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Is Multiclassing as a Monk Good? A Comprehensive Guide

The simple answer to whether multiclassing as a Monk is good is: it depends. The Monk in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a unique class, reliant on Ki points and a specific fighting style. Multiclassing can dramatically enhance or hinder this, making it crucial to understand the implications before you take the plunge. While some multiclass combinations can unlock devastating builds and solve monk’s inherent weaknesses, others can lead to a character that feels disjointed and ineffective. This article will explore the benefits, drawbacks, and best options for multiclassing your monk, providing a thorough analysis to help you decide if it’s the right path for your character.

Why Multiclass a Monk?

Monks, despite their unique flavor and powerful abilities, face certain challenges. They are often considered a mechanically weaker class compared to some other options, especially at mid-levels (Levels 7-10) where their progression slows, failing to significantly enhance damage or versatility. Monks are primarily a short rest class, and the pacing of most D&D campaigns might not always favor short rests, which makes managing Ki points crucial. Multiclassing can address these issues, providing your monk with the following:

Increased Versatility: Monks are primarily melee-focused. Multiclassing can introduce spellcasting capabilities or access to a broader range of skills.
Damage Boost: While monks deal reasonable damage, they don’t necessarily excel in this area. Pairing with classes like rogue for sneak attack or fighter for action surge can provide a significant increase in damage output.
Improved Survivability: Monks can be vulnerable in early levels, and mixing in classes that offer additional hit points, such as a barbarian or paladin, can increase survivability.
Overcoming Weaknesses: Multiclassing can plug holes in a monk’s repertoire, mitigating their limitations in social encounters or ranged combat.

However, it’s not all upside. Here’s what you need to consider before multiclassing:

The Potential Pitfalls of Multiclassing a Monk

Delayed Progression: Multiclassing delays the progression of your Monk abilities. If your character was intended to be focused on Ki or unarmed fighting, delaying those advancements is impactful.
Ability Score Conflicts: Monks are primarily reliant on Dexterity and Wisdom. Dipping into a class that focuses on Strength or Charisma may not be efficient without a solid ability score spread, and may make you unable to use their features properly.
Ki Point Management: Many multiclass options don’t synergize with the monk’s Ki point system and may detract from the overall benefit.
Class Feature Overlap: Certain class features can overlap or conflict, leading to wasted resources.

Top Multiclass Options for Monk

Given these considerations, some multiclass options are more viable than others. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best and most popular monk multiclass choices:

Rogue: The Sneaky Striker

The Rogue is one of the most popular multiclass options for monks, and for good reason. The combination provides a significant damage output with sneak attack and opens up skills such as expertise.

Synergy: The Thief subclass of Rogue is especially good for monks, as its ability to grant an extra bonus action synergizes well with the plethora of bonus actions available to monks, allowing for two Flurry of Blows per turn, for example. The ability to hide as a bonus action is also helpful to gain sneak attack.
Benefits: Increased damage potential through Sneak Attack, expertise in skills, and cunning action abilities are all great additions to the monk’s toolkit.
Considerations: Be mindful of the reliance on Dexterity and the need for a finesse weapon to trigger sneak attack, which might not mesh with the monk’s martial arts die.

Fighter: The Action-Packed Warrior

Combining a monk with a Fighter class offers some very powerful options for martial combat:

Synergy: Action Surge is incredibly powerful, providing the monk with an extra action in a turn. This is especially good for a flurry of blows or stunning strike, which needs an action.
Benefits: Fighting Styles add extra damage, proficiencies in armor and weapons (though you may not use them), and Second Wind can increase survivability.
Considerations: The fighter class requires a decent strength score to properly use some features.

Cleric: The Wise Healer

Although a less popular choice, multiclassing into Cleric provides a significant option for monks:

Synergy: Thematic alignment, since both value mental discipline, and there are subclasses like Grave Domain which make melee strikes more impactful, is an excellent choice.
Benefits: Access to healing spells, useful buffs, and domain abilities that can enhance your monk’s survivability and utility.
Considerations: Clerics rely on Wisdom, aligning well with the Monk, but spellcasting can be challenging in melee.

Sorcerer: The Spontaneous Spellcaster

Adding Sorcerer can bring a surge of magical potential for your Monk:

Synergy: Metamagic abilities, like quickened spell to cast a spell as a bonus action, can complement a monk’s fighting style.
Benefits: Access to a wide range of spells and metamagic options can add a versatile dimension to your monk.
Considerations: Sorcerers use Charisma for their spellcasting abilities, which might not be an optimal attribute for a monk.

