Monk

This page is for the monk class in.

Introduction
Monks are priests who are specialized in barehanded fighting, originally they can use cleric scrolls as well as many mage wands, including Wand of Cloudkill, which have been disabled in Enhanced Editions.

Monks have a limited access to thieving skills and use the same weapons as thieves that requires one hand, which they can only become proficient (1 point) and may only put a single point in single weapon style, they also cannot wear armor or use shields.

These disadvantages are compensated for by a large amount of different benefits as they level up.

Only humans may become monk.

Monks may not dual-class.

Ability scores table
During character creation, rolls below the minimum value for the class will be increased to that value. This table uses the values for Humans.

Monks gain +1 strength from a Star result from Deck of Many Things.

^^ The Dark Moon and Sun Soul class kits have an increased constitution minimum ability score.

Stunning blow
Monks can use Stunning blow once per day for every four levels. All the monk's attacks in the six seconds following the ability's activation that are successful, the opponent must make a save or be stunned.

Quivering palm
When a monk reaches the 13th level, they get the ability 'Quivering Palm'. The first time a monk attacks with their fists after activating Quivering Palm, if the attack is successful then the opponent must make a save vs spell or die. The ability can be used once per day.

Lay On Hands
They gain the ability to lay on hands at level 7, which heals 2 hit points per level.

Thieving Skills
Every monk gains a fixed +10 points to spend on some thieving skill when they level up, dexterity score further adjust the final values during character generation and subsequent play.

Find Traps:

Monks begin the game with 5% chance to find traps (human racial bonus) modified by their dexterity score. Unlike thieves, monks may not attempt to disarm found traps. Does not benefit from scores higher than 100.

Move Silently:

Monks begin the game with 10% chance modified by their dexterity score to remain hidden whilst moving after successfully hiding in shadows.

Hide In Shadows:

Monks begin the game with 5% chance to hide in shadows modified by their dexterity score. A monk attacking an enemy from hiding with a melee weapon receives a +4 bonus to to-hit roll, but unlike a thief does not receive any bonus to damage. The chance to hide successfully is decreased when attempted during the day or whilst the monk is not in shadows.

Detect Illusion (Dark Moon Monk only):

Dark Moon Monks begin the game with 10% chance (kit bonus) to dispel non-friendly illusion spells within 30 ft whenever their Find Traps skill is active. Does not benefit from scores higher than 100.

Level-dependent bonuses
Unarmed attacks:

Monks start with 1 attack per round. Every three levels, this is improved by 1/2 attack per round. At level 18, a monk can attack with his fists 4 times each round. Starting from 9th level, the monk's fist is treated as magic weapon. These attacks all come from the main hand leaving it possible for an offhand weapon to be equipped, although no proficiency points may be put into two-weapon fighting.

Armor class bonuses:

The armor class of the monk is 9 at the start. This decreases by another point at level 2 and every two levels thereafter, until level 20. Subsequently, there are further single point bonuses at levels 24, 27, 30, 35 and 40. This results in a -6 for effective armor class if reaching level 40.

Deflect Missiles:

This gives a monk a -1 armor class bonus against missile attacks every three levels.

Saving throw bonus:

Monks have +2 bonus when they need to make saving throws against spells right from the start. At level 9, they gain +1 bonus to all saving throws. These stack allowing for +3 vs spells and +1 to all others.

Magical resistance:

At level 14, Monks gain 3% resistance to magic for every level, which adds 42% magic resistance immediately. This continues to grow up to a max of 83%.

Movement speed and speed factor:

Monks move +2 points faster than normal units from the start. They gain +1 for every five levels. At level 8, they receive -1 bonus to speed factor, at level 12, a further -1.

Immunities:

At level 5, they gain immunity to all diseases and cannot be hasted or slowed - they may not use Oils of Speed, but may wear Boots of Speed. At level 9, they also become immune to status effect charm as well. At level 11, they become immune to poison too. At level 20, they become immune to non-magical weapons.

Monk
Monks are warriors who pursue perfection through contemplation as well as action. They are versatile fighters, especially skilled in combat without weapons or armor. Though Monks cannot cast spells, they have a unique magic of their own: they channel a subtle energy, called ki, which allows them to perform amazing feats. The Monk's best known feat is their ability to stun an opponent with an unarmed blow.

Class features: Gameplay
 * May not wear any armor
 * May only use weapons available to the Thief class (except two-handed)
 * May only become Proficient (one slot) in any weapon class
 * May only become Proficient (one slot) in Single-Weapon Style and may not put slots into any other style
 * Moves 2 points faster than other non-barbarian characters. Movement rate further improves by 1 every 5 levels
 * May make 1 unarmed attack per round. An additional 1/2 attack per round is gained every 3 levels. Damage dealt by unarmed attacks increases with level as follows:    Level 1-2:1d6    Level 3-5:1d8    Level 6-8:1d10    Level 9-14:1d12    Level 15+:1d20
 * At level 9, unarmed attacks are treated as +1 magical weapon and gain -1 THAC0 bonus and +1 damage rolls bonus. This enchantment improves to +2 at level 12, +3 at level 15, and +4 at level 25
 * Receives a -2 bonus to Saving Throws vs.Spell
 * Deflect Missiles: -1 bonus to AC vs. missile attacks every 3 levels
 * Starts with an base Armor Class of 9 at 1st level and gains an additional -1 bonus every 2 levels
 * May use the Stunning Blow ability once per day. Gains one use at level 1 and an additional use every 4 levels thereafter. All successful attacks within the next round force the victim to save vs. Spell or be stunned. This special ability automatically modifies normal attacks, no targeting needs to be done
 * 5th level: Becomes immune to all diseases and cannot be slowed or hasted
 * 7th level: May use the Lay On Hands ability on self to heal 2 Hit Points per level
 * 8th level: Gains a -1 bonus to Speed Factor
 * 9th level: Gains a -1 bonus to all Saving Throws and becomes immune to charm
 * 11th level: Becomes immune to poison
 * 12th level: Gains another -1 bonus to Speed Factor
 * 13th level: May use the Quivering Palm ability once per day. The next successful attack forces the opponent to save vs. Spell or die. This special ability automatically modifies normal attacks, no targeting needs to be done
 * 14th level: Gains 3% Magic Resistance per level (starting with 42% at 14th level)
 * 20th level: Becomes immune to non-magical weapons
 * Alignment restricted to lawful
 * Hit Die: d8
 * May not Dual-class

