Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Monk Class Build

Of the 12 classes that will be playable in Baldur’s Gate 3, only one wasn’t ready for players for the Early Access: the Monk. Monks have a lot of options under their black belts, with three distinct sub-classes to choose from that could equally lead to a fantastic Monk build in BG3.

RELATED: Baldur’s Gate 3: Which Class Should You Pick?

Monks who follow the Way of Shadow subclass will find themselves more easily able to pull off stealthy maneuvers and benefit from sticking to the shadows and out of sight. It’s something between a melee and a ranged caster class, with lots of variety – now that the full release of Baldur’s Gate 3 is here, fans are starting to understand just how strong this class can be.

Updated September 30, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: In Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk builds can become very complex by the end of the game, and players new to this genre may feel overwhelmed when trying to follow guides on the best BG3 MonkBuild. There are hundreds of spells to choose from, hundreds of stats and effects to take into consideration, and understanding what makes the Way of Shadow Monk BG3 build work means understanding how these all interact with one another. This guide has been updated to more clearly explain some of these more complex details of the Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Monk Build. Additionally, some information has been reorganized to better group similar choices together in new sections that explain Way of Shadow and BG3 Monk Class Character Creation recommendations separately.

As a guide-in-progress, this BG3 best Monk build walkthrough will be continually updated with new information on what makes the Way of Shadow the best Monk build BG3 offers to players.

Monk Class Introduction & Overview

Monk Playstyle & Signature Abilities

“Channel your cosmic enlightenment by deftly dodging and efficiently disassembling your foes through stunning strikes and a whirlwind of martial art attacks.”

The Monk is one of three classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 that put a particular emphasis on melee combat in virtually all builds. Monks take the concept of hand-to-hand combat very literally, offering bonuses and special attacks that require players to be Unarmed. Monks gain Martial Arts abilities that change the flow of combat by granting new opportunities for attacks, as well as special evasive abilities like Deflect Missiles and Evasion as they level up.

The unique Monk feature is Ki, a unique resource that refreshes with every Short Rest, and is used to fuel many of the best Monk abilities. Players start with just two Ki, then gain one for each level-up. They also gain the Unarmored Defence passive, like the Barbarian class,which increases AC when not wearing traditional Armor. Robes and other Clothing are totally OK, though. Play a Monk to try a new approach to melee combat that’s a bit more complex, synergistic – and potentially more rewarding – than other melee classes.

Monk Subclasses

• Way of the Four Elements: Elemental damage-based spellcaster. Grants unique spells from Disciple of the Elements feature & unique Elemental actions.
• Way of the Open Hand: Focuses on unarmed attacks and control abilities. Grants bonuses to Ki and Flurry of Blows when unarmed.
• Way of Shadow: Stealth-oriented damage dealer. Grants unique movement and other Shadow-related spells.

Monk Class Proficiencies

• Monk Armor Proficiencies: None (Unarmored)
• Monk Saving Throws: Dexterity & Strength
• Monk Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, & Stealth
• Monk Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Weapons & Shortsword

Monk Class Features – Level By Level

Best BG3 Monk Build: Way of Shadow Overview

What Makes Way of Shadow the Best BG3 Monk Subclass?

“Monks of the Way of Shadow follow a tradition that values stealth and subterfuge.”

Players can select their subclass at character creation as a Monk, and because Stealth is just so good in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Way of Shadow is a powerhouse of damage just like the Thief Rogue build. The Way of the Open Hand and Way of the Four Elements have plenty of options and playability in their own right, but because Sneak Attacks and Stealth are so strong when used to initiate combat (or join it from the outside), the Way of Shadow reigns supreme.

The Way of Shadow Monk plays like a mix of the Rogue and Gloomstalker Ranger classes. Way of Shadow Monks rely on Stealth and their bare fists to deal damage, and are most heavily inspired by Ninjas and other agile warriors of darkness and subterfuge.

In earlier levels, Shadow Monks can cast the Minor Illusion cantrip as well as Shadow Arts, special versions of Pass Without Trace, Darkness, Darkvision, Silence, and Hide as bonus actions. Later on, the Way of Shadow Monk can become invisible at will – and strike from the shadows in a very literal sense. The Shadow Monk is great for players who want a different approach to Stealth than the typical Dungeons and Dragons Rogue and Ranger archetypes.

