Alternate Monk

Alternate Monk
The young man took a deep breath and focused himself as
the ogre charged forward. He thought back to his training at
the monastery and prepared to counter the incoming blow.
As the ogre's club struck the dirt where he had been only
moments before, the young man drew upon the reservoir of
spiritual power within himself and unleashed a flurry of
blows upon the unsuspecting creature. Before the beast
could realize what had happened, it lay motionless in the
mud. Hopefully, when the ogre regained consciousness it
would think twice before raiding the local homesteads.
Moving silently through the darkness of the moonless
night, a squad of hobgoblin Iron Shadows approached the
tent of the enemy general. Trained from birth as assassins,
the lethal warriors slew the enemy guards without a sound.
As the general stirred from sleep, his eyed widened as the
hobgoblins seemed to appear from the darkness itself. He
tried to call for help, but no sound came from his mouth
as his life was ruthlessly snuffed out by the assassins. As
quietly as they had arrived, the Iron Shadows disappeared
into the night, another mission successfully completed.
The Grand Master stepped forward to block the pass.
As her students reluctantly fled into the mountains, she
studied the horde of goblins that would soon be upon her.
Though she was the most powerful living Wu Jen master,
even in her prime she could not hope to slay half this many
foes. She dropped her cloak from her shoulders, and her
tattoos glistened with elemental magic as she prepared to
bring down the mountain itself down upon her. Though she
would most certainly perish, the pass would be blocked, and
most importantly, her students would be able to escape.
Mastery of Body and Mind
Where most warriors only seek physical perfection, monks
spend their lives training both their body and mind to work
together. When both aspects of themselves are mastered, a Creating
monk is able to channel the life-giving spiritual energy that Your Monk
dwells within themselves, their ki. Drawing upon this hidden When you create your monk, consider who instructed you in
power, these reclusive warriors are able to perform almost the ways of martial arts, and what they had to give up in order
supernatural feats of physicality and acrobatics. to become a student. Were you an orphan left on the steps of
Looking always inward, monks often eschew any material a mountain monastery, raised from birth as a student of the
possession they cannot carry on their backs, instead focusing Eternal Mountain technique? Or were you the lesser child of
on immaterial wealth. Whether enlightenment, happiness, a noble family who gave up everything in order to learn the
challenging foes, or tests of might, all monks usually have an Shadow Arts in a quest for vengeance? Whatever the reason
ideal or goal that they are constantly striving toward. for your training, consider why you left a life of solitude and
Mystic Asceticism introspection for the dangerous life of an adventurer.
Often trained in hidden monasteries or by reclusive masters,
monks must often give up any inheritance or titles in order to Multiclassing and the Monk
be accepted as monastic students. Some grand masters even If your group uses the optional multiclassing rule,
require years of servitude and dedication to the monastery here's what you need to know if you choose to
before they will even begin to train a new pupil. Once begun, take a level in the monk class.
a monks training does not stop until the day they die. They Ability Score Minimum. As a multiclass character,
are expected to spend all of their heart, mind, soul, and will in you must have at least a 13 in both Dexterity and
their quest to discover a more perfect self. Wisdom to take a level in this class, or to take a
Even the greatest monastic masters will sometimes seek level in another class if you are already a monk.
out other monasteries, entering as a novice, even in old age. Proficiencies. If monk isn't your initial class, here
The quest for perfection is never-ending, and despite great are the proficiencies you gain when you take your
spiritual progress, the greatest view themselves as novices, first level as a monk: simple weapons, shortswords.
eager to progress on the next step to enlightenment.
