Baldur's Gate 3: Best Monk Class Build

<br>Updated April 6, 2025 by Erik Petrovich : Patch 8 for Baldur's Gate 3 is right around the corner, and though lots of the new subclasses seem like a lot of fun to play, the base game still offers some very powerful options for the best Monk build in BG3. The Way of Shadow Monk is still the best Monk build in BG3 – but that could change with the release of Patch 8. Until then, stick with this Way of Shadow Monk guide to learn the best Monk build tips, what makes the Way of Shadow such a powerful subclass for the Monk, and other information that will help you min-max your Monk character. This Monk build guide has been updated to add in-game flavor descriptions of the class and subclass, as well as a new small section with the best consumables for the Monk, including both potions and elixirs, in the Equipment section.<br><br>Touch an enemy to syphon their life force. You regain half as many hit points as hit points as the damage they take. For 10 turns, you can use Vampiric Touch again without expending an additional spell slot.<br><br>Grant a semblance of life to a corpse, allowing it to answer questions. Skeleton and creatures killed with Acid, Fire, Lightning, Necrotic, or Radiant damage no longer have a mouth and can't be made to talk using this spell.<br><br>Here is a list of all the weapons that you can find in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Weapon Name/Icon in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information including Weapon properties and other helpful information.<br><br>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.<br><br>In <a href="https://Www.Baldursgateguide.com/articles/larian-s-final-bg3-animation-celebrates-fans.html">Baldur's Gate 3</a> , 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.<br><br>They are fantastic in melee, especially with at least another allied melee fighter in range who can take advantage of the Paladin's buffs and close-range support (and the limited range of Lay on Hands). At Level 1, Oath of Devotion Paladins get their first Channel Oath ability: Holy Rebuke , which damages melee attackers.<br><br>Target yourself or an ally to become Hastened. The creature has a +2 bonus to Armour Class, Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws, its Movement Speed is doubled, and can take one additional Action per turn.<br>Transform yourself or an ally into a cloud of mist to avoid attacks. The target becomes Resistant to all damage, gains Advantage on Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength Saving Throws, and becomes tiny in size.<br><br>Here's a list of all the Transmutation Spells in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Spell in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information including Spell properties and other helpful information.<br><br>Create a sphere of cold blackness, teeming with unknown horrors. Creatures starting their turn in the take 2d6 Cold damage. Creatures ending their turn in the area possibly take 2d6 Acid damage. The area is Difficult Terrain and creatures within are Blinded.<br><br>Target yourself or an ally to become Hastened. The creature has a +2 bonus to Armour Class, Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws, its Movement Speed is doubled, and can take one additional Action per turn.<br><br>Cause a metal weapon or armour to glow red-hot and force the creature touching it to let go or receive Disadvantage on Attack Rolls and Ability Checks. If the creature is only wearing metal armour, it always rcccivcs Disadvantage. If the creature is still touching the metal, you can use a bonus action on subsequent turns to deal another 2d8 Fire damage and force the creature to let go or receive Disadvantage.<br><br>It's worth dipping into Fighter a little bit for the one extra attack, but players can even go as far as Ranger 7/Fighter 5 to get an extra attack every turn, though this mean losing out on more high-level Ranger abilities.<br><br>The Ranger's Favored Enemy choice is tough, and it works differently than it did in the tabletop Dungeons and Dragons . Of the choices available, the Bounty Hunter is arguably the most useful Favored Enemy when paired with Summon Companion.<br><br>Some other races may offer more HP or Strength, which can be beneficial for a melee support role like the Oath of Devotion Paladin, but this single ability will unlock many more doors – figuratively and literally.<br><br>Transform yourself or an ally into a cloud of mist to avoid attacks. The target becomes Resistant to all damage, gains Advantage on Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength Saving Throws, and becomes tiny in size.<br><br>Project a phantasmal image so frightening it makes targets drop whatever they are holding and become Fearful. If the target ends their turn where they can't see you, they can make another Saving Throw to shake off their fear.<br>