Monk Druid Multiclass - Ultimate Guide for Dungeons and Dragons

[@JLomboCrop]

The flavor of Circle of Spores and Drunken Master is pretty interesting as beer requires yeast (a fungus) to ferment so you could be a kind of disgusting "yeasty beer monk/druid".

[@samuelbroad11]

but constantly suffering from itchy thrush.

[@sillysongs19]

This, really, it was my first thought on this multiclass

[@ardet7383]

Hes always drunk because his body ferments whatever he eats

[@DrAndrewJBlack]

👍🏻

[@JoeCold]

I think I would flavor the Drunken Master portion as more of a Trippin' Master and make those spores of the psychedelic variety. You're able to disengage so easily because "all those bitchin' colors guide you where to go."

[@Halinspark]

Martial Arts die size is easily ignored if you can get the Unarmed Fighting Style, so you get a d8 die way sooner than Monk would give it to you

[@drgandalf2003]

A kung fu panda build? I'd have to do it.

[@Ali40L]

A good combo uses the way of the astral self subclass. This allows us to focus on wisdom both in and out of wildshape, after activating the arms and keeping the distance of 10. The larger reach combined with the usual large size give us a good control area both for normal opporunity attack. For the other build a good feat might be fey or shadow touched this will grant us +2d6 to every attack against a target marked by the hunter's mark or hex spell.

[@Xynth25]

Hunter's Mark and Hex in practice are both pretty bad spells past 2nd level slots. Summons, Spike Growth, and similar do more for you than an average of 3 extra damage per hit.

[@ardet7383]

@@Xynth25 fey touched and shadows touched dont scale. They are always at first level, so we dont need to worry about an upcast. Would be cool if we could upcast feats, but that might have been op

[@ElizabethAlleman]

A) neither Hex nor Hunter's Mark are on any druid spell list normally, so either is at least a minor boost. B) Both feats offer a free cast 1x per Long Rest, which is a straight up increase in power. C) Both of these feats allow the character to cast the associated spells utilizing any appropriate spell slots they possess otherwise, allowing options in these cases for the lower level slots where Hex and Hunter's Mark are most efficient. The only problem I see is the lost opportunity cost of either an ASI or of other 1st level spells that might be otherwise selected, and at least per the first point both are "half" feats granting a+1 boost to one of the mental ability scores. So, in other words, I'm not seeing much of a downside. I suppose other possible feat selections would be a consideration as well (Resilient [Wisdom] and War Caster both being desirable options), but the flexibility and utility of expanded spell options is usually ranked more important, and these feats are very good for that.

[@Concherto]

"I think 10% of DnD is this esoterically confusing." Agreed! Don't get me started on Dim Light and Darkvision...

[@aarons.8161]

I would say having a high Wisdom would really be pretty preferred regardless of build. Reason being, Quarterstaff, and Shillelagh spell. Shillelagh Spell is a Bonus Action Cantrip that lasts for 1 minute without concentration and makes any wooden club or quarterstaff (both Monk Weapons) a magic weapon that deals 1d8 (equivalent to 2-handing a quarterstaff but now with one handing) and can use Wisdom instead of Strength or Dex for attack and damage. Now, if you can still use your Wis for attack and damage when you wild shape after casting Shillelagh is, debatable, cause you are technically not attacking with the quarterstaff anymore, but it is melded into you as everything else is when you wild shape, so likely up to DM.

[@MMKTTBOMB]

a monk with a bad ac is a dead monk unfortunately....though if you do dump dex a bit you could rely on barkskin and maybe the shield spell with a feat at later levels

[@aarons.8161]

@@MMKTTBOMB Who said anything about dropping dex? A Monks AC is 10+Dex+Wis, so those would still be you main attributes, along with Con for HP, but a Monk/Druid would pretty much have Wis as there main/highest. For attack and damage (with Shillelagh), AC (16Dex+20Wis equals 18AC, equivalent to Full plate), and not to mention Spell and Ki DC.