The Monk
Monk Prof. Class Martial Unarmored Techniques
Level Bonus Features Arts Movement Known
1st +2 Martial Arts, Unarmored Defense 1d6 ─ ─
2nd +2 Ki, Flurry of Blows, Unarmored Movement 1d6 +10 ft. 3
3rd +2 Monastic Tradition 1d6 +10 ft. 3
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement, Slow Fall 1d6 +10 ft. 3
5th +3 Deflect Missiles, Extra Attack 1d8 +10 ft. 4
6th +3 Enlightened Fist, Monastic Tradition Feature 1d8 +15 ft. 4
7th +3 Spirit of Tranquility, Stillness of Mind 1d8 +15 ft. 5
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 1d8 +15 ft. 5
9th +4 ─ 1d8 +15 ft. 6
10th +4 Purity of Body 1d8 +20 ft. 6
11th +4 Monastic Tradition Feature 1d10 +20 ft. 7
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 1d10 +20 ft. 7
13th +5 ─ 1d10 +20 ft. 8
14th +5 Evasion 1d10 +25 ft. 8
15th +5 Timeless Body 1d10 +25 ft. 9
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 1d10 +25 ft. 9
17th +6 Monastic Tradition Feature 1d12 +25 ft. 9
18th +6 ─ 1d12 +30 ft. 10
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 1d12 +30 ft. 10
20th +6 Ascended Soul 1d12 +30 ft. 10

Class Features Martial Arts

Hit Points At 1st level, you train in the use of deadly Martial Arts. Martial
Hit Dice: 1d10 per monk level Arts attacks are unarmed strikes, and attacks with melee
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier. weapons that lack the heavy or special properties.
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution As long as you are not wearing heavy armor or wielding a
modifier per monk level after 1st shield, your Martial Arts attacks gain the following benefits:
Proficiencies You can use your Dexterity modifier, in place of Strength,
Armor: none for your Martial Arts attack and damage rolls, and any
Weapons: Simple weapons, shortswords Athletics checks you make to grapple or shove.
Tools: One set of artisan's tools or musical instrument You can roll your Martial Arts die in place of the normal
Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity damage of a Martial Arts attack. This die starts out as a
Skills: Choose two of the following: Acrobatics, Athletics, d6 and changes as you gain monk levels, as indicated in
History, Insight, Nature, Religion, and Stealth the Martial Arts column of the Monk table above.
When you use your Attack action to make a Martial Arts
Equipment attack, you can use your bonus action on that same turn
You start with the following equipment. to make a single unarmed strike attack.
(a) a shortsword or (b) any simple weapon Some styles of Martial Arts make use of exotic weapons
(a) a shortbow and 20 arrows or (b) 20 darts like nunchaku (clubs), kamas (sickles), or sai (daggers).
(a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack Unarmored Defense
Quick Build Your quick reflexes allow you to defend yourself even when
You can make a monk quickly by using these suggestions. unarmored. Beginning at 1st level, while you are wearing no
First, make Dexterity your highest ability score, followed armor and not wielding a shield, your Armor Class is equal
by your Wisdom. Second, choose the acolyte background. to 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Wisdom modifier.
Ki
At 2nd level, you learn to manipulate the spiritual energy that Unarmored Movement
resides within you, known as ki. You can draw on your ki to Your pursuit of physical perfection and practice of meditation
perform supernatural physical feats known as techniques. has unlocked the hidden potential of your body. Beginning at
Ki Points 2nd level, your movement speed increases by 10 feet so long
Your inner reserve of ki is represented by a pool of ki points. as you are not wearing armor or wielding a shield.
This pool has a total number of ki points equal to your monk As you gain levels in this class, this bonus to your base
level + your Wisdom modifier. You regain expended ki points movement speed increases as indicated in the Unarmored
when you finish a short or long rest, so long as you spent at Movement column of the Monk table.
least 30 minutes of that rest in spiritual meditation. Monastic Tradition
Techniques Known At 3rd level, choose one of the following Monastic Traditions
At 2nd level, you learn three techniques of your choice from that best represents your training and philosophy as a monk:
the list at the end of this class description. The Monk table Way of the Open Hand, Way of the Shadow Arts, or Way of
shows when you learn more techniques of your choice. Each the Wu Jen, each of which is detailed at the end of this class.
time you gain a monk level, you can choose a technique you The Monastic Tradition you choose grants you features at
know and replace it with another technique of your choice. 3rd level, and again when you reach 6th, 11th, and 17th level.
