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.
All Baldur's Gate 3 Monk Subclasses, Ranked
The Monk, added in the full release of Baldur's Gate 3, is a master of hand-to-hand combat that can channel Ki to perform a number of incredible feats
Updated November 17, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: To make the best BG3 Monk build, players must take a lot of different elements of a build into consideration - including the RP element. Sure, you can min-max your stats, skills, abilities, and other character creation choices to build the best Monk build Baldur's Gate 3 offers, but if you don't understand the core elements of the build and how they work in tandem with one another, you may struggle to effectively play the class. This guide to the best Baldur's Gate 3 Monk build has been updated to include more information across all categories, expand the in-game RP descriptions of certain elements of the best BG3 Monk build, and reorganize information to make it easier to understand how to maximize the potential of the Monk class in BG3.
Monk Class Introduction & Overview
The Baldur's Gate 3 Monk Class, Explained
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"Channel your cosmic enlightenment by deftly dodging and efficiently disassembling your foes through stunning strikes and a whirlwind of martial art attacks."
Monk Playstyle & Signature Abilities
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.
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Players have access to a variety of unique Feats in Baldur's Gate 3's early game, but some are often best avoided.
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.
Base Monk Class Proficiencies: Armor, Weapons, Saving Throws, & Skill Choices
When you first start creating your Monk Build, BG3 offers a selection of basic Class Proficiencies, and a choice of two Monk Skill Proficiencies.
In addition to Armor, Weapon, and Saving Throw proficiencies that vary for each class, the pool of Skills you can choose from are different for each class.
These cannot be changed once you get past character creation without resetting your build.
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Proficiency Type |
Proficiencies Granted/Choices Offered |
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Monk Armor Proficiencies |
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Monk Weapon Proficiencies |
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Monk Saving Throws |
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Monk Skill Proficiency Choices |
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All Monk Subclasses
There are a total of three BG3 Ways (subclasses) Monk players can try out, each of which focuses on different aspects of the class, and offers a selection of unique skills, proficiencies, and other features. As you level up in one of these BG3 Monk subclasses, you will gain more abilities that are unique to your subclass choice.
Your choice of Monk subclass can be changed by speaking with Withers, but you will start at Level 1 and have to make your BG3 Monk build from scratch.
Though this chart displays information for all subclasses, if you want to make best Monk build BG3 has to offer, you should go for the Way of Shadow.
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Subclass Name |
Base Spec Features |
Special Spec Proficiencies |
Starting Subclass Spells & Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
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Way of the Four Elements |
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N / A |
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Way of the Drunken Master (new with Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8) |
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N / A |
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Way of the Open Hand |
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N / A |
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Way of Shadow |
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N / A |
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Monk Class Features – Level By Level
The max level in Baldur's Gate 3 is Level 12, and most of the time, each level you gain will grant something new for your Monk build. In character creation you gain the basics for the Monk class, then steadily gain Feat Choices, new spells and abilities, subclass features, and increase your Proficiency Bonus.
This chart displays everything you can expect to get at each Level-Up as a Monk in your Baldur's Gate 3 journey.
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Class Feature |
Proficiency Bonus |
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Monk Lvl 1 |
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+2 |
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Monk Lvl 2 |
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+2 |
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Monk Lvl 3 |
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+2 |
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Monk Lvl 4 |
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+2 |
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Monk Lvl 5 |
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+3 |
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Monk Lvl 6 |
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+3 |
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Monk Lvl 7 |
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+3 |
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Monk Lvl 8 |
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+3 |
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Monk Lvl 9 |
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+4 |
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Monk Lvl 10 |
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+4 |
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Monk Lvl 11 |
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+4 |
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Monk Lvl 12 |
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+4 |
Best BG3 Monk Build Character Creation Choices
BG3 Monk Build Race, Background, Proficiency, Feats, & Stat Choices
Best BG3 Monk Race: Githyanki
With a ruthlessness borne from mind flayer enslavement, githyanki ride the Astral Sea atop red dragons, bringing their silver swords and psionic might to bear against any trace of the illithid menace.