[@williamroop451]

First: the druid CHOOSES what happens to their equipment... This allows for items to be worn or carried by the shifted form. If they shift into a form that can USE the staff, say a gorilla, then the DM might allow them to use the shillelagh. Second: the shifted form is the DEX that is used to calculate AC for Unarmored Defense, so their AC could suffer if their new form has lower DEX. I run a Druid/Barbarian who typically has 16 AC with no armor on. My shifted forms struggle to keep up with AC since both DEX and CON change with shape shift. At least the WIS doesn't change and is very useful to both classes in Druid/Monk.

[@Maxiiimoto]

New character starting at lvl 5 in the making, I'm starting out as monk lvl 1 for unarmored defense/attack and possibly the rest into spore druid(maybe even monk 3/druid X for monastery), + magic initiate feat(wiz for booming blade, light &shield) I'm using a quarterstaff with dex based attacks and still can use my bonus attack with unarmoured attack, both attack get the symbiotic entity bonus damage. May be a bit reaction heavy but I'm excited to see how it will work out

[@katrinafitzpatrick8444]

I love everything you pointed out here! I’m in an Exandria campaign now and we just reached level 3, so my high elf Druid (sage background, has been at the cobalt soul for her whole life) is taking 1 level of monk (in RP, taking her vows and becoming a full monk instead of an acolyte). I’ve been making RP and narrative based decisions so far (circle of the stars, which is fun), but I’m so grateful for the details on how to level her up! Probably going to be a splash of monk so knowing how much benefit there is with just two levels is so helpful!

[@vazzeee]

'... doing Flurry of Blows as a bear.' sold

[@TheTrueLordOmega]

3:35 "no way to trick those [natural weapons] as unarmed stikes or monk weapons. that's kind of wrong, you just need to play a race that already has a natural weapon (like a lizardfolk) since you can use those to make unarmed strikes, and wildshape states that "Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the beast" and "You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so.", so say hello to massive bite damage.

[@gethriel]

(Edited) I dipped one level monk and multiclassed between fighter (rune knight) and druid. More options for attacks and resist ALL (with Gift of the Chromatic Dragon covering non-physical damage PB times/long rest) once per short rest with Hill rune and Kalashtar Human (psychic resistance). I probably won't let you know how it goes because I'm not following this video's comments, but if I remember I will. This character is built around mainly fighter strengths and boosting Wildshape, so MONK is clutch for Unarmored Defense and Str or Dex attack bonuses.

[@egonhomes]

I've been envisioning this build for some time, and you gave me some great ideas. A Druid/Monk can be abbreviated as a DruNk, so Drunken Master fits perfectly. Give him some brewers tools and watch him go. I was thinking of a good name for him might be Brock Lee.

[@kamelo2219]

*Rock Lee

[@mutsuhanma7807]

@@kamelo2219 Brocka Lee*

[@grizzlednerd4521]

I love Ghostwise Halflings as Moon Druids for Silent Speech while in wild shape; and most of the cool halfling stuff still works as well. Little halfling changing into large bear is also cool imo.

[@parkraz]

Personally i like the Vhum with fighting initiate feat 1d8 unarmed strike. Then go druid (spore) 5 and monk (open hand)6 for lvl 3 druid spells(conjure animal), open hand for removing enemy reactions and magic attacks on unarmed strike. Rest is probably druid as magic is fun, more temp HP is needed and more summons are great. If you feel like 6 ki is a bit low then get a few more monk levels but i think 6 ki hopefully is enough for 6 flurry of blows and then the fight is over. For this build I recommend maximizing dex as we want to be melee and attack.

[@OniNoSweeney]

I did a Shifter who was a Way of Mercy 8 / Circle of the Blighted 2 (Critical Role) combo, doing unarmed wild shape attacks that gave out additional necrotic damage in a zone that gave out additional necrotic damage. The combination of additional Hit Points from the race & additional AC from the Druid Circle made the Wild Shape more survivable. Also, becoming a Wolf so the Goblin Barbarian could ride me became a very powerful staple.

