Monk (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
The monk is a playable character class
in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. A D&D monk is a fantasy martial artist
, specializing in unarmed combat.
, inspired by the fictional martial arts of the Destroyer series of novels. The monk was introduced in 1975's Blackmoor
supplement.
Another version of the monk appeared as a character class in the original Oriental Adventures
in 1985. According to a reviewer for White Dwarf
, this version of the monk was "altered to fit into an Eastern pattern", and was "at last in the proper context".
The Monk was still creatable via Faiths & Avatars
, but no longer used a Ki system.
, released in May 2009.
The playtest version of the class published in May 2009 has the psionic power source and the striker role. Earlier in its development, the 4th edition monk was intended to use the ki power source. As strikers, monks are focused on mobility and single-target damage. Most monk at-will and encounter attack powers use the "full discipline" mechanic, powers with this mechanic have two modes: an offense-oriented mode which can be used by expending a standard action (the same action type used to make standard attacks) and a mobility-oriented mode which can be used by expending a move action (the same action type used for normal movement).
As published in Player's Handbook III, the Monk uses the Psionic power source, but may use ki focuses (similar in use to implements used by spellcasting classes) to add enhancements to his unarmed attacks. The monk class now makes it possible for them to use weapons effectively, even allowing them to be used as implements for some powers. In the absence of proficiency with high-damage weapons, however, the monk is still primarily an unarmed class.
classes, the monk class has several quasi-magical abilities (such as the ability to evade damage from magical attacks) in addition to their combat abilities. Monks typically use only their bare hands as weapons, delivering blows comparable in power to magical weapons as the character advances in game experience.
In addition, monk characters possess many supernatural abilities similar to those of martial arts monks in movies and folklore. These ki
powers make monk characters able to resist disease, poison, and certain spells, to move more swiftly, and to reduce damage from falls and area attacks.
Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)
A character class is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. A character's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses are largely defined by his or her chosen class; choosing a class is one of the first steps a player takes in order to...
in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. A D&D monk is a fantasy martial artist
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
, specializing in unarmed combat.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The original monk character class was created by Brian BlumeBrian Blume
Brian J. Blume is noted for being a business partner of Gary Gygax in TSR, Inc., producers of the fantasy role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons.-Biography:...
, inspired by the fictional martial arts of the Destroyer series of novels. The monk was introduced in 1975's Blackmoor
Blackmoor (supplement)
Blackmoor is a supplementary rulebook for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game written by Dave Arneson...
supplement.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The monk was a main character class in the first edition Players Handbook.Another version of the monk appeared as a character class in the original Oriental Adventures
Oriental Adventures
Oriental Adventures is the title shared by two hardback rulebooks published for different versions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
in 1985. According to a reviewer for White Dwarf
White Dwarf (magazine)
White Dwarf is a magazine published by British games manufacturer Games Workshop. Initially covering a wide variety of fantasy and science-fiction role-playing and board games, particularly the role playing games Dungeons & Dragons, RuneQuest and Traveller...
, this version of the monk was "altered to fit into an Eastern pattern", and was "at last in the proper context".
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
The monk was available as a character class known as a "mystic" in the game's "Basic" edition, introduced in the Rules Cyclopedia.Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The monk was dropped as one of the standard character classes available in the second edition.The Monk was still creatable via Faiths & Avatars
Faiths & Avatars
Faiths & Avatars is an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms campaign expansion book. The book was designed by Julia Martin with Eric L. Boyd, and additional design by Ed Greenwood, L. Richard Baker III, and David Wise...
, but no longer used a Ki system.
Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition (2000-2007)
With the release of the third edition rules, the monk was reintroduced.Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
A preview version of the class was published online in the 375th issue of DragonDragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
, released in May 2009.
The playtest version of the class published in May 2009 has the psionic power source and the striker role. Earlier in its development, the 4th edition monk was intended to use the ki power source. As strikers, monks are focused on mobility and single-target damage. Most monk at-will and encounter attack powers use the "full discipline" mechanic, powers with this mechanic have two modes: an offense-oriented mode which can be used by expending a standard action (the same action type used to make standard attacks) and a mobility-oriented mode which can be used by expending a move action (the same action type used for normal movement).
As published in Player's Handbook III, the Monk uses the Psionic power source, but may use ki focuses (similar in use to implements used by spellcasting classes) to add enhancements to his unarmed attacks. The monk class now makes it possible for them to use weapons effectively, even allowing them to be used as implements for some powers. In the absence of proficiency with high-damage weapons, however, the monk is still primarily an unarmed class.
Gameplay
In D&D, gameplay typically focuses on a small group of player characters, often referred to as a party of adventurers. In such groups, the monk typically serves as a hand-to-hand combatant. Though less able to absorb damage than characters of the fighterFighter (Dungeons & Dragons)
The fighter is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A fighter is a versatile, weapons-oriented warrior who fights using skill, strategy and tactics....
classes, the monk class has several quasi-magical abilities (such as the ability to evade damage from magical attacks) in addition to their combat abilities. Monks typically use only their bare hands as weapons, delivering blows comparable in power to magical weapons as the character advances in game experience.
In addition, monk characters possess many supernatural abilities similar to those of martial arts monks in movies and folklore. These ki
Qi
In traditional Chinese culture, qì is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts...
powers make monk characters able to resist disease, poison, and certain spells, to move more swiftly, and to reduce damage from falls and area attacks.
External links
- D&D Wiki has all the SRDSystem Reference DocumentThe System Reference Document, or SRD, is a set of reference role playing game mechanics licensed under the Open Game License by Wizards of the Coast and based upon their Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. The SRD forms the basis of WotC's various d20 System role-playing games, including the...
Classes, along with the Monk.