Saving Throws Ability Score Improvement
Techniques rely on your mastery over your body, and grow in When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and
proportion to your self-control. When a technique requires a 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice
saving throw, the saving throw DC is calculated as follows: by 2, or two ability scores by 1. As normal, you can't increase
Technique save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus one of your ability scores above 20 using this feature.
+ your Wisdom modifier
Slow Fall
Flurry of Blows You are as light as a feather when you move through the air.
At 2nd level, when you take the Attack action, you can spend Starting at 4th level, any fall damage you take is reduced by
1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action. an amount equal to five times your monk level, so long as you
When you reach 11th level in this class, you can make are conscious. If this reduces the fall damage you would take
three unarmed strikes when you use this feature. to 0 you can choose to land on your feet.
Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once,
whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
Deflect Missiles
Also at 5th level, when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack,
you can use your reaction to reduce the incoming damage by
an amount equal to your Martial Arts die + your Dexterity
modifier + your monk level. If you reduce the damage to 0 you
can choose to catch the projectile if you have a free hand.
If you catch the projectile, you can spend 1 ki point as part
of the same reaction to make a ranged (20/60) Martial Arts
attack with the projectile. You are proficient with this attack.
Enlightened Fist
Your spirit empowers your strikes. Starting at 6th level, your
Martial Arts attacks count as magical for the purposes of
overcoming resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks.
Spirit of Tranquility
Beginning at 7th level, the strength of your spirit enhances
your physical and mental defenses. Whenever you make a
saving throw while you are conscious you gain a bonus to
your roll equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of +1).
Stillness of Mind
You can quiet your mind in order to regain control of yourself.
Also at 7th level, if you are charmed or frightened when you
start your turn, you can choose to immediately end either the
Monastic
charmed or the frightened condition on yourself. If you do so,
you cannot take an action on that turn.
Traditions
Choose one of the following Monastic Traditions that best
Purity of Body represents the philosophy and training of your monk: Way
of the Open Hand, Way of Radiance, Way of the Reaper,
At 10th level, your ki protects you against physical ailments. Way of the Shadow Arts, or Way of the Wu Jen.
You are immune to all disease and the poisoned condition.
Also, whenever you make a saving throw and fail, you can Way of the Open Hand
spend 1 ki point to reroll it and take the second result.
While all monks are warriors, monks who follow the Way of
Evasion the Open Hand relentlessly train, forging their bodies into
deadly weapons. They do not neglect spiritual training, but
Starting at 14th level, your instinctive agility lets you dodge disciples of the Open Hand pride themselves on their skill
out of the way of certain area effects, such as a black dragon's with martial arts, and it is exceptionally rare to see an Open
acid breath or a lightning bolt spell. When you are subjected Hand monk who wields a weapon other than their fists.
to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw
to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you Disciple of Many Forms
succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if you fail. When you adopt this Tradition at 3rd level, you learn one of
the following techniques of your choice: Arresting Strike,
Timeless Body Crippling Strike, or Empowered Strike, and it doesn't count
Beginning at 15th level, you have detached yourself from the against your total number of Techniques Known.
desires of the flesh. You no longer require food or water and When you gain a level in this class, you can replace this
you suffer none of the frailty of old age. Additionally, for every technique with another Strike technique of your choice.
10 years that pass your body ages only 1 year
Flurry of Fists
Ascended Soul You attack with blinding speed when not fettered by weapons
of wood and steel. Starting at 3rd level, when you take the
You have gained such mastery over your spirit that you can Attack action and make only unarmed strikes, you can make
meditate even while performing other actions. At 20th level, one additional unarmed strike as part of that Attack action.
you can use a bonus action to regain a number of ki points When you do so, you cannot make an additional unarmed
equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1 ki point). strike with your bonus action unless you use Flurry of Blows.
