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When you create a character inBaldur’s Gate 3, you’re able to choose a class to specialize in, and each class will have skills or spells unique to that class. One class you can choose from is the monk, and monks are unique for their prowess in hand-to-hand combat and special abilities.
you may deepen your specialization in your class by picking a specific subclass. One subclass that monks can pick is the way of shadow.
Way Of Shadow Monk Features Overview
Those in theway of shadow monk subclassspecialize inusing the shadowsto their advantage. This is amelee attackerthat canteleportto enemiesfrom a hidden position. They can alsohide in a dark cloudthey can cast in order toevade attacks.
Monks can use certainabilitiessimilar to spellcasters, but instead of spell points or sorcery points, monks useKi. Ki can be replenished by taking ashort or a long rest.
3
5
6
11
Gain Abilities:
The way of shadow monk offers aunique playstylecompared to the other monk subclasses thanks to the use of obscured spots. This is a great subclass to pick if you like the idea ofmoving around the shadows like a ninja, picking off targets one-by-one as you go.
Best Race For A Way Of Shadow Monk
Thewood elfmakes for a perfect way of shadow monk thanks to theincreased movement speed. A wood elf enjoysFleet of Foot, which allows them to have abase movement of 10.5m or 35ft.
The elf race also enjoys proficiency inshortswords, longswords, shortbows, and longbows, some of which are the classifications of therecommended weaponsfor a way of shadow monk. Elves also enjoyDarkvision, which is a passive that allows them tosee in the dark up to 12m or 40ft.
Best Starting Ability Scores For A Way Of Shadow Monk
You’ll want to invest inStrengthfor this build because you’ll be getting theTavern Brawler featlater on.
Dexterityis an important ability to focus on because you’ll need any boost you’re able to get toinitiativeto maximize the way of shadow monk’s attack style. You’ll also need thearmour class boostthat a higher Dexterity gives.
The idea behind having ahigh Dexterity scoreis to ensure that the way of shadow monk can bethe first to attack. Their ability tostun enemiesusing Stunning Strikecan give you an early advantage, and they can get away toavoid taking any damageat all.
Another ability you’ll want to prioritize isWisdom, whichimproves abilities that use Ki, in addition to yourincreasing your armour class.
You’ll be usingclothingfor your build, soany increase to your armour classis essential.
15
16
(above 10)
Best Level-By-Level Build For A Way Of Shadow Monk
While your build will be primarily in the monk class,investing three levels in the rogue class mid-gamewill increase the value of your monk’s abilities tremendously.
Atrogue level three, you can pick thethief subclassto gain thefast hands passive. This will allow you to makean additional bonus actionduring your turn.
1
Subclass:way of shadows
4
Feat:tavern brawler (Strength +1)
7
8
9
10
Feat:ability improvement (Dexterity +2)
12
Class:monk
Best Equipment For A Way Of Shadow Monk
You’ll get a lot of benefits when youforego armouras a monk. That being said, there are certain pieces of equipment thatcomplement this type of setup.
Clothing: The Graceful Cloth
Armour Class: 10 + Dexterity modifier
Cat’s Grace:You gain Cat’s Grace and increase your Dexterity by 2, to a maximum of 20.
Nimble As a Cat:You gain a +1 bonus to your Dexterity saving throws and also increase your jump distance by 1.5m.
Act 1: This can be purchased from Lady Esther at the Rosymorn Monastery Trail.
Headwear: Haste Helm
Smooth Start:Gain momentum for 3 turns.
Act 1: This can be looted from a chest in the Blighted Village.
Armour class +1
Saving throws +1
Act 2: This can be purchased from Quartermaster Talli at the Last Light Inn.
Gloves: Gloves of Dexterity
Set the wearer’s Dexterity score to 18. The enchantment has no effect if their dexterity score is higher without it.
+1 to attack
Act 1: This can be purchased from A’jak’nir Jeera in Crèche Y’llek.