Artificer: The Ingenious Inventor

A somewhat unorthodox choice, multiclassing into Artificer has its unique benefits for monks.

Synergy: Artificers gain infusions and can produce magic items that are effective for monks.
Benefits: Unique magic items can significantly improve monk abilities. Alchemist can provide healing, for example.
Considerations: Like sorcerer, the artificer’s spells use Intelligence, so be mindful of ability score conflicts.

When Should You Multiclass?

The optimal time to multiclass your Monk varies depending on your build. However, it is generally recommended to get at least to level 5, unlocking extra attack, stunning strike and other important abilities. After level 5, you can focus on what is best for your character.

Early Multiclassing: Consider a dip into rogue, fighter, or cleric early to give your character a much needed boost to offense or survivability.
Mid-Level Multiclassing: If your monk starts to feel lacking around level 7-10, multiclassing can reinvigorate the character, adding more versatile options.
Late-Level Multiclassing: This is less common, but if you have a very specific concept in mind, it may be necessary to go this route.

Conclusion

Multiclassing as a Monk can be rewarding and powerful, but it requires careful planning and consideration. While the class has inherent weaknesses that a well-chosen multiclass can address, you also risk losing key abilities if done improperly. By carefully evaluating your options and considering the potential drawbacks and benefits, you can create a uniquely versatile and powerful character. Ultimately, the key is to choose a multiclass that complements the monk’s abilities, rather than detracting from them. Always balance the theoretical strength of your build with your intended play style and campaign theme to maximize your fun and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the monk considered a weak class in D&D 5e?

Yes, the monk is often perceived as one of the weaker classes due to its reliance on Ki points, relatively low damage output, and slow progression at mid levels. However, a skilled player can still have a strong character.

2. What are the main ability scores for a monk?

The main ability scores for a monk are Dexterity, which enhances their attack rolls, AC, and other martial abilities, and Wisdom, which dictates their Ki point abilities and other features.

3. What is the best level to start multiclassing as a monk?

It is generally recommended to reach at least level 5 as a monk, to gain extra attack, before considering multiclassing to take advantage of the class’s core features.

4. Why is the rogue such a popular multiclass option for monk?

The Rogue’s Thief subclass comes with an additional bonus action that perfectly synergizes with the Monk’s ability to use bonus actions frequently, making it a potent option.

5. Can multiclassing into a spellcasting class be effective for a monk?

Yes, but it must be done carefully, as most spellcasting classes require a high Charisma or Intelligence score, not necessarily wisdom, or dexterity, which monks rely on. Cleric is a good option, however.

6. What are some common mistakes to avoid when multiclassing a monk?

Avoid multiclassing into too many classes, as it dilutes your build. Also avoid class combinations that have conflicting ability scores or features.

7. Does multiclassing affect a monk’s Ki point progression?

No, multiclassing does not directly affect a monk’s Ki point progression, which is tied to their monk levels. However, the availability of Ki points may become critical with increased demands in multiple classes.

8. Is it worth multiclassing a monk with a barbarian for a melee combo?

While it seems like it would work, they don’t synergize very well. The Monk cannot use many of its Ki abilities when raging, making the combo largely ineffective.

9. What is the best monk subclass to multiclass with?

Open Hand is a good general option, Shadow is excellent for stealth-based builds, and Mercy provides healing options that can pair well with some other classes.

10. What feats are beneficial for a multiclass monk?

The best feats for monks generally also serve a multiclass monk well; such as Lucky, Crusher, and Mage Slayer.

11. How does multiclassing affect a monk’s Unarmored Defense feature?

Unarmored Defense is specific to the monk’s level, and any other class that grants a similar feature will be ignored, meaning you must pick one of them to calculate armor class.

12. Can a monk multiclass to get proficiency in heavy armor?

Yes, they can, by multiclassing with fighter or paladin, but they will not benefit from the monk’s unarmed defense feature if wearing heavy armor, making it a poor choice.

13. Is it worth multiclassing to get access to extra skills?

Yes, skills are a great boon for monks, especially if you are lacking in certain non-combat encounters, and Rogue, Bard, Ranger, and other classes can easily provide additional skills, expertise, or proficiencies.

14. Can multiclassing give a monk proficiency with ranged weapons?

Yes, several multiclass options offer ranged weapon proficiencies, notably fighter, ranger, or rogue. However, a monk’s strength lies in melee combat, meaning this choice may not be optimal.

15. Does multiclassing ever make a monk worse?

Yes, absolutely. Choosing a suboptimal multiclass path can lead to a character that doesn’t synergize effectively, has ability score conflicts, and loses access to critical class features, so the choice must be made very carefully.

Is multiclassing as monk good?