Introduction: The Way of the Arcane Ki teaches its disciples how to

blend the arcane arts practiced by wizards with the ki techniques of

monastic traditions.
WAY OF THE ARCANE KI WAY OF THE ARCANE KI SPELLCASTING
Monk Cantrips – Spell Slots per spell Level –
While few people would accuse any monk of Level Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
being uneducated, the followers of the Way of 3rd 2 2 – – – –
the Arcane Ki are among the most learned. 4th 2 3 – – – –
Theirs is a life of constant study and 5th 2 4 2 – – –
experimentation whether of the body and the 6th 2 4 2 – – –
ki that flows through it or of forgotten tomes 7th 2 4 3 – – –
and the magical secrets contained therein. This 8th 2 4 3 – – –
lifestyle grants followers a limited ability to 9th 2 4 3 2 – –
work magic. At the end of the day, however, 10th 2 4 3 2 – –
the Way of the Arcane Ki is a monastic 11th 3 4 3 3 – –
tradition and the control and use of ki is 12th 3 4 3 3 – –
central. Because of this, followers are able to 13th 3 4 3 3 1 –
perform some magic outside that normally 14th 3 4 3 3 1 –
commanded by wizards but at the same time 15th 3 4 3 3 2 –
are barred from other spells that wizards might 16th 3 4 3 3 2 –
take for granted. 17th 4 4 3 3 3 1
Page 76 of the Player’s Handbook describes 18th 4 4 3 3 3 1
ki as “an element of the magic that suffuses 19th 4 4 3 3 3 2
the multiverse – specifically, the element that 20th 4 4 3 3 3 2
flows through living bodies.” A monk’s
understanding of this energy allows them to Cantrips. You learn two cantrips of your
subtly alter a spell during casting similar to a choice from the Arcane Ki spell list. You learn
sorcerer. This knowledge, combined with their an additional cantrip from this list at 11th
spellcasting abilities and martial arts training level.
common to all monks, means that they can Spellbook. At 3rd level, you have
encounter all manner of situations and stand a accumulated enough arcane knowledge to
good chance of coming out on top. possess a spellbook. This spellbook contains
three 1st-level Arcane Ki spells of your
ARCANE UNDERSTANDING choice. Your spellbook is the repository of the
When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, Arcane Ki spells you know, except your
you gain proficiency with the Arcana skill if cantrips, which are fixed in your mind.
you do not have it already. You also gain the Preparing and Casting Spells. The Way of
ability to add spells to your spellbook similar the Arcane Ki Spellcasting table shows how
to a wizard (see “Learning Spells of 1st Level many spell slots you have to cast your spells
and Higher” below). of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these
spells, you must expend a spell slot of the
SPELLCASTING spell’s level or higher. You regain all
When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, expended slots when you finish a long rest.
you gain the ability to cast spells. See chapter You prepare the list of spells that are
10 of the Player’s Handbook for the general available for you to cast. To do so, choose a
rules of spellcasting. The Way of the Arcane number of spells from your spellbook equal to
Ki spell list at the end of this document lists your Intelligence modifier + half your monk
the spells you are able to learn.