Way of Shadow Subclass Features – Level By Level

Best BG3 Monk Build: Roleplay & Character Creation Choices

Best BG3 Monk Race: Drow

The Drow are a versatile race with racial passives that benefit virtually all playstyles in one way or another. For starters, they have advantage against being Charmed and cannot be put to Sleep. They get Drow Cantrips, including Darkness which goes a long way in helping create Stealth, and their Darkvision can help get through otherwise completely shrouded areas. Their proficiency in Perception is extremely useful when traversing the world normally as it will pick up Traps and the like much more often.

RELATED: All Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard Subclasses, Ranked

Best BG3 Monk Proficiencies and Background: Criminal or Outlander

Monks rely on DEX and WIS for the majority of their abilities, and Way of Shadow Monk builds are no different. Choose a background that either fits with these skills for further bonuses to your rolls, like the Criminal which grants proficiency to Stealth (used for Hide) and Deception. Players can also go for the Outlander background, which will give a nice buff to the outcomes of Athletics and Survival checks.

Best Monk Ability Scores & Stat Distribution

Feats & Leveling Choices For Shadow Monk Builds

Level Three

• Subclass Choice: Way of Shadow

Level Four Feat

• Feat Choice: Tavern Brawler

Level Eight Feat

• Feat Choice: Alert or Savage Attacker

Level Twelve Feat

• Feat Choice: Alert or Savage Attacker (whichever wasn’t selected already)

Best Monk Equipment: Armor & Accessories

Best Way of Shadow Monk Head Armor: Hat of Uninhibited Kushigo

• Hat of Uninhibited Kushigo Effects: Gain +1 Spell Save DC after dealing Unarmed damage
  • How To Get Hat of Uninhibited Kushigo: Purchased from Quartermaster Talli in the Last Light Inn

Best Way of Shadow Monk Cloak: Deathstalker Mantle

• Deathstalker Mantle Effects: Grants Expertise in Stealth, and wearer can become invisible for two turns upon killing an enemy
  • How To Get Deathstalker Mantle: Only available to Dark Urge origin characters, after Alfira joins the camp

Best Way of Shadow Monk Chest Armor: Vest of Soul Rejuvenation

• Vest of Soul Rejuvenation Effects: After succeeding Saving Throws, gain 1d4 HP. Grants Unarmed Strike as a reaction when enemies miss the wearer. Grants +2 AC.
  • How To Get Vest of Soul Rejuvenation: Purchased from Lorroakan’s Projection in Sorcerous Sundries, in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate

Best Way of Shadow Monk Gloves: Gloves of Soul Catching

• Gloves of Soul Catching Effects: Unarmed Strikes gain 1d10 Force Damage. Additionally, each unarmed hit regains 10 HP once per turn. Instead of Healing, players can instead to gain Advantage on incoming attack and saving throws. Also grants +2 CON.
  • How To Get Gloves of Soul Catching: Drops from Raphael, but only upon defeat in his House of Hope

Best Way of Shadow Monk Boots: Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo

• Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo Effects: Grants Wisdom Modifier as extra damage for Unarmed Strikes
  • How To Get Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo: Drops from Githyanki Monks

Best Way of Shadow Monk Amulets: Amulet of Windrider

• Amulet of the Windrider Effects: Grants Ride the Winds ability (Fly), as well as Gust of Wind, which pushes enemies back 5 meters
  • How To Get Amulet of the Windrider: Complete the Hag Survivors questline and save Vanra in Act 3

Best Way of Shadow Monk Rings: Smuggler’s Ring, Ring of Absolute Force

• Smuggler’s Ring Effects: +2 to Stealth and Sleight of Hand, -1 to Charisma
  • How To Get Smuggler’s Ring: Looted from a Skeleton near the Risen Road bridge

• Ring of Absolute Force Effects: Grants extra 1 Thunder damage to all attacks, and grants the Thunderwave spell. Wearer must have the Mark of the Absolute to gain this boost.
  • How To Get Ring of Absolute Force: Drops from Sergeant Thrinn in the Grymforge

Best Shadow Monk Weapon: Blood of Lythander

• Blood of Lythander Effects: Once per long rest, heals for 2d12 HP upon reaching 0 HP, nearby allies gain 1d6 HP. Sheds light that blinds Fiends and Undead who fail a CON save. Grants the Sunbeam spell.
  • How To Get Blood of Lythander: Explore the depths of the Rosymorn Monastery, after collecting all Ceremonial Weapons and earning the right to collect it.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available for PC and PlayStation 5. A version for Xbox Series X/S is currently in development.