Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide

This guide focuses on the best Monk build in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Way of Shadow subclass, and includes all components to build a powerful character.

This build page has been updated for thePatch 8 versionof Baldur’s Gate 3.

Everything About the Way of Shadow Monk in BG3

In Baldur’s Gate 3 the Way of the Shadow is a Monk subclass that keeps to the Monk’s premise with high mobility and multiple attacks, but allow for extra spells and crowd control options. Moreover, you will also get extra stealth and invisability options making it a great playstyle for the Monks. You’ll especially want to also use this build if you like the Githyanki Monks from the main story.

Overall, the Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a skilled and disciplined martial artist, who harnesses their body’s inner energy to perform incredible feats of physical prowess and spiritual enlightenment. Monks are known for their unarmed combat, swift movement, and unique mystical abilities. They use a combination of unarmed attacks, polearms, and spells in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Patch 8 Changes to Way of the Shadow Monk for BG3

Patch 8 brought significant updates to the Monk class in Baldur’s Gate 3, including the addition of the Way of the Drunken Master subclass. This new subclass focuses on chaotic movement and disorienting foes, boosting mobility and crowd control. Abilities like “Drunken Technique” allow for evasive maneuvers, while “Tipsy Sway” makes the Monk harder to pin down, creating a more dynamic and elusive fighter.

Overall, there are no changes to the playstyle or build for a Way of the Shadow Monk in BG. Our build below is still effective for players who enjoy the mix of fisticuffs and spellcasting. However, we’ve add in an alternate build below with another option that includes a bit of extra multiclassing to pick up Action Surge in the Fighter class.

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Monk Class Features & Mechanics

The following list presents class mechanics and features for Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build:

The Monk build and mechanics are very different from typical melee builds. Your armor, with Unarmored Defense, gives AC for having high Wisdom. That’s why our ability score will reach 16 duringcharacter creation. It’s important to use “clothing” for this reason. Additionally, Dexterity NOT Strength increases our damage with melee attacks. Another reason why the ability score will look different than other builds. This is due to the two passives listed above. In summary, it’s critical to reach 16 Dexterity and 16 Wisdom. The damage scaling is Dexterity based so we will look to increase that with feats later in character progression. The Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide will excel at up close martial attacks without weapons!

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Monk Ki Points Explained

Ki points are a resource that monks use to power their special abilities. Monks can replenish their Ki Points via short rest. Ki points are a limited resource, so monks must use them wisely. These points are unlocked at level 1, and as you level, you earn more and more. They are core to the damage, crowd control, and overall gameplay for the Monk so make sure to short rest after every combat engagement.

Way of Shadow Monk Subclass Explained

The Way of Shadow Monk subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a stealthy and evasive subclass that focuses on using the shadows to its advantage. Way of Shadow monks are skilled in moving through the shadows undetected, and they can use their abilities to create darkness and silence, disorient their enemies, and strike from the shadows.

Below is a list of the Way of Shadow Monk subclass progression, features, and spells:

This is a great subclass and why we recommend it for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide.

Character Creation

Recommended Background for Way of Shadow Monk

Urchinis the best background for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Way of Shadow Monk Build Guide because it gives skill proficiency in Sleight of Hand and Stealth both are Dexertiy-based. These two skills are high due to our ability score and help in exploration.Backgroundprimarily plays a role in outside-of-combat dialogue and exploration checks. Below are our background recommendations:

Best Race Choice for Way of Shadow Monk Build

Githyankiis the best Race choice for a Way of Shadow Monk Build because you gain Astral Knowledge, Enhanced Leap, Martial Prodigy,and Misty Step. This gives you access to movement spells and skills and also additional weapon and armor proficiencies. However, a secondary choice is theWoodHalf-Elfbecause of their Fleet of Foot increasing base movement speed by 1.5 meters per turn. Wood Elves also receive Mask of the Wild granting proficiency in stealth.

Here is the bestracechoice for a Way of Shadow Monk build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide

The Monk’s racial choice will not influence ability score, but everyone should get a +2 and +1 to spend regardless. This frees your race choice up to not completely hinder yourself based on ability score, but race features. Each of these races offers unique advantages that can enhance your combat prowess, survivability, or utility. Additionally, consider the roleplaying opportunities and character concepts that resonate with you. Consider playing what race resonates with you Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide.

Recommended Skills for Way of Shadow Monk Build

AcrobaticsandInsightare the best skills for the Monk Way of Shadow build in Baldur’s Gate 3. Select skills that scale in effectiveness based on your highest ability score like Dexterity and Wisdom. Note, you get different scores depending on the background you selected.

