BG3 Monk Build Guide – Best Stats and Subclass

One of the hardest choices in Baldur's Gate 3 is choosing your class. One I've always wanted to try is Monk, and so I began using the BG3 character builder to make the perfect Monk, which meant optimizing and making the right selections in order to create a frontline fighter that can throw and take a punch.

Best Monk Build in Baldur's Gate 3

Monks are the fist-flinging martial classes of Baldur's Gate 3. They excel in unarmed combat, turning their bodies into weapons. But like all weapons, they need to be sharpened by the right build. Choosing the best race, stats, and subclass will make your Monk stand out in combat. Let's explore the best Monk build in Baldur's Gate 3.

Best Stats and Race for Monk in Baldur's Gate 3

Your most important stats for Monk are Dexterity and Wisdom, followed by Constitution. Dexterity and Wisdom are used to determine your armor class with the Monk's Unarmored Defense, making these crucial. Wisdom is also used for your Ki abilities, which you will want for Stunning Strike. Leveling up, you should focus on increasing these three stats as much as possible.

Wood Elf is my preferred race, but Half-Orc is a good choice as well. Wood Elf provides additional movement and proficiency in Stealth, creating a stealthy and mobile Monk. Half-Orcs Relentless Endurance is a powerful ability that lets you push off death a little longer and let your Monk be a little tanky.

• Race - Wood Elf/Half-Orc
• Strength - 12
• Dexterity - 17
• Constitution - 14
• Intelligence - 8
• Wisdom - 14
• Charisma - 10

Related: BG3 Class Tier List – Best Classes and Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3

Best Subclass for Monk Baldur's Gate 3

Way of the Open Hand is easily the best subclass for Monk in Baldur's Gate 3. Open Hand Technique lets you knock an enemy prone, push it away, or prevent it from taking reactions when you land a strike. This lets you control the battlefield better and take advantage of the Monk's speed and multiple hits.

I prefer Way of the Open Hand as its abilities are less reliant on Ki Points; Way of the Four Elements and Way of the Shadow are too dependent on spending Ki for my taste, but they are both viable subclasses as well.

Best Skills for Monk in Baldur's Gate 3

Monks rely on being mobile, so Acrobatics and Athletics are great skills to have. Outside of combat, they are naturally strong in Wisdom-based skills like Perception, Survival, and Insight. I typically choose Soldier or Outlander to ensure I have the Athletics skill, but you can choose another if you prefer. Other strong Monk skills are Stealth, History, and Religion.

Best Monk Features and Feats - Baldur's Gate 3

The best feats for a Monk in Baldur's Gate 3 are Ability Score Improvement, Alert, Mobile, Tough, and Athlete. Monks excel at being mobile, so Mobile and Athlete greatly increase your ability to move around the battlefield. Likewise, Alert ensures that you are near the top of the initiative. Finally, Tough and Ability Score Improvement increases your stats or raises your HP. Here is the Monk progression path in Baldur's Gate 3.

Best Tavern Brawler Build for Monks in Baldurs Gate 3

While the above build is a good way to play Monk, players have discovered some funs way to interact with the world as a Monk, specifically through the Tavern Brawler feat. It combines the Monk class with a Fighter multiclass and relies on Strength rather than the typical Dexterity builds for Monks. If you're looking for a fun way to play Monk, check out our Tavern Brawler Monk build.

For more information on Baldur's Gate 3, check out Baldurs Gate 3 All Companions, Ranked and BG3 Tempest Cleric Sorcerer Build Guide – Best Stats and Spells on Pro Game Guides.