Best Monk build in Baldur’s Gate 3: Race, skills, subclass & more

Monks in Baldur’s Gate 3 take down the enemy with hard, fast, and tactical attacks – but you can only achieve that power with a great build. So, here’s the best Monk build for Baldur’s Gate 3, along with the ideal race, subclass, and some ideal multiclass options.

There are so many classes and races in Baldur’s Gate 3, and the Monk is among one of the newer additions, coming into the game upon its full release. It’s a relatively complicated class to play, requiring a great race and tactical design.

So, to help you craft a powerful Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3, here’s the best build in the game including the perfect race, subclass, Ability Score spread, and a few multiclass options if you want to spice up your character down the line.

Contents

• Best race to choose for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3
• Best subclass for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3
• Best background for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3
• Best Ability Score spread for a Monk
• Best multiclass options for the Monk
• Best build for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3

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Best race to choose for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3

There are quite a few to choose from when playing a Monk as each can grant you a different way of playing:

• Drow (Stealth)
• Lightfoot Halfling (Lucky)
• Wood Half-Elf (More movement speed)
• Half-Orc (Relentless Endurance & Savage Attacks)

We recommend using the Wood Half-Elf for your Monk. This is due to the increased movement speed, Darkvision, and advantage on charmed saving throws.

Best subclass for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3

The best subclass for the Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3 is undeniably the Way of the Shadow. It’s extremely powerful due to the power of stealth in the game and will work perfectly in battle and while exploring.

On top of this, it works perfectly with the use of spells, adding a new layer to the character that grants it even more power.

Best background for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios

For a Monk as stealthy and sneaky as this one, the Urchin background is the best decision. It’ll grant you proficiency in Stealth and Sleight of Hand, two fantastic Dexterity skills.

Other than those, it’s worth looking to gain proficiency in these skills:

• Insight
• Acrobatics
• History

Best Ability Score spread for a Monk

The Monk is relatively simple to create when it comes to Ability Scores so many can opt for the recommended spread. Alternatively, try these:

• Strength: 10
• Dexterity: 16
• Constitution: 15
• Wisdom: 16
• Intelligence: 8
• Charisma: 8

Just like the Rogue, the Monk focuses mainly on Dexerity which is naturally its highest stat. Then, the next two major elements are Consitution, for your health and Wisdom for the high Insight, and other key skills. There’s not much need to put many points into Intelligence, Strength, or Charisma here.

Best multiclass options for the Monk

Monk and Cleric

From the offset it’s worth noting that the Monk works pretty effectively on it’s own, and you’re likely better off sticking with one class rather than multiclassing. Nevertheless, if you do want to combine the Monk, you should pair it with the Cleric.

This multiclass grants you a little bit of extra AC and protection along with the multiple hits you get as a Monk. Along with that you get some healing, a bit more move speed, and much more versatility than the base classes.

Monk and Druid

The Monk and Druid multiclass is extremely similar to the Cleric / Monk in the sense that it’s not as powerful as the base Monk class, but can still be pretty fun if you want to multiclass.

If you combine the Druid with the Monk you get a pretty unique creation, particularly if you choose Spores and Way of the Four Elements, to get that nature build. With this, you can combine certain spells like Thorn Whip or Water Whip to bring the enemy closer, before pummeling them with a Flurry of Blow. It’ll certainly change up your gameplay.

Best build for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3

Race: Wood Half-Elf

Background: Urchin

Skills: Insight, Acrobatics

Ability order from highest to lowest: Dexterity, Constitution, Strength, Wisdom, Charisma, Intelligence

Best Monk build:

Level	Features
1	Unarmored Defense — Martial Arts — Flurry of Blows
2	Ki — Unarmored Movement — Patient Defense — Step of the Wind
3	Deflect Missiles
4	Ability Increase: Dexterity — Slow Fall
5	Extra Attack — Stunning Strike
6	Ki-Empowered Strikes — Improved Unarmored Movement
7	Stillness of Mine — Evasion
8	Ability Increase: Dexterity to 20
9	Advanced Unarmored Movement
10	Purity of Body — Improved Unarmored Movement
11	—
12	Feat: Mobile

So there you have it, that’s the best build for a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3. While getting your perfect character ready, take a look at some of our other handy Baldur’s Gate 3 guides and content:

Best Bard build | Best Ranger build | Best Barbarian build | Best Druid build | Best Warlock build | Does Baldur’s Gate 3 have crossplay & cross-platform progression? | Can you play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam Deck? | Baldur’s Gate 3 voice actors for all characters | How long is Baldur’s Gate 3? | Baldur’s Gate 3 pre-release bonuses & edition differences | Is Baldur’s Gate 3 coming to Xbox? | Is Baldur’s Gate 3 single-player? | Baldur’s Gate 3 Mind Flayers explained: Who are the Illithids? | Baldur’s Gate 3 proficiency explained