[@Maninawig]

This dive was quite informative, and gave my ADHD something to focus on. With it, I created a character that I think a DM could work with: The Build: Start with a Warforged Outlander, favouring the Primal Language, Herbalism Kit, and a focus on Wisdom. Add to that 8 levels of Moon Druid, 6 levels of Longdeath Monk, and the feats Mobile and Observant. If possible, grab the Bracers of Defense and Wraps of Unarmed Prowess (exchanging the magical attack for working with Natural Weapons. Now your beasts get +3AC, +3 to Attk and Damage rolls, Extra Attack, +25ft of movement (unprovoked for your Fire Elemental), Stunning Strike, Deflect Missiles, and all attacks are magical. The Lore: Made of stone and magical ivy, you are one of the last ancient guardians built by Sylvanus. You've kept your place safe for countless years, but in doing so have lost the very purpose of your creation. For whom are you guarding the forest? From what? Has the threat subsided or is the fight still ongoing? You do not know for you feel isolated and disconnected to the others and to your creator. So, you set off to find answers, to find your purpose.

[@SkullSplitter]

Thanks, what is their name though?

[@Maninawig]

@@SkullSplitter with how much time has past, he can only recall ever being called Guardian... though it might be that his individual name is a key to finding his answers.

[@joshuatran6526]

Astral Self is an excellent choice for monk subclass, as it lets you focus entirely on your wisdom for your to hit modifier and also allows you to grapple with wild shapes that don’t naturally have a high strength

[@mkhanson1440]

I'm playing this right now. I'm a bugbear for that extra reach. The DM let everyone take a feat at level one (to avoid everyone taking variant human). I took fighting initiate, and Unarmed Fighting for that d8 early on. I know eventually I can get to a d8 through monk levels, but we might be done by then. Now my unarmed strikes deal more damage, and I'm using that wisdom when attacking with the astral arms.

[@binolombardi]

The sentinel feat can be a good investment for a moon druid. The reaction attack given if an enemy that’s next to you attacks anything that isn’t you can scale up in efficacy quite nicely with the creatures you wildshape into having powerful single attacks. Tasha’s Ki fueled attack can have synergy when you use your stunning strike feature. While several features require you to have made an attack with a monk weapon or unarmed strike, stunning strike and Ki fueled attack do not have that language. So you can spend a ki point to stunning strike with your natural weapon and then make an unarmed attack with your bonus action. The Tasha’s feature focused aim also doesn’t require the monk to have used an unarmed attack or monk weapon. So the accuracy could be used on your powerful natural weapon attack. It could also potentially used on the reaction attack from sentinel or be used on your turn to make a miss a hit with your action while also driving a Ki fueled attack.

[@JoeCold]

The Circle of Spores build almost demands Drunken Master as the bonus necrotic damage expires in 10 minutes OR when the temporary hit points run out. If you're only dipping 2-5 levels of druid, those hit points won't last long if you have to stay engaged.

[@simonthedevil452]

Yes, please. Wildshape video😁

[@dadneedssomecoffee2691]

Karate Bears, I love it! Here's my I'm lovin' it Feywild Hobgoblin (

[@jeffersonian000]

Recently built a Druid Monk as a Werewolf for an upcoming game. Went with a Changeling (small, +1 in Str, Dex, Wis) due to Wild Shape still retaining your racial features, and the Changeling’s ability to alter their form is a racial feature you would retain. This lets you be a Werewolf from level 1 via Primal Savagery (Cantrip) and altering your form to be more beastial, then from level 2 on go full Dire Wolf hybrid with an 18 Str and 16 Dex due to your racial stat modifiers. I went Fighter 1 to net Unarmed, then Long Death Monk. It’s pretty much just a Monk with a Bite attack that can knock creatures prone on a failed save, and due to you being Large, your unarmed strike is a 2d8+Str, which means when Flurry of Blows comes on line and you gain extra attack, you can potentially deal 1d4+2d6+6d8+16 to 20 per turn. Not the best damage, but not to shabby.

[@TenchiBushi]

I'm currently playing a Drow Fighter (1) Monk Kensei (4) in the Out of the Abyss Campaign. It's a fun build.

