What is the best multiclass combination for a Monk in Baldur's Gate 3?
Multiclassing a Monk in Baldur's Gate 3 can create a highly versatile and powerful character, but it requires careful planning to maximize the strengths of both classes. One of the best multiclass combinations for a Monk is with the Rogue class. This combination leverages the Monk's speed, unarmed strikes, and Ki abilities with the Rogue's sneak attack, cunning actions, and expertise, creating a character that excels in both mobility and damage output.
To start, you should focus on the Monk class initially, as it provides the foundation for your character's combat abilities. Monk levels give you access to Martial Arts, which allows you to use Dexterity instead of Strength for attack and damage rolls with unarmed strikes and Monk weapons. You also gain Ki points, which can be used for abilities like Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the Wind. These abilities are crucial for your character's survivability and damage potential.
Once you reach Monk level 5, you gain Extra Attack, which allows you to make two attacks whenever you take the Attack action. This is a significant power spike and should be your first major milestone. After reaching Monk level 5, you can start multiclassing into Rogue. The Rogue class offers several benefits that complement the Monk's abilities. At Rogue level 1, you gain Sneak Attack, which allows you to deal extra damage to a creature if you have advantage on the attack roll or if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it. This synergizes well with the Monk's ability to quickly close the distance to enemies and strike multiple times.
At Rogue level 2, you gain Cunning Action, which allows you to Dash, Disengage, or Hide as a bonus action. This greatly enhances your mobility and survivability, allowing you to reposition yourself in combat or escape dangerous situations. The Monk's Step of the Wind already provides similar benefits, but having both options gives you more flexibility in how you use your bonus actions.
One important tip is to prioritize Dexterity and Wisdom for your ability scores. Dexterity increases your attack and damage rolls, as well as your Armor Class, while Wisdom boosts your Monk's AC and the save DC for your Ki abilities. Constitution is also important for increasing your hit points and survivability. When multiclassing, you need to meet the ability score requirements for both classes, which for Monk and Rogue is Dexterity and Wisdom of at least 13.
A common mistake to avoid is spreading your levels too thin between the two classes. It's generally best to focus on one class for the majority of your levels and dip into the other class for specific abilities. For example, you might take Monk to level 8 or 9 and Rogue to level 3 or 4. This allows you to gain powerful Monk abilities like Evasion and Stillness of Mind, while also getting the Rogue's Sneak Attack and Cunning Action.
Advanced techniques for this multiclass build include using the Rogue's Assassin subclass, which grants you advantage on attack rolls against creatures that haven't taken a turn in combat yet and automatically crits on hits against surprised creatures. This can lead to devastating opening turns in combat, especially when combined with the Monk's Flurry of Blows. Another option is the Thief subclass, which gives you an additional bonus action each turn. This can be incredibly powerful for a Monk, as it allows you to make an extra unarmed strike or use Step of the Wind more frequently.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, it's important to understand how Sneak Attack works with unarmed strikes. In standard D&D 5E rules, Sneak Attack requires a finesse or ranged weapon, and unarmed strikes do not qualify. However, Baldur's Gate 3 may have different interpretations or house rules, so it's worth testing in-game to see if unarmed strikes can trigger Sneak Attack. If not, you can still use Monk weapons like shortswords or daggers to benefit from Sneak Attack.
Specific examples of this build in action include using your high mobility to dart around the battlefield, striking enemies with Flurry of Blows and Sneak Attack, then using Cunning Action to Disengage and move away without provoking opportunity attacks. This hit-and-run tactic can be very effective, especially against tougher enemies or in situations where you need to protect your allies.
In summary, multiclassing Monk with Rogue in Baldur's Gate 3 creates a highly mobile and damaging character that excels in both melee combat and utility. By focusing on Dexterity and Wisdom, prioritizing key abilities from both classes, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a character that is both fun to play and highly effective in a variety of situations.
To start, you should focus on the Monk class initially, as it provides the foundation for your character's combat abilities. Monk levels give you access to Martial Arts, which allows you to use Dexterity instead of Strength for attack and damage rolls with unarmed strikes and Monk weapons. You also gain Ki points, which can be used for abilities like Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the Wind. These abilities are crucial for your character's survivability and damage potential.
Once you reach Monk level 5, you gain Extra Attack, which allows you to make two attacks whenever you take the Attack action. This is a significant power spike and should be your first major milestone. After reaching Monk level 5, you can start multiclassing into Rogue. The Rogue class offers several benefits that complement the Monk's abilities. At Rogue level 1, you gain Sneak Attack, which allows you to deal extra damage to a creature if you have advantage on the attack roll or if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it. This synergizes well with the Monk's ability to quickly close the distance to enemies and strike multiple times.
At Rogue level 2, you gain Cunning Action, which allows you to Dash, Disengage, or Hide as a bonus action. This greatly enhances your mobility and survivability, allowing you to reposition yourself in combat or escape dangerous situations. The Monk's Step of the Wind already provides similar benefits, but having both options gives you more flexibility in how you use your bonus actions.
One important tip is to prioritize Dexterity and Wisdom for your ability scores. Dexterity increases your attack and damage rolls, as well as your Armor Class, while Wisdom boosts your Monk's AC and the save DC for your Ki abilities. Constitution is also important for increasing your hit points and survivability. When multiclassing, you need to meet the ability score requirements for both classes, which for Monk and Rogue is Dexterity and Wisdom of at least 13.
A common mistake to avoid is spreading your levels too thin between the two classes. It's generally best to focus on one class for the majority of your levels and dip into the other class for specific abilities. For example, you might take Monk to level 8 or 9 and Rogue to level 3 or 4. This allows you to gain powerful Monk abilities like Evasion and Stillness of Mind, while also getting the Rogue's Sneak Attack and Cunning Action.
Advanced techniques for this multiclass build include using the Rogue's Assassin subclass, which grants you advantage on attack rolls against creatures that haven't taken a turn in combat yet and automatically crits on hits against surprised creatures. This can lead to devastating opening turns in combat, especially when combined with the Monk's Flurry of Blows. Another option is the Thief subclass, which gives you an additional bonus action each turn. This can be incredibly powerful for a Monk, as it allows you to make an extra unarmed strike or use Step of the Wind more frequently.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, it's important to understand how Sneak Attack works with unarmed strikes. In standard D&D 5E rules, Sneak Attack requires a finesse or ranged weapon, and unarmed strikes do not qualify. However, Baldur's Gate 3 may have different interpretations or house rules, so it's worth testing in-game to see if unarmed strikes can trigger Sneak Attack. If not, you can still use Monk weapons like shortswords or daggers to benefit from Sneak Attack.
Specific examples of this build in action include using your high mobility to dart around the battlefield, striking enemies with Flurry of Blows and Sneak Attack, then using Cunning Action to Disengage and move away without provoking opportunity attacks. This hit-and-run tactic can be very effective, especially against tougher enemies or in situations where you need to protect your allies.
In summary, multiclassing Monk with Rogue in Baldur's Gate 3 creates a highly mobile and damaging character that excels in both melee combat and utility. By focusing on Dexterity and Wisdom, prioritizing key abilities from both classes, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a character that is both fun to play and highly effective in a variety of situations.