Curse a creature so it takes additional damage whenever you attack it and to inflict Disadvantage on Ability Checks with an Ability of your choosing. If the target dies before the spell ends, you can use a bonus action to hex a new creature.
Monks who follow the Way of Shadow subclass will find themselves more easily able to pull off stealthy maneuvers and benefit from sticking to the shadows and out of sight. It’s something between a melee and a ranged caster class, with lots of variety – now that the full release of Baldur’s Gate 3 is here, fans are starting to understand just how strong this invoker class mod can be.
The unique Monk feature is Ki, a unique resource that refreshes with every Short Rest, and is used to fuel many of the best Monk abilities. Players start with just two Ki, then gain one for each level-up.
Magically Charm a humanoid to gain Advantage on Ability Checks in dialogue and prevent it from attacking. Enemies have Advantage on Saving Throws against being Charmed. When the spell ends, the target might accuse you of Charming them.
Your weapon gleams with astral radiance as you strike and possibly marks your target with light, preventing it from turning Invisible. If the spellcaster misses the initial Attack, the spell slot and Bonus Action are not consumed. This spell will work with Ranged weaponry.
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.
Summon a flaming sphere that deals 2d6 Fire damage to nearby enemies and objects. It also sheds bright light in a 6m radius, and dim light for an additional 6m. On a successful save, enemy creatures still take half damage.
Your weapon gleams with astral radiance as you strike and possibly marks your target with light, preventing it from turning Invisible. If the spellcaster misses the initial Attack, the spell slot and Bonus Action are not consumed. This spell will work with Ranged weaponry.
In Baldur’s Gate 3 , 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.
The max level in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Level 12, and most of the time, each level you gain will grant something new for your Monk build. In character creation you gain the basics for the Monk class, then steadily gain Feat Choices, new spells and abilities, subclass features, and increase your Proficiency Bonus.
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.
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.
In Baldur’s Gate 3 the max level you can reach is Level 12, and most classes will have something to choose from at every level-up. Unfortunately, this BG3 Monk build has the fewest number of leveling choices to make. In fact, aside from your Subclass and Feats, Monks don’t really have any leveling choices to make.
Here’s a list of all the Evocation 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.
Generate a painfully intense ringing noise that deals 3d8 Thunder damage to all nearby creatures and objects. Affected creatures made of inorganic material such as stone have disadvantage on their saving throws. On a successful save, creatures still take half damage.
Monks rely on DEX and WIS for the majority of their abilities, and Way of Shadow Monk builds are no different. Choose a background that either fits with these types of skills for further bonuses to your rolls, like the Criminal which grants proficiency to Stealth (used for Hide) and Deception.
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.