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level (rounded up). The spells must be of a METAMAGIC
level for which you have spell slots. At 6th level, you gain the ability to twist your
You can change your list of prepared spells spells to suit your needs similar to a sorcerer.
when you finish a long rest. Preparing a new You gain two Metamagic options of your
list of spells requires spent studying your choice. See pages 101 and 102 of the Player’s
spellbook and memorizing the incantations Handbook for the Metamagic options and
and gestures you must make to cast the spell: rules. You spend ki points any time an action
at least 1 minute per spell level for each spell would call for sorcery points. You gain
on your list. another one at 11th level and 17th level.
Spellcasting Ability. Intelligence is your
spellcasting ability for your techniques. You WAY OF THE ARCANE KI IN-GAME
use your Intelligence whenever a technique The Way of the Arcane Ki combines several
refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, class options into a versatile package and can
you use your Intelligence modifier when seem incredibly powerful at first glance. Like
setting the saving throw DC for a technique the paladin and ranger classes, the Arcane Ki
and when making an attack roll with one. monk is a powerful combatant with
spellcasting abilities. Like those two classes, it
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + uses a “half progression” for its spells rather
your Intelligence modifier than the “full progression” of classes like the
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency cleric or wizard. Because the Way of the
bonus + your Intelligence modifier Arcane Ki is an archetype rather than a base
class, the end result is similar to the Eldritch
Ritual Casting. You can cast a spell as a Knight with the sorcerer’s Metamagic abilities
ritual if that spell has the ritual tag and you rounding out the class similar to the Eldritch
have the spell in your spellbook. You don’t Knight’s War Magic.
have to have the spell prepared. Dungeon Masters and players both need to
Arcane Focus. You can use an arcane focus keep the Arcane Ki spell list in mind over the
as a spellcasting focus for your spells. course of a campaign. Generally, only wizards
Learning Spells of 1st Level and Higher. are able to copy a spell scroll found as part of
Each time you gain a monk level, you can add a defeated dragon’s hoard but Arcane Ki
one Arcane Ki spell of your choice to your monks have that option as well. This can have
spellbook for free. These spells represent your unexpected or unintended results on a
continued study and experience while campaign if not planned for.
adventuring. Each of these spells must be of a The Arcane Ki spell list combines elements
level for which you have spell slots. On your of several other classes’ spell lists. While the
adventures, you might find other spells that game mechanics are the same, the thematic
you can add to your spellbook (see the “Your tone and in-game appearance will be much
Spellbook” sidebar on page 114 of the different between the classes. Clerics, as
Player’s Handbook). Because your active servants of their chosen god(s), cast
spellcasting ability relies as much on ki spells by calling on the aid of their patron or
manipulation as arcane formulae, the spell possibly leading others in doing the same.
must be on the Arcane Ki spell list. Monks, on the other hand, tend to practice
methods of awareness of the mind and body
and bolster their natural abilities through the
manipulation of ki. Chanting, breathing

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exercises, and kata can all be observed while
watching a monk cast one of these spells
whether it is for their own benefit or to
manipulate the ki of someone else. Remember
that hit points are an abstraction. While a
cleric’s cure wounds may literally close
wounds and mend broken bones, the monk
will calm the mind and strengthen the will.

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 ARCANE KI SPELL LIST
Enthrall
CANTRIPS (0 LEVEL) Gentle Repose
Blade Ward Hold Person
Friends Invisibility
Guidance Lesser Restoration
Message Levitate
Resistance Locate Animals or Plants
Spare the Dying Mirror Image
True Strike Misty Step
Nystul’s Magic Aura
1ST LEVEL Pass Without Trace
Animal Friendship Prayer of Healing
Bane Protection from Poison
Bless Ray of Enfeeblement
Charm Person See Invisibility
Command Spider Climb
Cure Wounds Suggestion
Detect Evil and Good Warding Bond
Detect Magic
Detect Poison and Disease 3RD LEVEL
Expeditious Retreat Animate Dead
False Life Aura of Vitality
Feather Fall Beacon of Hope
Healing Word Bestow Curse
Inflict Wounds Blinding Smite
Jump Counterspell
Longstrider Dispel Magic
Protection from Evil and Good Feign Death
Ray of Sickness Glyph of Warding
Sanctuary Haste
Sleep Magic Circle
Speak with Animals Mass Healing Word
Meld into Stone
2ND LEVEL Nondetection
Aid Plant Growth
Alter Self Protection from Energy
Animal Messenger Remove Curse
Barkskin Revivify
Beast Sense Speak with Dead
Blindness/Deafness Speak with Plants
Calm Emotions Vampiric Touch
Darkvision Water Breathing
Detect Thoughts Water Walk
Enhance Ability
Enlarge/Reduce

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4TH LEVEL
Aura of Life
Aura of Purity
Blight
Death Ward
Dominate Beast
Greater Invisibility
Locate Creature
Polymorph
Staggering Smite
Stoneskin

5TH LEVEL
Antilife Shell
Awaken
Contagion
Dominate Person
Greater Restoration
Hold Monster
Mass Cure Wounds
Mislead
Modify Memory
Raise Dead
Reincarnate

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