Githyanki are an extremely powerful race in Baldur's Gate 3, and a good default choice for just about any class thanks to its innately strong racial abilities. The Githyanki gain the Astral Knowledge ability, which grants Proficiency in every Skill that related to a chosen Ability Score – arguably the best racial ability for dialogue and roleplay in Baldur's Gate 3. That's just the start of it, though.
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Baldur's Gate 3's Wizard Class is able to specialize in one of eight schools of magic, gaining powerful benefits relating to that school.
Githyanki also gain three spells as they level up, and five extra Profiencies. The Githyanki Psionics racial grants a special version of Mage Hand at Level 1 that can go invisible.
At Level 3, Githyanki gain Enhance Leap, an essential spell for Monks to travel across the battlefield quickly and quietly.
Then at Level 5, Githyanki gain Misty Step, which can be used once per long rest to teleport to a target location.
For Way of Shadow Monks, stealth is the name of the game, and these two abilities give them more ways to get into position faster without being seen. Some other decent racial options for Monks include the Drow, for their proficiency in Stealth, or the Wood Elf, for their extra movement speed.
Lightfoot Halfling can also be a decent choice thanks to the Lucky racial ability, which lets the player re-roll natural 1 on any dice rolls.
Best Monk Backgrounds in BG3: Criminal or Outlander
CRIMINAL: You have a history of breaking the law and survive by leveraging less-than-legal connections. Profiting from criminal enterprise will lead to greater opportunities in the future.
OUTLANDER: You grew up in the wilds, learning to survive far from the comforts of civilisation. Surviving unusual hazards of the wild will enhance your prowess and understanding.
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 types of skills for further bonuses to your rolls, like the Criminal which grants proficiency to Stealth (used for Hide) and Deception.
Criminals trigger inspiration when they successfully commit crimes, perform evil-aligned acts (like siding with Minthara), or otherwise trick people out of what's theirs.
Players can also go for the Outlander background, which will give a nice buff to the outcomes of Athletics and Survival checks. Outlanders trigger Inspiration from simply defeating big bads in the wilds (or the depths underneath Baldur's Gate), exploring the game to its fullest, and discovering things out of the way of the norm, like secret entrances or rare enemies.
Best BG3 Monk Skill Proficiency Choices: Stealth and Insight
STEALTH: Stealth is the ability to sneak, using silence and cover to avoid undesired attention.
INSIGHT: Insight allows you to read people and situations, piercing through lies and other forms of deceit.
After choosing the Criminal or Outlander backgrounds, Monks get two more choices for skill proficiencies. If you choose to go with the Criminal background, Stealth is removed from the list of choices, while Outlanders already have Athletics covered.
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Either way, as a Way of Shadow Monk, the most important skill proficiency to have is Stealth. So, if you go with the Outlander background, select Stealth as one of your choices. Of the remaining options, Insight should be your next pick, followed by Acrobatics or Religion (for Criminal players with Stealth already trained).
Best BG3 Monk Feats: Tavern Brawler, Alert, and Savage Attacker
- Tavern Brawler Effects: When you make an Unarmed attack, use an Improvised Weapon, or throw an item, your STR value is doubled and added to the Damage and Attack Rolls of those attacks
- Alert Effects: You gain +5 to Initiative and can't be Surprised
- Savage Attacker Effects: When making Melee Weapon attacks, roll all damage dice twice. The higher of the two results is used.
Best Monk Ability Scores & Stat Distribution
To create the best BG3 Monk build, we recommend putting the majority of points into your Wisdom and Dexterity, followed by Constitution.
The primary stats for most Way of Shadow Monk spells and abilities in BG3 are Wisdom and Dexterity, but Constitution should follow closely behind for survivability and other skills.
Charisma, Strength, and Intelligence are not essential for the Way of Shadow Monk build.
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STR |
DEX |
CON |
INT |
WIS |
CHA |
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Base |
10 |
16 |
14 |
8 |
16 |
10 |
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Modifier |
+3 |
+2 |
-1 |
+3 |
BG3 Monk Subclass Choice – Way of Shadow
Overview Of BG3 Monk Way of Shadow Subclass
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"Monks of the Way of Shadow follow a tradition that values stealth and subterfuge."
What Makes Way of Shadow the Best BG3 Monk Subclass?
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.
