Monk
Monks are a great class for creative role-playing: they attack without armor and often without weapons other than their bare hands while performing incredible acts of agility and acrobatics.
While Bruce Lee may leap to mind, the lack of mystical components make him more of an incredibly skilled Fighter. Probably the clearest example of a Monk in recent media would be Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.
Different Monk traditions (called Ways) allow different specialties, some more traditional expansions of martial arts practices, others focused on healing, or even on the gradual creation of an entire astral body to enhance your fighting. All of this is powered by your cultivating the power of Ki, the life-force that moves through all creatures.
Monks should focus on DEX, followed by WIS.
Way of Air
This tradition looks to the element of air for its powers (2 variants).
Way of Angels
This Tradition emulates the abilities of the angelic host.
Way of the Arcane Fist
This Tradition uses ki to access arcane powers.
Way of the Arcane Soul
This Tradition uses ki to access arcane powers.
Way of the Astral Self
Over time, this Tradition teaches the Monk how to construct an Astral body in addtion to the physical form.
Blood Knuckles
A backstreet brawling take on monastic Tradition.
Way of the Bloodied Fist
Combining ki with the power of their own blood, this tradition accesses remarkable martial powers.
Way of the Bonebreaker
Another brawling tradition, focused on delivering single massive strikes.
Way of the Brawler
This tradition focuses on the core skills of hand-to-hand combat.
Way of Cardinal Virtues
This tradition focuses on becoming an emodiment of the traditional positive virtues.
Way of the Chaotic Mind
This tradition opens your mind to all possibilities, all at once.
Way of the Chronicle
This tradition focuses on the dispersal of knowlege, fueled by the power of ki.
Way of the Cobalt Soul
This tradition focuses on reasearch and knowledge as true accessories to physical skill.
Way of the Destructive Flow
This tradition balances defensive teachings with dealing damage from distance.
Way of the Dual Soul
This Tradition focuses on the powers of the light and the dark components of the soul.
Way of the Dunken Master
An unorthodox practice, this tradition specializes in martial arts training with surprising elements.
Way of the Exalted Athlete
This tradition focuses on divine boons to augment their skills.
Way of the Fire Sage
This tradition focuses on all the uses of fire, both destructive and other.
Way of Flame
This tradition looks to the element of fire for its powers (2 variants).
Way of the Four Elements
This tradition grants access to spells related to the elements through the manipulation of Ki.
Way of Glima
This tradition masters close combat and wrestling techniques.
Way of the Green
This Tradition focuses on power through harmony with nature.
Way of the Infinite Worlds
This tradition focuses on travel between the planes.
Way of the Kensei
This tradition focuses on the bond between the Monk and a single simple weapon, allowing combat to become more of an art, with the Monk the artist.
Way of Mercy
This tradition specializes in healing or, when healing is impossible, swift and painless death.
Way of the Metalshaper
This tradition focuses on the manipulation of metal and the absorption of its properties.
Way of Nature
This Tradition channels the power of trees and plants in service of nature.
Way of the Nine Seals
This tradition channels the power of the fiendish, devilish, and demonic.
Ninja
Ninja!
Way of Oblivion
This tradition harnesses the energy of the cycle of annhialation and creation.
Way of the Ooze
This tradition focuses on the ability to evoke gelatinous abilities.
Way of the Open Hand
This tradition specializes in weaponless combat, enhanced by your Ki.
Way of Pain
This tradition transforms your pain into others.
Way of the Pilgrims
You wander the earth, in service to a specific sacred geas.
Way of the Prophet
This tradition learns to call others to their cause.
Way of Sated Hunger
Once ghouls, this tradition has now conquered its hunger, transforming itself into a weapon.
Way of Shadow
This tradition aligns well with the idea of Ninjas, using stealth and subterfuge to enhance their martial arts prowess.
Way of the Shifting Step
This tradition uses Ki to teleport objects--and themselves--through space.
Way of the Skin
This tradition imbues its followers with the power of creatures from other planes.
Way of Stone
This tradition looks to the element of earth for its powers (3 variants).
Stonefist
Another earth and stone focused tradition.
Way of Strength
This tradition uses brawn as much as brain.
Way of the Sun Children
This tradition uses Ki to unlock solar power.
Way of the Sun Soul
This tradition uses Ki to unlock solar power.
Way of the Tentacle
This tradition allows the transformation of an appendage into, yes, a tentacle.
Way of a Thousand Voices
This tradition uses Ki to enhance their voices into powerful tools and weapons.
Way of the Void
This tradition uses Ki to truly embody the powers of nothingness.
Way of the Warrior Monk
This tradition calls on the traditions of the ancestor to enhance their skills.
Way of Water
This tradition looks to the element of water for its powers (2 variants).
Way of the Winter Warrior
This traditions uses Ki to unlock the power of ice and snow, blizzards and wind.
Way of the Zhenobi
This tradition focuses on spycraft and assassination.
Monastic Traditions
Remember
These are meant as a summary of the class. The official rules should be consulted, either directly or through the DM with any questions or clarifications.
Scroll down for full class details.
Scroll down for full class details.
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