Dark Moon Monk (EE only)
The Order of the Dark Moon is a secretive monastic order that follows the teachings of the dark goddess Shar. Monks of the Dark Moon use physical prowess, dark magic, and many different forms of deception to mask their activities and strike with deadly precision.

Advantages: Disadvantages: Gameplay
 * +10 to Detect Illusion
 * May invest points into the Detect Illusion skill
 * May use the Frozen Fist ability once per day. Gains one use at level 1 and an additional use every 4 levels thereafter. When this ability is activated, the Dark Moon Monk's fists are wreathed in a frosty shell. For 1 turn, the Dark Moon Monk's unarmed attacks deal an additional 2 points of cold damage on each successful hit
 * 1st level: May cast Blindness once per day
 * 3rd level: May cast Blur once per day
 * 7th level: May cast Vampiric Touch once per day
 * 11th level: May cast Mirror Image once per day
 * Alignment restricted to lawful evil
 * May not use the Lay On Hands ability
 * May not use the Stunning Blow ability

Sun Soul Monk (EE only)
Sun Soul Monks were once worshipers of Amaunator in the time of the Netheril, but today their worship is divided between Lathander, Selûne, and Sune. Sun Soul Monks adhere strictly to the law, using their martial arts and magical abilities to drive out darkness and corruption wherever they find it.

Advantages: Disadvantages: Gameplay
 * 2nd level: May cast Sun Soulray once per day. The Sun Soul Monk projects a blast of light from open palm, dealing 1d8 fire damage for every 2 caster levels (up to a maximum of 5d8 damage) to a single target. Undead creatures take an additional 6 points of damage
 * 5th level: May cast Flaming Fists once per day. The Sun Soul Monk channels inner light into unarmed attacks, turning fists into flaming weapons that deal an additional 2d6 fire damage per hit for the next round. The duration increases to 2 rounds at level 9, 3 rounds at level 12, 4 rounds at level 15, and 5 rounds at level 25. This special ability automatically modifies normal attacks, no weapon-switching needs to be done
 * 6th level: Gains an additional use of Sun Soulray
 * 8th level: May cast Greater Sun once per day. The Sun Soul Monk wreathes in flames that act as a Fireshield (Red), granting the Monk 50% Fire Resistance and protecting from attacks made within a 5-ft. radius. An opponent that hits the Monk with any weapons or spells within this radius suffers 1d8+2 points of fire damage
 * 10th level: Gains an additional use of Sun Soulray
 * 13th level: May cast Sun Soulbeam once per day. The Sun Soul Monk emits a dazzling burst of light that strikes at all other creatures within a 30-ft. radius. The Sun Soulbeam does not automatically hit all targets, but makes a melee attack using the Monk's current THAC0 (-3 bonus vs. undead). Struck creatures suffer 9d6 points of damage (9d6+3 if undead), unless they save vs. Spell for half. In addition, all creatures except the Monk must save vs. Spell or be blinded for 2 in-game hours
 * 15th level: Gains an additional use of Sun Soulray
 * Alignment restricted to lawful good
 * May not use Stunning Blow ability
 * May not use Quivering Palm ability
 * Companion Rasaad yn Bashir is a sun soul monk

High-level class abilities
Monks, who belong to priest group, use the warrior HLA pool instead, except that they do not have access to the Resist Magic, as they already have 60% magic resistance by the time it becomes available.
 * Power Attack, can be selected as many times you like


 * Critical Strike, requires power attack, can be selected as many times you like


 * Smite, requires power attack and critical strike, can be selected only one time


 * Deathblow, can be selected as many times you like


 * Greater Deathblow, requires deathblow, can be selected as many times you like


 * Whirlwind, can be selected as many times you like


 * Greater Whirlwind, requires whirlwind, can be selected as many times you like


 * War Cry, can be selected as many times you like


 * Hardiness, can be selected as many times you like

Stronghold
After completing The de'Arnise Keep has been Invaded, protagonist monks acquire the keep as stronghold, same as fighters.

Gameplay (community)
~ Write your insights below – different from the Gameplay section above, you may use your signatures here; this is an example page ~
 * The Dark Moon Monk is a perfect Killing Machine after he has reached high levels. Only in the beginning he's weak. No one can escape from him because of his special 'Detect Illusion' skill. He can make invisible enemies seen again. Great Protagonist for Solo Walkthrough. --Gejadus (talk) 12:00, October 24, 2017 (UTC)