 Grand Master of the Open Hand
You are an unparalleled master of martial arts and are able to
strike with wondrous speed and power. Upon reaching 17th
level in this class, you gain the following benefits:
When you use Flurry of Fists you make two additional
unarmed strikes as part of that action instead of one.
When you use Ebb and Flow to make an unarmed strike
against a creature, you can make two unarmed strikes.
Way of Radiance
Legends tell of wandering martial artists that can channel ki
into wondrous bursts of radiant light. Monks who follow the
Way of Radiance can control their ki to such a degree that
they can assault their foes with blasts of ki. These radiant
warriors stand as champions of justice, peace, and harmony.
Radiant Bolt
When you adopt this Tradition at 3rd level, you learn to focus
your ki into radiant bolts of searing magic. When you take the
Attack action on your turn, or use Flurry of Blows, you can
replace one or more of your attacks with a radiant bolt.
Your radiant bolts count as ranged Martial Arts attacks
with a normal range of 30 feet and a long range of 90 feet.
Searing Blast
Starting at 6th level, you can create searing blasts of radiant
ki. As a bonus action, you can force creatures in an adjacent
15-foot cone to make a Dexterity saving throw. Creatures take
radiant damage equal to three rolls of your Marital Arts die
on a failed save, and half as much on a successful one.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
Wisdom modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all
expended uses when you finish a long rest. If you are out of
uses, you can expend 1 ki point to use this feature again.
Luminous Burst
Your spirit brims with burning radiance that you can channel
to purify the world. Beginning at 11th level, you can use an
Ebb and Flow action to create a luminous orb of light and hurl it at a point
Beginning at 6th level, you can use the momentum of your foe you can see within 150 feet, where it erupts in burst of light.
to exploit the weakness in their form. When a creature within Creatures in a 20-foot sphere centered on that point must
your reach misses you with a melee attack, you can use your make a Dexterity saving throw. Creatures take 8d6 radiant
reaction to do one of the following: damage on a failed save, and half as much on a success.
When you use this feature you can expend additional ki
You force it to make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed points to empower the burst. For each additional ki point you
save, they are knocked prone and have their movement expend, creatures take an additional 1d6 radiant damage.
speed reduced to zero. Creatures at least one size larger You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
than you have advantage on this saving throw. Wisdom modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all
You can make one unarmed strike against the creature. expended uses when you finish a long rest. If you are out of
uses, you can expend 3 ki points to use this feature again.
Empowered Strike
Starting at 11th level, your fists strike with the force of your Grand Master of Radiance
unyielding will. When you score a critical hit with an unarmed Your radiant spirit can stand against the greatest powers of
strike, the target has disadvantage on any technique saving darkness. At 17th level, you gain the following benefits:
throw you force it to make as part of that attack.
You gain a flying speed equal to your movement speed.
Master of Many Forms You become wreathed in light. You shed bright light in a
You are an expert martial artist and are able to master new 30-foot radius and dim light for 30 feet beyond that. You
techniques with ease. Beginning at 11th level, whenever you can extinguish or restore the light as a bonus action.
finish a long rest, you can replace one technique you know The radiant damage from your radiant bolt, searing blast,
with another technique of your choice. and luminous burst attacks all count as true sunlight.
 Grand Master of Death
You have learned the final technique of a Reaper, channeling
deathly ki into your enemies. Starting at 17th level, when you
take the Attack action on your turn, you can touch a creature
in place of one of your attacks, and expend 1 to 10 ki points.
The creature must make a Constitution saving throw. It takes
2d10 necrotic damage per ki point spent on a failed save, or
half as much damage on a successful one. A creature that is
frightened of you has disadvantage on their saving throw.
Way of the Shadow Arts
While most practitioners of martial arts place a high value on
honorable conduct and combat, those who follow the Way of
the Shadow Arts exploit every weakness possible. Assassins,
spies, and infiltrators, Shadow Art monks use the darkness to
their advantage and strike only when their success is assured.
