Character Building

Monk Class Builder: Level One

Today I’m going to walk you through building a monk character for your Dungeons & Dragons game. Monks are one of the coolest classes, honestly. They’re fast, they get multiple attacks, fun abilities, etc. 


Let’s  go over proficiencies and starter equipment.


(Images in this post are owned by Wizards of the Coast, LLC)

First, Choose Two Skills You Want Your Character to be Proficient in:

Remember that your proficiencies are like extra points in a set area. It simply boosts your variety of skills a bit. (I always try to find a way to increase my Perception I’m where able to.)

Acrobatics

Insight

Athletics

History

Religion

Stealth

Then, Understand Your Pre-Determined Proficiencies.

It might help you choose the most effective starter gear to know that, as a monk, you’re automatically proficient in the following:

Savings Throws

  • Strength
  • Dexterity

Weapons

  • Simple Weapons
  • Shortswords

Now, You Can Choose Your Starter Equipment!

By now you’ve finished marking down your proficiencies on your character sheet.  Now it’s time to get your complimentary starter equipment ready.

Choose One:

A Shortsword

One Simple Weapon

+ Simple weapons include clubs, daggers, great-clubs, hand-axes, javelins, light hammers, maces, quarter staffs, sickles, spears, light crossbows, darts, short-bows, and slings. Personally I would choose a wooden shield for the extra safety.

Choose One:

One Type of Artisan's Tools

One Musical Instrument

Choose One:

A Dungeoneer's Pack

An Explorer's Pack

You Also Get This Item:

10 Darts

Level One Stats:

Your level one proficiency bonus for a monk is +2.

You have Unarmored Defense! If you’re armor-less and and not wielding a shield, your armor class (AC) equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Wisdom modifier.

You’re a martial artist. If you’re unarmed or wielding only monk weapons you can use Dexterity instead of Strength in an attack and damage rolls. In place of normal damage action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.

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