Here are the recommended skills for a Monk Way of Shadow:

Remember that proficiency in skills can be gained through your choice of background in Baldur’s Gate 3. Consider your character concept and the role you want to play in the party when selecting skills to specialize in.

Best Way of Shadow Monk Ability Scores

The bestability scorefor the Way of Shadow Hand Monk is 16 Dexterity, 16 Wisdom, and 15 Constitution. you’re able to lower Strength and Intelligence to 8 because you won’t need it with this build, while Charisma is kept at 10. Strength can be increased to 23 or 27 with Elixirs that last until a long rest, thus you want it lower to free up a higher score.

Below is the best ability score to unlock the full potential of the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Way of Shadow Monk Build:

For this build, we recommend 15 Constitution and will reach 16 with a feat at level 4 (Tavern Brawler). Typically you don’t want odd numbers, because only even numbers improve your rolls (saving and attack). However, very early on we will reach 14. Make sure to check out ourPermanent bonus guideon how you can boost your ability score through quests.

Strength Ability Score & Monk

Strength is also important due to the Tavern Brawler feat which we will select at level 4. However, we use the Elixir of Hill Giant Strength which increases our strength to 21 passively. This allows you to gain a higher ability score, without having to spend points on strength. Keep in mind, that you will need to constantly craft, buy, and consume Hill Giant (or Cloud Giant) strength elixirs which last until a long rest.

Consider the ability score loadout geared towards optimal damage on higher difficulty and we assume you will use Hill Giant elixirs on tough encounters.

Best Companions for Way of Shadow Monk

The bestcompanionfor a Monk Build in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Lae’zeal because she’s a melee-focused damage dealer. When you combine the Monk and another front-line fighter in cooperation the pressure and crowd control on the group is great.

When putting your party together, consider companions for not only their combat prowess but also their outside ability and skills that can influence storytelling, dialogue, and exploration. A balanced party will fit the traditional RPG ‘holy trinity’: Tank, Healer, and DPS. Ideally, in Baldur’s Gate 3 you’re are going to want one tank, one healer, one melee DPS, and one range DPS. Some classes/subclasses can cover both roles, so feel free to experiment and find out what works best for you.

Read More:Best Patch 8 Subclass Tier List in Baldur’s Gate 3

Way of Shadow Monk Illithid Powers

Illithid Powersare unlocked later in the game when you learn more about the Mind Flayers and Tadpoles. you may gain jars of Mind Flayer Parasite Specimens, and consume them to gain one point. This is essentially another skill tree advancement with some very strong powers. If you decide to advance this skill line, these are the choices we suggest.

Here are thebest Illithid Powersfor the Way of Shadow Monk Build:

Monk Level Progression

Alternative Way of the Shadow Monk Build

In our alternative Way of the Shadow Monk build we recommend choosing the Way of the Open Hand and later combining it with Rogue for a highly mobile, strong fighter. Additionally, we’ll also pick up a couple of level in the Fighter class. While we will lose one of our feats, in return we’ll be able to pick up Action Surge. This free action can be used once per Short Rest and will allow your Monk to make a second string of attacks. This can be especially powerful if you combine it with a Potion of Speed or Hasten.

Follow our character creator to pick all correct background, race, skills, and ability scoring focusing on Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution. You won’t be able to select a subclass until level 3, so expect the Monk class to start slow. You want to wear clothing NOT armour due to the passive Unarmored Defense. The higher your Wisdom, the more AC you will have which can be added to via armour and accessories.

At level one, the Monk unlocks Flurry of Blows.Flurry of Blows: punch twice in quick succession. This will be your primary damage source and can use it as a bonus action. Even right away, you can use an action for a weapon attack and Flurry of Blows for an additional attack even at level one. Additional passives granted at level 1 as a Monk:

Way of Shadow Monk Gameplay & Priorities

During the early stages of BG3, look to just unarmed attacks for damage without the need to equip any weapons. Your main challenge will be mobility, though through leveling you will get increased mobility options. Additionally, your primary goal should be to equip theHaste Helmas soon as possible. Moreover, look to acquire the Elixir of Hill Giant Strength and Potion of Speed. Hill Giant will radically increase your damage with Tavern Brawler starting at level 4.

Your overall priority with the Way of Shadow Monk build is the following:

Following these steps ensures a strong foundation, especially if you plan on playingsoloor onHonour Modedifficulty.