Eyes of Night
You have mastered the art of fighting in darkness. When you
adopt this Monastic Tradition at 3rd level, you gain darkvision
Way of the Reaper out to a range of 60 feet. If you already have darkvision from
While most Monastic Traditions focus on living life to its full your race or lineage, its range increases by 30 feet.
potential, some instead become obsessed with the taking of In addition, you have advantage on any Dexterity (Stealth)
life. One such order is the Way of the Reaper. These monks checks you make while you are in dim light or darkness.
are experts at snuffing out the life force of other beings and Shadow Arts
drawing in the ki of the dead to fuel their own martial power. Starting at 3rd level, you can draw forth the darkness from
Frightful Touch your own spirit to produce the effects of certain spells. As an
When you adopt this Tradition at 3rd level, you learn to infect action, you can cast the following spells without providing a
a creature's ki with an overwhelming fear of death. When you spell slot or their material components: darkness, darkvision,
hit a creature with a Martial Arts attack, you can force them pass without trace, or silence. You can see through magical
to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, they are darkness produced by the effects any spell you cast.
frightened of you until the start of your next turn. Once you cast each of these spells you must finish a long
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your rest before you can do so again, unless you spend 2 ki points.
Wisdom modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all Shadow Step
expended uses when you finish a long rest. If you are out of You move as an undetected shadow through the darkness.
uses, you can expend 1 ki point to use this feature again. Beginning at 6th level, you can step from one shadow into
Sinister Vitality another. When you are in dim light or darkness, you can use
Also beginning at 3rd level, you can surround yourself with a your bonus action to teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied
shroud of necrotic vitality. As a bonus action on your turn, you space you can see that is also in dim light or darkness. After
can grant yourself temporary hit points equal to your Wisdom teleporting in this way, you have advantage on the first
modifier (minimum of 1 temporary hit point). Temporary hit Martial Arts attack you make before the end of that turn.
points gained from this feature last until your next long rest. Cloak of Shadows
Necrotic Spirit Starting at 11th level, you can become one with the darkness.
Your obsession with death has infected every aspect of your When you are in an area of dim light or darkness, you can use
body and spirit. At 6th level, you gain the following benefits: your action to become invisible. You remain invisible until you
make an attack, cast a spell, or are in an area of bright light.
You can cause your unarmed strikes to deal necrotic While invisible, you can make an opportunity attack as a
damage in place of the normal bludgeoning damage. reaction when when a creature moves within your reach.
You gain resistance to necrotic damage.
While you have temporary hit points from Sinister Vitality, Grand Master of Shadows
you are resistant to all bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing You are an unquestioned master of the Shadow Arts. Upon
damage from non-magial attacks. reaching 17th level, you can cast your Shadow Arts spells
an unlimited amount of times with expending your ki.
Armor of the Grave You also learn shadow techniques only learned by masters.
You have become so familiar with its death that you can resist As an action, you can cast greater invisibility or shadow of
its grasp when you near the end. Starting at 11th level, when moil, targeting only yourself, without expending a spell slot.
you are reduced to 0 hit points but no killed outright, you can Once you cast each of these spells you must finish a long
spend 1 ki point to fall to 1 hit point instead. rest before you can do so again, unless you spend 4 ki points.
Way of the Wu Jen
Rather than focus inward, some monks attune themselves to
the forces of nature. Known as Wu Jens, these reclusive sages
augment their skills with the power of the five elements; air,
earth, fire, water, and wood. Through meditation, they learn
to produce overwhelming displays of elemental power.
Disciple of the Elements
When you adopt this Tradition at 3rd level, you learn ancient
Elemental Techniques that allow you cast spells.
Spell Slots. The Wu Jen Spellcasting table shows how
many spell slots you have, and the level of those slots. All of
your spell slots are the same level. To cast a Wu Jen spell of
1st-level or higher, you must expend a spell slot. You use the
spell's casting time and other rules, but you don't need to
provide material components. You regain all expended Wu
Jen spell slots when you finish a short or long rest.
