Monk: Way of the Serene Mind
Primary Ability: Strength
Spellcasting Ability: none
Monks who follow the Way of the Serene Mind believe that true mastery comes from inner calm and clear thinking, even in the midst of chaos. These monks utilize meditation and precise techniques to control the battlefield, becoming unyielding anchors for their allies and disorienting enigmas for their enemies.
Subclass (Monastic Tradition) of Monk
Monks are disciplined and agile warriors who have dedicated themselves to the mastery of martial arts and harnessing their inner ki energy. Through years of rigorous training and meditation, they attain extraordinary physical and mental abilities. Monks possess unparalleled speed and mobility, enabling them to move swiftly across the battlefield and evade attacks with incredible grace. Their unarmed strikes are deadly, as they use their body as a weapon, and they gain additional benefits as they advance in levels, such as the ability to make multiple attacks and stunning opponents with their strikes.
Monks also harness the power of ki, a mystical life force within themselves and the world. They can spend ki points to perform stunning feats, such as dodging with almost supernatural agility, becoming invisible, or unleashing a flurry of blows in rapid succession. Moreover, Monks gain access to unique traditions known as Monastic Traditions, which offer diverse focuses for their training. With their exceptional speed, unmatched martial prowess, and mastery of ki, Monks are extraordinary adventurers capable of achieving the seemingly impossible.
Core Way of the Serene Mind Traits
Hit Points
Proficiencies
Weapon: Simple Weapon, shortswords
Tool: Artisan's Tool, Musical Instrument. Choose one type of artisan’s tools or one musical instrument
Saving Throw: Strength, Dexterity
Skills: You have 2 of the following skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, Stealth.
Starting Gold
You start with 5 gold pieces (GP) unless you choose to take the equipment below
Starting Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) a shortsword or (b) any simple weapon
- (a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
- Dart (10)
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) shortsword or (b) any simple weapon
- (a) dungeoneer's pack or (b) explorer's pack
- (10x) dart
Way of the Serene Mind Features Table
| LVL | Pro+ | Features | Martial Arts | Ki Points | Unarmored Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Unarmored Defense, Martial Arts | 1d4 | – | – |
| 2nd | +2 | Step of the Wind, Patient Defense, Flurry of Blows, Ki, Unarmored Movement | 1d4 | 2 | +10 ft. |
| 3rd | +2 | Peaceful Presence, Mental Acuity, Monastic Tradition, Deflect Missiles | 1d4 | 3 | +10 ft. |
| 4th | +2 | Slow Fall, Ability Score Improvement | 1d4 | 4 | +10 ft. |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack, Stunning Strike | 1d6 | 5 | +10 ft. |
| 6th | +3 | Mindful Step, Ki-Empowered Strikes | 1d6 | 6 | +15 ft. |
| 7th | +3 | Evasion, Stillness of Mind | 1d6 | 7 | +15 ft. |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d6 | 8 | +15 ft. |
| 9th | +4 | Unarmored Movement improvement | 1d6 | 9 | +15 ft. |
| 10th | +4 | Purity of Body | 1d6 | 10 | +20 ft. |
| 11th | +4 | Sublime Focus | 1d8 | 11 | +20 ft. |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d8 | 12 | +20 ft. |
| 13th | +5 | Tongue of the Sun and Moon | 1d8 | 13 | +20 ft. |
| 14th | +5 | Diamond Soul | 1d8 | 14 | +25 ft. |
| 15th | +5 | Timeless Body | 1d8 | 15 | +25 ft. |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d8 | 16 | +25 ft. |
| 17th | +6 | Tranquility Ascendant | 1d10 | 17 | +25 ft. |
| 18th | +6 | Empty Body | 1d10 | 18 | +30 ft. |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d10 | 19 | +30 ft. |
| 20th | +6 | Perfect Self | 1d10 | 20 | +30 ft. |
Peaceful Presence
Starting at 3rd level, your calming aura affects those around you. As an action, you can spend 1 ki point to grant all allies within a 10-foot radius of you temporary hit points equal to your Wisdom modifier + your monk level. The temporary hit points last for 1 minute.
Level: 3
Actions Panel: Assist
Mental Acuity
Also at 3rd level, your sharpened mental state grants you proficiency in the Insight and Perception skills if you do not already have it. Additionally, you can spend 1 ki point as a reaction when you or an ally within 30 feet fails a Wisdom saving throw, allowing the target to reroll the saving throw.
Level: 3
Actions Panel: Assist, Reaction
Mindful Step
At 6th level, when you use your Step of the Wind, you can phase through objects and creatures as if you were ethereal until the end of your turn. However, you cannot end your turn inside an object or creature.
Level: 6
Actions Panel: Movement
Sublime Focus
At 11th level, your state of mind becomes so focused that it's difficult to disturb. You gain advantage on saving throws against being stunned, paralyzed, or frightened. Additionally, you can spend 2 ki points to enter a meditative state as a bonus action. While in this state, you gain resistance to all damage types except psychic until the start of your next turn.
Level: 11
Tranquility Ascendant
At 17th level, your inner peace reaches its pinnacle. You can spend 4 ki points to enter a state of transcendent calm for 1 minute. While in this state:
- You are immune to conditions: stunned, paralyzed, and frightened.
- As a reaction when an ally within 30 feet takes damage, you can redirect the damage to yourself.
- Any attack you make is treated as a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you complete a long rest.
Level: 17
Subclass
Monastic Tradition
Traditions of monastic pursuit are common in the monasteries scattered across the multiverse. Most monasteries practice one tradition exclusively, but a few honor more traditions and instruct each monk according to his or her aptitude and interest. All traditions rely on the same basic techniques, diverging as the student grows more adept. Thus, a monk need choose a tradition only upon reaching 3rd level.
Monk Spells
No spells associated with this class yet.
Credits: Squire 5 (5.1)