At level 2, the Monk unlocks a lot of class features and actions including an additional Ki point. Here’s what to expect as a level two Monk:

These new class features will give us more incentive to use clothing rather than armor due to the movement speed increase. With Patient Defense, you may give disadvantage to an enemy. This forces your opponent to roll twod20and take the lowest. It gives you a big offensive and defensive advantage against an enemy. You will also have much higher mobility with Step of the Wind, Dash, and Disengage actions. The Dash in particular is extremely useful because it can be used as a bonus action.

Combat remains the same at this point, except throwing in a Patient Defensive when you need protection or a big hit against an enemy.

At level 3, of the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide, you can select their subclass and we want to use the Way of Shadow subclass. The Way of Shadow will unlock the following features:

Way of Shadows Monk Level 3 Gameplay

After you select the Way of Shadow subclass, the Monk starts to play and perform a lot better. The subclass is built around stealth and deception, and you will have access to action and bonus action utility abilities and spells. An important one is Shadow Arts: Hide which is a bonus action, not an action. Early on, this can help escape and avoid damage or opening with big damage after leaving stealth. Darkvision is vital if you are playing a non-Darkvision racial choice like the Githyanki. The limited amount of light will cause you a drastic reduction in your percentage to hit and this is a counter to that weakness.

You also get two utility spells, Pass Without Trace and Silence. Pass Without Trace is great for questing and utility when you need the entire party to stealth by something. Silence is vital to shutting down spellcasters and has a massive area. In a couple of levels, your unarmed attacks will start doing more damage due to a feat and extra attack and the class excels after level 5.

At level four of the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide, you get to pick aFeatalong with a Ki Point and Slow Fall. Let’s break down what to do and why.

Slow Fall: When you fall, you can use your reaction to gain Resistance to Falling damage.

Tavern Brawler Feat: When you make an unarmed attack, use an improvised weapon, or throw something, your Strength Modifier is added twice to the damage and Attack Rolls. Also, lets you choose a +1 ability score in Strength or Constitution. With our +1 selection, we will reach 16 Constitution giving us an even number and more health. This will help us do more damage with Strength. At this point, Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength becomes very important to add a ton of damage.

Now Strength becomes a very powerful ability score giving a 2x bonus to damage and attack rolls. You want to look for gear sets likeMighty Clothor potions like Elixir of Hill Giant Strength. The benefit of Hill Giant’s strength is it lasts until a long rest and you can consume outside of combat. Therefore, look to consume this potion as a buff for hard fights after your long rest. This will radically increase your damage, and it only gets better next-level Extra Attack with the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Way of the Shadow Monk Build.

The level 5 Monk unlocks Extra Attack, Stunning Strike, a Ki Point, and a Cloak of Shadow subclass feature.

This is the level your Monk will feel a lot more powerful with utility. You can use Stunning Strike as an action that can be used to stun or crowd control targets. You then can follow up with Flurry of Blows which is two punches and also a bonus action. And since you have Extra Attack unlocked, you can do multiple versions of these giving you a lot more firepower.

The Cloak of Shadows allows you to become invisible but requires you to be obscure, already in the shadows or darkened areas. you’re able to combo this with Darkness to get into invisibility or seek obscure areas. Use your Ki Points sparingly at this level because they are so few, but will get more later in levels.

At level 6 the Way of Shadow Monk will unlock two class features and one subclass feature.

The premise of the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide now becomes using darkness and obscured areas to teleport and gain Advantage on your attacks. This allows you to roll two D20 rather than one and will likely increase your damage. The three abilities that synergy with this playstyle are Darkness, Cloak of Shadows, then Shadow Step. You can control a large 5m area with Shadow Arts Darkness then flee or go on the offensive from there.

Ending Act 1 as a Way of Shadow Monk

Upon reaching Level 6, you should be close to finishingAct 1content. Be sure to visit merchants and buy up needed camp and alchemy supplies. Additionally, ensure tolook over what the best Act 1 items are. Furthermore, check that you haven’t missed thepermanent bonusesyou can find in Act 1. Moreover, theGrymforgehas powerful armor and weapons (Adamantine) which can be used well intoAct 3. Consider taking the time to collect the Mithral, Mould, and Craft items before moving on toAct 2. The game will alert you when this is about to happen, but once you move onto the Shadow-Cursed Lands you’re able to’t go back.

Finally, look to acquire the Elixir of Hill Giant Strength and Potion of Speed. You can combine these two for huge damage increases and your Way of the Open Hand Monk will feel very powerful immediately.

As a Level 7 Monk, you unlock more Ki points and some defensive class features.