For example, as a 7th level Wu Jen, you have two 2nd-level
spell slots from your Wu Jen Spellcasting. To cast the 1st-
level spell thunderwave, you must spend one of those slots,
and you cast thunderwave as a 2nd-level spell.
Spells Known of 1st-Level and Higher. You learn two
1st-level spells of your choice from the Wu Jen spell list. The
Spells Known column of the Wu Jen Spellcasting table shows
when you learn more Wu Jen spells of 1st-level or higher. A
spell you choose must be of a level no higher than what's
shown in the table's Slot Level column for your level.
When you reach 7th level, for example, you learn a new
Wu Jen spell of your choice, which can be 1st or 2nd-level.
When you gain a level, you can choose a Wu Jen spell you
know and replace it with another spell from the Wu Jen spell
list, which must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
Spellcasting Ability. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability Wu Jen Spellcasting
for your Wu Jen spells, so you use your Wisdom whenever a Monk Level Spells Known Spell Slots Slot Level
spell refers to your spellcasting ability, when setting a saving
throw DC, and when making a spell attack roll. 3rd 2 1 1st
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus 4th 2 2 1st
+ your Wisdom modifier 5th 3 2 1st
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus 6th 3 2 1st
+ your Wisdom modifier
7th 4 2 2nd
Elemental Attunement 8th 4 2 2nd
Also at 3rd level, you can learn to control the five elements in
minor ways. When you learn a Wu Jen spell, you also learn 9th 5 2 2nd
the elemental cantrip that corresponds with the element of 10th 5 2 2nd
that spell: Air (gust), Earth (mold earth), Fire (control flames),
Water (shape water), Wood (thorn whip). Wisdom is your 11th 5 2 2nd
spellcasting ability for any cantrip you learn this way. 12th 5 2 2nd
If you replace all of your Wu Jen spells of a certain element
you also loose the ability to cast the corresponding cantrip. 13th 6 2 3rd
14th 6 2 3rd
Fist of the Five Ways
You can empower your fists with the five elements. Starting 15th 6 2 3rd
at 6th level, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, 16th 6 2 3rd
you can choose for your unarmed strike to deal elemental
damage that corresponds to the element of Wu Jen spell you 17th 7 2 3rd
know, instead of the normal damage: Air (thunder), Earth 18th 7 2 3rd
(piercing), Fire (fire), Water (cold), or Wood (poison). 19th 7 2 4th
Also, when you use your action to cast a Wu Jen spell, you
can make one Martial Arts attack as a bonus action. 20th 7 2 4th
Spiritual Flow
You weave your martial arts with magic. Starting at 11th Techniques
level, when you cast a Wu Jen spell with a casting time of 1 Below are the techniques available to the monk. Each time
action, you can spend 2 ki points to cast it as a bonus action. you gain a level in this class, you can replace one technique
you know with another technique of your choice.
Grand Master of the Elements If a technique has a monk level prerequisite you can learn
Beginning at 17th level, you can use an action to assume an that technique at the same time you meet its prerequisite.
elemental form for 1 minute. This form ends early if you are
incapacitated or you use a bonus action to end it. Once you Arresting Strike
use this feature you must finish a long rest before you can When you hit a creature with a Martial Arts attack, you can
use it again, unless you expend 6 ki points to do so again. spend 1 ki point and force the target to make a Dexterity
While in your elemental form you gain the benefits listed saving throw. On a failed save, the target's movement speed
below, so long as you know a Wu Jen spell of that element. is reduced to zero until the start of your next turn.
Air. You gain a flying speed of 60 feet and can hover. When you reach 11th level in this class, you can use this
Earth. You are resistant to bludgeoning, piercing, and Technique once per turn without expending a ki point.
slashing damage from nonmagical attacks.
Fire. Any creature that hits you with a melee attack takes Crippling Strike
fire damage equal to 1d10 + your Wisdom modifier. When you hit a creature with a Martial Arts attack, you can
Water. Critical hits against you become normal hits. spend 1 ki point and force the target to make a Constitution
Wood. You gain temporary hit points equal to your Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, they are blinded, deafened, or
modifier (minimum of 1) at the start of each of your turns. muted (your choice) until the start of your next turn. A muted
creature can't speak or produce verbal components for spells.
