Monk is an underrated class in Baldur’s Gate 3, which prompted me to make this ranked list of the best Monk subclasses.
Like most classes, Monk gives you the option to play as three unique subclasses, each giving you a different experience. Let’s discuss which is the best of them and why.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Monk subclasses, ranked
Honestly, this is a difficult choice to make, as all the subclasses rule pretty hard. Way of the Four Elements grants you a variety of elemental actions, Way of the Open Hand specializes in powerful unarmed strikes, and Way of Shadow has you teleporting and hiding in the darkness. But in the end, the best monk subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Way of Shadow.
- Way of Shadow
- Way of the Open Hand
- Way of the Four Elements
1. Way of Shadow
Some of the best ways to take down your foes in BG3 has to be in the shadows. This is what the Way of Shadow subclass is all about. Upon first unlocking Way of Shadow, you can cast Minor Illusion as a Cantrip. Then you get Shadow Arts, unlocking four spells (Pass Without Trace, Darkness, Darkvision, Silence) and the Hide maneuver as a Bonus Action.
As you level up, you become Invisible while obscured in shadows, you can Shadow Step between shadows and gain Advantage on your next melee attack roll. By level 11, spend three Ki Points to teleport to an enemy for a deadly 3d8 Psychic damage of a strike.
Way of Shadow is just too powerful, especially if you’re in an area with plenty of darkness. Jump from one foe to the next while still staying out of view and you’ll almost always make it out alive.
Related: Best Monk class build in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)
2. Way of the Open Hand
Way of the Open Hand is a pretty strong subclass, even compared to Way of Shadow. At level 3, your Flurry of Blows can knock someone Prone, Stagger them, or push them far. Level 6 grants you Manifestation of Mind, Body, and Soul. Respectively, you can deal an extra 1d4 Psychic, Necrotic, or Radiant damage with your unarmed strikes.
Wholeness of Body allows you to regain half of your Ki Points, entering a state where you gain one point per turn and get a Bonus Action. You also get back some health, making this an incredible Action to have. Level 9 gives you Ki Resonations, which can cause Ki Resonation: Blast for an explosion of damage.
Finally, Tranquility grants you Sanctuary on Long Rests after level 11. This makes it so that until you hit an enemy, you cannot be targeted by an attack. Way of the Open Hand is a solid pick for a subclass if you’d rather get up in the fray of battle.
3. Way of the Four Elements
Not to say that Way of the Four Elements is bad because it’s in last place, but it’s still a cool subclass choice. It just doesn’t compare to the other two options. This subclass allows you to harness elements, and at level 3 you can choose three out of 11 choices for elemental powers.
These Actions are essentially a Monk’s equivalent of the usual spells you see in-game. Also, while not in combat you can regain half of your Ki Points. The more you level up, the more spells you unlock, and the stronger they get.
While this subclass gives you a wide variety of spells, if you already have a spellcaster in your party this subclass just isn’t worth it. It’ll make characters like Gale useless, but if you don’t want Gale in your party, then that doesn’t matter.
With this ranked list of Monk subclasses out of the way, you should now check out our ranked list of the best Cleric subclasses!