[@wedodnd]

Sharar-Kai might be an interesting choice to teleport while whildshaped.

[@ArcheryWR]

I'm currently playing a Kalashtar Circle of the Stars Druid multiclassed with the Astral Monk and ist been fun so far. Flavored as my Quori spirit is my Astral self and while in my starry form I can still cast spells and use my monk abilities. On top of that all I need is Wisdom thanks to the Astral form substituting Dex and Str with Wis. I highly recommend checking it out.

[@claybomia5141]

That sounds amazing

[@AbcVids]

i'm trying Half Elf purely for the ability score bonus which i'm pouring into Wis/Dex. Leaning into the monk class more. I just really want to use Sheliegh on my quarterstaff

[@NobodyDungeons]

So, one character I made was a 3rd level spore druid, 1st level ranger, and 6th level shadow monk by the end of the game. He could do 1d8+2d6+1d4+5 damage in a single hit 4 times in a round. BTW my DM let me use favored foe without concentration, and he let me use monk weapons for bonus action attacks. His total DPR was 48.4, and he filled the role of party scout more often then not with expertise in stealth plus pass without trace meaning he couldn't get less than a 20 on a stealth roll.

[@kaiyamazaki1684]

The current abilities for Aasimar are actually really good for this build. You get Necrotic and Radiant Resistence, Radiant Soul that let's you grow spectral wings and fly equal to you're movement speed and deal extra Radiant Danage at level 3 (which between the increased Monk Movement and wild shape can mean you can fly very long distances at fairly low levels) and you have a healing option and dark vision.

[@LinkinVoider]

I would just like to clarify that if you have a monk druid and access to the flurry of blows ability, you can't use it on the beasts' multi attack action, since it requires your attack action. So you either only have one attack and use that attack and then flurry of blows or you use multi attack and can't use any of the bonus action attacks the monk's get. This is ofc rules as written, your DM might rule otherwise so I recommend talking to them beforehand

[@morganpetros9635]

You're actually mistaken about the druid's ability score priorities. Since many (one might even say most) of the best druid spells *DO NOT* provide saving throws (summonings, buffs) or it doesn't really matter much if the opposition makes or fails it's saves (battlefield control spells like Entangle and Transmute Rock, and especially spells like Spike Growth and Plant Growth which, again, offer no save) but *DO* require Concentration saves, CON is at least as important for a druid as WIS, which shares a distant second place with DEX.

[@jsdcool]

Working on a thri-kreen focused on dragon monk but with 2 lvl’s of Druid for a giant spider wildshape and the fog cloud spell and 1 lvl of rogue for sneak attack and expertise in stealth. Imagine a giant spider appearing out of a fog that just appeared and breathing dragon fire.

[@swexaa]

This channel is amazing and I'm so glad I found it. You bring such professionalism and entertainment that it's just amazing to listen to. Thank you for your contribution. I have a suggestion for your next multiclass video that I would love to see. Barbarian + Warlock. Pretty please.

[@SkullSplitter]

Glad you enjoy it! Sure; it may be a while till we get to it but it's on the list!

[@dadneedssomecoffee2691]

@@SkullSplitter Thanks your videos are good. Could you do Battlemaster/Peace Domain build if you haven't yet.

[@shlomgar]

A Sporserker at fifth level is also a very (exhausted) reliable damage giver, and when they get to 14th level can go nuclear without worry.

[@jstogdill9195]

Have you tried the Nightcrawler build? 6 levels of Shadow monk, 2 levels Twilight Domain Cleric and optionally Gloomstalker for additional flavor. With Twilight sanctuary up you can teleport 60ft in any direction regardless of light conditions and with gloomy you’re almost invisible inside the sanctuary minus true or devils sight folks.

[@pfergee]

Yooo, this build is sick as hell.

[@SkullSplitter]

@paddyboy We probably need to do another round of this video. The Astral Monk/Moon Druid combo is good too.