Wu Jen Spell List When you reach 11th level in this class, you can use this
Below are the spells available to Wu Jen monks, organized by Technique once per turn without expending a ki point.
spell level. They are from the Player's Handbook, Xanathar's Empowered Strike
Guide to Everything, and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. When you hit a creature with a Martial Arts attack, you can
The spells listed below have also been assigned one of the spend 1 ki point and force it to make a Strength saving throw.
five Wu Jen elements: AirA, EarthE, FireF, WaterW, or WoodD. On a failed save, the target is knocked back in a straight line a
1st-Level 3rd-Level number of feet equal to five times your Wisdom modifier
absorb elementsE call lightingA (minimum of 5 feet) and falls prone. Creatures at least once
armor of frostW erupting earthE size larger than you have advantage on their saving throw.
burning handsF fireball F When you reach 11th level in this class, you can use this
create or destroy waterW flyA Technique once per turn without expending a ki point.
earth tremorE gaseous formA Patient Defense
ensnaring strikeD lighting boltA You enter a defensive stance. You can spend 1 ki point to take
entangleD meld into stoneE the Dodge action as a bonus action on your turn.
fog cloud A minute meteorsF
frost fingersW plant growthD Quickened Healing
gust of wind A sleet stormW You can use your ki to stimulate natural healing. As an action
hellish rebukeF speak with plantsD on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to regain hit points
ice knifeW thunder stepA equal to your Martial Arts die + your Wisdom modifier.
sanctuaryE tidal waveW
thunderwaveA wall of sandE Step of the Wind
wall of waterW You move with the speed of the wind. You can take the Dash
2nd-Level wind wallA or Disengage action as a bonus action. When you do so, your
barkskinD jump distance is doubled until the end of your current turn.
dust devil A 4th-Level
earthbindE aura of lifeD Gentling Touch
earthen graspE control waterW Prerequisite: 5th level monk
flaming sphereF fire shield F As an action you can spend 1 ki point and touch a creature,
flameblade F freedom of movement A attempting to manipulate their ki to put them to sleep. Roll
gust of windA grasping vineD your Martial Arts die five times. If the target's remaining hit
hold personW guardian of nature (tree)D points are less than or equal to the amount you rolled, they
levitateA ice stormW fall unconscious for 10 minutes. They wake up if they take
misty stepW resilient sphereE damage or another creature uses an action to wake them.
scorching rayF stone shapeE You can expend additional ki to increase the number of
shatterA stoneskinE Martial Arts die you roll for this technique. For each extra ki
snowball swarmW storm sphere A point you spend you can roll two more Martial Arts dice.
spike growthD wall of fireF
warding wind A watery sphereW
Seeking Strike Enlightened Integrity
Prerequisite: 5th level monk Prerequisite: 13th level monk
When you miss with a Martial Arts attack, you can spend 1 ki Your sense of self and strength of your will are unshakable.
point to reroll your attack. You must use the new result. You are immune to the charmed and frightened conditions.
Slowing Strike Mantle of Courtesy
Prerequisite: 5th level monk Prerequisite: 13th level monk
When you hit a creature with a Martial Arts attack, you can You gain proficiency in Persuasion and it becomes a Wisdom
spend 1 ki point to interfere with the flow of their ki, forcing based skill for you. When you make a Wisdom (Persuasion)
them to make a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, the check you can treat a roll of 9 or lower on the d20 as a 10.
creature suffers the effects of the slow spell until the start of
your next turn. You do not need to concentrate on this effect. Tongue of Sun and Moon
Prerequisite: 13th level monk
Unyielding Perseverance You can touch the ki of other minds and communicate with
Prerequisite: 5th level monk any creature that speaks language. Creatures that speak no
You can draw upon your ki to find success in times of great languages can communicate and understand simple ideas.