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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
In addition to everything you unlock while leveling as a Monk, your Subclass also determines what you unlock at certain levels. As a Monk, you can select a subclass at Level 3.
For the purposes of this guide to the BG3 best Monk build, choose the Way of Shadow when prompted to choose a Subclass.
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Class Feature |
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Way of Shadow Monk Lvl 3 |
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Way of Shadow Monk Lvl 5 |
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Way of Shadow Monk Lvl 6 |
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Way of Shadow Monk Lvl 11 |
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Best BG3 Monk Leveling Choices
Best Monk Spells, Feats, & Other Choices At Every Level
In Baldur's Gate 3 the max level you can reach is Level 12, and most classes will have something to choose from at every level-up. Unfortunately, this BG3 Monk build has the fewest number of leveling choices to make. In fact, aside from your Subclass and Feats, Monks don't really have any leveling choices to make.
- In Act 1, which typically brings players up to around Level 5, you will be able to choose your Monk Subclass (Way of Shadow) and your first Feat.
- In Act 2, which typically brings players up to around Level 9, Monks will get their second Feat.
- In Act 3, which brings players up to Level 12 and beyond, you will unlock your third Monk feat.
Though there aren't a lot of choices to make as a Monk, BG3 still provides the Way of Shadow subclass with plenty of new abilities and skills – they are just granted automatically for being a Way of Shadow Monk, rather than offered as a choice like some other classes.
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Class Level |
Choices & Recommendations |
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Level 1 |
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Level 2 |
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Level 3 |
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Level 4 |
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Level 5 |
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Level 6 |
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Level 7 |
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Level 8 |
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Level 9 |
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Level 10 |
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Level 11 |
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Level 12 |
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Best Monk Build Companions & Party Composition
Best Companions For Way Of Shadow Monk Builds
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Companion |
Class/Specialization |
Role In Party |
Unique Attributes |
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Shadowheart |
Cleric |
Support |
Difficult to CC (Charm & Sleep), hybrid Damage and Support spells |
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Lae'Zel |
Fighter |
Melee Tank |
Great for drawing attention away from other party members while holding her own |
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Wyll |
Warlock |
Ranged damage/CC |
Short Rests restore Spell Slots, access to great CC spells |
The best Monk companions in BG3 are Shadowheart as a fellow hybrid damage dealer and Support, Lae'Zel as your primary melee Tank, and Wyll as your ranged DPS (and another source of CC).
Though you can change the class and specialization of any of your companions, these three come with strong pre-determined class and spec combos to balance out your Monk party composition.
- Shadowheart: A Trickery Cleric, Shadowheart serves as a good companion for hybrid damage and support, which compliments the Way of Shadow Monk playstyle well.
- Lae'Zel: Best suited for the Battle Master subclass, Lae'Zel can almost singlehandedly handle your front line, drawing attention from enemies and able to withstand attacks better than some other classes.
- Wyll: A Fiend Warlock, Wyll's spell list is somewhat limited compared to Gale, being a Warlock comes with its own benefits. Play Wyll as a hybrid of both ranged damage and ranged control, inflicting CC on enemies as often as you attack them
If you are dead set on including a character in your party, simply talk to Withers to respec them to one of the optimal Monk companion classes listed above. This way, you won't miss out on that character's questline, and you won't have to suffer from an improperly balanced party.
Best Baldur's Gate 3 Monk Build Equipment
Get The Best BG3 Monk Gear In All Three Acts
This section covers the best equipment for Way of Shadow Monks in BG3 across all three Acts. Some pieces from early Acts may still be powerful in later ones, though, and will remain equipped through several Acts.
- Items with bolded names are new options for the build in each Act, and may replace older pieces of equipment.
- Items with unbolded names must be acquired in earlier Acts, but are strong enough that they don't need to be replaced in Acts 2 or 3.
