joeberry6815]

Monk X/ Warlock 3. Way of the shadow and devils sight makes you a hard to hit teleporting mad man

[@Soveliss74]

So, the guy from Fist of the North Star was an opened handed monk. He uses quivering palm a lot

[@matthewsanders8161]

I think the ki for the monk is like the only thing that keeps him from not dieing