[@ROY0BOY0]

The Shadow monk combo with TS sounds amazing. Curious about this though as I'm currently running a Gloomstalker Twilight Cleric... Doesn't the dim-light from TS ruin Umbral Sight's darkness invisibility?

[@ares7909]

I would do the frog race with the funglemonk build

[@peterriverajr6899]

For the fungal Monk I'd go 6 druid/14 monk. The ability to reanimate a creature as a zombie has a lot of uses. Also if you want to continue the theme go with a hexblood lineage

[@jebron319]

i love the fungal monk. i like going to 6th level in druid and the rest in monk so i can use funagl infestation to animate dead enemies in to zombies during a fight.

[@dragonivy4779]

I would think that Circle of Spores and Peace monk. would be the best combo

[@darkorochimaru666]

Doing a 20th level one-shot in the a multiversal spelljammer type theme and im playing As a thri-kreen circle of spores druid/ way of Astral self monk and its been very interesting

[@SkullSplitter]

Thrikreen? OOOO.

[@jimmyreinstein9993]

If you’re doing a level 20 one shot just go 20 levels moon Druid. It’s too good.

[@MalcadorLoyalist]

I thought of a Cosmic Cycle of life and death monk/druid with either way of mercy or long death monk and circle of spores Druid. If you can convince your dm to have the temp hp from long death stack on top of symbiotic entity, you get 1d6 necrotic for a long time

[@timjackson9334]

I'd do a Monk with the Primal Savagry cantrip.

[@Aristeides]

I played a level 20 one shot with some friends. We all made builds inspired by mythology. I went Echo Knight, Drunken Master Monk, Moondruid to emulate Sun Wukung, the Monkey King.

[@jimmyreinstein9993]

This video was really well done. The only thing I think could be better is if you went 1 or 3 levels monk and not 2. I feel like a 2 level dip just for ki and the ways to use it is steep. An extra level though for all the subclass features would be incredible. Way of the Astral Self has good synergy. But my preference is just a one level dip.

[@phillipheaton9832]

Ignoring character class, Dex, Con and Wis are the most important stats because the vast majority of saves uses one of them.

[@edwardgiurgiu6812]

I'd like to challenge you into making a bard druid. The music of nature, birds chirping, frogs croacking, etc. Also it's just fun cos most animal songs are mating calls which plays well with bards flirty nature

[@benjaminholcomb9478]

This, as always, is very nicely done and covers a lot. Nice work. I don't suppose there's an artificer rogue multiclass guide coming up is there?

[@SkullSplitter]

Thanks again Benjamin! Most of our videos are based on requests, it just takes us a while to get to them sometimes. Added!

[@benjaminholcomb9478]

@@SkullSplitter Sweet! I may or may not be planning to make one lol. And am just a bit trepidatious about which one to start with. Tool vs skill monkey ya know?

[@NartrachGaming]

Armorer artificer 3 or 5 for extra attack, then all rogue. With the infiltrator armor as studded leather you will have advantage on all stealth check. You get infusion like create humonculus (friendly robot helper) enhance weapon for +1 weapon at lvl 2. You dont lose your sneak attack damage because you get one with your lightning launcher! Great synergy , but you will hate lightning resistant enemies…

[@vampiregoat69]

I made a ghostwise halfling for the speech in bear form barBEARian once, barbarian of the bear and druid that turns into a bear

[@wolferdubjazz3660]

new to DnD so forgive me if my choices for this multiclass are sub optimal For Monk, I went for way of the four elements and got fangs of the fire snake, water whip and fists of unbroken air...went until lvl 6 so that I got magical unarmed strikes For Druid, went for circle of wildfire and almost every spell I have deals fire damage or healing due to enhanced bond...lvl 14 so I get access to blazing revival...which basically gives me a second chance to life My opinion: Would be an offensive support but lacks the ferocity of a close quarters fighter as its very dependent on whether you hit or not

[@MrJudeWanamaker]

Music fest reference bump

[@sammerciers]

Nice

[@Bloodlykin]

Can you do a scribe wizard build

[@feralart]

I like the idea of playing a druid that turns into giant spiders/scorpions/wasps.