Best Way of Shadow Monks Items & Equipment: Act 1
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Name |
Effect |
Location |
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Head |
None (or cosmetic hat) |
N/A |
N/A |
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Cloak |
Deathstalker Mantle |
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Only available to Dark Urge origin characters, after Alfira joins the camp |
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Chest |
Armor of Uninhibited Kushigo |
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Reward for completing "Find The Missing Boots" in the Grymforge |
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Gloves |
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Looted in the hidden cellar of the Blighted Village |
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Boots |
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Purchased from Thulla in the Myconid Colony of the Underdark. |
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Neck |
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Looted from the locked Selunite Gilded Chest in the Owlbear Nest |
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Ring 1 |
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Looted from a Skeleton near the Risen Road bridge |
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Ring 2 |
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Drops from Sergeant Thrinn in the Grymforge |
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Main Weapon |
UNARMED (But, Blood of Lythander works well) |
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Explore the depths of the Rosymorn Monastery, after collecting all Ceremonial Weapons and earning the right to collect it. Or, try to steal it. |
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Offhand |
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Purchased from Auntie Ethel while she is in the Druid Grove |
Bracers of Defence
Boots Of Speed
Moondrop Pendant
Smuggler's Ring
Ring Of Absolute Force
Corellon's GraceBest Way of Shadow Monks Items & Equipment: Act 2
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Name |
Effect |
Location |
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Head |
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Purchased from Quartermaster Talli in the Last Light Inn |
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Cloak |
Deathstalker Mantle |
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Only available to Dark Urge origin characters, after Alfira joins the camp (Act 1) |
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Chest |
Armor of Uninhibited Kushigo |
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Reward for completing "Find The Missing Boots" in the Grymforge (Act 1) |
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Gloves |
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Purchased from Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers |
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Boots |
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Drops from Githyanki Monks (end of Act 2) |
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Neck |
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Drops from Malus Thorm (the surgeon) in the House of Healing |
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Ring 1 |
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Looted from a Skeleton near the Risen Road bridge (Act 1) |
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Ring 2 |
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Drops from Sergeant Thrinn in the Grymforge (Act 1) |
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Main Weapon |
UNARMED (But, Blood of Lythander works well) |
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Explore the depths of the Rosymorn Monastery, after collecting all Ceremonial Weapons and earning the right to collect it. Or, try to steal it (Act 1) |
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Offhand |
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Purchased from Auntie Ethel while she is in the Druid Grove (Act 1) |
Hat of Uninhibited Kushigo
Gloves of Crushing
Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo
Surgeon's Subjugation Amulet
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The Joltshooter, Spellsparkler and the Sparky Points are three of the best weapons in the game, so knowing how to obtain them can improve your builds.
Best Way of Shadow Monks Items & Equipment: Act 3
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Name |
Effect |
Location |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Head |
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Purchased from Quartermaster Talli in the Last Light Inn (Act 2) |
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Cloak |
Deathstalker Mantle |
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Only available to Dark Urge origin characters, after Alfira joins the camp (Act 1) |
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Chest |
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Purchased from Lorroakan's Projection in Sorcerous Sundries |
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Gloves |
Gloves of Soul Catching |
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Drops from Raphael, but only upon defeat in his House of Hope |
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Boots |
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Drops from Githyanki Monks (end of Act 2) |
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Neck |
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Complete the Hag Survivors questline and save Vanra in Act 3 |
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Ring 1 |
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Looted from a Skeleton near the Risen Road bridge (Act 1) |
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Ring 2 |
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Drops from Sergeant Thrinn in the Grymforge (Act 1) |
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Main Weapon |
UNARMED (But, Blood of Lythander works well) |
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Explore the depths of the Rosymorn Monastery, after collecting all Ceremonial Weapons and earning the right to collect it. Or, try to steal it (Act 1) |
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Offhand |
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Purchased from Auntie Ethel while she is in the Druid Grove (Act 1) |
Vest of Soul Rejuvenation
Amulet of WindriderBest BG3 Monk Build Consumables & Permanent Buffs
In Baldur's Gate 3, Monk builds can be enhanced further with the use of specific consumables. Certain potions, like the Elxir of Bloodlust, will grant combat-oriented bonuses for this best Monk build, while others, like the Potion of Invisibility, will enhance the Monk's innate ability to stay stealthy in any circumstance.
If you spot any of these useful Monk consumables as world loot or enemy loot, trader inventories, or otherwise, be sure to pick them up and store them in a bag for later use.