Acrobatics +1
Act 2: This can be purchased from Mattis at Last Light Inn.
Amulet: Periapt of Wound Closure
Wound Closure:When downed, automatically stabilise at the start of the turn.
Potent Healing:Maximise the number of hit points restored.
Ring 1: Crusher’s Ring
Movement speed increased by 3m/10ft.
Act 1: This can be looted from Crusher in the Goblin Camp. This can also be obtained by using sleight of hand on the ring if you choose to kiss his feet during your first interaction with him.
Ring 2: Ring of Twilight
Treader by Twilight: You gain a +1 bonus to armour class while obscured.
Act 2: This can be found inside a chest inside a tower located in the Ruined Battlefield.
If you’re playing as the Dark Urge, you can use theDeathstalker Mantleyou’ll receive as your cloak throughout the entire game.
Clothing:Vest of Soul Rejuvenation
Defier’s Rejuvenation:Whenever the wearer succeeds on a saving throw against a spell, they regain 1~4 hit points.
Greater Kushigo Counter:The wearer can use a reaction to make an unarmed strike against any attacker that misses.
Armour Class +2
Act 3:This can be purchased from Rolan in Sorcerer’s Sundries in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate.
Headwear: Mask of Soul Perception
Soul Perception:Gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls, initiative rolls, and perception checks.
Act 3:This can be retrieved from a chest on the second floor of Devil’s Fee in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate.
Cloak: Cloak of Displacement
Displacement:At the beginning of the wearer’s turn, the cloak activates, granting enemies disadvantage on attack rolls that target the wearer. This effect lasts until the wearer takes damage.
Act 3:This can be purchased from Entharl Danthelon in Wyrm’s Crossing.
Gloves: Gloves of Soul Catching
Soul Fist:Your unarmed attacks deal an additional 1d10 force damage.
Soul Catching:Once per turn, on an unarmed hit, you regain 10 hit points. Alternatively, you may forego healing to gain advantage on attack rolls and saving throws until the end of your next turn.
Constitution +2, up to a maximum of 20.
Act 3:This can be received as a reward from Hope if you rescue her in the House of Hope.
Footwear:Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo
Experienced And Deadly:The wearer deals additional damage equal to their Wisdom modifier with unarmed strikes.
Act 3:This can be retrieved from Prelate Lir’i’c’s body in the Astral Prism at the very start of Act 3.
Amulet:Amulet of Greater Health
Set the wearer’s Constitution score to 23. The enchantment has no effect if their Constitution score is higher without it.
Advantage on Constitution saving throws.
Act 3:This can be looted from a pedestal in the Archive Room located in the House of Hope.
Optional Ring Upgrade:Killer’s Sweetheart
Executioner: When you kill a creature, your next attack roll will be a critical hit. This refreshes after a long rest.
Act 2:This can be picked up from the ground of the Self-Same Trial at the Gauntlet of Shar. The exact spot is where your player’s copy died.
1d6+8 (Piercing damage)
Grants Resistance to fire and cold damage.
Gain spell:Haste
Corellon’s Grace
1d8 (1d8) + 6 (Bludgeoning damage)
Natural Pugilist:You gain a +1 bonus to Unarmed Attack Rolls and damage.
Unhampered Resistance:While the wielder is not wearing armour, they receive a +2 bonus to saving throws.
Act 1:Can be purchased from Auntie Ethel as a hag, or looted from her body.
Best Late-Game Weapons For A Way Of Shadow Monk
You’ll be using your fists as your primary weapon thanks to all the bonuses you get to unarmed attacks with your equipment.
The Dead Shot
1d8+8 (Piercing damage)
Improved Critical:The number you need to roll a critical hit while attacking is reduced by 1. This effect can stack.
Keen Attack:The wielder doubles their proficiency bonus when rolling ranged attacks with this weapon, unless they have disadvantage.
Weapon Enchantment +2
Act 3:Can be purchased from Fytz in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate.