[@MasterCrafterFish]

Shhh, you had me at "Karate Bears".... I'm totally becoming Kungfu Panda.

[@FarothFuin]

Monk druid multiclass? You mean the whole kungfupanda characters

[@Bryito]

My only question is how do you use furry of blows wall you’re wild shape because it says you can make 2 unarm streaks but you still have your natural weapons? Could you help me understand a little better for this part please 🤩

[@jesseholder9795]

Could you please please do a Ranger class with dip into cleric multiclass. It's for a new player that wants to do cool stuff but with a usable build.

[@StovenDovahkiin]

Gloom Stalker + Twilight

[@Jgpgames]

I asked my dm if I can flavor brown bear as a gigantopithicus, I'm a Monk-ey 💪💪

[@killcat1971]

Could a Kensei choose natural weapons as a Kensei weapon?

[@stormbringer1876]

Moon Druid born on the Astral Plane... raised on the Prime... 3 levels Monk and go druid... killer bear with two 10 foot monk weapons (Astral Arms)

[@paulmacdonald5135]

I am using a Tiefling for the monk/druid mix for fire resistant and dark vision

[@rain9d]

Tortle monk/druid !!!!

[@NobodyDungeons]

So, I throw ranger in the mix just because I can.

[@yasch3696]

Really cool and interesting multiclass builds. But i think the Fungal Monk isnt that good in combat with its features. If you could maybe ask your DM to let you keep the Symbiotic Entity for 1 Minute regardless of Temp HP it would work well but if not your resources really work against each other here. If you take just a few Monk levels you have very few KI. If you just take 2 levels of Druid at the point when you get level 7 and extra attack most of your enemies will just burn through that Temp HP with the first strike they get against you.

[@elliejelly8815]

I’d love to play an awakened ape monk and just not worry about Druid shit and be monke

[@broderick143]

I thought unarmored defense adds wisdom and dex

[@Tbpoilspill2010]

Thinking of being a gnome druid

[@kyleamick6994]

I am a Mercy spider

[@marcusalves7489]

What about a gnome 18 lvls of monk way of mercy paired with 2 lvls of Druid circle of spores?

[@Cirkux]

How about becoming a gorilla, if allowed? Surely slapping someone with a primate paw would count as unarmed attack? :)

[@you9421]

Kung Fu Panda...! No? Just me? Okay, just me...

[@AgentForest]

Mercy/Spore for a life-and-death necrotic boi

[@EliasRonnevik-bm9ge]

yes

[@rauwetter]

Can a druid morph into a panda?

[@ivanhagstrom5601]

Technically, you can't use Flurry of Blows in wildshape. Flurry of Blows works when you take the Attack action. However, no beasts (afaik) have an Attack action. Their actions are usually called Bite or Claw or something similar instead.

[@joepellicci8518]

I feel like taking monk leaves just weakens the Druid

[@shadowreaper2011]

Any chance you want to do a hexblade warlock and barbarian build?

[@junsonofjack3740]

Here off the barb/Druid video to see the similarities and differences.

[@SkullSplitter]

Huzzah!

[@maxdixonman]

I call this combo furry of blows

[@tanuvazi]

Soooo capoeira capybara ?

[@ham9220]

Im playing a monk way of the Mercy and 2 lvls off druid spores

[@acrobaticswitches]

Kung Fu Owlbear!

[@kristrapani4913]

im sad you called it kung-fu dire wolf and not kung-fu panda

[@mikewatts1533]

I'm sorry but Karate Bear reminded me of an old commercial that always made me laugh. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYGcY51jqqqhptU Thanks for another great vid.

[@SkullSplitter]

Thats beary amazing!

[@scottdesemberer8751]

Kung-fu panda ✖️ Karate bear ✔️

[@michaelj4729]

Panda

[@Iced333]

I prefer the term Ninjoctopus

[@aarons.8161]

I prefer the term, Kung Fu Panda. "Skadoosh"

[@kevvygigabyte2063]

So two classes that basically don't work together. Nice