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Consumable Name |
Consumable Effects |
|---|---|
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Potion of Invisibility |
Grants Invisibility, preventing enemies from seeing you. There is also a Supreme Invisibility potion, which enhances this effect. |
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Elxir of Bloodlust |
Once per turn, when you kill an enemy, restore 5 Temporary HP and gain an additional Action that turn. |
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Elixir of Barkskin |
Increases your AC to a base of 16. Useful for Monks who rely on light or no armor. |
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Elixir of Viciousness |
Reduces the number required to achieve a Critical Hit by 1. Can stack with other similar effects. |
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Potion of Speed |
Grants Hastened for 3 turns, increasing AC by 2 and granting Advantage on DEX saving throws and an additional Action, and increases movement by 30ft. |
Best BG3 Monk Build Permanent Buffs
Throughout BG3 you will find numerous ways to permanently increase your stats, gain permanent passive bonuses, or otherwise grant your character a permanent buff. To push the best BG3 Monk Way of Shadow builds to the next level, keep an eye out for these five best Monk permanent buffs as you adventure through the Sword Coast and beyond:
|
Buff Name |
Buff Effects |
Buff Source |
|---|---|---|
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Auntie Ethel's Hair |
Grants +1 to any Ability Score of your choice |
Must complete Mayrina's quest in Act 1, but don't kill Auntie Ethel. When she reaches low HP, she will offer to be spared. Accept her deal and you will gain Auntie Ethel's Hair. |
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Awakened |
All Illithid Powers now cost 1 Bonus Action instead of an Action |
You must succeed all three Saving Throws inside the Githyanki Creche's Zaith'isk to get this buff. You may also absorb this skill when playing as Laezel by passing a DC 30 Arcana check (which will usually require a nat 20 roll) to take the power for your own. |
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Lovitar's Love |
Grants +2 to Attack Rolls and Wisdom Saving Throws when under 30% HP |
Speak to Abdirak in the Shattered Sanctum inside the Goblin Camp. Ask him about being a follower of Lovitar, then pass two Intimidation checks. |
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The Tharchiate Codex |
Once per Long Rest, gain 20 Temporary HP |
Find and read "The Tharchiate Codex" within the Sorcerous Vault, which can only be accessed via Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur's Gate City. You must use the Remove Curse spell to read it. |
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Mirror of Loss |
Grants +2 to one Ability Score of your choice |
Find the Mirror of Loss in the Cloister of Sombre Embrace within the House of Grief, found toward the end of Act 2. Either offer the Necromancy of Thay (and the buff it grants) or pass a DC 25 Religion check to get +2 to any ability score of your choice. |
Best BG3 Monk Multiclass Choices
Maximize Your BG3 Monk Build With Complimentary Monk Multiclass Options
Players can choose to Multiclass beginning at Level 2. Look for the "Add Class" button on the top right of the level up overview menu – this will open up a new menu where players can allocate the level to any other class in Baldur's Gate 3 when selected.
Rogue Multiclass – Monk 9/Rogue 3
When looking for the best multiclass for Monks in BG3, the Rogue – specifically the Thief subclass – is a natural complement to the Monk's toolkit.
By putting three points into the Rogue class, players will unlock a choice of Rogue subclass. The Thief subclass grants a second bonus action, which the Monk can use for additional unarmed attacks.
Choosing the Thief Rogue subclass as a Monk will bar the player from the Shadow Strike ability (Level 11 Shadow Monk) and the Purity of Body ability (Level 10 Monk). However, it unlocks the ability to Sneak Attack, which works perfectly in tandem with the Shadow Monk's playstyle.
The Thief Rogue subclass also works very well with the Way of the Open Hand subclass.
Fighter Multiclass – 10/Fighter 2
Choosing the Fighter multiclass in Baldur's Gate 3 is a go-to for many looking to multiclass because, with two levels in Fighter, players unlock the Action Surge ability. With a bonus action, a character can use Action Surge to gain a second action that turn.
Monks already have the ability to attack several times in a single turn, but by losing out on the last two Ki point upgrades and a feat choice, Monks gain this extremely powerful Fighter-exclusive skill.
Action Surge is especially good for Monk builds that rely on spellcasting, like the Way of the Four Elements subclass.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