need. When you make an ability check or saving throw, you
can spend any number of ki points and add them to your roll. Awaken the Third Eye
You can use this feature after you roll, but before you know Prerequisite: 18th level monk
whether you succeed or fail. You can open your mind to the ki that flows through all living
things, allowing you to predict the actions of creatures before
Stunning Strike they happen. You can perform a 1 minute meditative ritual
Prerequisite: 5th level monk where you expend 8 ki points to cast foresight, targeting only
When you hit a creature with a Martial Arts attack, you can yourself. While this effect is active, your ki point maximum is
spend 1 ki point to strike them with deadly force, forcing the reduced by 8. You can end this effect as an action.
target to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save,
the creature is stunned until the beginning of your next turn. Empty Body
The creature can use an action on their turn to repeat their Prerequisite: 18th level monk
saving throw, ending the stun effect on a success. As a bonus action on your turn, you can spend 4 ki points to
become invisible for 1 minute. While invisible in this way, you
Aura Sight gain resistance to all damage except for force damage.
Prerequisite: 9th level monk You can also spend 8 ki points to cast astral projection,
You can reach out with your ki to sense your surroundings. without needing material components. When you do so, you
You gain blindsight with a range of 10 feet. Within that range, target only yourself and can't take other creatures with you.
you can see anything that isn't behind total cover, even if you
are blinded or in darkness. You can see invisible creatures in Quivering Palm
that range, unless the creature successfully hides from you. Prerequisite: 18th level monk
As you gain levels in this class the range of this blindsight When you hit a creature with a Martial Arts attack, you can
increases; at 13th level (20 feet) and 18th level (40 feet). spend 5 ki points to infuse their spirit with imperceptible
vibrations, which last for a maximum number of days equal
Heavenly Step to your monk level. So long as you and the creature are on the
Prerequisite: 9th level monk same plane of existence, you can use your action to end these
You can move along vertical surfaces, across liquids, and vibrations and force the target to make a Constitution saving
upside down on ceilings without falling during the move. throw. It is reduced to 0 hit points on a failed save and takes
If you end your movement on a vertical surface, liquid, or 10d10 necrotic damage on a successful one.
ceiling, you can spend 1 ki point to remain in place without You can have only one creature under the effect of this
falling until the beginning of your next turn. feature at a time and using this feature on another target
harmlessly ends the effects on any other creatures.
Indomitable Spirit
Prerequisite: 9th level monk
When you make an Athletics check you can spend 1 ki point Other Monastic Traditions?
to add your Wisdom modifier (minimum of +1) to your roll. Since the Alternate Monk gains Monastic Tradition
features at the same levels as the monk class as
Armor of the Ascetic presented in the Player's Handbook, the Alternate
Prerequisite: 13th level monk Monk is compatible with the Monastic Traditions
You exude an aura of peace. At the end of each long rest, you presented in both Xanathar's Guide to Everything
gain the effects of sanctuary, which lasts until the start of and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.
your next long rest. The spell can end early as normal. The Alternate Monk is also compatible with any
Additionally, you can spend 1 ki to cast sanctuary normally. homebrew subclass that uses the same subclass
feature progression as the official monk class.
License
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5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J.
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END OF LICENSE
 The Alternate
Monk
Become the master of martial arts you were
meant to be with this alternate take on the monk
class! Includes twenty-one new Techniques and
five revised Monastic Traditions.

Version 1.0.1 - Created by /u/laserllama

Artist Credits:
Covers - Y. Choi - Narset of the Ancient Way
Page 1 - A. Ovchinnikova - Sight Beyond Sight
Page 3 - Willian Murray - Ojutai Exemplars
Page 4 - M. Villeneuve - Academy Journeymage
Page 5 - Chase Stone - Singing Bell Strike
Page 6 - David Palumbo - Deathcult Rogue
Page 7 - Chris Rallis - Flusterstorm

Additional Laserllama Homebrew content

can be found for free on GM Binder.

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