The gameplay remains the same at this level, just with more defensive capabilities.

At level 8 of the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide, you get another feat selection and I suggest taking the Ability Improvement.

Ability Improvement Feat: Increase your Dexterity to +2 which will help with damage. This will be the last feat we take for this build, but ability improvements are always solid choices and it’s harder to increase Dexterity than say Strength due to consumables.

Hitting 18 in Dexterity means big damage, a higher percentage to hit, and zero complex gameplay mechanics.

From levels 9 to 12, the Monk’s effectiveness falls off dramatically. Our subclass only gives two more abilities, related to Shadow Strikes at level 11. This is the point we recommend “multi-classing” the Monk. The major power you get from this class and others comes from multiple sources of action. However, the Monk favors heavily on bonus actions. Therefore, we recommend multi-classing at this level to the Rogue, which will lead us to the Thief subclass at level 11. TheThief Roguewith 3 levels will give you the following:

When you hit max level with this build, you would then be able to strike twice with your action and use two bonus actions giving you four attacks in one turn. The two alternatives areFighterfor Action Surge, but that isn’t every turn just one more action per short rest. Or you can remain in the Monk level until 12. I highly suggest switching because the Monk craves another bonus action, and the game’s combat revolves around actions and bonus action resources.

You can amplify two skills, which I recommendAcrobaticsandSleight of Handif you use this Monk in replacement for a Rogue or Ranger.

At Level 10 of Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow, Build Guide will seem a bit lackluster, because our bonus action won’t be used for hiding or running away but it will get much more useful at level 12. The second level in Thief gives you:

The benefit of Cunning Action is having Dash be a bonus action rather than an Action. This allows you to use the bonus action and cover a massive distance with the Monk’s high movement speed.

Now you’ve reached level 11 with levels into Rogue, we want to take another level in the Thief Subclass giving us Fast Hand and an extra bonus action.

Now you may use multiple bonus actions and expect the damage and mobility to improve even further.

You’ve reached the maximum level of 12 in Baldur’s Gate 3. With eight Monk levels and four Rogue, we can select a feat. You want to use Ability Improvement to put another +2 into Dexterity. Not much changes gameplay-wise other than striking harder and better chance to land attacks. Make sure to check the gear section below for recommendations, and thanks for reading the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide!

Way of Shadow Monk Recommended Gear

In Games like Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll explore the world, loot chests and your enemies’ dead bodies, and complete quests and all those activities can reward you with useful items, potions, armour, weapons, scrolls, and much more. There are three Acts in BG3, and Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Way of the Shadow Build Guide includes suggested sets and alternatives for Act 1 and Act 3.

Beginner: Act 1

Here’s the best beginner gear for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide:

Here is a list of the best Act 1 items for the Way of Shadow Monk:

Advanced: End-Game

The following table presents the best advanced and end-game gear for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk Way of Shadow Build Guide:

Here is a list of the best Act 3 items for the Way of Shadow Monk:

Best Consumable Items and Potions for Way of Shadows Monk

Consumablesare items that can be used once and then destroyed. They are typically used to restore health or other resources. Some common types of consumables include potions, scrolls, food, drinks, and arrows.

The following list represents the best individual use consumable items that will aid in our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Way of Shadow Monk Build:

Permanent Bonuses

Throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, you will have the ability to gain permanent bonuses to your character. These can grant additional spells, ability scores, and other bonuses. Permanent Bonuses are not displayed throughout the campaign but are vital to increase overall combat performance. We have all permanent bonuses here in a guide, but the most important ones for you to collect are listed below.

Best Permanent Bonuses for Way of Shadow Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3

Way of Shadow Monk Gameplay Tips and Tricks

Here are 10 gameplay, combat, tips, and tricks when playing the Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Remember, this build guide serves as a foundation, and you can always adapt it to suit your preferences and the needs of your campaign. Enjoy playing as a formidable Way of Shadow Monk!

Way of Shadow Monk Changes in Patch 7 for BG3

While Patch 7 changed many aspects of BG3, the Way of Shadow Monk build, combat, and gameplay remain relatively the same. On September 5th, 2024,Patch 7forBaldur’s Gate 3was released, bringing a massive update to the game. The developers added13 new cinematic scenes, including some new battle sequences with the Netherbrain. TheHonour Modeis also getting enhancements, with more legendary actions added to existing bosses, making the game more challenging.

Therefore, the Way of Shadow build, gear and playstyle remains the same in Patch 7. The main focus was mods, and handing the content of to creators for future gameplay.